Is the designed and implemented curriculum the only source of learning for students at the university? Is the significant change in students throughout their university education solely the result of the impact of the official curriculum? We have all noticed that students undergo substantial changes at university. A student who completes an educational program is no longer the same person who entered the university several years earlier. In the academic environment, another critical factor leaves significant positive and negative effects on students' learning and personal development, without the awareness of planners and educators. This factor is referred to as the "hidden curriculum." The hidden curriculum is not part of the formal curriculum and is often hidden from the attention of planners as well. This form of education affects students' thoughts, emotions, behavior, and personality, and in many cases, it proves to be more effective than the official and prescribed curriculum. Social, cognitive, physical, and administrative environments are among the factors influencing the hidden curriculum.
Keywords: hidden_curriculum, formal_curriculum, cognitive_environment, social_environment, physical_environment, administrative_environment, University_of_Tehran, UNESCO_chair, Hossein_Memarian.
