Qatar

Why study a Bachelor or Master in Qatar

Find all the study programs in Qatar

  • About
  • Study
  • Living
  • Universities
  • Student Visa
  • How to Apply
  • Scholarship

About Qatar

Want to know more interesting facts about choosing the Qatar as a study abroad destination? Read on to learn everything you need to know about Study in Qatar, the application process and how to obtain your student visa (if you need one!). 

About Qatar

Qatar is an independent country with a high level of safety, as it was ranked 20th among the most peaceful countries in the world, and the United Nations ranked it as the most advanced country in the field of human development in the Arab world. On the economic level, it is a high-income country. It possesses the third largest reserves of natural gas and oil reserves in the world.

The capital of the State of Qatar 

Doha is the official capital of the State of Qatar, where it is inhabited by more than two-fifths of the population in the country, and is located on the eastern coast on the Arabian Gulf. It only received small ships, until the completion of a port built for heavy loads since the seventies of the last century.

Religion 

Islam is the official religion in Qatar and the majority of the Qatari people follow it. Qatar is considered an Islamic state, and its official religion is Islam. There are minorities of foreign workers from Hindus, Christians and others. A church was built for Catholics in Qatar to allow Christians residing in the country to perform the rites of their religion.

Geographical information 

The desert climate prevails in all regions of Qatar, where deserts are spread in all regions except for some limestone hills in the Dukhan region in the west of the country and the Jabal Fuwairit region in the north, which is one of the most fertile regions in Qatar.

study in Qatar

The Study in Qatar developed and became more distinguished starting from the third millennium. This is after the great interest in education on the part of officials, and from this point of view, large amounts of financial savings are determined that are approved by the Qatari government every year for all education sectors, and this is the reason for the interest of international students and scholars, considering Qatar as an ideal destination to complete their studies.

Most students here begin their university studies at 18. Classes are usually in English. Yet they can study in Arabic. The Gulf sheikhdom is home to many universities. It has a top-class educational system. It has prestigious local universities and offshoots of international university. Yet it has the iconic Education City.

The language 

The primary language in Qatar is Arabic but English is widely used by speaking with foreign tourists or getting job opportunities in many different sectors.

Study in Qatar

Why should you study in Qatar?

These universities are characterized by the quality of education and modernity of construction, and Qatari universities are equipped with the latest laboratories and teaching halls. Areas With the exception of some limestone hills in the Dukhan area in the west of the country and the Jabal Fuwairit area in the north, which is one of the most fertile areas in Qatar, Islam is the official religion in Qatar and the majority of the Qatari people are condemned by it.

The advantages of study in Qatar are diverse, and we will review them as follows:

  • The educational environment: the educational environment in Qatar is ideal, and this is one of the advantages of studying in Qatar; Where the programs are offered by an elite specialized in their respective fields, in addition to the abundance of research centers that root the theoretical subjects being studied, thus giving the student the appropriate skills.
  • Distinguished university housing: There is university housing for international students, and it provides all the services that students need, including food and drink, in addition to many recreational programs, and this is one of the advantages of studying in Qatar.
  • Getting to know the cultures of various countries: Among the advantages of studying in Qatar is the presence of multiple races, and through this, international students can be acquainted with the languages, customs and cultures of those countries.
  • Possibility of obtaining jobs after graduation: many local and international companies work in Qatar, and after obtaining a university degree, students can engage in suitable jobs with satisfactory salaries.

Tuition fees

There are no uniform tuition fees for all universities in the country. That’s since the cost of tuition fees depends on each individual institution. Locals and international students pay the same fees, with the full price of about 72,100 QR per semester (US$19,800). Some universities charge fees based on ‘credit hour.

They have around 12 credit hours each semester. For example, Qatar University, undergraduate program cost 1000 QR ($365.00) per credit hour. Scholarship opportunities are offered to some selected applicants from outside Qatar to complete undergraduate programs.

At some schools, such as the Education City branch of Texas A & M, sponsored students pay half the fees of non-sponsored students. The full price is set at 71,172 QR per semester (~US$19,550). There are generally two semesters per academic year (fall and spring).

Living in Qatar

Cost of living 

The cost of living in Qatar is very high. The Gulf sheikhdom imports most of its food items. Therefore, for the availability of varieties of brands for expatriates, they will be exceptionally expensive than local equivalents.

In addition, swift economic growth has caused accommodation and leisure costs to shoot up, alongside the prices of transport to and from the nation. Owing to the widespread import of food – estimated at around 90% of consumption – basic foodstuffs can also be fairly expensive.

The average cost of education in Qatar is about $20,000 annually, and this figure may rise slightly in scientific colleges, and decrease slightly in literary colleges, and the cost at the postgraduate level may reach about $25,000.

Accommodation

The value of renting an apartment in Qatar ranges between 4-6 thousand Qatari riyals, depending on the size of the apartment and its location, and it is preferable that the student reside in university cities, as it is considered the cheapest in terms of cost, and the cost of living in Qatar is between 5-6 thousand Qatari riyals Depending on the nature of the student’s spending.

Universities in Qatar

There are many universities in Qatar. They are provided with sophisticated equipment and advanced facilities. Students can study whatever majors they like. The environment there is formidable. 

Qatar University 

Qatar University is considered the leader among local universities in Qatar. In the latest QS Arab Region University Rankings it’s ranked third throughout the region. The university also features in the QS World University Rankings 2021, at joint 245th.

The university is located on the northern outskirts of the nation’s capital Doha. It is a public university presently home to nearly 16,000 students. The school’s academic programs are taught in both English (for natural sciences, engineering and business) and Arabic (for arts, education and social sciences) across seven colleges. These include the faculties of law, Sharia and Islamic studies, business and economics, engineering, pharmacy and education.

The university research facilities include laboratories, technical equipment, libraries, rare manuscripts and even a sea-faring vessel. Nearly 65 percent of the current student body is Qatari nationals and 35 percent are children of expatriates living in the country. Women make up 70 percent. 

Georgetown University in Qatar

Georgetown University in Qatar is the Qatar campus of the world renowned Georgetown University located in Washington, DC. The DC campus was established in 1789. Meanwhile, the campus in Doha, Qatar was established in 2005 in partnership with Qatar Foundation. The Qatari offshoot provides a four-year undergraduate program in international affairs which awards a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) degree.

Additionally, Georgetown University in Qatar prepares undergraduate students for a host of careers through a four-year liberal arts education focused upon the multidisciplinary study of international affairs. Students declare a major in the fall semester of their second year. And they usually pursue coursework for the major in the third and fourth years of studies.

Lusail University 

Lusail University is the first private and national university in the State of Qatar that lunched in the fall of 2020. The university is characterized by its partnerships with several universities by offering unique joint programs. The university provides several bachelor degree programs in Law, English, French Literature, Business Administration, and Marketing.

Carnegie Mellon University

It is a branch of the American Carnegie Million University, which specializes in computer science and technology, and this branch was opened in 2005 in the Qatari capital, Doha, and this university teaches its programs in English, and is characterized by the quality of education.

 Northwestern University

It is a branch of Northwestern University of America, which specializes in journalism and media, and this university was established in the year 2008, and this university is distinguished by teaching the programs it offers in English.

Student Visa - Qatar

If a student plans to study in Qatar for a short time only, tourist visas can be issued on arrival at Doha airport to citizens from a number of countries, including the UK, US, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Types Of Student Visas

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE – do not need a visa to enter Qatar. The price for a tourist 30-day visa is 105 QR (US$30), payable on entry into Qatar. It is often open for renewal before the 30-day period expires.

If a student wants to stay longer than one month, or are from a country not on the list of eligible nations, obtaining a visa to study in Qatar may be a little bit difficult. Qatari embassies are not authorized to issue visas. This means a sponsor will have to complete the process for the students. In many cases, the student’s chosen university will act as their sponsor.

Requirements 

The major requirements for a student visa to study in Qatar are: 

  • Valid passport 
  • 2 recent passport photos
  • Letter of acceptance from the university applied to
  • Information about study program such as degree name and weekly study hours
  • Scholarship certificate (if applicable)
  • 2 completed visa application forms
  • Medical insurance that is valid and covers any medical costs or for emergencies
  • Criminal record to prove good character standing
  • Proof of visa application fees being paid

The international student wishing to obtain a student visa on the university’s sponsorship fills out and completes the electronic new international student visa application and submits the required documents during the same application period for admission to Qatar University.

How to apply - Qatar

Admission requirements at the university vary according to the type of application (new student, transfer or visitor). Please click on one of the following links to see more information about the admission requirements:

  • The applicant must submit a high school diploma with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) equivalent to 2.00 out of 4.00 .
  • The student must have passed six different academic courses, including a minimum of one scientific course (Biology, Physics, Chemistry), one mathematics course (Algebra, trigonometry, geometry) and an English language course during the pre-final or final year.
  • For the scientific track: The applicant must pass two subjects in the secondary scientific courses (biology, physics, chemistry) in addition to passing a mathematics subject with a score of no less than 2.00 (or) to be accepted in the practical track.
  • Standardized exam results (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT) for students applying to colleges that require the Foundation Program.

Scholarship in Qatar

There are many scholarship options for international students who want to study in Qatar. This is to help international students come study there if they can’t afford to study there without it. Read on to learn more about the scholarships available and how to apply to them. 

Qatar University Scholarships

It is a scholarship provided by Qatar University, thus exempting students who receive this scholarship from paying any tuition fees only.

For example, the Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Scholarship and the Tamim bin Hamad Scholarship, which include undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship 

HBKU colleges offer tuition fee waivers or partial scholarships on a competitive basis. In this context, scholarship letters are sent prior to admission, and students who accept these scholarships are required to sign a scholarship agreement. To apply for the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. degrees

Fully Funded Qatar University Scholarship

Qatar University provides a number of other scholarships annually to attract academically qualified students from inside and outside the State of Qatar. The scholarships offered vary, some of them are awarded on the basis of academic merit, and others are on the basis of financial need.