Qatar is an independent sovereign state in the Middle East. It has a high-income economy supported largely by oil and natural gas resources, and it has developed a high standard of living. Partnerships with well-known international universities have also helped shape Qatar’s higher education sector, especially through Qatar Foundation’s Education City.
The enrollment rate in higher education remains relatively low compared with the global average. Qatar’s higher education landscape includes public universities, private institutions, and international branch campuses. Program length varies by institution and degree, but many bachelor’s programs last four years, while master’s programs commonly last one or two years.
The following are among the notable business schools and business education providers in Qatar.
Top Business Schools in Qatar
1. Qatar University
Qatar University is one of Qatar’s main public universities and traces its origins to the College of Education, which was founded in 1973 before Qatar University became an integrated university in 1977. Its Research Complex supports national and international scholars and research facilities that serve Qatar’s development priorities.
Qatar University’s College of Business and Economics is an AACSB-accredited business school that offers undergraduate majors such as Accounting, Management Information Systems, Finance, Economics, Management, and Marketing, along with graduate programs including master’s degrees and a Ph.D. in Business Administration. The college also operates a Center for Entrepreneurship, which supports Qatar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through academic and practical initiatives.
2. HEC Paris (Doha Campus)
HEC Paris, Doha is part of Qatar Foundation’s Education City and focuses on executive education for professionals and senior leaders. HEC Paris became the first European partner of Qatar Foundation’s Education City in 2010 and launched Qatar’s first International Executive MBA.
Its Executive MBA is a part-time program taught in English and offered in Doha and Riyadh. The program lasts 15 to 18 months and currently costs US$128,000 in total.
Other offerings include the Emerging Leaders Track of the Executive MBA, Executive Certificates, Executive Short Programs, and Custom Programs for organizations. Program formats and lengths vary by course.
3. Carnegie Mellon University Qatar
Carnegie Mellon University is a private research university based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2004, Qatar Foundation invited Carnegie Mellon to join Education City, and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar now offers undergraduate degrees in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Information Systems.
The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar is a four-year undergraduate program. Its curriculum emphasizes analytics, economics, management, problem-solving, teamwork, innovation, and leadership development. Most students also pursue internships with organizations in Qatar.
The university enriches students’ experiences through research, experiential learning, campus-wide collaboration, and study abroad opportunities, including exchange options at Carnegie Mellon’s Pittsburgh campus.
Qatar is an Islamic state, so international students should be mindful of local laws and customs. The language of instruction varies by university and program: Qatar University’s business programs can be studied in English or Arabic, while HEC Paris, Doha and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar primarily use English for the programs discussed above.
Hopefully, this article on the best business schools in Qatar was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in Qatar and Available Business Programs pages for more informative articles and study opportunities.
