Qatar has continued to develop as a higher education hub, especially through Qatar Foundation’s Education City and Qatar University. Many programs in the country are offered in English, which can make Qatar an accessible option for international students.
Qatar Foundation’s Education City is now home to seven universities: six international universities and one homegrown university. Current institutions include Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar, HEC Paris, Doha, Northwestern University in Qatar, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Many of these institutions offer English-taught programs or courses, making it easier for international students to adapt to academic life in Qatar.
In this article, we look at the best English-taught schools in Qatar.
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in Qatar
1. Qatar University
Qatar University in Doha is Qatar’s primary institution of higher education and has served the country since 1977. The institution offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with the language of instruction varying by program.
The language of instruction at Qatar University may be English, Arabic, or both, depending on the program and college. Some programs also have specific availability rules or foundation-program requirements. For instance, the English Literature and Linguistics major is listed for female students.
Students may pursue undergraduate, master’s, doctorate, certificate, and diploma studies at Qatar University. English-taught undergraduate options include many programs in engineering, health sciences, medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and selected programs in arts and sciences and business. Graduate applicants should check the requirements for their specific program; Qatar University states that graduate programs requiring English competency generally require IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 68, TOEFL PBT 520, or TOEFL CBT 190.
2. Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar
Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, United States, is one of the world’s well-known universities, especially in computer science, information systems, and business. Its Qatar campus offers undergraduate programs through the same Carnegie Mellon academic standards.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar was established after Carnegie Mellon University accepted the Qatar Foundation’s invitation to join Education City. Since then, students from many countries have studied at the Doha campus, and the university continues to highlight its international student community.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar is among the best English-taught schools in Qatar. Applicants must usually submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test results unless they qualify for a waiver. The Qatar campus now offers five undergraduate programs: Artificial Intelligence, Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Information Systems.
3. Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Hamad Bin Khalifa University is a member of Qatar Foundation and was founded in 2010. It is located in Education City, similar to Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and Texas A&M University at Qatar. It is a graduate-focused university and research institute, so it offers more graduate programs than undergraduate programs.
Students generally need to demonstrate English proficiency to be accepted into English-taught programs, although requirements vary by college and program. Some programs or specializations require Arabic. For example, the Master of Arts in Contemporary Islamic Studies offers a Contemporary Islamic Thought specialization in English and a Fiqh and Society specialization in Arabic, and the Fiqh and Society specialization requires Arabic proficiency.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University is graduate-focused, but its College of Science and Engineering also lists four English-taught Bachelor of Science programs: Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The university also offers a wide range of master’s and doctoral programs through its six colleges, along with professional law options.
4. Weill Cornell Medical College – Qatar
- Study Program
- Degrees taught in English: Six-Year Medical Program and Four-Year Medical Curriculum leading to the M.D.
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar is another academic institution and an excellent English-taught school in the country established in Education City. It was founded in 2001 through a partnership between Cornell University and Qatar Foundation, making it the first American medical school established outside the United States. It is affiliated with Weill Cornell Medicine of Cornell University.
Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar offers an integrated medical education program leading to the Cornell University M.D. degree. Its Six-Year Medical Program includes two years of pre-medical studies followed by the four-year medical curriculum, and students admitted to this route do not need to complete a second admissions process after the pre-medical portion.
High school students may apply to the Six-Year Medical Program, while students who have completed the required pre-medical preparation at another institution may apply to the Four-Year Medical Curriculum. Applicants should review the latest admissions requirements, including English proficiency and standardized testing rules, directly on the Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar admissions page.
Now you know that language does not have to be a barrier if you are considering pursuing your higher education in Qatar. Check out the programs offered by the universities above and find one that suits your preferences. Good luck with your application and studying abroad!
We hope this article on the best English-taught universities in Qatar was helpful. Check out the Study in Qatar and Available Programs for International Students!
