With its high-income economy, Qatar is one of the wealthier countries in the world by GDP per capita, and oil and gas remain central to its economy. Additionally, this country is known for its history, people, and location. Today, Qatar continues to advance in different fields, including technology, healthcare, and education.
Over the years, higher education in Qatar has developed significantly as the country provides quality education and research opportunities to its learners. Students pursuing higher education in Qatar can experience a strong learning system as they pursue their respective fields. Qatar has also opened its education sector to international students.
If you are an international student, you may want to consider studying in Qatar. You can experience a rich Arab culture and lifestyle, visit some of the world’s distinctive architecture, and receive a world-class education. Here, we will look at various scholarships and grants in Qatar for aspiring international students.
Top Scholarships in Qatar for International Students
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Qatar University Scholarship | Qatar University | Bachelor’s | Full tuition waiver, Textbook fee exemption, 500 QAR monthly salary, Student housing, Annual round-trip airfare |
| QF Undergraduate Scholarship | Qatar Foundation + QF-based university | Bachelor’s | Varies by Education City partner university; may cover tuition and textbooks, and some partner-campus pages list housing for international students. |
| HBKU Graduate Scholarships | Hamad Bin Khalifa University | Graduate programs | Program-based tuition waivers; selected stipends; one inbound and one outbound airfare for international stipend recipients |
1. International Students Scholarship (Qatar University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Full tuition waiver, textbook fee exemption, 500 QAR monthly salary, student housing with transportation to and from campus, annual round-trip airfare, and residence permit under Qatar University sponsorship
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Qatar University, located in Doha, serves as Qatar’s primary institution of higher education and promotes academic and research excellence in the region. It provides quality education and scholarship opportunities for international students.
The International Students Scholarship is open to international students applying to undergraduate programs at Qatar University. Transfer students, visiting students, non-degree applicants, and applicants seeking a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible for this scholarship. Applicants are selected on a competitive basis and must meet the university’s admission requirements.
To qualify, applicants must have a high school certificate or its equivalent, a minimum high school average of 95%, final acceptance to the university, and admission to the college they applied for. Applicants do not need to submit additional scholarship documents beyond the documents required for admission. To keep this scholarship, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, complete at least 12 credit hours per semester, and remain continuously registered in the fall and spring semesters until graduation.
2. QF Undergraduate Scholarship (Qatar Foundation)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Varies by Education City partner university; may cover tuition and textbooks, and some partner-campus pages list housing for international students.
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Qatar Foundation (QF) is a nonprofit organization made up of entities working in education, research, and community development. It provides scholarships and financial aid options to students studying at Education City universities.
The QF Undergraduate Scholarship is open to academically excellent undergraduate students studying at Education City partner universities. QF states that undergraduate students who have completed two semesters of academic study in Education City with an outstanding GPA can apply for this highly competitive scholarship. Some partner-campus pages list a GPA of 3.6 or above, while others list different requirements, so students should confirm the exact GPA threshold and coverage with their own university and Qatar Foundation Student Financial Services.
Application requirements and the selection process may vary by partner university and scholarship category. Students should check the QF Financial Aid System and their university’s financial aid office for the latest application form, supporting documents, recommendation requirements, and deadlines.
3. International Graduate Student Merit Scholarship (Hamad Bin Khalifa University)
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Program-based tuition waivers, selected stipends, and a single round-trip airfare for international stipend recipients.
- Eligible Degree/s: Graduate programs
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) provides financial support for graduate students through its current graduate scholarship guidelines. Graduate student scholarships may include tuition waivers and stipends, depending on merit, financial need, program type, full-time status, and available funds.
Current tuition waivers are standardized by program type. HBKU lists 100% tuition waivers for PhD STEM programs, PhD SHAPE programs, and S.J.D. programs; 75% for STEM MS programs; 60% for SHAPE MS and MA programs and J.D. programs; and 0% for LL.M., MS Economics, and certificate programs. Selected full-time graduate students serving as research assistants or teaching assistants may receive stipends, but stipends and tuition waivers are not guaranteed.
Scholarship consideration takes place during the admissions process, and no separate scholarship application is currently required. Students who receive a stipend are responsible for paying for housing from their monthly stipend or personal funds, as HBKU does not provide direct payment for student housing. International stipend recipients receive one inbound ticket when starting their program and one outbound ticket upon graduation.
To maintain scholarship support, students must meet the conditions in their scholarship agreement and remain in good academic standing. Scholarships are reviewed annually and depend on academic progress and the availability of funds.
As an international student, if your biggest challenge is paying school fees, these scholarships and financial aid options can help you begin or continue your higher education journey. Maintain strong grades, review the latest official requirements, and apply to your chosen institution before the published deadlines.
We hope this article on Qatar’s best scholarships for international students was helpful. Check out the Study in Qatar and Available Programs for International Students pages for more informative articles.
