Since its formation in 1977, Qatar University has gone on to become the most important higher education institution in the country, and one of the best and most liberal in the region. QU is located in the capital city of Doha and is attended by over 23,000 students from all over the world. Women makeup nearly 70% of the student population and have their own set of facilities and classrooms. QU consists of ten faculties, offering the widest range of academic programs out of any Qatari university.

One unique quirk about QU is that even after an applicant is accepted to attend, he may have to undergo some foundational coursework in some subjects that he will need for the program he will be attending. Over the past 15 years, the university has undergone some significant changes and has placed emphasis on research, as well as continually improving the quality of its curriculums. In this article, we will be looking at Qatar University scholarships for international students.

International Students at Qatar University

Qatar University openly accepts and encourages international students to apply. This has resulted in a quite high number of students that are not Qatari. International students currently make up around 35% of the 22,000 student population. Since many of the courses are taught in Arabic, QU offers a language learning program for all non-native Arabic speakers.

There are also other resources that are available for international students to help them reach their personal goals, as well as integrate themselves into the sometimes vastly different culture.

Check Also: Available Programs for International Students

Tuition Fee at Qatar University for International Students

Qatar University may not be as affordable as some universities in Europe, but it still holds up pretty well in this department, charging around $14,000 to $16,000 per year, depending on the course you’re applying for. To see the tuition fees for all faculties, visit this link.

Payments can be done in cash or through a cheque at the Finance Department Cashier’s office, or online with a debit or credit card through the online paying system.

International Admissions Guide at Qatar University

The first, and most important step to start your application process to QU, is to obtain a student visa (Qatari residence permit). Applicants who don’t have a residence permit will not be considered. You can apply for the student visa online, and once you get it, you can begin the application process. The process is fairly easy and straightforward and is entirely completed online, except for a few documents that you may need to send via mail.

Once the application process is completed, you can check the status of your admission online. Graduate and postgraduate applicants will follow a very similar process. You can visit the official admission page for more information.

Application Fee at Qatar University

Undergraduate students are required to pay a $55 application fee as part of the admission process. For graduate and postgraduate students, this fee is $96.

Admissions Requirements at Qatar University for International Students

As mentioned previously, all applicants are required to have a Qatari residence permit in order to apply. Undergraduate applicants are required to have completed a minimum of 12 years of formal education prior to applying. The minimum acceptable GPA is 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, but it doesn’t guarantee that you will be accepted. TOEFL and IELTS scores are also required if you are studying in English, and the minimum score may vary depending on your program.

Graduate students must hold a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered, and also meet specific. college/program requirements

Qatar University Rankings

Qatar University was one of the most improved universities in 2021, jumping to 245 in the QS World University Rankings, compared to 276 from the year before. QU also ranks as the top university in Qatar, and among the best in the region.

Qatar University Acceptance Rate

While there are no listed figures regarding the acceptance rate, considering that QU is one of the most prestigious universities not only in Qatar but the entire Arab world, it is safe to say that it can be quite demanding to get into.

Qatar University Scholarships for International Students

Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships

1. Qatar University Scholarship

The Qatar University Scholarship is offered to all Qatari and international students who have applied directly to the university. This scholarship is only available for new undergraduate students and is given to those that have shown the best academic success in high school, meaning that only the best applicants are eligible for receiving it.

Students can apply for this scholarship during the Fall or Spring semester and must utilize it before the end of the academic year, otherwise, it will expire. This is probably the best QU scholarship for international students, as it fully covers all tuition costs, as well as book fees, part of the accommodation costs, and even the round-trip plane fare.

2. Arabic for Non-natives Program Scholarship

The Arabic for non-natives program is a 1-year program offered by Qatar University, created to help all international non-Arabic speaking applicants to learn the language and be able to start their program in Arabic. Keep in mind that spots for this scholarship are very limited and competitive. Preference is given to students looking to attend a master’s or Ph.D. program.

Those who are granted this scholarship at Qatar University will get to attend the entire 1-year program entirely free of charge, along with free accommodation, study materials, a round-trip plane ticket, three meals per day, internet, gym, and other amenities.

3. Outstanding Performance Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to the top 50 currently enrolled undergraduate students who have a minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with the highest GPA will receive the scholarship. Applying for this scholarship is not required, as enrolled students will automatically receive it if they meet all of the requirements. Unlike some other QU scholarships that offer additional perks, this one will only exempt the students from paying the tuition fee.

In order to keep this scholarship at Qatar University, students are required to meet certain academic terms and conditions.

4. GCC States Scholarships

This Qatar University scholarship for international students is reserved for students coming from one of the other Gulf Cooperation Council States and was created to further improve relations between the member states. Every GCC state receives a certain amount of scholarships each year. Recipients of this scholarship are exempt from paying any tuition fees, and also have their accommodation paid for by the University.

To apply for this scholarship, the students need to request a letter of recommendation to be sent on their behalf from the Qatari embassy in his country directly to the university.

These are the main scholarships that are available for international students. For any updates or other scholarships you might be eligible for, you can refer to the official QU website listing all of the scholarship types.

 

I hope that this article on Qatar University scholarships for international students was helpful. To know more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students.