6 Attractively Generous Scholarships in Qatar for International Students

Despite its smaller size compared to many of its neighboring countries, in recent years Qatar has seen a surge in wealth due to fuel trade. It is now one of the world’s richest countries, and is investing significant amounts in developing and internationalizing its higher education system.

While there are a growing number of higher education institutions in Qatar, so far just one of them is featured in the QS Arab Region University Rankings. This is Qatar University. Nevertheless. There are many ways to study in Qatar will financial assistance as the government, higher education institutions and many foundations in Qatar offer generous scholarships. Read on to find out what scholarships in Qatar for international students are offered.

1. HEI’s Scholarship Programs

Scholarships offered by the Ministry of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in the State of Qatar. The scholarship programs aim to support undergraduate and postgraduate students in pursuing their degrees at the best higher education institutions in Qatar and around the world. The scholarship office administers scholarship programs based on the following geographic distribution:

• • Qatar
  • Arab region and Australia
  • United Kingdom and Europe
  • United States and Canada

There are two scholarship programs run by the HEI:

• • “Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani” Scholarship: The HBKU Qatar Scholarships are offered to both undergraduate and postgraduate students Scholarship recipients will receive an annual bonus subject to successful completion of the academic year, as follows:
    • Undergraduate
      • Excellent: a reward of QAR 50,000
      • Very good: a reward of QAR 40,000
      • Good: a reward of QAR 30,000
    • Postgraduate
      • Master Degree
        • Excellent: a reward of QAR 200,000
        • Very good: a reward of QAR 150,000
        • Good: a reward of QAR 100,000
      • Doctoral Degree
        • Excellent: a reward of QAR 250,000
        • Very good: a reward of QAR 200,000
        • Good: a reward of QAR 150,000
  • “Tamim bin Hamad” Scholarship: These scholarships are offered to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and the benefits include:
    • Undergraduate
      • Excellent: a reward of QAR 40,000
      • Very good: a reward of QAR 30,000
      • Good: a reward of QAR 20,000
    • Postgraduate
      • Master Degree
        • Excellent: a reward of QAR 150,000
        • Very good: a reward of QAR 100,000
        • Good: a reward of QAR 50,000
      • Doctoral Degree
        • Excellent: a reward of QAR 200,000
        • Very good: a reward of QAR 150,000
        • Good: a reward of QAR 100,000

2. Qatar University Scholarship

Qatar University supports students with a wide variety of scholarships each academic year in order to attract highly qualified students. While the vast majority of academic scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and scholarly achievement. Qatar University offers different types of scholarships annually to attract qualified students, provided that they meet the requirements of each scholarship and submit the required documents. All scholarships cover the cost of tuition fees while the benefits of some scholarships may also include one or more of the following benefits:

• • the cost of textbooks fees
  • free accommodation in university dormitories, and
  • an annual airfare ticket to the home country of the student – this benefit is available for international students who are granted an external scholarship only and under the sponsorship of then university.

The student is responsible to pay the due penalties in case he or she drops courses, or withdraw from the semester. Qatar University Scholarships are only available to first bachelor degree students and students who transfer from other universities to Qatar University. Non-degree applicants, visiting students, and applicants seeking a second bachelor’s degree are not eligible for academic scholarships offered by Qatar University.

• • Islamic and other Countries Scholarships: Offered to students from Islamic and other countries. The applicants to this scholarship may be nominated by their embassies or may apply directly to Qatar University. Nominated students may receive these scholarships during the Fall semester and the Spring semester of the same academic year, though they are not allowed to transfer the scholarship to the next academic year. There are two types of these scholarships, which are internal and external scholarships.
    • Internal Scholarships: Offered by the University to applicants from within the State of Qatar. These scholarships include exemption only from tuition fees and book fees. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the college and major that they applied to. Including the final, official high school transcript for new admitted applicants.
    • External Scholarships: Qatar University scholarship for international students. These applicants may be nominated by their embassies or may apply directly to Qatar University. Students will be sponsored by Qatar University and these scholarships include exemption from courses tuition fees, provision of university accommodation, and annual round trip airfare ticket and textbooks fees exemption. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the college and major that they applied to. Including the final, official high school transcript for new admitted applicants. The student applied to majors taught in English as a first or second preference, must demonstrate proficiency in English and Mathematics by meeting the minimum competency requirements of IELTS at 5.5 and SAT at 570, or ACT at 24.
  • H.H. the Emir of Qatar’s Scholarships for Academic Excellence: Offered by the University to best high school fresh graduates who attain high averages in the Qatari Secondary Education Examinations. Ten male and ten female scholarships are awarded each year. These Scholarships include exemption from tuition fees and book fees.
  • Outstanding Performance Scholarship: Offered to Qatar University current and undergraduate students whose performance is outstanding in University courses. These Scholarships include exemption from tuition fees only.
  • GCC States Scholarships (Embassies): Offered by the University to students of GCC countries who hold the High School Certificate or its equivalent in their countries or any other country with the exception of the State of Qatar. A number of scholarships are allocated to each GCC country. Such scholarships can be postponed to the second term in the same academic year but not to the next academic year. These scholarships include exemption from tuition fees and free accommodation from the University.
  • GCC Qatari Certificate Scholarships: Offered by the University to GCC students who hold the Qatari High School Certificate. These scholarships include exemption from tuition fees only.
  • Children of Qatar University Employees Scholarships: Offered by the University to the children of Qatar University employees. The University offers a maximum of three scholarships to three children of the employee at one time. These scholarships include exemption from tuition fees only.
  • College of Education Diploma Scholarships: Qatar University offers a number of scholarships for students who want to join the diploma programs offered by the College of Education. These scholarships include exemption from tuition fees only.
  • Short Scholarships for the Arabic Program for Non-Natives: Designed for non-native speaker students from outside Qatar to learn Arabic. The International Students Section handles selections for this scholarship in coordination with the Arabic for Non-Native Speakers Program. The student can apply to this program as a personal applicant or the student can be nominated by an organization that has an established agreement with Qatar University and admitted by the President of Qatar University to grant scholarship in annual basis. The program duration is one academic year.

3. Doha Institute Scholarships

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies offers a wide variety of scholarships annually to attract academically qualified students from within and outside the State of Qatar. The scholarships vary, some awarded on the basis of merit and academic competition, while others are based on financial need.

• • Tamim Scholarship: Scholarships based on merit and academic excellence, dedicated to the most distinguished Qatari nationals, residents in Qatarand international students in the Arab states. The scholarship includes the following:
    • Full tuition fees coverage
    • International students from outside Qatar will benefit from having free accommodation in institute dormitories
    • A monthly stipend
    • Health insurance
    • Two travel tickets from and to the recipient’s home country upon arrival and after graduation
  • Sanad Scholarship: Scholarship based on students’ financial needs, dedicated to Qatari nationals, residents in Qatar and international students. The scholarship includes covering a program’s fees (10 to 100 percent). International students from outside Qatar will benefit from having their full tuition fees covered, in addition to free accommodation in institute dormitories, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and two travel tickets from and to the recipient’s home country upon arrival and after graduation.

4. QAPCO Scholarship Program

Financial support for undergraduate students studying in Qatar in all disciplines especially on, but not limited to, Engineering majors such as chemical, mechanical and electrical engineering. The Scholarship Program also supports students in other fields of study, including

• • Engineering (mechanical, chemical, electrical, telecommunications, etc.)
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Safety and Firefighting
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Law (civil or common law)
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Business Administration

Priority will be given to:

• • Students who have graduated from high school within the current year.
  • Students who intend to enroll at a local university in an Engineering discipline.
  • Students who are already studying in a local university in an Engineering discipline.

5. Qatar Foundation Scholarships and Financial Aid

A range of scholarships and need-based financial aid options offered to students. Within the Scholarship Program, students at any of the universities in Education City have access to multiple sources of funding. These options can be availed individually or combined to supplement their financial needs.

• • QF Merit Scholarships: Undergraduate students who have completed two semesters of academic study in Education City and have a GPA of 3.6 or above can apply for this highly competitive merit scholarship. The scholarship is annually renewable as long as the student maintains a minimum GPA of 3.6.
  • QF Financial Aid: A need-based, interest-free loan program that gives students an equal opportunity to receive a quality university education. Students who have been accepted into one of the undergraduate programs in Education City and can demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply. Students can repay their loan after graduation, either through repayment (as a percentage of their monthly income) or via paid service (by working for an approved organization for a predetermined period).

6. Qatar Airways National Scholarships Program

Financial and academic support provided to Qatari students studying in Qatar and overseas. Students are provided assistance during their studies, and upon completion of their studies, they join Qatar Airways as Graduate Developers. As part of this support, students are required to conduct one internship after their second year of study (sophomore year) and one internship after their third year (junior year). The Internship Program is primarily in place for the development of students. However, other students may apply for the internship. The Program’s benefits include the following:

• • Monthly stipend
  • Growth and learning possibilities with various training courses
  • Global opportunities with internships at Qatar Airways Group
  • Annual academic reward for exceptional students

Qatar Airways will accept only higher educational institutions accredited by the Higher Education Institute of the State of Qatar for the National Scholarship Program. Refer to the Scholarship Program’s website to see the list of acceptable higher education institutions.