Qatar has two main universities that fund international students: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), for master’s and PhD study, and Qatar University, mainly for bachelor’s degrees. This guide covers both.
For graduate students, the best-known funding is at HBKU in Education City, Doha. HBKU offers tuition waivers and monthly stipends to selected master’s and PhD students, and you are considered for them when you apply for admission. The admission deadline for international graduate applicants is in February 2027.
This guide explains how HBKU funding works, what Qatar University offers, the conditions attached, and how to apply to each. Funding is competitive and is not guaranteed, so read the conditions carefully. It was last checked against the HBKU website on 4 October 2026.
Scholarships in Qatar 2027 at a glance
| Country | Qatar |
|---|---|
| Main university for funded graduate study | Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) |
| Study levels | Master’s and PhD |
| Funding | Tuition waiver and, for selected students, a monthly stipend |
| International PhD stipend | 9,000 QAR a month, for up to 45 months |
| Guaranteed? | No. Awards depend on merit, need and available funds. |
| Deadline for international applicants | February 2027 |
How HBKU funding works
HBKU describes two kinds of support for graduate students. A tuition waiver reduces or removes your tuition fees. A stipend is paid to you each month. Students who receive a stipend generally also receive a tuition waiver. There is no separate scholarship form: the university considers you for funding as part of your admission application.
What does it pay?
- Tuition waiver: the rate depends on the programme and college. Some programmes offer no waiver at all, so check the page of your own programme.
- Stipend for international PhD students: 9,000 QAR a month, which is 108,000 QAR a year, for up to 45 months.
- Stipends for master’s students: awarded to selected students. The amount depends on the programme.
Students who pay their own way may qualify for a discounted tuition rate based on financial need.
The conditions
- Tuition waivers and stipends depend on the funds available.
- They are not guaranteed, and are awarded on merit or need.
- Stipends go to full-time graduate students who serve as research or teaching assistants.
- Students with a stipend work as research assistants with their supervisor for 10 hours a week.
This means an admission offer and a funding offer are two different things. Read your offer letter to see exactly what you have been awarded.
Who can apply?
International students can apply to HBKU’s master’s and PhD programmes. Each programme sets its own entry requirements, such as the subject of your previous degree, a minimum grade and proof of English. HBKU’s admissions website explains the language requirement and how to ask for an exemption.
How to apply, step by step
- Choose a programme at one of HBKU’s colleges and read its admission requirements and funding notes.
- Prepare your documents: final transcripts and graduation statements for all university studies, an English test result, and the other items your programme lists.
- Apply through the HBKU online admissions portal before the international deadline in February 2027.
- Wait for the admission decision and check what funding it includes.
Qatar University: the International Students Scholarship
Qatar University (QU) in Doha is the country’s national public university. It offers an International Students Scholarship to applicants from outside Qatar. You apply directly to the university, and scholarship holders are sponsored by QU.
What it includes:
- Exemption from tuition fees
- Exemption from textbook fees
- A monthly salary
- University accommodation
- An annual round-trip air ticket
How it is awarded: it is a competitive scholarship. New applicants are selected on their high school grades, and current QU students on their university GPA. It is aimed mainly at students starting a first bachelor’s degree.
How to apply: complete Qatar University’s online admission application and fill in its scholarship application section during the announced application period for international students. You must receive final acceptance to the university, and you cannot hold another scholarship at the same time.
Confirm the current amounts, dates and conditions on Qatar University’s scholarships pages before you apply.
HBKU or Qatar University: which fits you?
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University | Qatar University | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Master’s and PhD study | A first bachelor’s degree |
| Tuition | Waiver that depends on the programme | Exemption from tuition and textbook fees |
| Living support | Monthly stipend for selected students | Monthly salary |
| Housing | Not paid directly by the university | University accommodation |
| Flights | Check your offer | Annual round-trip ticket |
| Guaranteed? | No. Depends on merit, need and funds | No. Competitive on grades |
| How you are considered | Through your admission application | Scholarship section of the admission application |
Other options in Qatar
The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies also admits international students to master’s programmes and runs its own scholarship scheme. We have not verified its current terms, so check its official website directly.
Living and studying in Qatar: what to plan for
- Language: HBKU teaches its graduate programmes mainly in English. At Qatar University, some programmes are taught in Arabic and others in English, so check the language of your programme.
- Costs: if your award does not include housing, accommodation in Doha will be your largest expense. Compare the stipend with local rents before you accept.
- Visa: sponsored students receive a residence permit through the university.
Tips to strengthen your application
- For HBKU, show research experience and explain how it fits the college you apply to, since stipends are tied to research or teaching work.
- For Qatar University, your grades decide the scholarship, so submit complete and official transcripts.
- Apply well before the deadline. Late applications lose funding consideration.
- Read your offer letter line by line to see what is and is not covered.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every admitted student is fully funded.
- Choosing a programme that offers no tuition waiver without knowing it.
- Missing the February deadline for international applicants.
- Forgetting that housing is your own cost unless your offer says otherwise.
How to prepare a strong HBKU application
Because funding at HBKU is decided together with admission, your admission documents are also your scholarship case. Give each one real attention:
- Statement of purpose: explain your academic background, the research area you want to work in and why that college fits. Stipends are linked to research or teaching work, so show that you can contribute to a research group. Our statement of purpose guide gives a structure.
- CV: put research experience, publications and technical skills first. Use our research CV template.
- Transcripts: send final transcripts and graduation statements for every university you attended.
- Recommendation letters: ask teachers or supervisors who can describe your research ability with examples.
- English test: take it early, so the result reaches the university before the deadline.
How to prepare a strong Qatar University application
Qatar University’s International Students Scholarship is competitive on grades, so the key is a complete and accurate academic record:
- Submit your high school transcript and certificate exactly as the university asks, with certified translations if needed.
- Complete the scholarship section of the admission application. Leaving it blank means you are considered for admission only.
- Apply within the application period announced for international students. Late applications are not considered for the scholarship.
- Check that you meet the admission requirement of the college you choose, because you need final acceptance to receive the scholarship.
After you receive an offer
- Read the offer letter carefully. It states what is covered: tuition, stipend or salary, housing and flights.
- Accept by the date given. Offers lapse if you do not confirm in time.
- Prepare your documents for the residence permit. The university sponsors scholarship students and tells you which attested documents to bring.
- Plan your first month. Stipends and salaries are paid after you register, so bring enough money for your first weeks.
Keep copies of every document you send, and save the confirmation email from the admissions portal until you have your decision.
Frequently asked questions
Is the HBKU scholarship fully funded?
It can be for some students, but it is not guaranteed. Waivers vary by programme, and stipends depend on available funds.
How much is the PhD stipend?
9,000 QAR a month for international PhD students.
Do I apply separately for funding?
No. You are considered through your admission application.
Is IELTS required?
HBKU asks for proof of English and explains exemptions on its admissions site.
Does Qatar University fund international students?
Yes. Its International Students Scholarship includes tuition and textbook fee exemption, a monthly salary, accommodation and an annual air ticket. It is competitive and based on grades.
Can bachelor’s students get a scholarship in Qatar?
Qatar University’s scholarship is aimed mainly at first bachelor’s degree students. HBKU’s funding is for graduate students.
Where to apply
See the official HBKU scholarship page and the Qatar University scholarships pages for the current rates and conditions. For funded study elsewhere in the Gulf, see our KAUST Fellowship guide and our guide to Saudi government scholarships.
For benefits, eligibility and dates in one place, see our HBKU Scholarships page and our Qatar University International Students Scholarship page.
Live list: every scholarship we currently cover here
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBKU Scholarships 2027 in Qatar | Partial | Selected international students: 9,000 QAR a month for PhD (up to 45 months) and 7,000 QAR a month for master's (up to 21 months) | 1 Feb 2027 |
| Qatar University International Students Scholarship in Qatar | Fully funded | 500 Qatari riyals a month, plus free tuition and textbooks, shared housing, a yearly return air ticket and a residence permit | Varies |
This table updates itself whenever a scholarship is added or changed, so it can include newer entries than the sections above. See all scholarships.
