General
Qatar Scholarships is a program spearheaded by Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in cooperation with several prestigious and leading educational institutions in the State of Qatar. Qatar Scholarships offers grants in tertiary, language and higher education programs to international students from developing countries interested in studying in Qatar. It is a program driven by Qatar’s vision to advance quality education worldwide and comes in support of the Sustainable Development Goal 4: “Ensuring fair and inclusive education for all and enhancing lifelong learning for all”.
Qatar Scholarships offers grants in, certificates, diplomas, bachelors and masters degrees and PhDs as well as language programs to international students from developing countries interested in studying in Qatar and abroad.
In Qatar, you can pursue a degree, benefit from a safe environment and immerse yourself in the Arabic culture. In recent years, Qatar has been involved in building a national strategy for helping the education system grow and evolve. According to Qatar’s Permanent Constitution, education is a basic foundation for the progress of society.
Students who speak Arabic or who want to improve their Arabic skills will find Qatar an interesting study abroad destination. However, Qatar has been registering many international students due to the country’s partnerships with many universities from English speaking countries, thus offering a huge palette and variety in terms of English taught programs. From arts and design to science and technology, you can follow your dream study in any field you want.
The education system in Qatar is managed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) at all levels. These institutions have set the following strategies for developing higher education: optimize student talents and capabilities, develop student knowledge and skills that are according to labour market demands, and support the needs and aspirations of the society. Universities are also enhancing scientific research to keep aligned with other international universities worldwide.
International students who do not speak Arabic can find many educational opportunities in Qatar, as English is widely spoken and used as a second language. Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs are available in English.
It depends on the duration of your academic program. Qatar Scholarships range from 1 year certificate programs to 6-year PhD programs.
No. Suitable housing will be provided to you at no cost to you. Meals will also be fully covered. It is likely that you will share accommodations with 1 or more flat mates. Each of you would, however, have their own room.
Students typically come into residence in Doha in August of the year following their selection, but academic programs may vary. Consult the academic calendar of the academic institution to which you are applying for more information.
Generally, upon completion of their program, Qatar Scholarships students are required to return to their home country.
However, top-performing students may be invited to remain in Qatar after graduation and receive support in finding employment opportunities in the country.
Many universities offer student employment programs. These are designed to help students gain real work experience while studying. Most students can work in these programs for up to 20 hours per week. However, foreign students can’t work off-campus on a student visa. This requires a separate work visa and can be difficult to obtain.
Yes, you will be provided with a Hamad Medical Centre card. This plan covers accidents and illnesses but will not cover routine checkups or preventative care.
We strongly recommend that recipients of Qatar Scholarships engage with their campus and local community by participating in various activities and events. Whether it's joining clubs, playing sports, or sharing their culinary favourites with friends, there are numerous ways to share their culture. Additionally, we urge scholarship recipients to contribute to their host communities through volunteer work. To amplify their impact, we invite them to share their experiences on the Qatar Scholarships website forum, where they may be featured on the Qatar Scholarships blog or social media channels.
Qatar Scholarship students should not anticipate staying for a prolonged period in Qatar after completing their studies.
If unforeseen circumstances prohibit the completion of the program on time, the case will be reviewed on an individual basis to determine what actions will be taken, though Qatar Scholarship students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout their program.
Academic Programs
Starting from the 2026–27 academic year, Qatar Scholarships will expand to include new opportunities across additional universities and programs.
We are currently in negotiations with several institutions, including the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar University, Lusail University, the Geneva Graduate Institute (in partnership with Hamad Bin Khalifa University), and all Qatar Foundation universities. This website will be updated as new scholarships become available.
Eligibility
Please click on the button below to determine if you are eligible for a Qatar Scholarship.
No. Officially the program is designed for international students from developing countries interested in studying in Qatar.
Application Process
You do not apply directly to Qatar Scholarships.
First, you must apply to an academic program at one of our partner universities or institutions. Submit your full application and all required documents to the academic institution, not to Qatar Scholarships.
Please note that Qatar Scholarships does not have access to your application, supporting documents, or any information about your admission status or timelines. All updates and decisions during the admission process come only from the academic institution.
If you are selected, Qatar Scholarships will inform the institution, and the institution will then contact you with the results and manage all arrangements for your enrollment.
In summary: apply to the university first — not to Qatar Scholarships directly, as Qatar Scholarships has no role in the initial application process or its timeline.
Each academic partner institution has their own timelines for the application process. Please visit their websites for more details regarding the program(s) you are interested in applying for.
Yes. If you are unsuccessful in your application to Qatar Scholarships, you may re-apply, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
The academic partner institution should contact you if there is an issue but a follow up email a week or two after your application has been submitted to inquire about its progress is recommended.
Please contact the academic institution you applied to directly to make any changes to your application.
It varies from year to year. We also offer a different number of scholarships in partnership with each of our academic partners.
You will typically be informed of a scholarship award via email. If you are not selected, please know that your application was carefully reviewed and we appreciate your interest. Thank you for applying.
Each academic partner institution has their own timelines for the application process. Please visit their websites for more details regarding the program(s) you are interested in applying for.
Yes. The program is for international students currently living in a developing country who are interested in studying in Qatar.
Incoming students who are awarded a Qatar scholarships need to accept or decline by the deadline indicated in their offer letter. Detailed instructions are included in the scholarship congratulatory letters. Your prompt response would be appreciated to notify the alternate as to their selection.
Financial
A Qatar Scholarships scholarship generally covers:
- Annual round-trip flight between your home country and Doha, Qatar.
- Furnished shared housing (family accommodation not included).
- Full tuition coverage, including textbooks and learning materials.
- Three meals per day.
- Local transport between housing and campus.
- Full medical insurance.
- A monthly living allowance (stipend).
