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Studying at university in Qatar

An overview of university study in Qatar: the public and private institutions, Education City, how applying generally works, student visas for international students, scholarships and funding, and getting a foreign degree recognised.

Residents, Visitors, Citizens 4 min read Last checked 3 Oct 2026

For
Residents, Visitors, Citizens
Where
Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar University, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Before you start
5

Cost: Qatar University's undergraduate application fee is QR 200, paid online and not refundable. Qatar University also asks Qatar-based sponsors of international students for a QR 20,000 bank guarantee. Tuition and other fees are set by each university; check its official website.

Who this is for

Qatari citizens, residents of Qatar and students abroad who want to study for a degree in Qatar, and anyone who needs a foreign university degree recognised here. Each university sets its own admission rules, so this guide only gives the general picture. It does not cover school enrolment.

Before you start

  • Your secondary school certificate and transcripts. International applicants to Qatar University are asked for attested high school transcripts.
  • A valid passport, and a valid Qatar ID if you already live in Qatar.
  • For international students at Qatar University: a third party who will sponsor your study costs and can show proof of funds. You cannot sponsor yourself.
  • A police clearance certificate and a medical evaluation form if you need a student visa for Qatar University.
  • A way to pay the application fee online. Qatar University charges QR 200 for undergraduate applications.

Steps

  1. Look at the institutions

    The Ministry of Education and Higher Education publishes a list of the public and private higher education institutions in Qatar. Public ones include Qatar University, the University of Doha for Science and Technology and the Community College of Qatar. Qatar Foundation's Education City hosts Hamad Bin Khalifa University and branch campuses of several foreign universities. Download the ministry's list and its guide to programmes before you choose.

  2. Check deadlines and apply online

    Each university has its own online application and deadlines. At Qatar University you create an account, fill in the form, upload your photo, Qatar ID or passport, and pay the non-refundable fee. Your application is only reviewed once the fee is paid. Deadlines for international students are usually earlier than for Qatari and resident students, so check the timeline early.

  3. International students: apply for the student visa

    If you live outside Qatar, the university usually sponsors your student visa. At Qatar University you submit the visa application and documents during the same admission period, and the visa still needs approval from the relevant committee. Other universities have their own process, so ask their admissions office.

  4. Get your residence permit after arrival

    A student visa must be turned into a residence permit. Qatar University says this happens under its sponsorship within one month of entry, after a medical examination, fingerprinting and a blood type certificate. Do not travel out of Qatar until you have received your residence card.

  5. Look into scholarships and funding

    Qatari students can apply for government scholarships through the ministry's scholarship platform. The plan includes the Amiri, Abroad and Local scholarship programmes. At HBKU, graduate applicants are considered for scholarships during admission, with no separate form. In Education City, Qatar Foundation offers need-based interest-free loans and merit scholarships for undergraduates, applied for through its Financial Aid System.

  6. Studying abroad? Get pre-approval first

    If you plan to study outside Qatar at your own or your employer's expense, ask the ministry for pre-approval before you enrol. The ministry says this is a key condition for having the degree recognised later. You must stay with the same country, university, subject and level, attend the main campus and start in-person study within six months of approval.

  7. Have a foreign degree recognised

    To have a university degree from abroad recognised in Qatar, apply online to the ministry's university certificate equivalency service. The ministry checks that the degree is genuine and meets its rules before deciding. It does not issue equivalency for military or security qualifications, training courses or vocational certificates, apart from professional or executive master's degrees and the DBA.

Ready to apply?

You apply through the official service. We’re not part of it and can’t submit anything for you.

Higher education institutions in Qatar (MoEHE)

Useful numbers and apps

Good to know

  • Qatar Foundation says admissions to its partner universities are need-blind: your finances do not affect the admission decision.
  • HBKU scholarships can include a tuition waiver and, for some full-time students working as research or teaching assistants, a monthly stipend. Awards are reviewed every year and depend on academic progress and available funds.
  • Government scholarship registration opens for a limited window each year. In 2025 it ran from 1 July to 30 September; check the scholarship platform for the current dates.
  • Qatar University says an international student whose medical examination is not passed must leave Qatar within 48 hours.
  • Once you have a residence permit, you can get a health card at your local PHCC health centre. See our guide 'Getting and renewing a health card'.
  • Academic certificates from abroad must also be attested before use in Qatar. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains the attestation steps.

Sources

We checked this guide against these official pages.

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