Hamad Bin Khalifa University
جامعة حمد بن خليفة
A research-led, mostly graduate university in Doha's Education City that also offers five engineering BScs.
- Students
- 1,500
- Tuition
- QAR 72,563
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 2010
- QS World Ranking
- #213
- 2027 edition
About HBKU
Hamad Bin Khalifa University was founded in 2010 as a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and sits in Education City, the Doha campus that also hosts branch campuses of several international universities. It describes itself as a homegrown research university, and its mission statement commits it to integrated graduate and selected undergraduate programmes.
Most of HBKU's degrees are master's, PhD and professional degrees across its College of Islamic Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, College of Law, College of Health and Life Sciences, College of Public Policy, School of Economics and Management and School of Education. Its research institutes include the Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI).
At undergraduate level, the College of Science and Engineering offers four-year BSc degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Chemical, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, taught in English with professional, research and entrepreneurship pathways that draw on HBKU's institutes and Qatar Science and Technology Park. With about 1,500 students and 140 faculty, HBKU suits students who want a small, research-intensive setting in the Gulf.
Why students choose HBKU
Five English-taught engineering BSc degrees, including Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering.
Undergraduates can follow a research pathway working with faculty in institutes such as the Qatar Computing Research Institute.
A small university of about 1,500 students and 140 faculty inside Qatar Foundation's Education City.
SAT and ACT are optional; need-based financial aid is available after admission.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry
Selectivity
HBKU does not publish an acceptance rate. Undergraduate applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility by the admissions team and then by the chosen college.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma (any curriculum) | Strong academic record with advanced mathematics and science coursework, plus IELTS or TOEFL; SAT or ACT optional |
|---|---|
| English language | IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory for undergraduate applicants; minimum scores are not stated on the undergraduate admissions page. |
Deadlines
- Undergraduate application (Fall 2027) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~5 months1 March 2027
Applications opened 1 September 2026. No early decision: decisions are usually made in mid to late April. No spring intake.
HBKU's undergraduate admissions page gives dated Important Dates for this cycle: applications open 1 September 2026 and close 1 March 2027. Its generic FAQ still describes the window as 1 October to 1 March; the dated entry (1 September 2026) is used here, and the 1 March 2027 deadline is the same in both.
How to apply
Create an account on HBKU's online application portal, choose a programme (you may indicate a second choice), then upload supporting documents and referee details. The admissions team checks eligibility and forwards the file to the college; offers are sent as official HBKU offer letters. A personal statement is part of the application.
What admissions looks for
- A strong high school record with advanced mathematics and science.
- English proficiency shown through IELTS or TOEFL.
- A personal statement that explains your academic interests, challenges you have overcome and why you want to study at HBKU.
- Standardised test scores if you believe they reflect your ability (optional).
Tips for applying to HBKU
- 1 Apply before 1 March: HBKU does not defer admission and does not take spring applicants.
- 2 Submit SAT or ACT if your scores are strong; the engineering pages encourage them even though the policy is test-optional.
- 3 Use the second-choice field on the application, since you can only submit one application per year.
- 4 Apply for need-based financial aid after you receive your admission decision.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in QAR
Need-based financial aid is available to admitted undergraduates, applied for after admission decisions; HBKU directs bachelor's financial support questions to Qatar Foundation's financial aid office. Graduate scholarships (tuition waivers and stipends) follow separate published guidelines.
- QAR 2,250 per credit hour
- Undergraduate tuition rate
- 128-131 credits over 4 years
- Engineering BSc length
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (fall entry only for undergraduates)
BSc Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering
A 128-credit undergraduate degree in the College of Science and Engineering, alongside HBKU's Qatar Computing Research Institute.
BSc Electrical Engineering
Concentrations in power and energy systems, communications and signal processing, and embedded and intelligent computing systems.
BSc Chemical Engineering
A 131-credit programme, the longest of HBKU's engineering degrees.
BSc Computer Engineering
One of five engineering degrees offering professional, research and entrepreneurship pathways.
BSc Mechanical Engineering
Part of the College of Science and Engineering's undergraduate engineering suite.
Research
- Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI) and Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) are part of HBKU.
- Students on the entrepreneurship pathway can connect with Qatar Science and Technology Park.
- HBKU recently earned a scale-up grant for its AI Scholar MaternaCare project (September 2026).
Schools & faculties
- College of Islamic Studies
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Law
- College of Health and Life Sciences
- College of Public Policy
- School of Economics and Management
- School of Education
Student life
HBKU students share Education City with the other Qatar Foundation universities, including its student centre, mosque and sports facilities, and can live in Qatar Foundation residence halls. Because HBKU is small and mostly graduate, undergraduates are a close-knit group working near research institutes from their first year. The university also runs summer programmes and a student enrichment programme.
- Shared Education City facilities with other Qatar Foundation universities.
- Research, professional and entrepreneurship pathways for engineering students.
- Summer programmes and a student enrichment programme.
- HBKU Housing and Residence Halls within Education City.
Housing. Students can live in Qatar Foundation dormitory facilities or arrange their own accommodation.
Location
Education City is a large Qatar Foundation campus in Al Rayyan on the western side of Doha, Qatar's capital, shared by HBKU and the Qatar campuses of several international universities. Doha is a fast-growing Gulf city with a hot climate for much of the year.
Nearest airport: Hamad International Airport, Doha (DOH)
Notable alumni
- SM Sheikha Moza bint NasserChairperson of Qatar Foundation; HBKU Class of 2015
Frequently asked questions
Does HBKU offer undergraduate degrees?
Yes. Although most HBKU programmes are graduate degrees, the College of Science and Engineering offers four-year BSc degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Chemical, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
What is the HBKU undergraduate application deadline?
1 March 2027 for fall 2027 entry. Applications opened on 1 September 2026, and decisions are usually made in mid to late April.
Does HBKU require the SAT?
No. SAT and ACT are optional, but IELTS or TOEFL is mandatory.
How much does an HBKU bachelor's degree cost?
Undergraduate tuition is QAR 2,250 per credit hour. The published four-year totals are QAR 290,250 to 294,750 per engineering BSc, or roughly QAR 72,600 to 73,700 a year. Need-based financial aid is available after admission.
Can I defer an offer from HBKU?
No. HBKU does not defer admission; you would need to reapply the following year.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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