Qatar University
جامعة قطر
Qatar's national university: twelve colleges on one campus north of Doha, with fees charged per credit hour.
- Founded
- 1977
- QS World Ranking
- #109
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Suburban
- 8 square kilometres
About QU
Qatar University describes itself as the largest and oldest university in Qatar and the country's primary institution of higher education since its inception in 1977 (its first college, of education, opened in 1973). It runs twelve colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Sharia and Islamic Studies, Dental Medicine, Sport Sciences and Nursing, offering 51 bachelor's and 53 master's programmes.
QU has more than 25,000 students from over 50 nationalities, and its eight-square-kilometre campus lets men and women study in separate facilities. Admission is competitive and capacity-based: meeting the minimum high school percentage (75% for most colleges from fall 2027, 80% for Pharmacy and 90% for Medicine and Dental Medicine) does not guarantee a place. Students are first admitted to a college and declare a major before completing 36 credit hours. Applicants to science, engineering and health colleges must show English and maths competency or pass the Foundation Program.
Research is a major part of the university's identity, with 18 research centres, 153 labs and a research vessel, Janan. QU is a good fit for Qatari and Gulf students who want a respected national degree at home, and for international applicants with very strong grades who can compete for the fully funded International Students Scholarship.
Why students choose QU
The International Students Scholarship covers tuition and textbooks and adds a QR 500 monthly allowance, shared housing with campus transport, an annual return flight and a QU-sponsored residence permit.
QU is ranked 109th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 201-250 in the THE World University Rankings 2026.
Programmes carry international accreditation, including ABET for engineering, AACSB for business and CCAPP for pharmacy.
Tuition is charged per credit hour by course (QR 1,200 to 1,700 for students admitted from fall 2026), so the cost follows the courses you actually take.
Admissions
Fall 2027 entry (requirements); dates shown are from the fall 2026 cycle
Selectivity
QU does not publish an acceptance rate. It states that admission is extremely competitive and based on the strength of the applicant pool and each college's capacity; meeting minimum percentages does not guarantee admission. International scholarship applicants need at least 95% in high school.
Typical entry requirements
| Qatari Secondary School Certificate | At least 75% from fall 2027 for most colleges (80% Pharmacy, 90% Medicine and Dental Medicine), in an eligible track |
|---|---|
| British system (IGCSE/A-level) | At least five IGCSE/O-level subjects (minimum E or 3) plus two A-level or AS subjects (minimum E), including Mathematics, a Science and a Language; predicted grades accepted for provisional admission |
| IB Diploma | Full diploma with at least 24 points out of 42 (excluding TOK and EE); predicted grades accepted for provisional admission |
| GPA-based (e.g. American) diplomas | Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 out of 4.00 and the required high school percentage; Mathematics and two sciences for scientific-track colleges |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 61 IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 61 exempts students from Foundation Program English in science, engineering and health colleges. Medicine and Dental Medicine require IELTS 6 or TOEFL iBT 68. Non-Qatari applicants to Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine and Dental Medicine must meet these scores to apply. |
Deadlines
- International applicants (fall 2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed25 March 2026
Online applications opened 1 March 2026; student visa application by 26 March and admission documents by 2 April 2026.
- First-year applicants: Qatari nationals, residents of Qatar and GCC nationals (fall 2026 cycle) Non-binding Passed5 July 2026
Applications opened 3 May 2026; all documents, including final transcripts, due the same day.
These are the published fall 2026 dates; QU had not posted its fall 2027 timeline on the pages checked. Expect a similar pattern, with the international window in March, and check the Admission Application Timeline page.
How to apply
Apply through QU's online admission application (QR 200 non-refundable fee) and select the scholarship section if you want to be considered for a scholarship. International applicants from outside Qatar must also apply for a student visa under QU sponsorship during the same window (unless applying only with a QU scholarship) and post their original high school transcript to the Admissions Department, P.O. Box 2713, Doha.
What admissions looks for
- A high school percentage above the college minimum, with competition for places when applicants exceed capacity.
- The right academic track: scientific-track colleges need Mathematics plus at least two of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
- For health and medical colleges, English and maths test scores that meet the stated thresholds.
- For the International Students Scholarship, a high school average of at least 95%, with test scores in English and maths taken into account.
Tips for applying to QU
- 1 International applicants apply in a short March window, months before Qatar-based applicants, so plan tests and document attestation early.
- 2 Submit IELTS or TOEFL and SAT or ACT scores if you have them: they can exempt you from the Foundation Program and support a scholarship application.
- 3 If you are on A-levels or IB, send predicted grades on QU's forms by the deadline to be considered for provisional admission.
- 4 International Foundation Program students must finish it within two semesters, so meet the competency scores before enrolling if you can.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in QAR
QU awards scholarships each year on merit, including the H.H. the Emir of Qatar's Scholarship for Academic Excellence for top Qatari certificate holders, a Student Recruitment and Excellence Scholarship for residents, and the International Students Scholarship (tuition and textbooks, QR 500 a month, housing, annual flight). Self-funded students can later apply for the Outstanding Performance Scholarship.
- QR 1,200 (Arts, Education, Law, Sharia) to QR 1,600 (Engineering, Pharmacy); QR 1,400 for Sciences, Business, Health Sciences and Nursing
- Undergraduate tuition per credit hour (admitted from fall 2026)
- QR 45,400 in year 1, rising to QR 149,000 in years 5 and 6 (approximate)
- Medicine and Dental Medicine annual fees (from fall 2026)
- Tuition and textbooks, QR 500 monthly, shared housing, annual return ticket; minimum 95% high school average
- International Students Scholarship
- QR 1,100 to 2,600 per month depending on room size and occupancy
- On-campus housing (from fall 2023)
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (Fall, Spring and Summer)
Engineering
ABET-accredited programmes; fees are QR 1,600 per engineering credit hour for students admitted from fall 2026.
Medicine (MD)
Needs 90% in high school from fall 2027 plus IELTS 6 or TOEFL iBT 68 and SAT Math 530 or ACT 21.
Pharmacy
CCAPP-accredited college with an 80% high school minimum.
Business and Economics
AACSB-accredited college, open to scientific, technological and arts tracks.
Law
A separate College of Law since 2004, open to all high school tracks with a 75% minimum from fall 2027.
Arabic for Non-Native Speakers
A dedicated programme for international students learning Arabic, charged at QR 1,700 per credit hour.
Research
- 18 research centres and 153 labs, including the Gas Processing Center and the Center for Advanced Materials.
- The multi-purpose research vessel Janan supports marine and environmental research.
- QU reports more than $546 million in funded research, 12,300+ publications and 250+ invention disclosures.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Medicine
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Sharia and Islamic Studies
- College of Dental Medicine
- College of Sport Sciences
- College of Nursing
Student life
QU's campus lets men and women study in separate facilities, with men's and women's Student Activities Buildings, a library, a student learning support centre and counselling services. There are 40+ student clubs. On-campus housing gives priority to scholarship students, residents living more than 50 km away and international students; residence buildings have a dining hall serving three meals a day, a gym, study lounges, 24-hour security and daily shuttles to class. A metro station on campus connects to Doha's public transport.
- 40+ student clubs, according to QU's Fast Facts page.
- Separate men's and women's Student Activities Buildings.
- Residence halls with a dining hall serving three meals daily, a gym and 24-hour security.
- A train station on campus linking to the Doha Metro network.
Housing. Undergraduate housing is prioritised for scholarship students, Qatar residents living more than 50 km away and international students, at QR 1,100 to 2,600 a month depending on the room.
Location
QU's campus is on the northern outskirts of Doha, Qatar's capital, overlooking the coast. Doha is a compact, fast-growing Gulf city with hot summers and mild winters, and the campus metro station makes it possible to get around without a car. International students on a QU student visa cannot sponsor family members to join them.
Nearest airport: Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Notable alumni
- MB Moza bint NasserCo-founder and chair of Qatar Foundation; sociology graduate (1986)
- MB Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al ThaniPrime Minister (since 2023) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar; economics and business administration graduate (2003)
- NA Nasser Al-KhelaifiPresident of Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of beIN Media Group; economics graduate
- IA Ilham Al-QaradawiNuclear physicist and professor; BSc from Qatar University (1981)
- SA Saad Ahmed Al MohannadiPresident of the Public Works Authority (Ashghal); electrical engineering graduate (1997)
- IB Ibrahim bin Yousuf Al-FakhroFormer Director General of Qatar Chamber of Commerce; electrical engineering graduate (1986)
Frequently asked questions
Does Qatar University offer scholarships to international students?
Yes. The International Students Scholarship covers tuition and textbooks and includes QR 500 a month, shared housing, an annual return flight and a residence permit. Applicants need at least 95% in high school and are selected competitively.
How much is tuition at Qatar University?
For students admitted from fall 2026, undergraduate tuition is charged per credit hour, from QR 1,200 (Arts, Law, Education, Sharia) to QR 1,600 (Engineering, Pharmacy). Medicine and Dental Medicine have annual fees starting at about QR 45,400 in the first year.
What IELTS score do I need for Qatar University?
IELTS 5.5 (or TOEFL iBT 61) meets the English requirement for science, engineering and most health colleges; Medicine and Dental Medicine need IELTS 6 or TOEFL iBT 68. Non-Qatari applicants to the health colleges must have these scores to apply; in other science and engineering colleges, students without them are placed in the Foundation Program.
When is the Qatar University application deadline for international students?
For fall 2026 the international window ran from 1 March to 25 March 2026, with visa applications due 26 March. The fall 2027 dates had not been published on the pages checked, so watch QU's application timeline page.
Is it hard to get into Qatar University?
QU says admission is extremely competitive and depends on the applicant pool and each college's capacity. From fall 2027 the minimum high school percentage is 75% for most colleges and 90% for Medicine and Dental Medicine.
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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