QATAR · DOHA
Hamad Bin Khalifa University
private · Founded 2010 · Languages: en, ar
In short
Hamad Bin Khalifa University is a research-intensive university in Doha, Qatar, offering interdisciplinary graduate and undergraduate programs. It provides competitive funding packages for PhD students and is ranked among the top global universities.
Key facts
- Type
- Private
- Founded
- 2010
- Students
- 3,500
- International students
- 2,500
- Acceptance rate
- 25%
- Tuition (intl)
- €8–69k/yr
- Languages
- EN, AR
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is a research-intensive graduate-focused university in Education City, Doha, established in 2010 under the Qatar Foundation. QS-ranked in the top 250 globally, HBKU integrates six colleges with three national research institutes to deliver interdisciplinary programmes in science, engineering, humanities, law, health, and public policy. Generous PhD funding packages and a cosmopolitan campus environment make it the premier postgraduate destination in the Gulf region.
Why study here
- QS top 250 globally, embedded in Education City alongside Cornell, Georgetown, and Northwestern campuses.
- PhD students in STEM receive full tuition waivers plus QAR 9,000/month stipend — among the most competitive in the region.
- Tax-free, safe living in Doha with world-class amenities and proximity to major global employers.
- Three national research institutes (QBRI, QEERI, QCRI) offer cutting-edge collaboration opportunities.
- Strongly aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030 — graduates in high demand across energy, AI, policy, and health sectors.
Student life
HBKU's Education City campus offers a safe, international community with amenities including sports facilities, student clubs, and cultural events. Doha provides a tax-free, cosmopolitan environment with access to world-class dining, shopping, the Corniche waterfront, and major cultural institutions such as the Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar. On-campus housing is available through Qatar Foundation dormitories.
Fees
InternationalTuition fees for international students vary significantly by program and credit hours. For graduate programs, tuition per credit hour ranges from QAR 2,000 to QAR 4,000, with total program fees from QAR 36,000 for certificates to QAR 240,000 for PhD STEM programs. Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Engineering programs have total fees around QAR 290,250 - QAR 294,750.
HomeQatar national students may access QF tuition support programmes. Fees are the same as international fees but scholarships and waivers are commonly awarded.
LivingApproximately 1,200–1,800 EUR per month in Doha for accommodation, food and transport. PhD stipend recipients often cover living costs from their monthly stipend.
Students are responsible for covering their housing costs, whether in QF dormitory facilities or external accommodations. These expenses are typically paid from monthly stipends or personal funds, as HBKU does not provide direct payment for student housing. Tuition waivers and stipends are available on merit or need basis and are not guaranteed.
Admissions
Graduate Admission Application OpensOctober 1st, 2025
Graduate Admission Application Deadline for International ApplicantsFebruary 1st, 2026
Undergraduate Admission Application OpensSeptember 1st, 2025
Undergraduate Admission Application DeadlineMarch 8th, 2026
Academic transcriptsOfficial certified transcripts from all prior institutions
Statement of purposeRequired for all graduate applicants
Letters of recommendation2–3 academic or professional references
TOEFL iBT79+
IELTS6.5+
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2024244
Qatar national universitiesTop 2
University scholarships
PhD STEM Programs Scholarship (CSE and CHLS)100% Tuition Waiver + QAR 9,000/month stipend
PhD SHAPE and S.J.D. Programs Scholarship (CIS, CHSS, and CL)100% Tuition Waiver + QAR 9,000/month stipend
STEM MS Programs Scholarship (CSE and CHLS)75% Tuition Waiver + QAR 7,000/month stipend
SHAPE MS and MA Programs Scholarship (CIS, CHSS, and CPP)60% Tuition Waiver + stipend
J.D. Program Scholarship (CL)60% Tuition Waiver
Accreditation
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) operates under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation (QF) for Education, Science and Community Development. Its programs adhere to rigorous academic standards.
Programs
a selectionHamad Bin Khalifa University · Qatar
Conference on Rebuilding Higher Education in Gaza
The College of Public Policy at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in collaboration with several international institutions, is organizing a conference focused on the critical task of rebuilding higher education in Gaza. This event aims to address the extensive damage to educational infrastructure and systems following recent conflicts, which have led to a collapse of essential services. The conference will bring together leaders from Gaza's higher education sector with international experts, academics, and organizations to discuss immediate and long-term needs, challenges, and strategies for recovery. Reconstruction of higher education in Gaza is considered vital for the socio-economic recovery of the region, peacebuilding efforts, and the preservation of Palestinian culture and identity. The conference will delve into the financial requirements, the role of international support, and global best practices in post-conflict educational reconstruction. It will also explore the specific needs of women in Gaza and ensure equitable access to education during the rebuilding process. The conference will facilitate dialogue based on recent research, including needs assessments and analyses of financial aid flows to higher education in Palestine. It seeks to inform strategies for international support and ensure that reconstruction efforts are aligned with the priorities of Gaza's academic community, learning from past experiences to avoid donor-driven agendas.
Diploma
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
Hamad Bin Khalifa University · Qatar
Graduate Programs
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) offers a range of rigorous graduate programs designed to equip students with the skills needed to excel in their chosen fields. As part of a vibrant research community, students can expand their horizons and contribute to innovation. HBKU emphasizes lifelong self-development and aims to prepare future leaders across various disciplines.
Master's
Level
€20k
Tuition
21 mo
Duration
Hamad Bin Khalifa University · Qatar
Graduate Programs at Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) offers a diverse range of multidisciplinary graduate programs designed to prepare future leaders and foster a mindset of continuous growth. HBKU is committed to excellence and innovation, providing a vibrant community for scholars, researchers, and innovators. The rigorous academic programs are led by renowned faculty, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in their chosen fields and expand their horizons within a research-intensive environment.
Master's
Level
€1k
Tuition
21 mo
Duration
Hamad Bin Khalifa University · Qatar
M.S. in Computer Science
The Master of Science in Computer Science program at HBKU's College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the rapidly evolving field of computer science. This program focuses on developing leaders and innovators who can contribute to the advancement of technology. Students will engage in rigorous coursework and research opportunities, preparing them for impactful careers in academia, industry, and government.
Master's
Level
€7k
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Hamad Bin Khalifa University · Qatar
Master in Global Health Policy
The Master in Global Health Policy (MGHP) is a two-year, full-time program designed to equip graduates with the skills to understand and address global health challenges. It combines interdisciplinary learning with strong ethical foundations, focusing on innovation, evidence-based approaches, and health policy governance. The curriculum covers global health policy analysis, health systems, economics, crisis management, data and AI applications, and leadership. The program aims to educate and empower the next generation of ethically grounded global health leaders who can contribute to strengthening resilient and equitable health systems and improving population well-being through informed policy and practice. Students will learn to analyze, design, implement, and evaluate health policies in diverse local, regional, and international contexts.
Master's
Level
€22k
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Hamad Bin Khalifa University · Qatar
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Environmental Law
The College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program focused on Environmental Law. This program equips students with advanced legal knowledge and skills to address complex environmental challenges, particularly those related to climate change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It fosters an understanding of legal innovations and policy approaches necessary for sustainable development and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Master's
Level
—
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
Scholarships
for Qatar
full fundingMinistry of Education and Higher Education, Qatar
Qatar Government Scholarships
Open to Qatari nationals who hold a high school diploma or higher qualification, meet the required academic performance standards, and apply to approved universities and programs in Qatar or abroad.
full
Funding
€50k
Max
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
full fundingDoha Institute for Graduate Studies
Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarships
Open to applicants of all nationalities, including Qatari citizens and international students. Applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree, with final-year undergraduates also eligible if they can provide the required transcripts. There is no age restriction, and admission is available across multiple academic fields. IELTS or TOEFL is not required; a university-issued English proficiency certificate is accepted.
full
Funding
—
Max
Jan 15, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome International Training Fellowships
For early-career researchers based in low- and middle-income countries (outside the high-income world) who want protected time and support for research training in health, often including a PhD or postdoctoral research. Wellcome's scheme names and exact criteria change over time, so applicants should check the current relevant Wellcome funding scheme.
full
Funding
€150k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
full funding
European Commission - European Research Executive Agency (REA)
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships
Open to researchers of any nationality who hold a PhD (or will have defended their doctoral thesis by the call deadline) and have at most 8 years of full-time-equivalent research experience after the PhD. Applicants apply jointly with a host organisation - a university, research institution, business, SME, or other body based in an EU Member State or a country associated to Horizon Europe. European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to all nationalities for a project inside the EU or an associated country; Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are reserved for EU nationals or long-term residents who carry out a phase in a third country before returning to Europe. Researchers who have been displaced by conflict and those restarting a research career after a break are explicitly encouraged to apply.
full
Funding
€100k
Max
Sep 10, 2026
Deadline
full funding
Rotary Foundation
Rotary Peace Fellowships
For professionals committed to peace and development, with relevant work experience and (for the master's) a strong academic background and proficiency in English. Applicants apply through their local Rotary district and are selected globally by The Rotary Foundation for study at a Rotary Peace Center.
full
Funding
€90k
Max
May 15, 2027
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What are the tuition fees for international students at Hamad Bin Khalifa University?
+
Tuition fees vary by program and credit hours, with graduate programs ranging from QAR 2,000 to QAR 4,000 per credit hour. Undergraduate Engineering programs have total fees around QAR 290,250 - QAR 294,750.
Are scholarships and financial aid available for international students?
+
Yes, HBKU offers various scholarships, including 100% tuition waivers and monthly stipends for PhD students in STEM and SHAPE programs. Other scholarships offer partial tuition waivers and stipends for Master's programs.
What are the living costs for students in Doha?
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Living costs in Doha are approximately 1,200–1,800 EUR per month for accommodation, food, and transport. PhD stipend recipients may cover these costs from their monthly stipend.
What are the English language proficiency requirements for admission?
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Applicants are typically required to have a TOEFL iBT score of 79+ or an IELTS score of 6.5+.
When are the application deadlines for international students?
+
The graduate admission application deadline for international applicants is February 1st, 2026, and the undergraduate admission application deadline is March 8th, 2026.
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