Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Scholarships For International Students

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships portal is open in Qatar. Qatar offers scholarship and financial aid opportunities to eligible students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies. These opportunities may include tuition fee waivers and, for selected full-time graduate students, monthly stipends.

For the 2026–2027 admission cycle, HBKU’s official admissions information lists application deadlines for international graduate applicants, Qatari and resident graduate applicants seeking funding, and undergraduate applicants.

International students interested in studying in Qatar should review the requirements for their chosen programme and confirm the available financial support before applying. Important: HBKU scholarships are competitive. Admission to the university does not automatically guarantee a full tuition waiver, monthly stipend or fully funded scholarship.

The financial support awarded depends on academic merit, financial need, programme rules and available funding. Download Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships PDFs where all official links and guideline.

• International graduate applicants (including Nigerians): deadline 1 February 2027.
• No separate scholarship application for graduate funding: you are considered during admission.
• Funding is not automatic: it can include a tuition waiver and, for selected students, a monthly stipend (QAR 9,000 for international PhD, QAR 7,000 for international master’s).
• Apply online through the official HBKU application portal.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships 2026–2027: Overview

The dates above are taken from HBKU’s published admissions information for the 2026–2027 cycle. Applicants should check the official website for any changes before submitting an application.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships Application Deadlines for 2026–2027

HBKU publishes different application deadlines for undergraduate and graduate applicants. The deadline applicable to you depends on your study level, nationality or residency status, and whether you are seeking financial support.

The undergraduate application period opened on 1 September 2026, while the graduate application period opened on 1 October 2026.

Important deadline clarification: The 15 March 2027 date is specifically listed for Qatari and resident graduate applicants who wish to apply for funding. Do not assume that this date applies to international graduate applicants. 

If you are applying from Nigeria or another country outside Qatar, check the international graduate deadline and the requirements for your particular degree programme. Do not wait until the final day to upload your documents or resolve application problems.

Colleges and Programmes Offered at HBKU

HBKU offers interdisciplinary programmes across several colleges and schools. Applicants should select a degree programme that matches their previous education, academic interests and career plans. The university’s academic divisions include:

1. College of Islamic Studies
2. College of Humanities and Social Sciences
3. College of Science and Engineering
4. College of Law
5. College of Health and Life Sciences
6. College of Public Policy
7. School of Economics and Management

The programmes available differ by college and academic year. They may include bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, doctoral programmes and selected graduate certificates.

Examples of academic areas include computer engineering, artificial intelligence and data engineering, cybersecurity, biological and biomedical sciences, genomics and precision medicine, Islamic studies, humanities, law, public policy and education.

Before applying, visit the official HBKU academic catalogue to confirm that your preferred programme is available for the intended admission year.

Eligibility Criteria for the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships

HBKU does not use one universal admission requirement for every programme. Applicants must satisfy the academic, language and supporting-document requirements for their selected degree.

1. Nationality and residency

International students can apply to eligible HBKU programmes. Qatari citizens and residents may also apply, subject to the relevant admission and financial aid rules. However, eligibility for admission is not the same as eligibility for a particular scholarship award. Applicants should check the conditions attached to the funding available for their programme.

2. Undergraduate applicants

Applicants seeking a bachelor’s degree should have a strong secondary-school academic record and meet the entry requirements for their chosen programme.

For HBKU’s engineering-related bachelor’s programmes, the university identifies mathematics and science preparation as important academic considerations.

Applicants should consult the relevant programme page for requirements concerning secondary-school transcripts, standardized tests, recommendation letters and personal statements.

3. Master’s degree applicants

Applicants for master’s programmes generally need a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution. Some programmes require a degree in a particular discipline, relevant academic preparation or additional professional qualifications.

For example, admission to a science, engineering or health-related programme may require a previous degree in a relevant field. Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission or scholarship funding.

4. PhD applicants

Applicants for doctoral programmes generally need a relevant master’s degree or another qualification accepted by the particular programme. PhD applicants may also need to provide a research proposal, demonstrate research experience, meet programme-specific academic standards or submit additional test scores.

Applicants should not assume that a master’s degree in any field automatically qualifies them for every doctoral programme.

5. English language requirements

HBKU requires applicants to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an applicable exemption.

For several HBKU programmes, the published minimum is IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79. However, applicants must verify the exact requirement and accepted exemptions on their selected programme’s admissions page.

SAT and ACT scores are not interchangeable with IELTS or TOEFL results. Their role depends on the programme and the applicable admissions policy.

6. Additional programme requirements

Depending on the programme, applicants may need to submit:

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• A valid passport or other required identification
• English language test results, where applicable
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement or statement of interest
• A current CV or résumé
• A research proposal for relevant doctoral programmes
• Additional documents specified by the college

Check the official programme requirements before preparing your application. Submitting documents that do not meet the university’s instructions may delay the assessment of your application.

Financial Coverage of the HBKU Scholarship

One of the most important things applicants should understand is that HBKU financial support is not automatically a fully funded package for every student.

According to the university’s published graduate scholarship guidelines, support may include a tuition fee waiver and, for selected eligible graduate students, a monthly stipend.

The award depends on merit or financial need and the availability of funding. Generally, graduate students who receive a stipend also receive a tuition waiver.

1. Tuition fee waivers

HBKU publishes different tuition waiver rates for different categories of graduate programmes. The published graduate scholarship guidelines list the following rates for HBKU-sponsored graduate students:

These are the standard rates listed in HBKU’s graduate scholarship guidelines, not a guarantee that every applicant in a listed programme will receive an award.

Programme-specific arrangements, external sponsorships and individual scholarship decisions may affect the support available.

Self-sponsored graduate students are only eligible for a discounted tuition rate of QAR 2,000 per credit hour, based on financial need. A 100% tuition waiver covers eligible tuition charges; it does not, by itself, mean that accommodation, food, travel and every other living expense will be paid by the university.

2. Monthly stipend for selected graduate students

HBKU’s published graduate scholarship guidelines list the following monthly stipend rates for selected eligible students:

The published guideline lists a duration of 45 months for the doctoral stipend categories and 21 months for the master’s stipend categories. These figures apply to the categories described in HBKU’s published graduate scholarship guidance.

They should not be treated as a guaranteed award for every admitted student. Confirm the terms in your individual scholarship offer before relying on any amount. HBKU also states that stipend awards depend on available funds, and stipends for local students are limited

. Eligible stipend recipients serve as research assistants (10 hours a week with their supervisor) and/or teaching assistants. Students may work a maximum of 20 hours a week in total, and teaching assistants are paid QAR 50 per hour while teaching.

Full-time working professionals and part-time workers who exceed 40% of full-time hours are not eligible for stipends under the published rules.

3. Accommodation and living expenses

Do not assume that HBKU will automatically provide free accommodation to every scholarship recipient. The university’s published graduate scholarship guidelines state that students are responsible for their housing costs, whether they choose Qatar Foundation dormitory accommodation or external housing.

These expenses must be paid from the monthly stipend or personal funds.

The stipend is a fixed amount meant to cover general living expenses, including meals. Students should therefore prepare a realistic budget for accommodation, meals, transportation, personal expenses and any other costs not covered by their award.

4. Airfare for international students

HBKU’s published graduate scholarship guidelines state that international students will receive a single round-trip airfare during their candidature.

The arrangement consists of an inbound ticket at the start of the academic programme and an outbound ticket upon graduation. Applicants should confirm the applicable terms and eligibility in their individual award documentation.

5. Financial support for undergraduate students

HBKU has a separate financial aid process for undergraduate students. Its undergraduate admissions information states that need-based financial aid is available to admitted students and can be applied for after admission decisions are made. The graduate stipend figures and tuition waiver table above should not be applied to bachelor’s degree applicants.

How to Apply for the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship

Applicants should begin with the admissions process for their chosen academic programme and follow the applicable financial aid instructions.

Step 1: Select your preferred programme

Visit the official HBKU academic catalogue and identify the programme that matches your academic background and future plans. Check the degree level, entry requirements, programme availability and application deadline before proceeding.

Step 2: Review the admission requirements

Open the admissions page for your selected college and programme. Confirm the required academic qualifications, English language requirements, supporting documents and any additional tests. Do not rely on a general scholarship article as a substitute for programme-specific requirements.

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Gather your academic transcripts, degree certificates, identification documents, CV, recommendation letters and personal statement, along with any other documents required by your programme. If you are applying for a doctoral programme, check whether a research proposal or other research-related materials are required. Ensure that documents meet HBKU’s instructions concerning format, language and submission.

Step 4: Complete the online application

Use HBKU’s official admissions website to create an account (click “Apply Now”) and complete your application through the official application portal.

Choose the correct college and programme, enter your information accurately and submit the required documents through the designated process.

After you submit, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to upload supplementary documents and give your referees’ contact details. HBKU’s admissions guidance states that applicants may submit up to two applications per academic year for graduate admissions. 

Step 5: Follow the scholarship or financial aid process

For graduate students, HBKU states that scholarship consideration takes place during the admissions process and that a separate scholarship application is generally not required. However, funding is not automatic.

Award decisions depend on the applicable criteria and availability of funds. Undergraduate students should follow the separate financial aid instructions provided by HBKU after admission decisions, where applicable.

Step 6: Monitor your application and official communications

Check your application account and email regularly for updates, requests for additional documents, admission decisions and financial aid information. If you receive an admission offer, read the funding terms carefully.

Step 7: Accept your offer and prepare for enrolment

Follow the university’s instructions for accepting an offer, submitting outstanding documents and completing enrolment requirements. International students should also confirm the current visa and travel arrangements applicable to their circumstances.

Final Advice for International Applicants

The Hamad Bin Khalifa University scholarship and financial aid opportunities may help eligible students reduce the cost of studying in Qatar. However, the exact benefit depends on the programme, the student’s eligibility and the funding award.

Before applying, confirm your programme’s deadline, academic requirements, tuition waiver category and whether a stipend is available. Budget separately for accommodation and living costs unless your written award explicitly states otherwise.

For the latest information, consult HBKU’s official admissions and scholarship pages rather than relying on dates or benefit amounts copied from older scholarship announcements.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships for Nigerian Applicants

Nigerians apply as international applicants, so the deadline that applies to you is 1 February 2027 (the 15 March date is for Qatari and resident applicants only).

Because you are applying from outside Qatar, plan to have your transcripts, certificates, passport, English test result and referees ready well before February.

If you are admitted to a funded master’s or PhD place, the international stipend rates apply: QAR 7,000 a month for 21 months (master’s) or QAR 9,000 a month for 45 months (PhD), together with the published tuition waiver for your programme category and a single round-trip airfare.

Funding depends on available funds and is not guaranteed, so wait for the written offer before making financial plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

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