Study In Qatar For Quality Education And Explore A Multicultural Environment

Known for its majestic landscapes, architecture and modern structures along with the desert environment, Qatar is the heart of the Middle East. Home to several top universities, known as the “Education city” international students from around the world choose to study in Qatar.

Pursuing higher education abroad, especially the Middle East, students are given several chances to cease and broadening their horizon, which includes building a career for themselves.

Higher Studies in Qatar

When it comes to studying in Qatar for the university students, it is a normal routine for them as it includes attending classes during the week and hanging out with friends during their free time.  The experience of studying at university is different as opposed to the experience of studying in school. The enrollment rate in higher education in the Middle East is a lot higher than the other countries. Students will not have a language problem as the lectures are taught in English and Arabic.

The university of Qatar is the top local higher education institution, ranked at 401 out of 500 in the world. Education, Business and Economics, Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Sharia, Pharmacy, Law, and Medicine are the 9 colleges and schools the university has and is home to over 20,000 students. Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, HEC Paris, University College London, and Georgetown are some of the international universities located at the local campus in Qatar.

The universities in the Middle East use a semester system. The academic session starts with the Fall semester, that begins from the end of August till November, with exams in December. The spring semester is from mid- January till the end of April.  With a week of in March, students have to give their exams in May. Students who want to complete their degree or need to attend special classes can attend the Winter and Summer semesters.

Degree Programs in Qatar

The 45 bachelor degrees the university offers include 25 master’s program and 4 PhD degree courses in Qatar. Students can even choose to study 4 diploma courses or a PharmD. Apart from the university of Qatar, there are other universities that offer the same setup, although the Bachelors of Science in Foreign Service degree.

BA: Bachelors of Arts

To be eligible for the BA programs at the university, students need a 70% pass mark in high school. Certain programs like Arabic language needs a written test and personal interview. Mass communication needs a written test, interview and a 2.0 GPA. Students are given the opportunity to study Arabic in Qatar as a part of the course.

Some of the majors offered in Bachelors of Arts include:

• Arabic Language
• English Literature and Linguistics
• History
• International Affairs
• Mass Communications
• Psychology

BSc: Bachelor of Science

When it comes to applying for admission for BSc, students need to have at least 70% to be eligible. On the other hand, you will have to give a personal interview for the sports science program.  To complete the course, students need at least 9 credit hours. They also need a 2.0 GPA.

Some of the majors' students can choose from before pursuing their bachelors of science include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Accounting
• Finance
• Marketing
• Chemical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Civil Engineering

MBBS: Bachelor of Medicine

For the bachelor of medicine, a candidate needs good English skills. Besides this, students also need at least 85% in high school which include two science subjects. A personal statement has to be submitted as to why they want to study medicine. It becomes a challenge for foreign students to apply for admission. Furthermore, students will have to excel the standardized test like SATs. It is useful for activities like volunteering and students take about 6 years to complete.

BSFS: Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service

Georgetown University in Qatar is the only university that offers Bachelors of Science in Foreign Service, which is a 4-year program. In order to get their degree, students need at least 120 credits over 38 courses.  Apart from all this, students need to have the ability to converse in another language, which include Arabic and French. When applying for admission, students need to fill in an online form and write a personal statement. Some of the documents that need to be submitted are transcripts, reports from a school counselor and teacher, and a passport copy. The university will need to see a student English skills and show, students can show their IELTS or TOEFL scores, and SAT or ACT grades. Students are given the opportunity to major in subjects like international history, economics, politics, culture and politics.

Some of the minor subjects offered to students are:

• Arabic language
• Economics
• History
• Government
• Philosophy
• Theology

Suggested Read: Qatar Career Development Center: Pioneering Staunch Milestones In Career Guidance

Postgraduate Programs

Known as the Education City Qatar, students can complete their masters in 2 years. As a part of the course, students have to write a thesis. Students need a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

MA/MSc: Master of Arts / Master of Science

Students will need a 2.8 GPA to 2.8, which is similar to the Bachelor’s degree, to get admission for their masters. The masters will take at least 2 years to complete. Students will need to show at least 2 years of work experience and an interview along with a CV and essay.

Some of the best courses to study in Qatar offered by MA and MSC programs include:

• Arabic Literature and Language
• Gulf Studies
• Environmental Sciences
• Material Sciences and Technology
• Marketing
• Urban Planning
• Engineering Management

PhD

When it comes to applying for your PhD in Qatar, you will need a master’s degree. Potential candidates will need a 3.0 GPA and need to it for the GMAT or GRE. Students will have to give in a research statement and an interview. It normally takes about 4 years, which should be completed in 8 years.

Suggested Read: Library In Qatar: Which Are The Top Picks For Bookaholics

General Requirements To Study in Qatar

Need For A Visa

To be able to apply to the university of Qatar, you will have to be a Qatari residence permit. In case you don’t have a visa, then you will have to apply for one to complete your university application.

Language Requirements

One of the main languages in the University is English. International students will have to prove their English skills to be able to study in Qatar. The need for taking the TOEFL or IELTS test.

Qualifications Recognized Overseas

You may have to get certified for your overseas qualification to study in Qatar. For undergraduate admissions, International Baccalaureate diplomas and British A levels are recognized.  In case your diploma is from a different system, an attestation from the Ministry of Education will be required.

Scholarships Available For Studying in Qatar

When it comes to looking for financial help, you may be able to get help, which depends on your citizenship. You could get funding from private programs and institutions in case you can’t get a scholarship from the university. A student's tuition and book fees are waived off with the Qatar University Scholarship. Free tuition and housing are offered to those outstanding students by the GCC states scholarship. A partial or full tuition exemption can be done for the international students at Qatar university.

Financial aid is offered through the Qatar Foundation Financial Aid Program by Georgetown university. A zero- interest loan covers tuition and housing fees for an entire year.  The loan taken by students have to be reapplied for each year. Once you start working, a 15% of your salary will be paid off as a loan.  Students have a choice of staying in Qatar and working for a Qatar foundation- approved organization.  The loan can be paid off between 1-6 years.

Students in need of finances, get help by the Qatar foundation student fund scholarship. Students will get funding for an entire year for their tuitions and textbooks. The potential candidate will have to get a 3.6 GPA and offer at least 2 letters of recommendation.

Study Exchange in Qatar

Study exchange programs are a big part of the education system in Qatar. With the dream of enriching their experience, students think of studying abroad. Several international students have dreamt of exploring the rich culture of the Middle East by pursuing their studies. You will find a number of opportunities. The exchange students are offered an opportunity to experience the technicality through the international association. Engineering and science majors are offered the opportunity to gain hands on experience of working in the corporate world. Study exchange programs are offered to students at their home town. The Qatar students can spend at least a year in Washington DC or Pittsburgh.

Suggested Read: Discover What Makes Qatar Education City Ideal For Receiving An Education Degree

How To Apply To Study in Qatar

Applying for courses in the Middle East is not easy as the process is quite complicated as it is a challenge to navigate. You will have to apply for the course of study directly on the university website. All kinds of details have to be filled in like personal, family and details of where you did your school. You will have to submit a couple of documents to complete the application process which include certified high school transcript, a health certificate issued in Qatar, a copy of your passport, and two photos.

Accommodations for Students in Qatar

The university accommodation includes female and male housing only which includes apartment style living. The twin shared rooms are equipped with closets, beds, desks, chairs, and air-con. High-end accommodation usually includes communal TV rooms, computer labs, and fitness centers. Students can avail of the food services all day long offered by the university. There are laundry facilities and a number of activities students can participate in.  Students can make use of the shuttle services between the campus and their home. They are even given access to a medical clinic.

Suggested Read: Best Medical Colleges In Qatar To Apply In

Studying and Working in Qatar Simultaneously

Students are offered the chance to work and study alongside as it enables them to gain real work experience.  There are students who are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. On the other hand, international students on a student visa are not allowed to work off campus.  They will need a separate work visa which will difficult to obtain. Students will be given a chance to study at the top universities in Qatar.

Student Healthcare In Qatar

Students can avail of the health clinics on campus for GP appointments. Most accommodations offer health centers.

Life of A Student in Qatar

Life of a student in Qatar is quite sedate as one would expect at university and at home. The main criteria is to offer the best quality education and to do well academically. 18 credit hours is the required for full time university undergraduate students for their autumn and spring semesters.  Graduate students on the other hand have to complete at least 12 credit hours, which is divided between lectures, classes, and seminars depending on the course.

The undergraduate students at Georgetown have to enroll in the full-time course which is at least 12 credits each semester. Cultural activities play a major role in a student’s life. It is one of the most ideal ways of learning about the culture and history of Qatar. Cricket and football to volunteering and special interest clubs are some of the activity's students can take part in.

Students can discover the culinary scene of the middle east and enjoy the cultural excursions. Some of the places students can explore are the museums, exhibitions, cinemas, theatre and the Qatar National Library.

Cost of Living in Qatar

Living expenses include the cost of studying in Qatar along budgeting for food, eating out, entertainment and much more. Let’s make things a little simpler. A fancy meal at a restaurant will cost a lot more than a meal at let’s say McDonalds. On the other hand, a pint of beer will cost about QAR60 or more as opposed to a bottle of beer at the supermarket which will cost about QAR20. One can easily pay about QAR16-30 for coffee at any café.

One can use the shuttle services offered by the university to travel from home to class. When going to the mall or market, you can avail of the taxi services which would be about QAR8, with additional km charge and waiting time which will be another QAR3. When traveling by bus, for a one- way ticket, you will have to pay about QAR4-11. This is the cost of living in Qatar for students who plan to pursue their higher studies. The cost may not be as much as it sounds if one is careful.

After Pursuing Higher Studies in Qatar

Current and alumni students are offered career counseling and guidance at the university in Qatar. It is a decent place to start one’s career as the offices can enable a student to explore a defined career path, write CVs, and prepare for job interviews for any industry. The counselor offices have built a strong relationship with their employees over the years which has helped students find internships or even graduate jobs.  There are a number of job fairs hosted by several universities that gives students the chance to meet their potential employers. There are a number of ways to gain a broad understanding of what a student’s prospects are after they have completed their studies.

With a degree from a Qatar based university, it will be easier to find a job in the country since there is access to a local network. On the other hand, it may be a challenge looking for a job overseas.

To explore the culture and peaceful environment is one of the many reasons why students plan to study in Qatar. It is one of the most interesting things to explore along with learning how to speak Arabic and their skills, which is useful in getting around the country.   Even if a student is not fluent in the local language, they will find the environment welcoming and can get along with communicating in English. Natural Sciences, Engineering and Business are some of the master programs taught in English. Apart from this, there are a number of other reasons why students should study in the Middle East. So, what you waiting for? Pack your bags and book your flight to Qatar.

FAQs