If you want to study in Qatar with solid financial support, Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Education City is one of the most practical options. The reason is simple: HBKU does not just talk about scholarships, they publish clear tuition waiver rates, stipend amounts, and conditions for graduate students.
This blog is a clean guide for Master’s and PhD applicants for Fall 2026.
Quick Summary (for busy people)
- Graduate application opens: 1 Oct 2025
- International deadline: 1 Feb 2026
- Qatari/resident deadline to apply for funding: 15 Mar 2026
- Scholarship support can include:
- Tuition waiver (percentage depends on program)
- Monthly stipend (depends on your student category)
- One round-trip airfare for international students (inbound at start + outbound at graduation)
- Important: Scholarships are not automatic, and depend on merit/need + available funds
What is the HBKU Scholarship?
HBKU’s official scholarship guidelines explain that graduate scholarships may include:
- a tuition waiver to reduce tuition cost, and
- a stipend paid directly to the student.
Usually, if a student receives a stipend, they also receive a tuition waiver (but awards depend on availability).
Tuition Waiver Rates (Official Table)
HBKU publishes tuition waiver rates by program type. Here is the same info in a simple table.
| Program Type | Tuition Waiver |
|---|---|
| PhD STEM (CSE & CHLS) | 100% |
| PhD SHAPE & S.J.D. (CIS, CHSS, CL) | 100% |
| STEM MS (CSE & CHLS) | 75% |
| SHAPE MS / MA (CIS, CHSS, CPP) | 60% |
| J.D. (College of Law) | 60% |
| LL.M. Programs | 0% |
| MS Economics (SEM) | 0% |
| Certificate Programs | 0% |
This is taken directly from HBKU’s scholarship guidelines page.
Monthly Stipend Amounts (Official)
HBKU also publishes stipend amounts by student category:
| Level | Category | Monthly Stipend | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PhD | International | 9,000 QAR | 45 months |
| PhD | Qatari | 11,000 QAR | 45 months |
| Master’s | International | 7,000 QAR | 21 months |
| Master’s | Qatari | 9,000 QAR | 21 months |
(They also list “local” categories with different rates.)
Scholarship Conditions You MUST Know
This part is where many applicants get confused, so read carefully.
1) You must be full-time (and not a heavy working professional)
HBKU states that stipends are for full-time graduate students serving as RA and/or TA, and full-time working professionals (or those working above 40% full-time hours) are not eligible for stipends.
2) Research Assistant (RA) work is required
If you receive a stipend, you are expected to work as an RA with your primary supervisor for 10 hours per week.
3) Work limit
You can work up to 20 hours/week total, meaning 10 hours beyond the RA commitment.
4) TA option (extra income)
HBKU notes that stipend students may work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for 10 hours/week at 50 QAR per hour during the semester they are assigned.
5) Housing is not directly paid by HBKU
This is important: HBKU clearly says students are responsible for housing costs (on-campus or outside), and HBKU does not directly pay housing.
6) International airfare support
International students are provided one inbound ticket at the start and one outbound ticket upon graduation (a single round-trip during candidature).
Are Scholarships Automatically Given After Admission?
No.
HBKU’s FAQ is clear: scholarships are based on merit or financial need and available funds, so they are not automatically awarded to every admitted student.
But the good part is: there is no separate scholarship application. You are considered during the admissions process.
HBKU Scholarship Deadlines for 2026 Intake
From HBKU’s official Graduate Admissions dates:
- International applicants deadline: 1 Feb 2026
- Qatari/resident last day to apply for funding: 15 Mar 2026
- Late application deadline (Qatari/resident): 3 May 2026
How to Apply (Simple Step-by-Step)
HBKU’s admissions process is straightforward:
- Choose your program (CSE, CIS, CHSS, Law, Health & Life Sciences, Public Policy, etc.)
- Create an account on the HBKU application portal
- Fill the application form and submit
- Log back in to upload supporting documents and add your referees (HBKU explains you provide reference contact details after submission)
- Your application is checked for completeness, then forwarded to the college for evaluation
- If selected, you receive an offer letter (and scholarship details if awarded)
Documents to Prepare (Common Requirements)
Requirements vary by program, but these are commonly requested in graduate applications:
- Academic transcripts + degree certificate(s)
- CV / Resume
- Statement of Purpose (why this program, your research interests)
- Recommendation letters (you provide referee contacts through the portal
- Passport copy
- English test (IELTS/TOEFL) if your program requires it
Tip: do not wait for referees at the last minute. Your application can look incomplete if they delay.
Tips to Increase Your Chances (Realistic + Practical)
- Pick the right program: If your program has 0% tuition waiver (like some LL.M. or MS Economics), plan finances accordingly.
- Write a focused statement: clear research direction, not a generic “I love Qatar” story.
- Match faculty interests: show that your goals align with the department’s research.
- Submit early: portal traffic gets heavy near deadlines.