Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Scholarship 2026

Overview

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is a research-driven university in Education City, Doha. Its colleges span science and engineering, humanities and social sciences, Islamic studies, law, public policy, and health and life sciences. The HBKU Scholarship 2026 supports graduate students through tuition waivers, monthly stipends, and assistantships, putting a Qatar-based graduate education within reach for talented applicants from around the world.

HBKU doesn't run a single flat award. Scholarship support is built into graduate admission: tuition waivers and stipends go to full-time students on a merit or need basis, and those students usually serve as research assistants (RAs) or teaching assistants (TAs). How much support you get depends on your college, your program, your level (master's or PhD), and your residency category — Qatari, international, or local resident.

For PhD students especially, the package is designed to make full-time research possible, with the largest tuition waivers and the highest stipends going to STEM doctoral candidates. Awards aren't guaranteed and amounts vary, so confirm the specific terms with your college and on the official HBKU scholarship page.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Host country: Qatar (Doha, Education City)
• University: Hamad Bin Khalifa University, a member of Qatar Foundation
• Study levels: Master's and PhD
• Tuition: Partial to full tuition waivers depending on college and level (PhD STEM up to 100%)
• PhD stipend: Around 9,000 QAR per month for international PhD students (varies by residency)
• Master's stipend: Around 7,000 QAR per month for international master's students (varies by residency)
• Basis of award: Merit or need; not guaranteed
• Application route: Considered automatically during admissions, no separate form
• Official contact: Your college department / HBKU scholarship office

Eligibility Criteria

Scholarship eligibility is assessed alongside admission, so meeting your program's entry standards is the first step. General requirements:

• You must be admitted to an eligible HBKU graduate program at master's or PhD level.
• Tuition waivers and stipends are awarded on a merit or need basis and aren't guaranteed to every admitted student.
• Stipend recipients must be full-time students, usually serving as research and/or teaching assistants.
• Full-time professionals and applicants working more than 40% of full-time hours aren't eligible for stipends.
• You must keep good academic standing throughout your studies to hold onto your funding.
• The size of waivers and stipends depends on your college, program, level, and residency category.

Scholarship Benefits

Benefits are tiered by college, level, and residency, but commonly include:

• Tuition waivers: Partial to full coverage. PhD STEM and certain PhD programs can reach 100%, while master's programs typically get partial waivers.
• Monthly stipend: A living stipend, higher for PhD students than master's students, varying by residency category.
• Assistantships: RA and TA roles that fund the stipend and build academic experience.
• Travel: International students may get one round-trip airfare during their candidature.
• Work allowance: Funded students can take a limited number of extra paid hours within university rules.

Housing is generally paid by the student from their stipend or personal resources. Because awards are made on merit or need and amounts differ, treat published figures as indicative and get your package confirmed in writing.

How to Apply

There's no separate scholarship application. Funding is considered automatically during graduate admission, so your job is to submit a strong admission application.

• Pick your HBKU college and graduate program and confirm the intake you want.
• Complete the online graduate application through the HBKU admissions portal.
• Upload all required supporting documents.
• Submit before the admission deadline. Scholarship eligibility is assessed during review.
• If you're offered funding, read your offer closely to understand the waiver level, stipend, and assistantship expectations.

Required Documents

Requirements vary by program, but graduate applicants are generally asked for:

• Completed online application.
• Official transcripts and degree certificates.
• A copy of your passport or Qatar ID, as applicable.
• Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) where required.
• A statement of purpose, plus a research proposal for many PhD programs.
• Two or three letters of recommendation.
• An up-to-date CV or resume.
• Standardized test scores (such as GRE) where the program requires them.

Important Dates & Deadlines

HBKU typically opens graduate admission for a Fall intake, with separate deadlines for international applicants and for Qatari nationals and residents. Deadlines move each cycle, so always check the official admissions calendar for the current year.

• International applicants: Deadlines usually fall earlier, often in the first quarter of the year before the Fall start.
• Qatari nationals and residents: A later deadline is generally available for those seeking funding.
• Program variation: Some colleges and programs set their own dates.

Apply early — funded places are competitive and assessed during admission.

Tips for a Strong Application

• For PhD applications, contact potential supervisors and align your research proposal with active HBKU research themes.
• Make your statement of purpose specific and grounded in concrete achievements, not generic ambition.
• Apply to STEM doctoral programs if you want the strongest tuition and stipend support, where eligible.
• Show full-time commitment, since stipends are tied to full-time RA or TA roles.
• Submit a complete, error-free application ahead of the deadline.
• Choose recommenders who can speak to your research potential in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate scholarship application? No. Eligibility is assessed automatically during admissions.

Is funding guaranteed if I'm admitted? No. Tuition waivers and stipends are awarded on a merit or need basis and aren't guaranteed.

How much is the stipend? It varies by level and residency. PhD stipends are higher than master's stipends, and figures differ for Qatari, international, and local students.

Can I work while funded? Funded students hold RA and/or TA roles and can take a limited number of extra paid hours within university rules.

Does the scholarship cover housing? Housing is generally paid by the student from the stipend or personal resources.

Related Scholarships

• Qatar University graduate scholarships and assistantships, Qatar.
• Other Qatar Foundation partner university awards in Education City, Qatar.
• Khalifa University master's and PhD scholarships, UAE.
• Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) scholarships, UAE.
• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Fellowship, Saudi Arabia.