Admission Requirements

Applicants who have earned a Bachelor or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education or recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education of the applicant's home country and that of the State of Qatar are eligible for admission to a graduate degree program at Qatar University. Students applying to a graduate degree program at Qatar University must meet all admission requirements and deadlines. In order to be considered for graduate admission at Qatar University, applicants must satisfy each of the following requirements according to their intended program type.

Admission Requirements

For PhD Degree Applicants

• A Master’s degree or higher received with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
• Standardized test scores (e.g. GRE, GMAT) are required for all PhD programs offered in English.
• Applicants who have completed a professional master with a GPA of 3.0 or higher must satisfy additional college/program specific admission requirements.

For Master's Degree Applicants

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher received with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8.
• Students must satisfy additional college/program specific admission requirements.

For Professional Master's Degree and PharmD Degree Applicants

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher received with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
• Students must register for a minimum of two regular courses in the field of study in the first semester.
• Students must attain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the first semester. If a student fails to attain 3.0 or higher in the first semester, the student will automatically be dismissed from the program.
• Students must satisfy additional college/program specific admission requirements.

For Diploma Degree Applicants

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher received with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Additional Requirements

Transfer Students

• Graduate coursework earned from an accredited university or an institution similarly recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in that country may be considered for transfer credit according to QU’s transfer credit rules and regulations.
• Transfer applicants must submit an official transcript, as well as a catalog course description or course syllabus for all courses for which transfer credit is being sought.
• Grades earned in courses accepted for transfer will not be calculated as part of the GPA at Qatar University. However, the credits earned will count toward the total number required for graduation.
• A maximum of 9 credit hours with a minimum grade of ‘B’ may be considered for transfer credit evaluation. As some colleges accept fewer transfer credit hours, students are advised to consult the respective program's director to determine the maximum number of credit hours and the specific courses that may be transferred to a particular degree program.
• Credit hours earned earlier than five years from the date of admission to QU cannot be transferred.

Non-Degree Students

• Qatar University allows non-degree admission to a limited number of individuals who may enrol in graduate credit courses at QU, but who are not considered as pursuing a graduate degree program provided that they satisfy QU’s graduate admission requirements.
• Credit earned by non-degree students may not be used towards a graduate degree at Qatar University.
• Non-degree students may register for a maximum of 12 credit hours or 2 semesters of course work at QU, whichever comes first.
• Non-degree students are held to the same academic and Student Code of Conduct standards as all other Qatar University degree-seeking students.
• All QU coursework taken by a non-degree student will remain on the academic record.
• If a non-degree student is dismissed from Qatar University, the dismissal is permanent and the student is not eligible to return at any point in the future.
• Non-degree students are eligible to seek regular admission to a graduate program provided they meet program requirements and submit all application materials by the admission deadline.

Visiting Students

• Students who are currently matriculated in a graduate program offered at another university and who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 may be considered for admission as a visiting student.
• Students who have been admitted to a graduate program offered at another university but who have not started their coursework may be considered for admission as a visiting student.
• Applicants seeking visiting admission are not required to go through Qatar University’s regular admission process. Instead, students are required to submit proof of their acceptance to an accredited institution of higher education two weeks prior to the start of the semester.
• Visiting students are eligible to seek regular admission to a graduate program at Qatar University provided they meet the intended Program requirements.

It is important to note that the minimum university GPA requirements do not guarantee admission to QU. Students are ultimately accepted to a graduate program according to the strength of the applicant pool and the available capacity in each graduate program. The following points must also be taken into account when applying for admission at Qatar University:

• An applicant may be matriculated in only one graduate degree program at Qatar University at one time.
• Applicants admitted to a graduate program in a field different from that of their previously earned degree may be required to successfully complete bridging courses.
• A graduate student who is academically dismissed from Qatar University and not eligible for readmission to their existing program may apply for admission to a different graduate program. The applicant must satisfy all graduate admission requirements for the intended graduate program and must submit all appropriate application materials and supporting documents to the Admissions Department by the admission deadline.
• International students who do not hold a valid State of Qatar residence permit (excluding GCC citizens) are not eligible for QU admission consideration. It is crucial that international student who is interested to enroll at QU to have a valid Qatari residence permit. Qatar University International Student Section assists students to get a student visa (Qatar Residence Permit). Those interested students should Apply Online for the student visa and upload the Required Documents during the same timeline of QU admission. Applicants who fail to satisfy the requirements for a student visa will not be considered for Qatar University admission.
• No faculty member employed by Qatar University with the rank of lecturer or higher is allowed to enroll in a graduate degree program offered in the department in which they are affiliated.

In addition to satisfying the admission requirements above, applicants need to submit the following documents:

• Complete Online Admissions Application
• Final and official university transcript satisfying the degree and cumulative GPA requirements of the intended program
• Satisfy QU’s English Proficiency requirements (and submit evidence to the Admissions Department)
• Health Certificate issued in Qatar (from the Medical Commission or a private hospital)
• Photocopy of the applicant’s Qatar ID card
• Non-Qatari applicants must also provide a copy of their passport
• Two recent, identical passport-size photographs with white background