The Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Scholarship is a renowned award that enables international students to pursue fully funded studies in Qatar.
Applications are now being accepted for the HBKU Scholarship 2026, which offers fully funded Master’s, PhD, and Law degree programs.
The scholarship is open to both Qatari citizens and international students from across the globe.
To be eligible for the HBKU Scholarship, applicants must first secure an admission offer for a graduate program at the university. Once admitted, further information about the scholarship will be provided and discussed with the selected candidates.
Here is official website for HBKU Scholarship 2026.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
1. Benefits of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
2. Eligibility Criteria for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
3. Documents required for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
4. How to apply for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
5. Deadlines of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
7. FAQS Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
Here is our detailed guide about Great scholarships UK.
1. Benefits of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
If you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements for the HBKU scholarships for international students described above, you should take a closer look at the various benefits offered by the Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship in 2026.
Benefits of the HBKU Scholarship:
- The Hamad Bin Khalifa Scholarship offers partial tuition fee reductions.
2. Master’s and PhD students may receive either partial or full tuition coverage (between 35% and 100%), depending on their academic merit, excellence, financial need, and whether they are enrolled on a part-time or full-time basis.
3. The scholarship can also cover all or part of tuition fees, provide fully or partially subsidized housing, and include an economy-class flight ticket for relocation.
4. Students may also receive a monthly stipend in line with HBKU’s policies, which is paid directly to them.
5. Furthermore, by enrolling at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, scholarship recipients become part of an institution dedicated to driving positive change in Qatar and around the world with a global influence.
2. Eligibility Criteria for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
If you want to study in Qatar on a fully funded scholarship, you should consider applying for the Khalifa University Scholarship 2026. Before submitting your application, it is essential to review the eligibility requirements listed below.
Eligibility Criteria for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship:
- The HBKU Scholarships for 2026–2027 are open to both international and Qatari students.
2. These scholarships are awarded to students who gain admission and confirm enrollment in an eligible program, provided they meet the minimum admission requirements.
3. Khalifa scholarships and tuition waivers are granted according to the standard length of each program (four years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s degree, and three to four years for a doctoral degree).
4. Applicants to graduate programs in the College of Islamic Studies must hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 from an accredited university.
5. For admission to the Graduate Certificate in Islamic Studies or Islamic Finance, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required.
6. Moreover, master’s degree applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, while PhD applicants must hold a master’s degree to be eligible for the HBKU Scholarship.
7. PhD candidates must also show strong research potential, excellent academic records, and a clear dedication to innovative research.
3. Documents required for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
3.1. Visa Application Form
3.2. Passport-size photographs
3.3. CNIC
3.4. Academic Documents
3.5. CV
3.6. IELTS English Language Test for Qatar Study Visa
3.7. Statement of Purpose/Letter of Motivation/Cover Letter
3.8. Letter of Admission
3.9. Affidavit of Financial Sponsor
3.10. Copy of Qatar ID card / Passport of the Financial Sponsor
3.11. Financial Document or Bank Statement for Qatar Study Visa
3.12. Health Evaluation Form
3.13. Approval Letter from Parents or Guardian
3.1. Visa Application Form
This includes all your certificates & academic record like
A: Bachelor’s transcript & certificate
B: Master’s transcript & certificate (if the student is applying for 2nd Masters or fellowship)
C: Metric & FSC transcripts (10-12th Grade) (A level) (DMCs) and certificates (Supporting academic documents)
D: Course summary (to explain your courses & how your previous courses & studies resemble your future studies in which you are applying)
3.2. Passport-size photographs
The general picture format for a Qatar scholarship is the following.
A: Two recent (within 6 months) passport-size (35x45mm) photos.
B: White background with neutral facial expressions. (Unedited)
C: Avoid uniforms & the head should be 80% in the photo.
D: The applicant should look at the camera.
E: One photograph should be glued to the visa application
while the other should contain the applicant’s full name on the reverse side.
3.3. CNIC
A birth certificate and a National Identity card are mandatory for study in Qatar.
3.4. Academic Documents
It includes all academic records & certificates.
A. Certificate & transcript of Bachelor’s (If a student is applying for a master’s program)
B. Certificate & transcript of Master’s (If a student is applying for a Ph.D. program)
C. Transcript (DMCs) of Metric & FSC and certificates (if a student is applying for a bachelor’s degree)
D. Proficiency certificate in English from the university.
E. Course summary which explains current courses & previous courses.
F. Provide two Recommendation Letters from your university along with the details of the referee.
3.4.1. Translated Documents
A. Confirmation from Translation Company/Translator
B. Translation Date
C. Name and Signature of the Translator
D. Translator’s Contact Details
3.5. CV
CV is compulsory for the university admission process and optional for embassy interviews.
It should contain all the contact details and academic information.
3.6. IELTS English Language Test for Qatar Study Visa
The IELTS Language test is optional for international students. If an IELTS test is provided, it will support the scholarship application.
In case of getting a 5.5 band or above, the student should submit the original IELTS language certificate through the post office.
3.7. Statement of Purpose/Letter of Motivation/Cover Letter
This document comprises the following information about the student
A. Previous academic record
B. Employment Status
C. Relationship with your home country
D. Immigration History
E. Economic conditions of the applicant
A statement of purpose (SOP) & letter of motivation (LOM) are almost the same thing & could be interchangeable.
In this letter, you are asked to write about your personal and professional reasons.
You will write reasons for applying for a course or the scholarship and intention of traveling to Qatar.
The maximum length of this letter is three pages, But it is recommended to make it short & concise to one page.
3.8. Letter of Admission
It is proof of admission to a program and study course. The admission letter should mention:
A student is successful in securing admission to a study program.
A student is accepted to an exchange program.
It includes details of accommodation proof, health insurance, and organizations supporting students.
3.9. Affidavit of Financial Sponsor
The Affidavit of Financial Sponsor tells who will bear the total costs of the university’s studies. The financial sponsor will be a third party.
3.10. Copy of the Qatar ID card / Passport of the Financial Sponsor
Students must provide a copy of the Qatar ID Card or Passport of the Financial Sponsor.
3.11. Financial Document or Bank Statement for Qatar Study Visa
Financial documents show the details of a sponsor who will be responsible for the financial expenses of the student.
If the financial sponsor lives in Qatar, the student will submit a Bank Guarantee.
If the financial sponsor is outside of Qatar, the student will submit a bank statement of the six months of a financial sponsor before the submission of the Qatar scholarship application.
3.12. Health Evaluation Form
Health Evaluation Form should be signed by the head of the Hospital/Medical Clinic in the applicant’s country. The health check report comprises blood tests, HIV tests, and chest X-rays.
This evaluation form is only acceptable for applicants from outside of Qatar. These applicants don’t have Qatar residence permits during the application process for a Qatar scholarship.
3.13. Approval Letter from Parents or Guardian
Students must provide an approval letter from parents or guardians for enrollment to the university.
The student will be allowed to study and get a residence permit. This is only for bachelor’s degree Students.
4. How to apply for Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
If you are planning to apply for the HBKU Scholarship in Qatar for 2026, the application process is simple, but applicants should carefully follow each step to make sure they meet all the required conditions.
1. Check Eligibility Requirements
Before applying, students should carefully review all the eligibility criteria and admission requirements set by Hamad Bin Khalifa University for its scholarship program. You can read the official requirements on the HBKU Admissions Page. Reviewing the conditions in advance can help applicants avoid problems during the selection process.
2. Apply for Admission to HBKU
Applicants must first apply for admission to a degree program at Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Students can choose their preferred undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD program and submit their application through the HBKU Online Application Portal or by selecting the “Apply Now” option on the university website.
3. Scholarship Information After Admission
Please note that the first application is only for university admission. Information about scholarships, financial aid, and funding opportunities will be provided later to applicants who successfully receive admission offers from the university. You can also explore details on the HBKU Scholarships and Financial Aid Page.
4. Submit Required Documents
All applicants must upload and submit all necessary supporting documents along with their application form. These documents may include academic transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statements, English language certificates, and other required materials. Incomplete applications or missing documents may result in disqualification from the admission or scholarship process.
5. Scholarship Eligibility Confirmation
Students become eligible for the HBKU Scholarship only after they receive official admission confirmation from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. Scholarship consideration is usually linked to successful admission into an academic program.
6. Apply Before the Deadline
Applicants should make sure to submit their applications before the official deadline because late applications are generally not accepted. Submitting the application on time is very important for being considered for admission and scholarship opportunities at Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
5. Deadlines of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
For the 2026 academic year, the official application deadline for the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Scholarship for international applicants is February 1, 2026. Applicants must submit their applications via the official HBKU admissions portal for programs in Islamic Studies, Humanities, Social Sciences, Science, Engineering, Law, and Health.
6. FAQS Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship
Q. What documents are required?
Applicants must submit academic transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a CV, a personal statement, a copy of their passport, and for PhD programs, a research proposal.
Q. Is IELTS/TOEFL required?
Proof of English language proficiency is necessary. However, according to some sources, official IELTS or TOEFL scores may not be compulsory for all applicants, though they are strongly recommended as part of the supporting documentation.
Q. What programs are eligible?
Eligible fields of study include Islamic studies, humanities, social sciences, science and engineering, law, and health sciences.
Q. What is the minimum GPA?
In most cases, applicants are expected to have a strong academic record, with many programs requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Q. How to apply?
Candidates must submit their applications through the HBKU Admissions Portal.
Q. Does the scholarship cover family members?
Married students may receive family housing as part of the scholarship benefits.
Q. Are tuition fees always waived?
Not always. Although many scholarships provide full tuition coverage, some specialized programs may offer only partial support, as awards depend on academic merit and competitive selection.
