Opportunity Detail
The Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Scholarships 2027 offer financial support to eligible students pursuing graduate degrees in Qatar. HBKU is a research-focused university located in Education City, Doha, and offers Master’s and PhD programs across areas including humanities and social sciences, public policy, law, Islamic studies, science and engineering, health and life sciences, and economics and management.
For the 2027 academic intake, HBKU’s graduate application opened on October 1, 2026. The deadline for international graduate applicants is February 1, 2027.
Financial support can include tuition waivers and monthly stipends, depending on the program, applicant category, merit or financial need, and availability of funds. Scholarships are therefore competitive and not guaranteed for every admitted student.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships 2027: Quick Overview
- University: Hamad Bin Khalifa University
- Location: Doha, Qatar
- Academic level: Master’s and PhD
- Study mode: Full-time graduate programs
- Scholarship: Tuition waivers and/or stipends
- International students: Eligible for selected graduate financial support
- Application opens: October 1, 2026
- International graduate deadline: February 1, 2027
- Funding: Varies by program and student
- Application method: HBKU online admissions portal
- Separate scholarship application: Generally not required
- Application fee: QAR 250
- Study destination: Qatar
What Does the HBKU Scholarship Cover?
HBKU’s graduate financial support can consist of tuition waivers and monthly stipends.
The current university scholarship guidelines list the following tuition waiver rates for HBKU-sponsored graduate students:
| Program Type | Tuition Waiver |
|---|---|
| PhD STEM – CSE and CHLS | 100% |
| PhD SHAPE and S.J.D. – CIS, CHSS and CL | 100% |
| STEM Master’s – CSE and CHLS | 75% |
| SHAPE Master’s and MA – CIS, CHSS and CPP | 60% |
| J.D. | 60% |
| LL.M. programs | 0% |
| MS Economics | 0% |
| Certificate programs | 0% |
These rates are for HBKU-sponsored graduate students and can be subject to available funding and the applicable scholarship agreement.
HBKU Scholarship Monthly Stipend
Selected full-time graduate students may also receive a monthly stipend.
For international students, the current scholarship guidelines list:
- International PhD: QAR 9,000 per month
- International Master’s: QAR 7,000 per month
The listed duration is up to 45 months for PhD students and 21 months for Master’s students.
Stipends are subject to available funds and are generally connected with research or teaching assistantship responsibilities.
Also check: Doha Institute Graduate Studies Scholarships 2027 – Fully Funded Opportunity |
Does HBKU Provide Accommodation?
Students should be aware that housing is not directly paid for by HBKU under the stipend.
The university states that students are responsible for their housing costs, whether they live in Qatar Foundation dormitories or elsewhere. Housing expenses therefore need to be paid from the monthly stipend or personal funds.
Does HBKU Cover Airfare?
For international students receiving a stipend, HBKU states that they will be provided with a single round-trip airfare during their candidature.
This consists of an inbound ticket when starting the academic program and an outbound ticket upon graduation.
Who Can Apply for HBKU Scholarships 2027?
HBKU scholarships are connected to graduate admission and program-specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants generally need to:
- Meet the academic requirements of their selected graduate program.
- Hold the required previous degree.
- Demonstrate a strong academic record.
- Meet the English-language requirements where applicable.
- Submit the required application documents.
- Be admitted to an eligible graduate program.
- Meet the conditions of the scholarship or financial-support award.
Scholarships are awarded based on merit or financial need and available funds. Admission to HBKU does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.
What GPA Do You Need?
The exact GPA requirement depends on the college and program.
For example, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences states that applicants to its Master’s programs should normally have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with a strong academic record and a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0.
Applicants to its PhD in Humanities and Social Sciences normally need a relevant Master’s degree and a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
The College of Islamic Studies also lists a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 for its graduate programs.
Because requirements vary, applicants should always check the admission requirements for their specific program.
What Master’s Programs Are Available?
HBKU offers graduate programs through several colleges, including:
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Public Policy
- College of Law
- College of Islamic Studies
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Health and Life Sciences
- School of Economics and Management
Available programs and their requirements vary by academic year. Applicants should select their program through the official HBKU graduate admissions portal.
Programs in Humanities and Social Sciences
For applicants interested in international relations, politics, development, public policy, and related areas, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences is particularly relevant.
Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and meet the program’s academic and other admission requirements. The college states that scholarship opportunities are limited and awarded competitively based on an overall evaluation of application materials and interviews.
Also check: Master the Essay: How to Write a Winning Doha Institute Personal Statement |
How to Apply for HBKU Scholarships 2027
HBKU’s financial support is considered as part of the graduate admissions process, so applicants generally do not submit a separate scholarship application.
The application process is:
Step 1: Choose a graduate program
Review HBKU’s graduate programs and select a Master’s or PhD program that matches your academic background and career plans.
Step 2: Create an HBKU account
Go to the HBKU admissions portal and create an applicant account.
Step 3: Submit your application
Select your college and program and complete the online application.
HBKU currently allows applicants to submit up to two applications per academic year.
Step 4: Upload documents and references
Submit the required academic documents and provide the contact information for your referees.
Step 5: Complete the application
Make sure all required sections and documents are submitted before the relevant deadline.
Step 6: Scholarship consideration
Eligible applicants are considered for available financial support during the admissions process. No separate scholarship application is generally required.
What Documents Are Required?
The exact requirements vary by program, but graduate applicants may need:
- Passport
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae/resume
- Statement of purpose or research motivation
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test results, where required
- Research proposal for relevant programs
- Other program-specific documents
For example, HBKU’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences requires a current CV, passport copy, and other program-specific materials.
Is IELTS Required for HBKU?
English-language requirements depend on the selected program and the applicant’s academic background.
Applicants should check the specific admission requirements of their chosen HBKU program rather than assuming that one English test score applies to every program.
HBKU Application Fee
The current graduate application fee is QAR 250 and is non-refundable.
HBKU Scholarships 2027 Application Deadline
For the 2027 academic intake, HBKU lists:
| Application Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Graduate application opens | October 1, 2026 |
| International graduate applicants deadline | February 1, 2027 |
| Qatari/resident applicants seeking funding | March 15, 2027 |
| Late deadline for Qatari/resident applicants | May 2, 2027 |
The February 1, 2027 deadline is the key date for international applicants.
Are HBKU Scholarships Fully Funded?
It depends on the specific program and award.
Some HBKU graduate awards can provide substantial financial support through tuition waivers, monthly stipends, and airfare for eligible international stipend recipients. However, HBKU explicitly states that tuition waivers and stipends are not guaranteed and depend on merit or financial need and available funds.
For this reason, applicants should check the financial support available for their specific college and program instead of assuming that every HBKU graduate scholarship covers all expenses.
Can International Students Apply?
Yes. HBKU accepts international graduate applicants, and its scholarship guidelines include specific tuition-waiver and stipend rates for international Master’s and PhD students.
Can Afghan Students Apply?
Afghan applicants can apply as international students if they meet the admission requirements of their selected HBKU graduate program. Scholarship consideration is subject to the university’s funding availability and selection criteria.
Can Pakistani Students Apply?
Pakistani students can also apply as international graduate applicants, provided they meet the requirements of their selected program and the applicable scholarship conditions.
Is the Scholarship Automatically Given to Admitted Students?
No.
HBKU clearly states that scholarships are not automatically awarded to admitted students. Awards depend on merit or financial need and available funds.
Can Working Professionals Receive the Stipend?
Full-time working professionals and individuals working more than 40% of full-time hours are not eligible for HBKU stipends under the current guidelines.
Students receiving a stipend are also expected to work as research assistants for their primary supervisors for 10 hours per week.
Is the HBKU Scholarship Renewable?
Scholarships are reviewed annually and depend on academic progress and available funds. Students must maintain the academic standing required by their scholarship agreement.
Important Notes Before Applying
HBKU scholarships are different from a single centralized scholarship program with one fixed package for everyone.
The amount of tuition support, stipend availability, and other financial benefits can vary according to:
- College
- Degree level
- Program
- Student category
- Academic merit
- Financial need
- Availability of funds
- Scholarship agreement
Therefore, applicants should carefully review both the program admission requirements and the HBKU scholarship guidelines before submitting an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HBKU Scholarship 2027?
It refers to the financial support available to eligible HBKU graduate students, which can include tuition waivers and monthly stipends.
When does HBKU admission open for 2027?
The graduate application opened on October 1, 2026.
What is the deadline for international students?
The deadline for international graduate applicants is February 1, 2027.
How much is the international Master’s stipend?
The current HBKU guidelines list an international Master’s stipend of QAR 7,000 per month, subject to available funding and scholarship conditions.
How much is the international PhD stipend?
The current guidelines list QAR 9,000 per month for international PhD students, subject to the applicable conditions.
Does HBKU cover tuition?
Some graduate programs offer tuition waivers. The percentage depends on the program. For example, the current guidelines list 75% for STEM Master’s programs and 60% for SHAPE Master’s and MA programs, while PhD programs in specified categories may receive 100% tuition waivers.
Does HBKU provide accommodation?
Housing is not directly paid by HBKU under the stipend. Students are responsible for housing costs.
Do I need a separate scholarship application?
Generally, no. Scholarship consideration takes place during the admissions process.
What is the HBKU application fee?
The current graduate application fee is QAR 250 and is non-refundable.
Final Thoughts
The Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarships 2027 provide an opportunity for international students to pursue graduate study in Qatar with potential financial support through tuition waivers and stipends.
For the 2027 intake, international applicants should pay particular attention to the February 1, 2027 deadline and begin preparing their academic documents, CV, references, statement of purpose, and English-language evidence well in advance.
Because financial support varies by program and is competitive, applicants should not assume that admission automatically results in a fully funded award. Checking the specific program’s scholarship and admission requirements is essential.
