//
Gain insights into the Qatar higher education framework, academic culture, teaching methods, and grading system to prepare for your studies.
4 years at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) for engineering (128 to 131 credit hours in total)
Offered by Qatar University (QU), HBKU and branch campuses (campuses in Qatar of universities from other countries) in Education City, the campus area in Doha. A credit hour is a unit of class time.
1 to 2.5 years at HBKU
Most HBKU master's programs take 2 years. LL.M. programs take 1 year.
3.5 to 4 years at HBKU
HBKU PhD programs need a master's degree.
Qatar's universities offer bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. Program lengths below are for 2026-27.
Students from India and Pakistan mostly choose between Qatar University, HBKU and the branch campuses in Education City.
Qatar University (QU), the national university.
•Charges per credit hour.
•Bachelor's, master's and PhD programs.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Education City.
•Mostly master's and PhD programs.
•Some engineering bachelor's degrees.
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, Georgetown University in Qatar, Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), VCUarts Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine and HEC Paris, all in Education City.
•Same tuition as the home campus at CMU-Q and GU-Q.
•At GU-Q, new international students get their sponsorship (the body that takes responsibility for your stay in Qatar) from Qatar Foundation.
First degree after 12 years of school.
After a bachelor's degree.
After a master's degree.
Most programs in Qatar are taught in English. Attendance matters.
Qatar University grades each course with a letter, a percentage range and grade points out of 4.00.
| Letter Grade | Percentage | GPA | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90 to 100 | 4 | Excellent |
| B+ | 85 to under 90 | 3.5 | Very Good |
| B | 80 to under 85 | 3 | Very Good |
| C+ | 75 to under 80 | 2.5 | Good |
| C | 70 to under 75 | 2 | Good |
| D+ | 65 to under 70 | 1.5 | Pass (bachelor's only) |
| D | 60 to under 65 | 1 | Pass (bachelor's only) |
| F | Under 60 (bachelor's), under 70 (graduate) | 0 | Fail |
Your GPA (grade point average, your average grade) is the average of your grade points. Qatar University uses a 4.00 scale.
| Designation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P (Pass) | Pass, with no grade points. |
| W (Withdrawal) | Withdrawal from a course. |
| I (Incomplete) | Incomplete course. |
| FB (bachelor's) | Failure for missing more than 25% of classes. |
This is Qatar University's scale. HBKU and the branch campuses use their own scales.
Most programs start in August (Fall). Qatar University's Spring semester starts in January.
From August
The main start for new students.
From January
Qatar University's Spring 2027 classes start on 17 January 2027.
Short terms
Qatar University runs Summer 1, Summer 2, Summer 3 and Winter terms.
Each course is worth some credit hours. Qatar University and HBKU charge fees for each credit hour.
Qatar Foundation (QF) runs Education City, the campus area in Doha where most foreign universities are. It has seven universities from around the world and one started in Qatar, HBKU.
Explore all aspects of studying in Qatar with our comprehensive guides
Get personalized guidance for studying in Qatar with our expert consultants
Get Free ConsultationWe help you understand Qatar's degrees, grades and credit hours, and how your Indian or Pakistani marks fit.
Speak with an Advisor