The Hamad Bin Khalifa University scholarship 2027 is open now. International graduate applicants must apply by February 1, 2027, while Qatari and resident applicants seeking funding have until March 15, 2027. HBKU, based in Doha's Education City, supports master's and PhD students with tuition waivers and a monthly stipend: 9,000 QAR (about $2,470) for international PhD students and 7,000 QAR (about $1,920) for international master's students.
There is no separate scholarship form. You apply for admission, and HBKU considers you for funding at the same time. Start your application here.
One correction before you plan anything. Many guides call this scholarship "fully funded" and promise free housing. HBKU's own guidelines are more careful: PhD tuition is waived 100%, master's waivers are 60% or 75%, and students pay for housing from their stipend. The numbers below come straight from HBKU.
Key Takeaways
- Deadlines: February 1, 2027 (international); March 15, 2027 (Qatari and resident applicants seeking funding). Applications opened October 1, 2026.
- No separate scholarship application. Funding is considered during admission.
- Tuition waivers: 100% for PhD, 75% for STEM master's, 60% for SHAPE master's and JD, 0% for LLM and MS Economics.
- International stipend: 9,000 QAR a month for PhD (45 months); 7,000 QAR a month for master's (21 months).
- Stipends are tied to work: 10 hours a week as a research assistant.
- Housing is not paid directly, and awards are not guaranteed. They depend on merit, need and available funds.
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Scholarship 2027 at a Glance
| Provider | Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha |
| Study levels | Master's and PhD, including JD and SJD in law |
| Funding type | Tuition waiver plus monthly stipend, depending on program and funds |
| International deadline | February 1, 2027 |
| Qatari and resident deadline (funding) | March 15, 2027 |
| Scholarship form | None. Funding is considered during admission |
| Official application link | hbkuqa.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply |
What the HBKU Scholarship Covers
HBKU publishes its funding rules openly, and they are more specific than most blog posts suggest. Here is the full breakdown.
Tuition Waivers by Program
| Program type | Tuition waiver | Fee per credit hour |
| PhD STEM (CSE and CHLS) | 100% | 4,000 QAR |
| PhD SHAPE and SJD (CIS, CHSS, CL) | 100% | 2,500 QAR |
| STEM master's (CSE and CHLS) | 75% | 4,000 QAR |
| SHAPE master's and MA (CIS, CHSS, CPP) | 60% | 2,500 QAR |
| JD (College of Law) | 60% | 2,500 QAR |
| LLM programs (College of Law) | 0% | 2,000 QAR |
| MS Economics (SEM) | 0% | 2,500 QAR |
Self-sponsored students can request a discounted rate of 2,000 QAR per credit hour based on financial need.
Monthly Stipends
| Level | International | Qatari | Local resident | Duration |
| PhD | 9,000 QAR | 11,000 QAR | 5,000 QAR | 45 months |
| Master's | 7,000 QAR | 9,000 QAR | 4,000 QAR | 21 months |
Dollar figures in this guide use Qatar's long-standing peg of roughly 3.64 QAR per US dollar.
Airfare
International students receive one round-trip ticket across their studies: an inbound flight when the program starts and an outbound flight after graduation.
What the Scholarship Does Not Cover
HBKU does not pay for student housing directly. Whether you take a Qatar Foundation dorm or rent outside campus, the cost comes out of your stipend. Meals are not covered separately either, and stipends don't change with marital status or the number of dependents.
Our Analysis: What "Fully Funded" Really Means at HBKU
We read HBKU's guidelines line by line and compared them with the popular summaries. The gap is bigger than you'd expect, and it changes how you should plan.
The PhD Is the Strongest Deal
An international PhD student earns 9,000 QAR a month for 45 months. That's 405,000 QAR, or roughly $111,000, plus a 100% tuition waiver. In a STEM program charging 4,000 QAR per credit, the waiver alone is worth a great deal.
Master's Funding Is Generous but Not Free
In STEM master's programs you still pay 25% of tuition, or 1,000 QAR (about $275) per credit hour. SHAPE master's and JD students also pay 1,000 QAR per credit. Credit totals differ by program, so ask the college for the exact count before budgeting. Meanwhile, the master's stipend adds up to 147,000 QAR (about $40,400) over 21 months.
The Stipend Works Like a Part-Time Job
Stipend holders serve as research assistants with their supervisor for 10 hours a week. They can also teach as TAs at 50 QAR an hour, with total work capped at 20 hours weekly. Our read: your supervisor match matters as much as your transcript. A proposal tied to a specific lab gives you an edge, though that's our interpretation, not an HBKU rule.
Read the Fine Print
- Awards are not guaranteed and depend on merit or need and available funds.
- Scholarships are reviewed every year against academic progress.
- Full-time professionals working over 40% of full-time hours can't receive stipends.
- Deferring your admission may affect your funding.
Where Other Blogs Get It Wrong
Several popular guides list a bachelor's stipend and free family housing. HBKU's graduate guidelines cover neither. Undergraduate funding is handled separately, so contact fao@qf.org.qa if that's your level.
HBKU Graduate Programs You Can Apply To
HBKU's colleges offer dozens of graduate programs. Popular choices include:
- Science and Engineering: Data Science and Engineering, Cybersecurity, Sustainable Energy, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering.
- Health and Life Sciences: Genomics and Precision Medicine, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Exercise Science.
- Islamic Studies: Islamic Finance, Applied Islamic Ethics, Islam and Global Affairs.
- Humanities and Social Sciences: Translation Studies, Digital Humanities, Intercultural Communication.
- Law: JD, SJD and LLM programs (LLMs carry no tuition waiver).
- Public Policy: Master of Public Policy and Social Policy and Program Evaluation.
- Economics and Management: MS Economics (no tuition waiver).
Program lists shift between intakes, so confirm yours on HBKU's programs page.
HBKU Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- Open to all nationalities, including Qatari and international students.
- You need an admission offer to a graduate program first.
- A strong academic record is expected, and each college sets its own requirements.
- English test scores (such as IELTS) apply where your program asks for them.
- Stipends go to full-time students, not working professionals above the 40% threshold.
Documents Checklist for Your HBKU Application
- Academic transcripts
- Completed online application
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Passport copy or other identity document
- Standardized test results and a research proposal, where your program requires them
How to Apply for the HBKU Scholarship 2027 Step by Step
- Pick your program and read your college's admission requirements.
- Check the dates: February 1, 2027 for international applicants.
- Gather your documents using the checklist above.
- Create an account on the HBKU application portal and submit your application.
- Watch your email. HBKU notifies you of any award by email.
Direct application link: https://hbkuqa.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply
Questions? Write to the Office of Graduate Admissions at admissions@hbku.edu.qa.
Four Tips to Strengthen Your HBKU Scholarship Application
- Apply early. The deadline is February 1, but early applicants have more time to fix document problems.
- Name a research group. Mention HBKU institutes such as QCRI, QBRI or QEERI if they match your work.
- Choose recommenders carefully. Pick people who can speak about your research or work, not just your grades.
- Be specific about Qatar. Explain why HBKU, and why this program, fits your plans.
Why Trust This Guide
We checked every figure here against HBKU's Scholarship Guidelines and Admissions pages on October 6, 2026. Where third-party guides disagreed with HBKU, we followed HBKU and said so. This is an independent guide, not affiliated with the university. Funding rules can change, so confirm details with HBKU before you submit.
HBKU Scholarship 2027: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HBKU scholarship fully funded?
For PhD students, tuition is waived 100% and a stipend is paid, which comes close. Master's students receive 60% to 75% waivers plus a stipend, and LLM and MS Economics students receive no waiver.
What is the HBKU scholarship deadline for 2027?
International graduate applicants must apply by February 1, 2027. Qatari and resident applicants seeking funding have until March 15, 2027.
Do I need a separate application for the HBKU scholarship?
No. HBKU considers you for funding during the admissions process.
How much is the HBKU stipend for international students?
International PhD students receive 9,000 QAR a month for 45 months. International master's students receive 7,000 QAR a month for 21 months.
Does HBKU provide free accommodation?
No. HBKU does not pay for housing directly. Students cover it from their stipend or personal funds.
Can working professionals get the HBKU stipend?
Not if they work more than 40% of full-time hours. Discounted tuition may be available based on need.
Is there a scholarship for a bachelor's degree at HBKU?
HBKU's graduate guidelines exclude bachelor's funding. Contact fao@qf.org.qa for undergraduate support.
Final Word: Is the HBKU Scholarship Worth It?
For PhD applicants, easily. For master's applicants, it's a strong package once you budget for housing and a small tuition share. Either way, the deadline arrives faster than it feels, and it's about 118 days from today. Pick your program, line up your documents, and apply through HBKU's official portal before February 1, 2027.
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