Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship, 2027-2028

The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies has opened admissions for the 2027-2028 academic year. This is for master’s and doctoral programs in the social sciences and humanities. If you are a Qatari citizen, a resident, or an international student, there are scholarships available, but the rules are different for each category.

The Tamim Scholarship is the main one for master’s students. Qatari students get a full tuition waiver (100%). Residents get a partial waiver from 10% to 100% based on financial need. International students get the full package: 100% tuition waiver, student housing, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. But here is the catch: you apply for the scholarship after you are admitted, not before. The Admissions Office contacts you and invites you to apply.

Doctoral scholarships are different. They come in three phases. The first phase covers two semesters of coursework. If you get a GPA of 3.5 or higher, you move to the second phase, a one-year scholarship to write your prospectus. The third phase covers two years for dissertation writing, but only after you pass the comprehensive exam. And if you get a full scholarship, you must work for the Institute for at least ten hours per week in research or teaching.

Funded in 2014, the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies is a higher educational institution in Doha, Qatar. The Doha Institute has been created for graduate studies and offers a variety of fields related to the social sciences and humanities. At the end of their program, candidates will receive a master’s degree or a PhD degree.

Program Details

• Host Institution: Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar.
• Fields of Study: Social sciences and humanities (philosophy, history, sociology and anthropology, politics and international relations, linguistics and Arabic lexicography, comparative literature, media and cultural studies, journalism, public administration, public policy, development economics, etc.).
• Number of awards: Not specified.
• Duration: Normal duration of the master’s or doctoral program.
• Target group: Qatari citizens, residents of Qatar, and international students.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship Benefits

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies offers various scholarships annually to attract academically qualified students from within and outside the State of Qatar. The scholarships vary, some are awarded on the basis of merit and academic competition, while others are based on financial need. There are fully funded scholarships and partially funded scholarship.

A – Tamim Scholarship (Master’s Students)

The Tamim Scholarship is awarded to outstanding admitted students based on the institute’s policies and criteria. Benefits depend on the student category:

• Qatari students: Full tuition waiver (100%). Only for students not sponsored by a government entity or employer.
• Resident students: Partial tuition waiver ranging from 10% to 100%, based on financial need.
• International students: Full tuition waiver (100%), student housing, monthly stipend, and health insurance.

B – Doctoral Scholarships (Three Phases)

Doctoral scholarships are granted in three phases, each with specific requirements:

• Phase 1 (Coursework): Covers two semesters. The student must complete all first-phase courses within that period. If they fail to do so, they must pay additional fees.
• Phase 2 (Prospectus): Covers one academic year. The student must have a GPA of no less than 3.5 in first-phase courses.
• Phase 3 (Dissertation): Covers two academic years (extendable with approval). The student must have passed the comprehensive examination.

Work requirement for doctoral scholarship holders: Students with a full scholarship must work for the Institute in research, teaching, or other required fields for not less than ten hours per week during the semester. Partial scholarship holders work up to 15 hours per week, proportional to their scholarship value.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship Eligibility and Terms

Master’s applicants: Must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field with a minimum GPA that varies by country (check the institute’s website). The degree must be from an accredited university recognised by the Qatari Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Final-year BA students are eligible if they obtain their degree by 1 August of the same year.

Doctoral applicants: Must have a bachelor’s degree (GPA ≥3.25) and a master’s degree (GPA ≥3.50) in related fields. Must be able to study and research academically in Arabic with a measure of English proficiency. Must have a preliminary doctoral dissertation proposal.

General Terms and Conditions

• The scholarship may not be combined with any other scholarship, regardless of the source.
• Continuation is contingent on maintaining the required academic standing.
• The scholarship does not cover executive master’s programs, diplomas, or specialized certificate programs.
• Applicants who have previously received a scholarship to study a master’s program at the Institute, whether or not they completed the degree, are not eligible.
• Students who have previously benefited from the same doctoral scholarship are not eligible.

How to Apply for the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship

Eligible candidates who would like to apply for this scholarship program to study in Asia must apply and get admitted to their chosen program at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. Please click the apply button below and follow the instructions to submit your application. Please upload all the required documents online before the deadline.

All applications must be submitted online via the DI admission portal. Applicants can save their progress and apply in several sessions.

Important: For master’s scholarships, you apply after you are admitted. The Admissions Office contacts admitted students and invites them to apply for the scholarship. For doctoral scholarships, admitted students apply through a scholarship application form sent by the Admissions Office.

Required Documents – Master’s Applicants

1. Identification document: Qatari ID for citizens and residents of Qatar; passport for international students.
2. Undergraduate transcripts. Senior year students should submit all obtained transcripts to date.
3. Graduation certificate or diploma for graduates.
4. Resume (CV).
5. TOEFL, IELTS, or DELF B2 results or an official statement confirming the degree was taught in English.
6. Personal Statement.
7. Academic Essay (for applicants to the School of Social Sciences and Humanities).

Required Documents – Doctoral Applicants

1. Official identification: Passport for international students; Qatari ID for citizens and residents.
2. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees certified by official authorities.
3. Bachelor’s and master’s transcripts certified by official authorities, including all transferred courses.
4. Valid IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT test score.
5. Copy of the master’s thesis, capstone, or research sample.
6. Statement of interest.
7. Preliminary doctoral dissertation proposal.
8. Minimum of three academic reference letters to be sent via the online application form.
9. Updated curriculum vitae (CV).

The admission application deadline is 15 January 2027. For more details, visit the Doha Institute website or contact the Admissions Office. Late applications will not be accepted.