The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027–2028 offers financial support to eligible students pursuing postgraduate education at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies in Doha, Qatar. The Institute offers programmes in social sciences, humanities, public administration, development economics, and related fields.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, students can explore two principal scholarship schemes: the Tamim Scholarship, which is awarded on the basis of academic merit, and the Sanad Scholarship, which is based on financial need. Depending on the scholarship category and the applicant’s circumstances, funding may cover tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
The Institute’s international scholarship arrangements provide substantial financial assistance to eligible students from outside Qatar. However, scholarship benefits and eligibility conditions differ by award, so applicants should review the relevant terms before assuming that every scholarship covers all expenses.
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year opened on September 1, 2026. The current admission deadline is January 15, 2027.
Degree Level
The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies offers scholarship opportunities for:
- Master’s degree programmes
- Selected doctoral and PhD programmes
The Institute’s main academic areas include social sciences, humanities, public administration and development economics.
Scholarship arrangements differ between Master’s and doctoral programmes. Applicants should check the funding conditions for their specific degree rather than assuming that the same scholarship package applies to both levels.
Available Subjects
The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies specialises in postgraduate programmes across social sciences, humanities, public administration and development economics.
Its Master’s programmes include the following fields:
- Comparative Literature
- Politics and International Relations
- Philosophy
- Public Policy
- Media Studies
- Journalism
- Critical Security Studies
- Linguistics and Arabic Lexicography
- History
- Human Rights
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Social Work
- Public Administration
- Conflict Management and Humanitarian Action
- Psychology
- Development Economics
The Institute also offers doctoral programmes in selected disciplines. The programmes available for the 2027–2028 intake should be confirmed through the official admissions catalogue.
Applicants should check the language of instruction for each programme. Many programmes are taught in Arabic, so proficiency in Arabic may be necessary for the chosen course.
Benefits
The benefits depend on the scholarship category, the applicant’s status, and the applicable award conditions.
Tamim Scholarship
The Tamim Scholarship is a merit-based award intended for academically outstanding students.
For eligible international Master’s students, the scholarship package may include:
- Full tuition-fee waiver
- Furnished on-campus accommodation
- Monthly stipend
- Medical insurance
The scholarship is competitive, and meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee an award.
Sanad Scholarship
The Sanad Scholarship is based on financial need. It is intended for students who require financial assistance to pursue their graduate studies.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the award granted, support may include:
- Partial or full tuition-fee coverage
- Financial assistance according to the applicable scholarship conditions
- Additional support available under the Institute’s international scholarship arrangements
The amount of assistance provided through Sanad depends on the scholarship decision and the applicant’s financial circumstances.
Doctoral Scholarships
- The Doha Institute also has separate scholarship arrangements for doctoral students. These follow a phased structure associated with the stages of doctoral study
- Doctoral scholarship continuation depends on meeting the relevant academic requirements, including satisfactory performance and successful completion of required milestones. Applicants should consult the Institute’s current doctoral scholarship policy for the exact funding period and conditions.
- Some Doha Institute scholarships can provide comprehensive financial support, particularly for eligible international students awarded a full scholarship package.
- The Institute’s published scholarship information identifies tuition coverage, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance among the benefits available under its international scholarship arrangements.
- However, not every award provides identical benefits. Sanad awards can vary according to financial need, and doctoral funding is subject to separate conditions. Applicants should confirm whether airfare, transportation, or other expenses are included in their individual award.
Eligible Nationalities
The Doha Institute welcomes applicants from Qatar and other countries, subject to the eligibility requirements of the selected programme and scholarship.
International students can be considered for scholarship support if they satisfy the relevant admission and award conditions.
The Institute’s scholarship arrangements distinguish between applicants according to their status and the type of award. For example, the Tamim Scholarship is merit-based, while the Sanad Scholarship considers financial need.
Applicants should verify the current rules for international students, Qatari nationals, and Qatar residents before applying.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Doha Institute Scholarships 2027 should generally:
- Apply for an eligible Master’s or doctoral programme.
- Meet the academic entry requirements of the selected programme.
- Hold the required previous degree or be completing it within the permitted timeframe.
- Meet the programme’s language requirements.
- Submit a complete online admission application.
- Provide all required academic and supporting documents.
- Meet any additional scholarship-specific conditions.
For Master’s applicants, the Institute generally requires a recognised Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification. Doctoral applicants must meet the academic and research requirements established for the selected PhD programme.
Scholarship applicants should also be aware that:
- Tamim is based on academic merit.
- Sanad is based on financial need.
- Scholarship awards are competitive.
- Applicants generally cannot combine the Institute’s scholarship with another scholarship without the required approval.
- Previous recipients of a Doha Institute Master’s scholarship may be ineligible for another Master’s scholarship under the applicable rules.
Applicants should check the latest official scholarship policy for the exact conditions applying to their degree and status.
Academic Requirements
The academic requirements depend on the selected programme.
For Master’s admission, applicants generally need a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution. The Institute’s doctoral admission policy specifies that applicants must have an appropriate academic background and a relevant Master’s degree for PhD study.
Individual programmes may set additional academic or subject requirements.
Applicants should review the admission page for their selected programme and ensure that their previous qualifications meet the Institute’s requirements.
English and Arabic Language Requirements
Language requirements vary by programme.
Many Doha Institute programmes are taught in Arabic, while the Institute’s doctoral admission policy also specifies English proficiency requirements for doctoral applicants.
For doctoral admission, the published policy identifies IELTS Academic 6.5 or an equivalent English-language qualification as an example of the required proficiency. An exemption may be possible for applicants whose previous degrees were taught in English at an institution recognised by the Institute.
Applicants should confirm the current language requirements for their specific Master’s or doctoral programme rather than assuming that the same test score applies across all courses.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the online admissions system. Depending on the programme and applicant’s circumstances, these may include:
- Valid passport or identification document
- Bachelor’s degree certificate
- Master’s degree certificate for doctoral applicants
- Official academic transcripts
- Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement or statement of interest
- Recommendation letters
- English-language test results, where required
- Research sample, thesis or graduation project for relevant doctoral programmes
- Other programme-specific documents
Applicants should follow the official checklist because requirements differ between Master’s and doctoral programmes.
How Winners Are Selected
The Doha Institute uses different selection criteria for its scholarship schemes.
Tamim Scholarship
- The Tamim Scholarship focuses on academic merit. Applicants are assessed according to their academic record and overall suitability for the programme.
Sanad Scholarship
- The Sanad Scholarship focuses on financial need. The Institute considers the applicant’s financial circumstances when determining the type and level of assistance.
Doctoral Scholarships
- Doctoral scholarship decisions and continuation are governed by the relevant doctoral scholarship policy. Funding can depend on academic performance and successful completion of the required stages of doctoral study.
- Meeting the basic admission requirements does not guarantee a scholarship.
Application Procedure
Applicants should complete the admission process through the Doha Institute’s official online application system.
Step 1: Choose a Programme
- Review the available Master’s and doctoral programmes and select a course that matches your academic background and career goals.
Step 2: Check Admission Requirements
- Confirm the academic qualifications, language requirements, and supporting documents required for the selected programme.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
- Collect your academic transcripts, degree certificates, CV, identification documents, language evidence, and other required materials.
Step 4: Submit the Online Admission Application
- Create an account through the Doha Institute’s official admissions portal and complete the application form.
Step 5: Complete the Scholarship Process
- The Institute’s scholarship arrangements are linked to admission. Eligible applicants should follow the instructions provided by the Admissions Office regarding scholarship consideration and any additional forms or documents required.
Step 6: Monitor Your Application
- Check your email and admissions account for updates, requests for additional information, and the final admission decision.
- Applicants should not assume that an admission offer automatically guarantees a scholarship.
Application Deadline
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the current published admission schedule is:
- Applications open: September 1, 2026
- Application deadline: January 15, 2027
Applicants should submit their admission applications and supporting documents before the deadline.
The scholarship process may involve additional instructions after admission, so applicants should monitor the Institute’s official website and communications from the Admissions Office.
Applicants should remember:
- The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies is located in Doha, Qatar.
- Scholarship opportunities are available for Master’s and selected doctoral programmes.
- Tamim is merit-based.
- Sanad is need-based.
- Funding varies by scholarship category and applicant circumstances.
- Eligible international Master’s scholars may receive tuition support, accommodation, a monthly stipend, and medical insurance.
- The Institute does not publish one universal stipend amount for all recipients.
- Many programmes are taught in Arabic, so applicants should check the language of instruction.
- Applicants must meet the academic and language requirements of their selected programme.
- Scholarship eligibility and funding conditions differ between Master’s and doctoral study.
- Applicants should confirm whether travel and other additional costs are covered.
- The current application deadline for the 2027–2028 academic year is January 15, 2027.
