Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027 | Application Process

The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for international students who wish to study in Qatar. This fully funded scholarship is available for master’s programmes. The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027 covers full tuition fees, accommodation, a monthly stipend, health insurance and two travel tickets from and to the home country upon arrival and after graduation. In this article, we provide a complete guide to the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship, including scholarship benefits, eligibility requirements, required documents, application deadlines, and a detailed step-by-step application process.

Welcome to a world where ambitions soar. The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies offers a wide range of scholarships each year to attract academically qualified students from both within Qatar and around the world. These scholarships vary in type; some are awarded based on merit and academic excellence, while others are granted according to financial need.

The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies (DI) is an independent institution dedicated to learning and research in the fields of social sciences, humanities, public administration, and development economics. As a not-for-profit private institution, DI operates exclusively for educational, research, and public service purposes.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship Highlights

Degree ProgrammeMaster’s
Scholarship ProviderDoha Institute for Graduate Studies
Study DestinationQatar
Fields of StudySocial Sciences and Humanities, Public Administration & Development Economics, Humanitarian Studies
Programme Duration2 years
FundingFully Funded

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship Benefits

The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship will provide the recipients with the following benefits:

Tamim Scholarship: These scholarships are based on merit and academic excellence. It is dedicated to the most distinguished Qatari and international students in the Arab world.

  • Full tuition fees coverage
  • International students from outside Qatar will benefit from having free accommodation in the institute’s dormitories
  • A monthly stipend
  • Health insurance
  • Two travel tickets from and to the home country upon arrival and after graduation.
  • Students are not entitled to the benefits of modifying the grant or claiming cash allowances for benefits that do not benefit them.
  • Grant conditions change; students’ legal status in the State of Qatar does not change except with the consent of the Institute.
  • In order to encourage academic excellence, the institute can open the application for this scholarship for the institute’s students who have obtained a degree of excellence after completing one academic year at the institute.

Sanad Scholarship: These scholarships are based on the financial needs of students. It is dedicated to Qatari residents in Qatar and international students.

  • The programme’s fees (10 to 100%).
  • International students from outside Qatar will benefit from having their full tuition fees covered
  • Free accommodation in institute dormitories
  • A monthly stipend
  • Health insurance
  • Two travel tickets from and to the home country upon arrival and after graduation.

Eligibility Requirements for the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027

The following are the minimum eligibility requirements for the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship:

  • Be a Qatari national (or have a Qatari mother).

Qatari Applicant:

  • Obtain an overall 80% or equivalent in high school with a minimum of 80% in maths, English and science.
  • Valid secondary school certificate for the current or the previous year.
  • English proficiency is below:
    • TOEFL CBT: 196, TOEFL iBT: 70.
    • IELTS: 5.5, not less than 5 in each component (not less than 5.5 in writing and reading each).

Qatari Mother Applicant:

  • Obtain an overall 90% or equivalent in high school with a minimum of 90% in maths, English and science.
  • Valid secondary school certificate for the current or the previous year.
  • English proficiency is below:
    • TOEFL CBT: 196, TOEFL iBT: 70.
    • IELTS: 6, not less than 5.5 in each component (not less than 5.5 in writing and reading each).
  • Pass the company’s medical test.
  • Obtain a police clearance certificate.
  • For a high school fresh graduate student, you must complete National Service unless the university offer is produced from the list of universities approved for the Emiri Scholarship Programme.
  • Accept the department and work location assigned by Qatar Airways.
  • Pass a personal interview with the company.
  • An offer letter from a university in a field approved by the company. (Foundations under a Third party are not acceptable.)

Step-by-Step Application Process for the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027

The following simple and easy application process will help you to apply for this scholarship:

Step 1: Create an application on the DI admission portal.

Step 2: Applicants can submit one application only. Duplicate applications will be disregarded.

Step 3: Applicants can save their application progress and apply in several sessions.

Step 4: Applicants are required to upload all application materials via the online portal.

Step 5: Applicants can request references online via the online application system.

Step 6: Referees receive the reference request automatically and can fill out the reference forms online.

Step 7: Applicants can check the status of their references online and can remind a referee or create a new reference request even after submission of the application.

Required Document:

  • Identification document: Passport for international applicants. Qatari ID for citizens and residents of Qatar.
  • Undergraduate transcripts. Senior year students should submit all their transcripts to date.
  • Graduation certificate or diploma for graduates.
  • Resume (CV).
  • TOEFL or IELTS results or an official statement stating that the degree was taught in English as the main language of instruction.
  • Personal Statement.
  • Academic Essay (for applicants to the School of Social Sciences and Humanities).

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For more information, please visit the admissions requirements page or contact the admissions office.

Admission Selection Process:

The Admissions Department ensures that all applicants meet the admission requirements and conditions. All admission applications are evaluated according to the following steps:

1) Transcript Evaluation

The admissions department evaluates the submitted transcripts to ensure that applicants have obtained the required minimum grades mentioned in the attached table

2) Academic Evaluation

All applicants who pass the transcript evaluation stage are evaluated by the members of the academic evaluation committee in their respective academic programmes. At this stage, the evaluation takes into consideration all documents and certificates submitted by the applicant, such as their academic records, resume, academic essay, personal statement and IELTS/TOEFL scores.

3) Interview Evaluation

Applicants who pass the academic evaluation stage are invited to an interview with members of the academic evaluation committee to discuss their academic interests. The committee assesses the student’s personal, academic and research skills. Interviews are held face-to-face for students living in Qatar and online for those living outside Qatar.

Please review the Admission Selection Criteria.pdf file for more information.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship Deadline

The application deadline for the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship 2027 is 15 January 2026.

For further information about the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies Scholarship and the application process, please visit the official websites:

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Doha Institute evaluate applications after I submit everything?

Doha Institute follows a staged review: Transcript evaluation (initial filtering), then academic evaluation, then interview evaluation, followed by the final decision.

Applicants move forward only if they meet the minimum score at each stage.

Does the interview matter a lot, or is it only a formality?

The interview is a major part of the decision. The final score is calculated using a 50% academic evaluation and 50% interview evaluation weighting.

What score do I need to pass the initial transcript screening?

In the transcript evaluation stage, applicants with a score of 7/10 or above move to the next stage.

What score do I need to pass the academic evaluation stage?

After transcript screening, the academic evaluation is scored by evaluators. Applicants with a cumulative academic score of 6/10 or above move to the interview stage.

Who evaluates my application at the academic and interview stages?

Doha Institute uses multiple evaluators. The academic evaluation is done by three evaluators per program, and the interview stage is also assessed by three evaluators per program.

If I get conditional admission, what should I be careful about?

If you are admitted conditionally, you must meet the conditions listed in your admission letter by the stated date. If you fail to meet them, the policy states it can result in automatic dismissal.

What counts as “good academic standing” once I am enrolled (Master’s level)?

DI’s policy defines good academic standing as meeting key conditions such as: a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.00, no failed courses in degree-required courses, no more than one failed elective course, and satisfactory progress toward degree requirements (including a project or thesis).

What happens if my GPA drops or I fail courses after joining DI?

If you do not meet the good academic standing criteria, you may be placed on academic probation. The policy states you typically have one semester after being placed on probation to return to good standing, otherwise you may be dismissed.

Can I change my program or concentration track after admission?

Program or track changes are generally handled through academic advising. Students are expected to consult their academic advisor if they wish to change program or concentration track, usually within the relevant academic procedures (for example, during add/drop periods when applicable).

Are programs taught in English or Arabic at Doha Institute?

DI states that Arabic is the primary language of instruction, with English as an important secondary language, and some courses are offered in English. The exact language can vary by program and course list.

Can I hold another scholarship at the same time as a DI scholarship?

For doctoral scholarships, DI’s scholarship policy states that a student should not combine the Institute’s scholarship with any other scholarship unless they have prior approval from the relevant doctoral authority.

For Master’s scholarships, confirm the exact rule in your award letter or scholarship terms.

If I am funded as a PhD scholarship recipient, do I have any work obligation to the Institute?

DI’s doctoral scholarship policy states that students with a full doctoral scholarship must commit to working for the Institute (research, teaching, or other assigned work) for at least 10 hours per week during the semester. For partial grantees, hours are proportional but should not exceed 15 hours per week.