Universities in Qatar: Qatar University and Education City
An overview of Qatar University and the eight Qatar Foundation universities in Education City, what each offers, and how to start researching a program.
Qatar's higher education system combines a large national university with a cluster of branch campuses from well-known international universities. This guide gives a starting overview, not a ranking, of the main options and what each is generally known for. We read Qatar Foundation's own page and each university's notability in September 2026.
Qatar University
Qatar University is the country's national public university, based in Doha, offering a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across colleges including engineering, business, law, medicine, and the arts and sciences. It is the largest university in the country by enrollment and the main option for students following the Qatari national curriculum route.
Education City universities
Education City, developed by Qatar Foundation, hosts branch campuses of several international universities, each generally focused on a specific field rather than offering a full general curriculum.
| University | Generally known for |
|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar | Computer science, business, and information systems |
| Georgetown University in Qatar | International affairs and foreign service |
| Northwestern University in Qatar | Journalism, communication, and media |
| Texas A&M University at Qatar | Engineering |
| VCUarts Qatar (Virginia Commonwealth University) | Art and design |
| Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar | Medicine |
| HEC Paris in Qatar | Executive and graduate business education |
| Hamad Bin Khalifa University | A Qatar Foundation university with its own undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple fields |
Students at Education City universities can generally cross-register for some classes at the other partner universities, which is one reason the campus is often treated as a single hub rather than separate, unconnected schools.
How to start researching a program
- Start from the field you want to study, since most Education City universities specialize rather than offering a general degree.
- Check each university's own admissions page for current requirements, deadlines, and whether it is a branch campus (meaning the degree comes from the home university) or a separate Qatari institution.
- Ask about financial aid and scholarships directly, since eligibility and amounts vary by university and by nationality.
- If you are moving to Qatar with a family, our first week in Qatar checklist and our guide to international schools in Qatar cover the practical side of relocating.
What we could not verify
- Current tuition fees, scholarship terms, or admission requirements for any university, since these change and are set individually.
- Current enrollment numbers.
- A complete list of every higher education institution in Qatar. This guide covers the main national university and the Education City cluster, not every college or institute in the country.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main universities in Qatar?
Qatar University is the national public university. Education City hosts eight Qatar Foundation universities, including Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, Northwestern, Texas A&M, VCUarts Qatar, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, HEC Paris, and Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
Do Education City universities offer every subject?
Generally, no. Most focus on a specific field, such as engineering, journalism, or medicine. Students can often cross-register for some classes at other Education City partner universities.
Is Education City the same as Qatar Foundation?
Education City is the campus. Qatar Foundation is the organization that developed it and runs the partnership with each international university.
How do I apply to a university in Qatar?
Apply directly through each university's own admissions page, since requirements and deadlines are set individually.
Is this a ranked list of the best universities?
No. It is a factual overview of the main options, not a ranking.
Sources & references
Agha Ali Abbas
Founder & Editor
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