Studying in the Gulf: Qatar and Saudi Arabia Scholarships

The Gulf countries have invested massively in higher education and research. Recent institutions such as KAUST in Saudi Arabia or Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar offer remarkable working conditions and often full funding. For Moroccan students, especially in science and engineering, these are options worth knowing.

KAUST (Saudi Arabia)

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is a research university for master's and doctoral degrees in science, engineering and technology. It offers scholarships covering in principle tuition fees, a monthly allowance and on-campus housing. Admission is very selective: an excellent academic record and a solid research project are expected.

Qatar: HBKU and Doha Institute

Hamad Bin Khalifa University, located in Doha's Education City, welcomes international students in several fields (engineering, social sciences, public policy, Islamic studies). Scholarships cover tuition fees and an allowance. The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies offers master's and doctoral degrees in social sciences and humanities, with aid for Arab students.

Other universities

Other Gulf institutions, such as certain Saudi or Emirati universities, offer scholarships to foreign students, often in technical disciplines. Conditions and calendars vary: see each official website.

Typical file

Academic CV, transcripts and diplomas.
Motivation letter and research project (for a doctorate).
Academic recommendation letters.
English certificate (IELTS, TOEFL) and possibly an aptitude test.

Visa, life on site and culture

Universities support visa and settling-in procedures. University life is organised on large campuses with integrated services. Find out about local rules (dress, social life, climate) to prepare your stay calmly.

Advice

Target specific laboratories and contact professors before applying.
Prepare a concrete, quantified research project.
Check opening dates: they are often concentrated at the start of the year.

Studying in the Gulf: Scholarships in Qatar and Saudi Arabia