Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in Doha, Qatar offers a range of PhD (doctoral) programs across its colleges, designed to develop advanced research capabilities and prepare students for academic, professional, and leadership roles in their fields. These PhD programs typically take about 3–4 years of full‑time study and involve advanced coursework, comprehensive examinations, and independent dissertation research under faculty supervision in areas such as Computer Science and Engineering, Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Environment, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Humanities and Social Sciences, Islamic Finance and Economy, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Law (Doctor of Juridical Science – S.J.D.).
To be admitted into a PhD program at HBKU, applicants generally must hold a master’s degree or its equivalent in a relevant field with a strong academic record—typically a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent. Some disciplines may admit exceptionally qualified students directly from a bachelor’s degree into an accelerated MS/PhD track, but this is not the standard pathway. Applicants are usually required to submit official academic transcripts, proof of English language proficiency (often demonstrated with IELTS or TOEFL scores unless exempted), and may need to provide standardized test scores such as GRE or GMAT depending on the program (e.g., required for Sustainable Energy and Sustainable Environment but optional for some engineering PhDs).
In addition to academic credentials, most PhD applicants must submit a research proposal outlining their intended dissertation topic, along with other supporting documents such as a curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and identification documents. For programs in the Humanities and Social Sciences, a detailed research proposal is explicitly required as part of the application.
Once accepted, PhD students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 during their studies and fulfill residency or research requirements as stipulated by their program, including enrolment in doctoral courses and sustained dissertation research.
HBKU also offers scholarships and funding packages for qualified PhD students, including tuition waivers and monthly stipends for international students who are engaged in research or teaching assistantships, helping support doctoral study both academically and financially.
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