2025 - 2026 SAA Rankings for Best Value Universities In Qatar For International Students

20 Best Value Institutions in Qatar for International Students

Here are the 20 best-value institutions in Qatar for international students. Here, you’ll learn more about their rankings, international student population, and their background.

Qatar University (QU), one of the leading universities in the Middle East, provides numerous academic opportunities for students seeking internationally recognized degrees. QU offers educational programs that are aligned with the country’s development priorities. And to maintain the quality of education, its curriculum is tailored to meet international standards and accrediting agencies worldwide.

Founded by Qatar Foundation, the Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is a public institution that provides tertiary education to Qatari and international students. It was established to nurture students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by providing innovative and practice-based learning that would enhance their creativity and resourcefulness. With its vibrant environment, HBKU students will gain personal and educational progress by engaging and building strong bonds between students, academic staff, collaborators, lecturers, and more.

Established in 2022 in its current form, the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) is Qatar’s first national university specializing in applied, technical and professional education. The university’s vision is to become a premier institution that champions excellence in applied education and research, and contribute meaningfully to the development of Qatar and the world. Recognized as a Center for Excellence in technical and vocational education, the university offers several undergraduate and graduate programs across a range of fields.

Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar (WCM-Q) was established in 2001 as a joint venture between the United States’ prestigious Cornell University and the Qatar Foundation. One of the first American medical schools established outside the country, the university is committed to promoting health and wellness in Qatar and the region. Following the same medical curriculum as the successful program of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, WCM-Q aims to create world-class doctors, scientists, and healthcare leaders of tomorrow, while facilitating innovative research that advances the field of healthcare.

Texas A&M University Qatar was established in collaboration with Texas A&M University in the United States. The university came about due to Qatar’s venture of importing higher education of international standards from the US. The curriculum offered in Qatar closely resembles the one offered at the main campus in the US. All courses are taught in English in a co-educational setting.

Texas A&M University Qatar aspires to provide premium higher education in the field of engineering and become a renowned global contributor of knowledge as well as a crucial resource to Qatar.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar (VCUarts Qatar) was established in 1998 through a partnership with the Qatar Foundation and the prestigious university in Virginia, United States. The first American campus established in Doha’s pioneering Education City, VCUarts Qatar has expanded over the years to offer excellent facilities, including cutting-edge labs, studios, and libraries. Offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, it is one of the leading providers of education in the fields of art and design in the region.

Doha Institute for Graduate Studies was established to provide postgraduate education in Qatar. One of the main features of the institute is the use of Arabic as the main language, with fluency in English also a requirement. DI utilizes a student-centered approach to education and encourages the promotion of interdisciplinary research. Students are also provided with intense leadership-focused training with the idea of producing competent individuals who would contribute to the nation’s intellectual advancement and sustainable development.

Carnegie Mellon University was first established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the merging of 2 educational institutes originally founded by Andrew Carnegie, and Andrew Mellon respectively.

Carnegie Mellon University Qatar was established with the idea of offering higher education programs outside of Pittsburgh to meet the increasing global demand for education.

The university aspires to have a transformative impact on society by adopting an innovative approach to the development of entrepreneurship, research, creativity, and education.

HEC Paris in Qatar is a satellite campus of HEC Paris in the Middle East. It started its operation in Qatar in 2010, making it the first European affiliate institute of the Qatar Foundation. Since then, the school, known for its exemplary education, has educated executives and business people for their advanced graduate studies.

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) was established in 2005 in partnership with the Qatar Foundation in Doha. The campus in Qatar builds on the work of Georgetown University in Washington DC, which has developed an outstanding reputation for quality education and research since its establishment in 1789. GU-Q, a part of Qatar Foundation’s Education City initiative, aims to support and grow education in the region through its programs.

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) was established in 2008 in Doha to train media, journalism, and communication professionals in the region. It is one of the six U.S. universities in Qatar Foundation’s flagship initiative, Education City. NU-Q has one of the biggest media education campuses in the world, employing state-of-the-art technology and equipment. It has world-class facilities and infrastructure, including production studios, automated newsrooms, and even a museum.

The Faculty of Nursing at the University of Calgary in Canada is reputed for its top-quality health care and clinical practice. It educates its nursing students with the same standards and curriculum and credentials awarded to students also hold just as much value as those awarded in Canada.

The institute aims to develop Qatar’s wellness and health by nurturing world-class nurses. It further aspires to be the epitome of excellence in the field of nursing practice, education, and scholarship

MIE SPPU Institute of Higher Education was established following the partnership between Milestone International Education (MIE) in Qatar and Savitribai Phule Pune University, which is a reputed institute of higher education in India. The campus has international students from around 30 different countries. The degrees awarded at MIE-SPP are of high value and recognized across the globe. MIE-SPPU aims to become a reputed higher education provider in Qatar in all areas related to knowledge and research.

Lusail University is the first private Qatari university founded in 2020. This young university provides undergraduate studies for domestic and international students, including a wide range of academic disciplines, from business, education, and law to information technology. Its primary goal is to introduce new advanced programs that will adapt to the market needs.

CUC Ulster is an up-and-coming institution in Doha, Qatar. It stands out for its partnership with Ulster University, which benefits Qataris and international students who want to earn a UK-accredited degree and receive an internationally vetted education while studying in Qatar. To achieve its goal of delivering world-class programs to more students, CUC Ulster will have a second campus in the City of Lusail.

Formerly known as Stenden Qatar University, Al Rayyan International University College is a private institution in Doha established by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani in 2000. It is the oldest private university in Qatar and has contributed immensely to its growth by training several leading academics and professionals in Qatar. The university aims to become internationally recognized as the top university in Qatar.

Qatar Aeronautical Academy was first established as the Civil Aviation of the Gulf States. It is currently the leading institute of aviation training in the Gulf. The institute offers a great list of full-time courses in the field of aviation.

QAA aims to nurture competent cadres of the highest international standards and to contribute to the development of the country’s aviation industry.

The Global Studies Institute – Qatar was designed for citizens and students in Qatar to have access to opportunities that would allow them to develop their professional and educational growth. GSI partners with other institutes abroad to open up doorways to professional and academic programs that are currently in demand in the local job market and allow its students to access skills that would enhance their employment opportunities.

University Foundation College in Qatar is the earliest educational institute in Qatar that offered preparatory programs for UK universities.

Students are provided with abundant knowledge of academics, student support, and administration, allowing them to experience a high-standard education.

The programs are of high quality and come with great student-centered support.

The programs offered at the institute include; Pre-Master’s Program (PMP), International Foundation Year (IFY), and General English.

Founded in 2010 by Qatar’s Ministry of Education in a bid to improve the quality of education in Qatar, the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) is a public institution focused on providing preparatory, vocational, and undergraduate education to Qataris. The university operates four campuses across Doha and Lusail City to make it easier for students in diverse locations in Qatar to enroll in the college.