University of Qatar

Qatar’s first national College of Education was founded in 1973, by decree of the Emir of Qatar, in his vision to place education as a priority in the country’s expansion.

The country’s rapid development highlighted the requirement for the College’s expansion, to provide additional areas of specialization in line with the requirements of the population. Consequently, in 1977, Qatar University was founded with four new colleges; Science, education, Humanities & Social Sciences, Sharia and Law & Islamic Studies. Since then, the institution rapidly expanded, with the founding of the College of Engineering in 1980 and College of Business in 1985. In addition, it originally supported several small independent research centers, and worked to establish a national community college; the College of Technology.

QU is committed to providing high-quality education in areas of national priority. Underpinning this commitment is the goal to align its colleges, programs and courses with established international standards and best practices. As a result, the organization has been successful in its accreditation initiatives, earning the endorsement of numerous leading international accrediting bodies such as ABET, CCAPP, AACSB, to name a few.

At present, Qatar University comprises of ten colleges: Education; Engineering; Arts and Sciences; Business and Economics; Health Sciences; Law; Medicine; Pharmacy; Sharia and Islamic Studies etc. Over the years, the University has continually expanded its wide range of new programs—the largest selection in the country—while fastidiously seeking the highest international accreditations, and ensuring they are aligned with the growing needs of the labor market and the aspirations of the society it serves. It currently boasts a population of over 20000 students, and an alumni body of over 40,000.

The College of Health Sciences was a new addition in January 2016, emerging from formerly housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. Following this, a Health Cluster comprising the colleges of Health Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy, and the Health Clinic was established to promote interdisciplinary and inter-professional collaboration and enhance the quality of health education and research as well as institutional effectiveness at the University. In 2019, the College of Dental Medicine was founded, which is the tenth college for Qatar University. The college has a competitive 25 seats in its first class and is a six-year program leading to a Doctor of Dental Medicine.

QU offers the first-ever Gulf Studies PhD Program in the region. The program provides an advanced interdisciplinary understanding and in-depth knowledge of issues related to GCC countries, and advances a level of scholarship on Gulf issues that are much-needed at this time.

QU’s ranking successes are an indication of the quality of its faculty members and academic programs, the solid partnerships it has built over the years with leading international institutions, and its growing international reputation.