Exploring Qatar University's Student Population

Qatar University is a public research university located on the outskirts of Doha, Qatar. It was founded in 1973 as the College of Education, with just 150 students. Since then, it has grown rapidly and now has over 20,000 active students and more than 30,000 alumni. The university offers courses in both Arabic and English across twelve colleges, including Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, and Engineering. Qatar University is ranked #122 in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and is recognised as one of the leading universities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Student demographics

Qatar University, the only public university in the country, has a diverse student body, with fifty-two nationalities represented. Of these students, 65% are Qatari nationals, and about 35% are children of expats. The student population is predominantly female, with women making up approximately 70% of the total student body. The university has separate sites for male and female students, each with their own lecture halls, laboratories, and learning support facilities.

The university currently has over 20,000 active students, with an alumni body of over 30,000 graduates. The student population has grown significantly since the university's founding in 1973, when it had just 150 students. By 1980, enrolment had increased to 2,600 students, and by the Fall Semester of 2005/2006, the number of registrants had reached 7,660, equalling almost one-sixth of the eligible Qatari population.

The university's rapid expansion has continued in recent years, with approximately 14,000 students currently enrolled across its eight colleges. This includes undergraduate and postgraduate students, with the university offering a growing number of specialist Masters and PhD programs. Qatar University is committed to fostering international partnerships and providing opportunities for its students, with agreements in place that benefit students wishing to pursue graduate studies abroad.

Qatar University's history

Qatar University is a public research university located on the northern outskirts of Doha, Qatar. It is the only public university in the country. The university was established as the College of Education by a decree from the Emir of Qatar in 1973, with a total of 150 students. In 1977, the college was expanded to become the University of Qatar, with four new colleges: Education, Humanities & Social Sciences, Sharia & Law & Islamic Studies, and Science.

Over the next few years, the university continued to expand with the establishment of the College of Engineering in 1980 and the College of Business & Economics in 1985. This led to a large expansion of the university campus, overseen by Kamal El Kafrawi. By the Fall Semester of 2005/2006, the number of registrants for study at Qatar University had reached 7,660 male and female students, equaling almost 1/6 of the eligible Qatari population.

In 2003, the university underwent a significant reform that changed its title from the "University of Qatar" to "Qatar University." The reform focused on three principles: "Autonomy," "Decentralization," and "Accountability." As a result, the university became an autonomous body governed by a board of regents who reported directly to the Emir. This change allowed the university greater control over its finances, stated objectives, and personnel management.

As of 2011, there were seven colleges at Qatar University: College of Education, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Shariah and Islamic Studies, College of Engineering, College of Law, College of Business & Economics, and College of Pharmacy. The university has continued to grow and expand, with the addition of new colleges and programs, including the College of Dental Medicine in 2019. Today, Qatar University has an active student body of over 20,000 students, with alumni of over 30,000 graduates.

Qatar University's colleges and departments

Qatar University is the country's only public university and is located on the northern outskirts of Doha. It was established in 1973 as the College of Education and now hosts twelve colleges, with courses taught in both Arabic and English.

The twelve colleges are:

• Arts and Sciences
• Business and Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Law
• Sharia and Islamic Studies
• Pharmacy
• College of Health Science
• College of Medicine
• College of Dental Medicine
• College of Nursing
• College of Sport Science

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest of these colleges, with a total of 2,383 students. It was formed in 2004 through the merging of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science. The College of Arts and Sciences has 240 faculty members, including Dean Dr. Kassim Ali Shaaban. It includes departments such as Arabic Language, Biological & Environmental Sciences, Chemistry & Earth Sciences, English Literature and Linguistics, and Mathematics, Statistics & Physics.

The College of Business and Economics was founded in 1985 and has a new QR 185 million facility. It offers programs in Accounting and Information Systems, Finance and Economics, and Management and Marketing. The College of Engineering, established in 1980, is one of the largest at the university, offering both undergraduate and graduate courses. Undergraduate programs include Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Computer Engineering, while graduate programs include Urban Planning & Design, Engineering Management, and Environmental Engineering.

The College of Law was established in 2004 when the law department of the College of Sharia became separate. 10-15% of its undergraduate program is taught in English. The College of Sharia and Islamic Studies was founded in 1977 and has recently added new major and minor programs, such as “Da’wa and Media” and “Banking and Insurance”.

The College of Pharmacy, founded in 2008, was the first pharmacy college in Qatar. It offers a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, a Doctor of Pharmacy, and a Master of Science in Pharmacy. The College of Health Science (CHS) was established in 2016 after 30 years as a department within various colleges. It offers undergraduate programs in biomedical sciences, human nutrition, and public health, as well as graduate programs in biomedical science and public health.

The College of Medicine was established in 2014, while the College of Dental Medicine was founded in 2019. The College of Dental Medicine has a competitive 25 seats in its first class and is a six-year program leading to a Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Qatar University's international reputation

Qatar University is the only public university in Qatar and is located on the northern outskirts of Doha. It was established as the College of Education in 1973 and became the University of Qatar in 1977. It has since grown to host twelve colleges, including Arts and Sciences, Business and Economics, and Engineering. Courses are taught in Arabic and English, and the university has a student body of approximately 20,000 students, with an alumni body of over 30,000 graduates.

Qatar University has gained recognition for its academic, research, and institutional accomplishments, solidifying its position as a leading university in the region. It has been ranked 11th among 100 universities in the MENA region and 122nd in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The university has also been recognised as the most international institution in the world by Times Higher Education in 2016. This recognition is a result of its high proportion of international students and faculty, as well as its focus on international collaboration.

The university has a large portfolio of internationally accredited colleges and programs, reflecting its commitment to excellence and quality. It has established numerous MOUs and collaborative agreements with public and private sector organisations, expanding its partnerships and enhancing its research capabilities. The university's research efforts have resulted in significant successes and an ambitious research roadmap that aligns with national development priorities.

In addition to its academic and research achievements, Qatar University contributes to the "Qatarization" process, emphasising the hiring and support of Qatari nationals. This initiative aims to maintain the country's cultural and national identity, especially considering that Qatari nationals make up only about a quarter of the population.

Overall, Qatar University has established itself as a prominent educational institution with a growing international reputation, attracting students and scholars from around the world.

Qatar University's campus and facilities

Qatar University is a public research university located on the northern outskirts of Doha, Qatar. It is the only public university in the country and is situated in the district of Al Tarfa, approximately 16 kilometres from the city centre. The university has 10 colleges that teach courses in either Arabic or English.

The Qatar University campus includes three reserved natural habitat areas designated as biology fields, which are used to study the diversity and interactions of plants, animals and microorganisms in their natural habitats. The campus also features a Physical Activity Building, an Arts and Sciences Building, and a Men's Building.

The university has a range of facilities and resources to support its academic and research programmes. The Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, for example, has a Biology Museum, a herbarium, and a collection of research specimens. The museum was established in 2006 and houses a collection of insects and other animal species, including specimens collected since 1974. The herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens, including seeds, wood sections, pollen, microscope slides, and fluid-preserved flowers.

In addition to its academic and research facilities, Qatar University also provides support services for its students, such as the Student Learning Support Center (SLSC) and the Student Counseling Center (SCC). The university also hosts student clubs and organisations that cater to a range of interests and provide opportunities for students to connect and engage in extracurricular activities.

Qatar University has seen significant growth and progress since its establishment, expanding its campus and facilities to accommodate a growing student population and a diverse range of academic programmes.

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