College of Islamic Studies Admissions

Source: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cis/admission-requirements Parent: https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/cookies-policy

Apply Now Discover Our Programs

Overview

At Hamad Bin Khalifa University, our people are our greatest strength. When you enroll on an academic program at HBKU, you become part of a thriving community that is committed to excellence and innovation.

• Admissions
• Important Dates
• Programs and Requirements
• Admissions Requirements
• Contact Us

Admissions Process

Here’s an Overview of our Admissions Process:

• 01

##### Create Account

Click on “Apply Now” to create a user account. Once the account is created, log in using your credentials. - 02

##### Submit Application

Start the application process by choosing your desired college and program. You can submit up to two applications per academic year. - 03

##### Upload Documents & References

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to log back into your account, submit supplementary documents, and provide contact details for your references. - 04

##### Application Review

In the preliminary application review, the HBKU admissions team checks the application for completion and eligibility before forwarding it to the relevant college for assessment. - 05

##### Receive Offer of Admissions

Applicants will be notified when the college makes a decision. Accepted applicants will receive an offer letter.

Admissions Policies

Graduate

Important Dates

• Online graduate admission application opens to the public

01

Oct 2025 - ##### Admission application deadline for International applicants

01

Feb 2026 - ##### Admission application last day for Qatari and resident applicants who wish to apply for funding

15

Mar 2026 - ##### Late admission application deadline for Qatari and resident applicants

03

May 2026

Programs and Requirements

Prospectus

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate programs at the College of Islamic Studies should have a strong academic record (minimum 3.0 GPA out of 4.0) from a recognized university.

Applicants to the masters programs should hold a bachelor’s degree while applicants to the PhD program should hold a master’s degree.

PhD applicants must demonstrate strong evidence that they possess the qualities to become successful researchers and professionals. This includes outstanding performance in relevant coursework, as well as a proven track record of high motivation and commitment to innovative and original research.

Admissions Requirements

Application

A completed online application form admissions.hbku.edu.qa

Academic transcripts

Official electronic copies of transcripts must be submitted as part of the online application. Final transcripts and graduation statements are required for all previous university studies. All transcripts submitted should include an explanation of the grading system. For those who have not completed their current studies, transcripts must include results from the last completed semester of coursework. Transcripts in languages other than English or Arabic must be accompanied with an official translation. Applicants who are admitted to the program based on copies of or incomplete transcripts will be required to provide original transcripts upon enrollment in order to register for courses.

Standardized test results

Official copies (where required) must be sent directly to HBKU. Please refer to the institutional codes below:

• TOEFL: 4981
• IELTS: No code required. Students should ask the IELTS center where they tested to send the IELT TRF to HBKU

Applicants should also submit copies of their test scores with the online application.

Master of Arts in Comparative Education and Graduate Certificate in Islamic Psychology and Psychotherapy (GCIPP)

Official copies (where required) must be sent directly to HBKU. Please refer to the institutional codes below:

• GRE: 7551
• GMAT: H6S
• TOEFL: 4981
• IELTS: No code required. Students should ask the IELTS center where they tested to send the IELTS TRF to HBKU.

Applicants should also submit copies of their test scores with the online application.

Letters of recommendation

Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic referee. Applicants should include their referees’ names and email addresses in the online application. Referees will receive an email requesting them to complete their references.

Personal statement of interest

The personal statement should introduce the applicant to the Admissions Committee. Topics that may be discussed include personal or professional goals and personal, academic, or career history.

The Committee looks beyond test scores and grade point averages in making selection decisions. The personal statement gives the Committee a means to consider a variety of factors in assessing applicants. The statement should explain why the candidate is applying to the program, and how their studies will contribute to the achievement of their personal objectives, including information about the applicant’s research interests and achievements (minimum of 300, maximum of 500 words).

Resume/curriculum vitae

Applicants should submit a copy of their current resume or curriculum vitae as part of the online application. This should include the following information:

• Academic Qualifications
• Professional Experience
• Publications
• Research Projects
• Academic Awards or Honors
• Conference Presentations

Identification document

Applicants should submit an electronic copy of their passport as part of their online application. Nationals and residents of Qatar should also submit their valid Qatar ID.

Application fee

Non-refundable application fee (QAR 250)

Research Proposal

All applicants to the PhD programme in Islamic Studies are required to submit a research proposal as part of their application. This requirement aims to assess the applicant’s readiness for advanced research, familiarity with essential sources, and the overall feasibility of the proposed project.

Length and Format

The research proposal should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words, excluding the bibliography. It must be clearly written, systematically organized, and submitted in either Word or PDF format.

Content

The proposal should include the following components:

• A clear preliminary title and a precise formulation of the central research questions
• The significance of the topic
• A review of relevant previous scholarship
• A list of primary and secondary sources and references

Applicants should also attach a statement of their linguistic competence, indicating their proficiency in the languages required for their proposed research project.

Additional Requirement

All applicants must submit a sample of their academic writing, such as a chapter from a thesis, a scholarly article, or an extended research paper.

Tuition and Student Funding

The College of Islamic Studies provides a limited number of tuition waivers on a competitive basis.

There are no scholarships available to international students for any of the CIS graduate certificate programs. All applicants need to be self-funded.

Admissions inquiries

admissions.cis@hbku.edu.qa

Notice

• Please do not submit any additional application materials which are not on the list of required items. Any additional materials received will be automatically discarded.
• HBKU cannot return documents to the applicant once they are submitted.
• All documents submitted through the online application must be in PDF format. Any documents submitted in a different format will not be accepted

Contact Us

We understand that prospective and incoming students have a wide range of needs, and it can sometimes be difficult to find specific information. Whether you're looking for a tour of HBKU, financial aid, or registration for classes, connect with us to find the help you need.

Fact and Figures

+

Students

+

Faculty

+

Qatari Alumni

+

HBKU Alumni