CIS Admission Requirements | HBKU
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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.

Admission Process

Here’s an Overview of our Admission 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 Admission

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

Admission Policies
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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.

Program Required Field of Study Language Proficiency
PhD in Islamic Finance and Economy Economics, Business, Finance, Accounting, Shari’a, or a related field IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL: 79
Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available from admissions.hbku.edu.qa
PhD in Islamic Studies All fields
MA in Applied Islamic Ethics All fields
MA in Contemporary Islamic Studies
Specialization in Contemporary Islamic Thought		 Islamic Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Religious Studies, or a related area within the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences with relevant experience. IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL: 79
Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available from admissions.hbku.edu.qa
MA in Contemporary Islamic Studies
Specialization in Fiqh and Society		 Shari’a, Fiqh and Society, Usul Al-Fiqh, Usul Al-Din and Qanun, or a related area within Islamic Studies. Must demonstrate proficiency in Arabic through previous studies (e.g. completing an undergraduate degree in which the language of instruction was Arabic or by completing a proficiency examination offered by CIS).
In addition, students need to prove their English language proficiency by providing a score equivalent to TOEFL 35-45 or IELTS 5.
Exemption is possible if applicants have studied in English.
Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field. IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL: 79
Further details about the language proficiency requirement and the process to seek exemption (where this is an option) are available from admissions.hbku.edu.qa
MA in Islam and Global Affairs All fields
MS in Islamic Art, Architecture and Urbanism Art History, Archaeology, Interior Architecture/ Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning
MS in Islamic Finance Economics, Business, Finance, Accounting, Shari’a, or a related field
Graduate Certificate in Islamic Finance (GCIF) All fields
Graduate Certificate in Islamic Studies (GCIS) All fields Must demonstrate proficiency in Arabic through previous studies (e.g. completing an undergraduate degree in which the language of instruction was Arabic or by completing a proficiency examination offered by CIS).
In addition, students need to prove their English language proficiency by providing a score equivalent to TOEFL 35-45 or IELTS 5.
Exemption is possible if applicants have studied in English.

 

Admission requirements

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

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.

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.

Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from an academic referee. Referees should send their letters of recommendation from their professional email directly to recommendations@hbku.edu.qa and mention the name of the applicant and program they are applying to in the subject line of the email. Letters which are not directly written for this program or which are incomplete will not be accepted.

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.

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

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.

Non-refundable application fee (QAR 250)

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

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.

Entity Name Working Hours Phone Number Email Address
College of Islamic Studies 7.30 am - 3.30 pm 44540390 admissions.cis@hbku.edu.qa