About Qatar

There are several British Council test centres in Qatar's capital Doha. Besides the capital, there is one other IELTS test centres across the country.

IELTS data

Several universities in Qatar require IELTS as proof of English proficiency to enrol in an English-taught programme

• Lowest IELTS score required: 5.5
• Highest IELTS score required: 6.5
• Average IELTS score required: 6.1
• Number of universities accepting IELTS: 14
• Number of studies accepting IELTS: 61

Background of Qatar

Qatar, a sovereign country in Southwest Asia, is globally renowned for its vast oil and gas reserves, making it one of the wealthiest nations. It offers a safe environment to pursue a degree and immerse oneself in Arabic culture. Qatar has recently prioritized a national strategy to develop and evolve its education system, aligning with its constitution's emphasis on education as a foundation for societal progress.

Students seeking to improve or utilize Arabic skills will find Qatar an appealing destination. However, the country also attracts many international students due to partnerships with American universities, offering a wide array of English-taught programs across fields from arts and design to science and technology. English is considered the second language, making English-taught Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs readily available, especially for science and engineering courses. For language requirements, Arabic-taught courses require the Arabic Placement Test or ALPT certificate, while English courses commonly accept IELTS or TOEFL.

English requirements in Qatar

To study in English at one of the universities in Qatar you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

4 most popular study destinations for students in Qatar