The completed online application form can be accessed here.

Please note that this application is for admissions only., Iinformation on how to apply for funding (where this is an option) is provided to students who have been admitted to the program. 

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit all required documents at the time of application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Official electronic copies of transcripts and graduation statements should 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. Click here to see a sample grading scale. 

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 of standardized test results (TOEFL, IELTS, GRE) must be sent directly to HBKU.  

Please refer to the institutional codes below:

• GRE: 7551
• TOEFL: 4981
• IELTS: No code required. Students should ask the IELTS center where they tested to send the IELTS TRF to Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar.

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

Applicants to the PhD program should submit two letters of recommendation, preferably from academic referees. Referees should send their letters of recommendation from their professional email directly to  

Letters which are not directly written for this program or which are incomplete will not be accepted.

Click here to download the recommendation form.

Applicants should submit a personal statement as part of the online application. The statement should explain why they are applying to the program, and how their studies will contribute to the achievement of their personal and professional motivations (minimum of 300 words, maximum of 500 words). Personal statements that are incomplete or below the minimum word count will not be accepted.  

Research Proposal Provisional Title 
The title should give a clear idea of the planned research topic.

Research Proposal
Your proposal must include a minimum of 1,000 and a maximum of 2,000 words. The research proposal should include your full name and all the required numbered sections below:

1. Objectives and Research Questions
   In this section, you will briefly explain the overarching goal of your proposed research. Before writing your proposal, you should carefully consider the key questions you are trying to answer and try to avoid very broad research proposals to make sure that your proposed research is achievable and focused enough to be completed within the planned period.
2. Significance of Research
   In this section, you will provide an assessment of the existing literature related to your research topic and you will explain in what way your proposed research will enrich the existing literature to demonstrate the originality of the proposed research.
   In this section, you should also explain why your research proposal is important. For example, you can discuss the way that your research will build on the existing literature and why your proposed research is needed and adds value, etc.
3. Methodology and Indicative Structure
   In this section, you will explain the type of research you plan to undertake, such as conducting a survey, collecting data, doing fieldwork or interviews, etc. You should also discuss how you plan to analyze your research data or findings. Finally, you will enumerate the main sections of the dissertation you plan to write.
4. Bibliography 
   In this section, you will include the list of the most relevant works related to your proposed research topic.
5. Planned Research Schedule
   In this section, you will clearly explain how you plan to complete your courses, plan your research activities and write your thesis within the four-year period, given your personal situation (work and family commitment) and given that the first year is a course intensive year during which you will take part in courses and seminars and undertake research training in order to write a publishable research paper.

   The second-year is generally dedicated to data collection or field research and planning your second publishable article. The third-year will be devoted to writing and completing your initial dissertation draft and submitting your second article. The fourth and last year will be dedicated to the examination and the submission of your final dissertation.

   The key questions you will need to answer in this section are: 

   1. What makes you confident that can you finalize your dissertation during the planned duration?
   2. How feasible is your proposed research given this period?
6. Research Motivations
   Briefly explain why and how you have decided to pursue this research? What motivates your interests?
   How is the proposed research is related to what you have done previously (work, training, publications, general interests, etc.). How will this research help your career? Finally, briefly explain why you want to undertake a PhD with the HBKU College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hamad bin Khalifa University.

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

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

CHSS provides opportunities for funding on a competitive basis. Further information will be provided to applicants who are admitted to the program.