If you are a healthcare professional with a young family considering relocating to work in Qatar, your children’s education will be foremost in your mind. Fortunately, Qatar has many excellent international schools, with a wide choice of European, British, and US curriculum schools.
Qatar’s government is committed to developing a ‘knowledge economy’ and places a high value on education. This includes ensuring access to quality international schools for all residents of Qatar, both nationals and expats. Qatar Foundation’s Outstanding Schools Initiative is bringing franchises or satellite campuses of well-regarded UK, US, and IB curriculum schools to the country. Qatar also funds a number of educational initiatives overseas. While government schools, mainly attended by Qataris, are often segregated by gender, the majority of international schools are coeducational. The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) is the governing authority for all schools in Qatar, including the growing number of international schools.
How many international schools are there in Qatar?
There are many excellent international schools in Qatar, some established decades ago, as well as newer schools formed by international partnerships. The number of schools is continually expanding to meet the demands of the growing expatriate population. Currently, there are more than 300 international schools in Qatar teaching around 23 different curricula to cater to the diverse expatriate population. Around 80 international schools offer UK, US, Canadian, IB, or other European curricula. Unsurprisingly, as the vast majority of Qatar’s population lives in the capital city, Doha, and the surrounding suburban areas have the largest number of international schools. However, there are also good international schools in the northeastern city of Al Khor.
What are some of the best international schools in Qatar?
There are many excellent British curriculum schools in Qatar, including
- Doha College
- Doha British School (3 locations in Doha)
- Park House English School
- Qatar International School
- Belgravia High School Doha
- King’s College Doha (2 campuses in Doha)
- Nord Anglia International School Al Khor
- GEMS Wellington School Qatar
- United International School
- Queen’s Qatar
- Compass International School (3 locations in Doha)
- Doha English Speaking School
- Royal Grammar School Guildford in Qatar
- Durham School for Girls Doha
- Sherbourne Qatar
- Newton Schools Group (nine schools in Doha)
- The Phoenix Private School Qatar
There are a number of the best International Baccalaureate schools in Qatar:
- Qatar Academy, part of the Qatar Foundation, offers an excellent education following the IB curriculum for both primary- and secondary-age students. Qatar Academy Doha was founded in 1996, but Qatar Academy has since expanded to five campuses in and around Doha and in Al Khor.
Other highly regarded IB continuum schools in Qatar include
Reputed schools offering American and IB curricula include
- American School of Doha
- ACS International School Doha
- The Hamilton International School
- SEK International School Qatar
Both GEMS American Academy Qatar and Northview International School offer the US curriculum. Blythe Academy Qatar offers the Canadian Alberta High School Diploma.
There are also French and German international schools.
How much are the fees for international schools in Qatar?
School fees vary according to the curriculum and school, and fees gradually increase as a child moves up through the school. Average annual fees range between 20,000 and 50,000 QAR for pre-kindergarten or foundation stage and 50,000 and 75,000 QAR for grade 12 or year 13. Fortunately, many doctors’ contracts in Qatar include an additional allowance for children’s school fees. Some schools offer sibling discounts of around 5 to 10% for younger sibling(s) if you have more than 1 child in the same school.
Factors to consider when choosing a school
- School curriculum
- Values and ethos of the school
- Ratings, reviews, and recommendations
- Support for your child’s individual needs
- School facilities and extracurricular activities
- Location and travel
- Availability of places
What if my child has special educational needs?
Schools vary in the amount of support they are able to offer for students with special educational needs. You can check on a school’s website, ask specific questions to the admissions office, and visit schools to find out more.
The following schools are reported to have particularly good inclusion and Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in Qatar:
- Sherbourne Qatar (British Curriculum)
- The Hamilton International School (American/IB)
- Qatar Academy group of schools (IB continuum)
How easy is it to get a place in Qatar’s international schools?
The older, more established international schools in Qatar tend to have waiting lists, so it is advisable to apply as early as possible. However, the newer international schools, many of which are established in partnership with highly reputable overseas schools, are creating more capacity and may be able to offer places in shorter time frames.
For more information on international schools in Qatar, check these helpful websites:
Good Schools Guide https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/international/qatar/doha/best-schools
Edarabia https://www.edarabia.com/schools/qatar/
International Schools Database https://www.international-schools-database.com/in/doha
Are you a highly skilled, Western-trained doctor looking for a new challenge and an improved lifestyle?
Qatar has the highest health care expenditure per capita among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and has created a world-class, patient-centered health care system that promotes medical education, research, and innovation. Qatar’s healthcare system is growing, recruiting highly qualified and skilled healthcare professionals.
Working as a doctor in Qatar offers:
- Exciting career opportunities in a dynamic and growing healthcare sector
- Ability to build up savings with a tax-free salary
- An improved standard of living
- Rich cultural experiences alongside modern infrastructure
- A safe, family-friendly lifestyle in a multicultural environment
- Convenient travel within the region and to other parts of the world
Contact Allocation Assist Middle East today to find out about opportunities in Qatar, as well as the UAE and Saudi Arabia: https://www.allocationassist.com/
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