Qatar
Arts-track students get new route into science degrees
MoEHE, Academic Bridge open STEM pathway for humanities graduates
Qatar's high school graduates from the literacy and humanities track will now be able to cross into science, technology, engineering and mathematics degrees — fields long closed to them — under a new initiative unveiled by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) in partnership with the Academic Bridge Program, a member of Qatar Foundation.
Announced at a press conference held by the Higher Education Affairs Sector at the ministry's headquarters, the scheme offers humanities students an accredited preparatory year that qualifies them to enrol in scientific disciplines, provided they meet admission requirements and complete the Academic Bridge's STEM track.
The programme is built around the academic foundations that science degrees demand: English-language proficiency, mathematics, and the core sciences of biology, chemistry and physics, alongside computing and programming.
Its courses are designed so that learning outcomes align with the entry standards of both local and international universities.
Crucially, the year a student spends at the Academic Bridge can be recognised within their wider university path, thanks to the programme's partnerships with a number of prestigious institutions inside and outside Qatar.
That recognition smooths the transition into demanding fields including medicine, engineering, computer science and the natural sciences. Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Affairs Dr Hareb Mohamed al-Jabri described the initiative as a strategic step that widens students' academic options and channels them towards the scientific specialisations the country needs.
It supports the national drive towards a knowledge-based, innovation-led economy, he said, and helps prepare qualified Qatari talent in priority fields.
Director of the Academic Bridge Program Dr Saheim Khalaf al-Tamimi voiced pride in the partnership, calling it a reflection of a shared commitment to flexible, comprehensive learning pathways.
The programme's courses, he added, equip students with the skills in English, science, mathematics and computing needed to move confidently into university study.
Applicants must hold a high school diploma with a minimum grade of 70 percent, submit an IELTS certificate or equivalent scoring at least 4.5, and pass placement tests in English and mathematics before completing the formal admission process.
The initiative forms part of the MOEHE's broader effort to open flexible, innovative routes through higher education that keep pace with the labour market — and to ready a generation able to compete in vital sectors in support of Qatar National Vision 2030.