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Doha College

Qatar, Doha

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees QAR 47,192 - 79,841
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 2750
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum
Typical class size 22
Introduction

Doha College is a not‑for‑profit British international day school based at its purpose‑built Al Wajba campus on Al Niser Street in Doha, Qatar, serving pupils aged 3 to 18 (EYFS to Year 13). It delivers a British education based on the National Curriculum for England, with GCSE/IGCSE and an extensive range of AS and A Level options in Sixth Form. The language of instruction is English, and the school provides specialist language teaching in Arabic (taught from EYFS and continuing through Primary) and French (introduced in the Primary years, with specialist teaching from Years 4–6). The campus includes separate Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form buildings, a Central Hub and Main Reception, sports facilities such as a MUGA, swimming pools and a 4G pitch, plus nurses' stations and a prayer room. Co‑curricular and enrichment provision includes programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, a school Model UN (DCMUN), Junior Duke, robotics and a wide range of clubs and instrumental music pathways.

7506 Al Niser St, Doha, Qatar

The Essentials

Doha College has 2,750 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location

Doha College is located in Al Wajba, near Education City in Doha. The brand-new, purpose-built campus is easily accessible via the new expressways and has abundant parking with a multi-entry drop-off/pick-up system. The official postal address is PO Box 7506, Al Niser Street, Doha, Qatar.

Stages

Doha College is structured into Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Primary, Secondary, and Sixth Form. EYFS covers ages 3–5 (FS1–FS2); Primary serves about ages 3–11 (Years 1–6); Secondary covers Years 7–11 (ages 11–16); and Sixth Form encompasses Years 12–13 (ages 16–18).

Type

Doha College is a co-educational day school that operates on a British curriculum. It is not-for-profit. The school follows the National Curriculum for England.

Pupil Nationality Mix

86 nationalities are represented on campus. The school notes that almost all pupils come from outside Qatar, with official breakdowns of local versus international ratios not published; third-party sources have historically cited a large British presence among the international student body.

Additional learning support

Doha College provides learning support and inclusion for Additional Learning Needs. In 2025, a Sensory Room was opened to support emotional, behavioural, and sensory needs across Primary and Secondary, alongside a Learning Support team dedicated to inclusion.

Country affiliation

The school follows the British National Curriculum and operates as a British international school in Qatar; it is not affiliated with a single country's education system.

Religious affiliation

Religious affiliation is not stated; Doha College is presented as a secular, diverse international community.

School day structure

The school week runs Sunday to Thursday. The day starts around 7:15–7:30 for Primary and around 7:20–7:30 for Secondary, with the formal day typically ending at about 1:55 pm. After-school CCAs extend learning into the late afternoon.

Bus service

Doha College offers a bus service with features including first-aid trained drivers, safeguarding-trained staff, GPS tracking, and a dedicated in-house bus coordinator. The service is provided via the school's Bus Service program and includes options for termly discounts and sibling discounts.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

Uniform is DC-branded for all students from EYFS through 6th Form. The kit includes a DC-branded shirt, Bermuda shorts or navy skirts/trousers, navy socks, and DC-branded knitwear for winter, plus a PE kit; a uniform catalogue outlines year-specific items. ZAKS Uniform Store is the designated supplier, with online ordering and on-campus purchasing options.

Food Options

Doha College provides on-site catering via its canteen service. The current catering provider is &Deli, and the school has run themed menus (for example a Caribbean menu) and a plant-based café opened in 2019 in partnership with Superheroes Eat Plants; a 2025 catering update announced a new &deli offering with pay-at-counter service and refreshed menus, with packaging changes to reduce plastic.

House System

Doha College operates a house system. Every pupil is a member of a House, and the system supports participation across academic, sporting, and cultural activities, including inter-house events and competitions.

Governance and Ownership

The school is governed by a Board of Governors that provides vision, mission, values, and strategic oversight. Doha College is a not-for-profit British-curriculum international school; all income is reinvested into facilities and pupil experiences, and there is no private ownership.
Fees

Annual tuition at Doha College ranges from QAR 47,192 to QAR 79,841 for 2026/27.

Application and Joining Fees
- Registration fee: QAR 3,650 (one-off, non-refundable).
- Stationery deposit: QAR 1,000 (one-off; refundable on leaving provided conditions are met).
- Seat booking fee: QAR 2,000 (non-refundable; due on acceptance of an offer and fully offset against the Autumn term's fees for that academic year). Payment of the Registration and Seat Booking fees confirms acceptance of a place.

Tuition fees (per term) — Primary (Academic year 2025–2026)
- FS1 and FS2 (Early Years): QAR 13,064 per term.
- Year 1 to Year 6: QAR 13,717 per term.

Tuition fees (per term) — Secondary (Academic year 2025–2026)
- Year 7 to Year 11: QAR 23,379 per term.
- Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13): QAR 24,947 per term.

Capital charge (annual)
- FS1 to Year 6: QAR 8,000 per student per academic year (payable with the first term's fees).
- Year 7 to Year 11: QAR 5,000 per student per academic year (payable with the first term's fees).
- Years 12 and 13 (Sixth Form): QAR 5,000 per student per academic year (payable with the first term's fees).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The academic year is divided into three terms. Tuition fees are invoiced per term and are payable on or before the first day of each term.
- The Registration and Seat Booking fees are due on acceptance of a place; upon receipt an invoice is issued for the remaining tuition fees and the capital charge, which are payable before the student's first day of attendance.
- The Seat Booking Fee is fully offset against the Autumn term's fees for that academic year or the final term of attendance for a leaving student (subject to written notice and fee regulations).

Boarding
- Boarding is not provided; Doha College operates as a day school (no boarding fees apply).

Other costs and optional charges
- External examination fees (applicable to Years 10–13) are additional to the quoted tuition fees.
- Supplementary charges may be invoiced separately for specific services and activities, including but not limited to certain school trips and visits, optional instrumental tuition, the shuttle bus service, iPads or device provision, and specialist learning support where required. These are charged in addition to tuition and appear as separate invoices.
- Incidental costs such as breakages, loss or damage to school property, and materials for certain practical classes are charged separately as needed. Tuition fees include standard exercise books, recommended stationery and loan of standard textbooks.

Refunds and deposit handling
- Registration charges and Seat Booking fees are non-refundable once paid.
- The Stationery Deposit is refundable when a student leaves, subject to all school property being returned and meeting the school's conditions for refund.
- A Refundable Deposit policy applies only to students who started prior to August 2018; that refundable deposit (where applicable) is returned on leaving subject to conditions.

Fee payment options
- Accepted methods include bank transfer and cheque. The school indicates these as the payment methods accepted for tuition invoices. Credit card payments are not listed as an accepted tuition payment method.

Notes on invoicing and additional policy items
- The Capital Charge is non-refundable and is collected annually to assist in maintaining facilities; it is payable with the first term's fees or the term in which the student joins.
- External exam fees, optional activities, and any bespoke services are invoiced separately and are not included in the standard term tuition or capital charge.

(End of fees overview)
Academics

Doha College teaches British Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

Doha College is a not-for-profit British international school in Doha, educating pupils from age 3 to 18. The Primary curriculum follows the National Curriculum for England for ages 3–11 (EYFS to Year 6), using an Interdisciplinary Learning approach in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, with Arabic taught from Year 1 and French introduced in later years. The EYFS programme (FS1–FS2) uses a play‑based approach across seven areas of development and includes the Flying Start programme for FS1. The Secondary curriculum (Years 7–13) follows the National Curriculum for England, with Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) offering a broad range of core and foundation subjects; Key Stage 4 (Years 10–11) delivering GCSE/IGCSE examinations with a wide choice of options; and Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13) leading to GCE AS/A Levels or Applied A Levels. In the 6th Form, students can choose from over 25 AS/A Level options across subjects including Arabic, Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Mathematics, Geography, History, Psychology, Sociology, and more, with enrichment opportunities such as an EPQ.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Doha College places wellbeing at the heart of student life, guided by the SHANARRI eight indicators of wellbeing (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included). Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is supported through a combination of PSHE, mindfulness practices, and a broad pastoral program integrated across year groups. The High Performance Learning (HPL) approach reinforces resilience, positive thinking, and social-emotional skills in both academic and pastoral settings. Mindfulness is promoted through Mindful Monday tutor-time activities, assemblies, mindfulness apps (such as Smiling Mind), mindful drop-ins, mindfulness clubs, and journaling. The Learning Support team centers wellbeing in practice, offering early, targeted support (including small-group and 1:1 provision) and assigning a key worker to vulnerable pupils when needed; staff are trained to recognise wellbeing concerns and CPOMS is used for welfare information. Student voice is central via the Student Wellbeing Committee, which is supported by a dedicated staff member, and pupils complete an annual GL Assessment pupil attitude survey to monitor social-emotional needs from Year 3 upwards.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Doha College uses a whole-school inclusive approach, with pupils identified as having SEND being fully integrated into mainstream classes where practicable. SEND is defined as needs in four main areas: communication and interaction; cognition and learning; social, emotional and mental health; and sensory and/or physical needs. A four-part graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review) with Personalised Learning Plans coordinates support, with progress monitored and parents consulted at every stage. The Director of Learning Support coordinates SEND provision and is supported by roles such as the Head of Learning Support (Primary) and Learning Support Assistants; the Director liaises with parents and outside agencies and oversees pupil records and staff training. English as an Additional Language is considered within SEND, with attention to first-language considerations and assessment of English proficiency before planning additional support; all teachers share responsibility for SEND progress and the school aims to integrate SEND within mainstream education rather than operate as a specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English as an Additional Language (EAL) considerations are addressed within the SEND policy; there is no separate stand-alone EAL policy published on the site. Particular care is given to pupils whose first language is not English, with teachers monitoring progress across the curriculum to determine whether language needs are affecting learning or indicate other SEND. The proficiency of English is assessed before planning any additional support, to ensure appropriate provision is matched to need. All teachers share responsibility for SEND progress, including pupils requiring EAL support, reflecting the school's whole-school approach to inclusion.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is central to the school's wellbeing framework, with PSHE covering relevant topics and mindfulness practices integrated into the curriculum. Mindfulness is delivered through initiatives such as Mindful Monday, assemblies, mindfulness apps, mindful drop-ins, mindfulness activities and clubs, and journaling to support self-awareness and emotional regulation. The Learning Support team prioritises pupil wellbeing, offering targeted 1:1 or small-group support and providing pupils with Personalised Learning Plans where needed. Staff training on wellbeing and structured pupil voice mechanisms, including the Student Wellbeing Committee, support ongoing welfare; regular welfare discussions occur in departmental and year-group settings. Progress in wellbeing is tracked using annual GL Assessment pupil attitude surveys to monitor attitudinal and emotional issues from Year 3 upwards.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and child protection are core responsibilities at Doha College, with policies and processes framed to safeguard every student. Uzma Zaffar serves as Executive Designated Safeguarding Lead. The college promotes a safeguarding pledge and a wellbeing wheel to support resilience, ensuring that children have access to a named adult, are listened to seriously, and can raise concerns confidentially when appropriate. The college reviews safeguarding policies annually and maintains a range of safeguarding documents, including the Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Online Safety Policy, among others. Guidance and resources for safeguarding staff, volunteers, and visitors are provided, with an emphasis on continuous improvement and clear channels for reporting concerns.
Parent Experience

History

Doha College was founded in 1980 to provide a British-style education in Qatar and operates as a not-for-profit international school. The Al Waab campus served as the school's home from 1988 until 2020, while the West Bay campus hosted younger pupils from 2013 to 2020. In 2018, Doha College became the first High Performance Learning (HPL) World Class Award School. Construction of a new, state-of-the-art Al Wajba campus began with a ground-breaking in 2018 and the campus opened in September 2020 to mark the college's 40th anniversary. The school has grown to educate thousands of pupils from dozens of nationalities, reflecting a long-standing commitment to British education in Qatar.

Community

Doha College maintains a dynamic school community that includes pupils, staff, and parents who collaborate to strengthen ties with the wider Qatar community. The school's community activities include Friends of Doha College (FDC), the DC Race, and events organized by the Charities Committee, which foster belonging, collaboration, and public service. Alumni networks connect former students through the DC Alumni Network, supporting mentorship and ongoing engagement with current pupils. The college hosts and participates in events such as the Qatar School Choir of the Year, and runs charitable campaigns like Pink Day and Jeans for Genes to support health and disability causes.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

Friends of Doha College (FDC) is the parent committee that partners with the school to support pupils and programs. The FDC coordinates fundraising, events, and volunteering opportunities alongside staff and pupils. It has organized or supported events such as Day for Palestine, with proceeds directed to Qatar Charities for Palestine. The FDC works with the Charities Committee to run campaigns including Pink Day and Jeans for Genes, raising funds for cancer research and genetic disorders. Parent involvement through the FDC helps shape school life, contribute to resource development, and strengthen the home–school partnership. The FDC and related parent networks collaborate with the college leadership to plan activities that benefit a wide range of school and community initiatives.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Doha College's Al Wajba campus is a 90,000 square metre, purpose-built British international school that opened in 2020. It provides dedicated primary and secondary zones to support appropriate learning environments across key stages. The campus houses science laboratories, a performing arts auditorium with an LED backdrop screen, two indoor swimming pools with touch-pad timing, and a flood-lit AstroTurf pitch, with recreation areas shaded by trees. An 800-seat auditorium supports assemblies and performances, and the school operates a 1:1 digital learning program for Years 3–13. These facilities underpin Doha College's holistic approach to education.

Sports Facilities

The sports provisions include a flood-lit AstroTurf pitch for outdoor football and other physical activities, complemented by two indoor swimming pools for training and recreation. The campus is described as featuring expansive indoor and outdoor sports facilities, enabling a broad range of PE and competitive activities. The design and facilities support active, in-school sport as a core part of the curriculum.

Academic Facilities

Science laboratories are provided on site to support practical inquiry across scientific disciplines. Doaha College emphasizes technology-enabled learning with a 1:1 iPad program for students from Year 3 to Year 13, embedded through a Digital Learning Model. The Aquatic and performing arts facilities (auditorium and drama spaces) support the curriculum beyond traditional classrooms and underpin science, technology, engineering and arts activities. The campus layout includes dedicated zones for primary and secondary education, reflecting a split-design approach to age-appropriate facilities.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) form a central part of Doha College, with more than 250 activities across Primary and Secondary, spanning performance arts, sport, technology, leadership, language enrichment and creative programs. The Instrumental Music Programme offers individual and group lessons with opportunities to perform in recitals and school events, and qualifications through ABRSM and RSL Awards. The school also supports the DCMUN and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) as part of its broader student leadership and international engagement. The Eco School program engages students in sustainability initiatives, reflecting the school's emphasis on real-world learning.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Doha College follows the British National Curriculum, and the academic year runs from September to June. The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
Languages

Language Provision

English is the language of instruction. The Primary curriculum follows the National Curriculum for England, with Arabic taught from Year 1 and French introduced in Year 3. In Secondary, English remains a core subject and Arabic, French, and Spanish are offered as modern foreign languages; languages can be chosen in Key Stage 3, with Arabic continuing through Key Stages 3–5 and French and Spanish available as options. In Sixth Form, Arabic, English Language, English Literature and French are offered.
Reputation

Awards

Spears' Schools Index 2024: Doha College recognised among world's top 100 private schools; Spears' Schools Index 2025: Doha College recognised among world's top 100 private schools.

Accreditations

The school holds accreditation and affiliations with AoBSO (Association of British Schools Overseas); British International School Awards 2017; British Schools in the Middle East (BSME); British Schools Overseas Inspection (BSOI); COBIS training school; Council of British International Schools (COBIS); Council of International Schools (CIS); Duke of Edinburgh's International Award; Eco-School; Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS); The Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC); Inspection reports include the BSO report 2020; COBIS Accreditation Report 2017; CIS report 2022; BSO Report 2023.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Doha College is selective; admission depends on the applicant's age and on places being available. The school uses criteria that vary by age group and admission is not first-come-first-served. Applicants participate in an entrance assessment to understand each student's strengths. Successful applicants may secure an open place or be added to the waiting list. 2. Applications are submitted online; for a September intake, the process typically commences in November of the preceding year. The admissions schedule provides details on key dates and supports mid-year starters based on availability for most year groups. 3. The entrance assessment is conducted onsite at Doha College; EYFS assessments take about 30 minutes, Year 1 assessments about 20 minutes, and there is a QR 200 assessment cost for EYFS/Year 1. 4. Waiting lists are rank-ordered based on academic ability as determined by the entrance assessment, examination results, previous school reports, and an academic and character reference. 5. Admission to Years 12 and 13 requires meeting minimum entry requirements at GCSE and/or A-Level (five grade C's/5 or higher with B's/6 in the chosen subjects), availability of places, and a satisfactory interview, as well as academic and behaviour references. 6. In some circumstances, learners with learning support requirements may be admitted, subject to discussion with the school before confirmation of a place.

Waitlist

Waiting lists are rank-ordered by academic ability as determined by the entrance assessment, examination results, previous school reports, and an academic and character reference. Waiting lists apply to all year groups when places are not immediately available.
School Events
The school has not added events