Prospective Students - Addmissions
How to Apply
Admission Procedures
In order to be considered for admissions all information must be submitted by the application deadline.
Applicants will need:
An official admissions application form
All candidates for admission or readmission must complete an admission application form which can be found in the VCUQ brochure or on the VCUQ website (click here).
Admissions application forms can also be picked up from the Office of Student Affairs. The application must be complete in order to be considered for admittance.
Application Fee
An application fee of 500 QR payable to VCUQ must be submitted with the admissions application form. The non-refundable application fee is valid for one application season. Applicants who are not accepted for the current semester, but desire to reapply for the following year, are required to resubmit the application fee. Applications received without the application fee may be returned.
Once the admissions application form and fee are on file with VCUQ, the applicant's file is considered open so that he/she can then provide the additional required material as it becomes available. Application decisions are made by a committee and are based on an assessment of the following: TOEFL test, official transcripts, interview recommendations, recommendation letters and portfolio submissions. All material should be in original form and submitted with certified English translations. The admissions application will not be evaluated until all required material is submitted to VCUQ Office of Student Affairs.
TOEFL Test
All applicants must submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). It is recommended that all applicants register and take the TOEFL exam before 31 December 2007. Applicants should achieve a score of 530 or above on the paper based test to be competitive. (197 on the CBT or 71 on the IBT test.) VCUQ is competitive and in the Fall of 2007 the average TOEFL score for accepted applicants was 564. For information on tests in Qatar and the region visit www.ets.org/toefl. Test results will be sent directly to VCUQ if you cite this code: 8753
Education City offers regular Internet-based tests (IBT) for applicants however these tests fill quickly so you should plan in advance and take tests as early as possible.
Official Transcripts
Applicants must submit official copies of their most recent transcripts. These may be from their secondary school, or for transfer students, from their post-secondary institution of study. Transfer students with less than 45 credit hours should also submit their secondary school transcripts. All material should be in English or accompanied by verified English translations. VCUQ considers students with 85% or higher on their Qatari GSEC or the equivalent from other systems. Students applying from the British system should have a minimum of 3 AS levels. Upon portfolio and transcript evaluation some transfer credit may be available for GCSE A levels and IBs but these will not be applied to the core curriculum. Transfer students must have obtained a minimum GPA of 2.0 on the 4.0 scale to be considered for admissions. Only courses receiving a grade of C or higher will be accepted for transfer.
Secondary School Report
All students must submit a Secondary School Report. This should include details about current enrollment and predictions based on past performance for IGCSEs, GCEs, AS and A levels or IBs. The report should be submitted directly from the school to VCUQ. If the students are working independently on retaking tests the testing body should complete this form.
2 Letters of Recommendation
The person best qualified to assess your ability in the indicated area of your major interest should write the letter. It should be your art teacher if you have had such instruction while in high school or your previous college. If you have not had such instruction, any teacher, counselor or employer who is able to assess your abilities may write the recommendation.
The letter must include your name as well as the date and the signature of the recommender. The letter should indicate the length and nature of the writer's relationship to you. The writer should address issues such as your intellectual capacity, creative ability, emotional maturity, skill and craftsmanship, motivation and drive, and level of understanding of your major area of interest, as well as any additional comments or information that may be of help in evaluating your abilities.
The letter may be submitted with the application or under separate cover.
Essay
All applicants must submit an essay entitled 'Education and Life: A Personal Statement.' This essay should be 1-2 pages (500 words maximum) in length and should explain your educational and artistic goals. If you already know what major you prefer to study at VCUQ, discuss your preferred area of study and your reasons for choosing it.
Personal Interview
VCUQ is interested in candidates who are committed to meeting the rigors of the program, who are global in their personal and artistic perspectives and who will thrive in a diverse, culturally rich and co-educational environment. To determine their viability as candidates some applicants may be required to attend an interview with VCUQ admissions staff and/or faculty members. The admission staff will contact you to make interview arrangements.