Qatar International School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$8K - US$14K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~2,000
Location: Al Dafna, Doha
Updated April 2026
In Brief
QIS is worth considering if you want a well-established British school in a central location without paying Doha College or Compass prices. At 45-plus years old, it has the track record - and the BSO Outstanding rating - to back up the reputation.
Qatar International School has been running British education in Doha since 1977, which makes it one of the longest-established international schools in the country. BSO rated it Outstanding in 2020 and it holds CIS, COBIS, and BSME accreditations - the full set that parents looking for credible external validation should want to see. Around 2,000 students from Early Years through Sixth Form makes it a large school, but its position on United Nations Street in Al Dafna puts it in one of the most central and accessible locations of any British school in the city.
IGCSE and A-Level run across the secondary school. The school has made public claims of high-scoring exam results over the years, including top-in-Qatar and highest-mark-in-world distinctions in individual subjects - worth asking the admissions team for recent data when you visit. Fees are meaningfully lower than Doha College or Compass at the same year levels, which makes QIS a realistic option for self-funding families or those on tighter corporate packages. The school is Qatari family-owned, which shapes the governance model and community character.
At 2,000 students, QIS is a large school by any measure. Class sizes and pastoral care quality vary, and a school this size requires active parental involvement to ensure individual children get the attention they need. Independent parent feedback is mixed in the way you'd expect from a large community - broadly positive on academics and location, less consistent on pastoral consistency. Ask the admissions team about class sizes at the year level you're considering and how form teachers track individual progress.
What parents value
- –BSO Outstanding (2020), CIS, COBIS, and BSME accredited - a strong set of external validations for a school at this price point. Central Al Dafna location is accessible from most areas of Doha without the commute of Al Wajba or Al Kheesa.
- –One of the lowest tuition rates of any BSO-rated British school in Doha, covering FS1 through Year 13 on a single campus. Founded 1977 - 45-plus years of operating history in Qatar.
Points of consideration
- –Around 2,000 students is large. The experience varies significantly by year group and individual teacher. Ask specifically about form tutor structures and how the school monitors student progress beyond exam results.
- –Qatari family-owned governance is different from not-for-profit (Doha College) or large network ownership (Compass/Nord Anglia). Ask about the fee review process and how governance decisions that affect parents are communicated.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| KG1 | 3 | NaN |
| KG2 | 4 | NaN |
| Year 1 - Year 6 | 5 | NaN |
| Year 7 - Year 9 | 11 | NaN |
| Year 10 - Year 11 | 14 | NaN |
| Year 12 - Year 13 (Sixth Form) | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from QAR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assessment fee | NaN |
| Registration (one-time) | NaN |
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Qatar International School runs sports, arts, and enrichment activities across all year groups. The secondary school offers IGCSE and A-Level pathways with a Sixth Form that has produced strong individual exam results. Ask the admissions team for the current co-curricular list and what activities are available at your child's age group.
The school week follows Qatar's Sunday-to-Thursday schedule. The Al Dafna campus on United Nations Street is centrally located - parking and drop-off logistics are worth asking about at any visit given the central city position.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
- BSO rated Outstanding in 2020 - the highest BSO grade, held by only a small number of British international schools in the region.
Accreditations
- BSO (British Schools Overseas) - Outstanding 2020
- CIS (Council of International Schools)
- COBIS (Council of British International Schools)
- BSME (British Schools in the Middle East)
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Qatar International School enrols around 2,000 students from Early Years through Year 13 on the Al Dafna campus. The community reflects Doha's international professional population, with a broad mix of nationalities represented across all year groups.
Leadership
Deane Baker
Deane Baker serves as Executive Principal of Qatar International School. The school holds BSO Outstanding (2020) accreditation and has operated in Doha since 1977.