When you’re looking at teaching opportunities in the Middle East, Qatar Foundation (QF) is often the gold standard.
But if you’ve scrolled through QF’s job postings on Teach Away, you’ve likely realized that QF isn’t just one school.
It’s a massive ecosystem of 15 unique institutions under the Pre-University Education (PUE) umbrella.
For an educator, knowing the difference between Qatar Academy and specialized sites like Renad or Awsaj is essential.
Here’s the complete breakdown of the Qatar Foundation educational landscape for 2026.
1. Qatar Foundation International Baccalaureate World Schools
Most QF schools fall under the Qatar Academy (QA) brand. These are high performing, bilingual schools that offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
- Qatar Academy Doha (QAD): It’s the flagship and largest campus. It serves over 1,900 students and features an Early Education Center for children as young as six months.
- QA Al Khor Al Wakra and Sidra: These schools serve specific communities and offer the same IB rigor with a strong community feel.
- Qatar Academy Msheireb: A specialized primary school located in the heart of Doha focusing on a dual language IB program.
- Tariq Bin Ziad School: This school blends the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) with a deep focus on Qatari heritage and cultural values.
2. Specialized Career and STEM Academies in Qatar
QF’s created several specialized schools designed for specific career paths or learning styles.
- Qatar Leadership Academy (QLA): It’s an all boys residential school that focuses on academics, leadership, and character building within a cadet style environment.
- Qatar Academy for Science and Technology (QAST): A specialized high school for students who want to become future engineers and innovators through intensive STEM education.
- Academyati: It’s QF’s most progressive school. It uses an individualized play based learning model where students have significant agency over their learning paths.
- Qatar Music Academy (QMA): A world class facility in Katara Cultural Village that provides specialized training in both Arab and Western classical music.
3. Inclusive Education and Special Education (SEN) Schools
QF’s a regional leader in inclusive education. These schools require specialized training in special education or therapy.
- Awsaj Academy: A K-12 school for students with mild to moderate learning challenges. It uses a Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to close learning gaps.
- Renad Academy: It’s specifically designed for children diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Warif Academy: A new school serving students with more profound or multiple disabilities through a mix of education and rehabilitative therapy.
- The Learning Center (TLC): It’s a centralized support hub that provides evaluations and therapy services across the entire QF network.
4. Higher Education and International Branch Campuses
The Qatar Foundation ecosystem also includes the famous Education City university hub. While these often require different qualifications than K-12 roles, they’re a vital part of the landscape.
- Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU): The homegrown research institution that’s recently expanded to absorb engineering programs previously managed by international partners.
- International Partners: These include VCUarts Qatar (Arts), Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (Medicine), Carnegie Mellon Qatar (Business/CS), Georgetown Qatar (Politics), Northwestern Qatar (Media), and HEC Paris (Executive Ed).
- Note on Texas A&M at Qatar: This campus is currently in its teach out phase and is scheduled to close by August 2028.
5. Qatar Foundation School Comparison Table for 2026
| Institution Name | Level | Primary Specialization | Student Focus |
| Qatar Academy Doha | K-12 | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | High performance flagship |
| QA Al Khor / Al Wakra | K-12 | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | Community centered |
| QA Msheireb | Primary | IB Dual Language | Innovative bilingualism |
| QAST | 9-12 | STEM and Innovation | Future engineers |
| Awsaj Academy | K-12 | Learning Support | Mild to moderate needs |
| Renad Academy | K-12 | Autism Support | ASD specialized |
| Academyati | K-12 | Progressive | Play based/Student led |
6. What Teachers Need to Know Before Applying to QF
Beyond the school names, there are practicalities that every teacher should consider before hitting apply.
- Certification Requirements: You’ve got to have a valid teaching license and at least 2 to 3 years of experience. For IB schools, previous IB experience is a huge advantage.
- The Compensation Package: QF’s known for its tax free salaries (typically $3,200 to $5,000 USD monthly) plus free furnished housing, annual flights, and medical insurance.
- Education for Dependents: Most QF contracts cover tuition for up to 3 children within the QF school network.
- Professional Growth: The Education Development Institute (EDI) within QF provides world class training, meaning your resume’s likely to grow as much as your bank account.