Qatar Airways Cadet Pilot Programme selection

Qatar Airways Cadet Pilot Programme selection: stages, tests and how to prepare

The Qatar Airways Cadet Pilot Programme is a scholarship for Qatari nationals, or applicants whose mother is a Qatari national, leading to a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence. At the time of the September 2025 archive Qatar Airways was not accepting applications and said they would resume at a later date. Selection is competitive for a limited number of scholarships each year: Qatar Airways reviews your documents, shortlisted candidates take pre-selection assessment tests and are then interviewed by a selection panel. The study period shall not exceed 18 months and graduates commit to at least five years with Qatar Airways after becoming a First Officer. Checked against the scholarship conditions document (issue August 2023) and the programme page as archived on 9 September 2025.12

The programme page, as archived on 9 September 2025, states that Qatar Airways was not accepting applications at that time and that applications would resume at a later date. Checked 25 October 2026.2

Programme Purpose

The programme aims to develop high calibre students into future professional airline pilots for Qatar Airways.2

Licence Outcome

Successful cadet pilots graduate with a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) aeroplane.2

Training Duration

The Cadet Pilot Training Programme study shall not exceed 18 months, subject to flying schedule.1

Foundation year (2023 conditions document)

The foundation programme study shall not exceed one academic year (two semesters).1

Selection Process

Scholarship selection is made on a competitive basis between all applicants for a limited number of scholarships per year.1

Shortlisting and pre-selection tests

After Qatar Airways reviews your data and documents, shortlisted candidates are notified to undergo pre-selection assessment tests, and those who complete them successfully are invited to a personal interview with the Qatar Airways selection panel.2

Post-Graduation Contract

Upon graduation, you must immediately sign the Employment Contract with Qatar Airways.1

On-Job Training

As a Trainee Cadet Pilot, you must attend the second officer programme to achieve standards and pass the Final Line Check.1

Service Bond

You are obligated to work for a minimum of five years with Qatar Airways after completing the Final Line Check.1

Job Duties

Your future assigned job will require shift duties.1

Application Status

The programme page, as archived on 9 September 2025, states that Qatar Airways was not accepting applications at that time and that applications would resume at a later date.2

Document Formats

Required documents must be uploaded in jpeg, png, pdf, or word format.1

ID Card Submission

You must provide coloured copies of both sides of your valid Qatar ID card and your Guarantor's Qatar ID card.1

Non-Scholarship Proof

Selected candidates must submit a letter from the Qatar Ministry of Education proving they are not under a government scholarship.1

Non-Employment Proof

Selected candidates must submit a proof of non-employment letter from the Qatar Ministry of Labour.1

Police Clearance

Selected candidates must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from the Qatar Ministry of Interior.1

Guarantor Financial Proof

You must provide your Guarantor's recent salary certificate, pension certificate, or valid commercial company register.1

IELTS route

Qatar Airways recommends taking the IELTS test through the Qatar Aeronautical Academy (QAA); IELTS tests taken through other entities require verification by QAA.2

About Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is a full-service and cargo airline based in Qatar. It flies under the IATA code QR and ICAO code QTR. Qatar Airways operates from Hamad International, Doha (DOH). The fleet includes the Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A380-800 and 5 other types.

Its cadet route is the Cadet Pilot Training Programme (Qatari nationals). On 11 October 2026 the programme was listed as accepting applications. The link to its careers website is in the profile on this page. PilotinQ currently lists 1 open pilot position at Qatar Airways. This page sets out the selection in 5 stages.

Qatar Airways at a glance

IATA / ICAO

QR / QTR3

Country

Qatar

Hubs

Hamad International (Doha) (DOH)3

Fleet

Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A350-900, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777F4

Cadet programme

Cadet Pilot Training Programme (Qatari nationals) (open as of 11 Oct 2026)672

What does Qatar Airways ask of pilots?

Nationality Requirement

You must be a Qatari National or your mother must be a Qatari National.1

Age Limit

You must be above the age of 17 years and below 27 years at the time of application.1

Education Score

Your minimum High School overall score shall be 70%.1

English Proficiency

You need a recent IELTS band score attained in the last 24 months, not less than 4.5 overall and not less than 4.0 in each component.1

Height Requirement

You must be at least 160 cm tall.1

Medical Certification

You must be medically fit and able to obtain the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority Class 1 medical certificate.1

Conduct Clearance

You must be of good conduct and repute and able to obtain Qatar Authorities CID clearance.1

National Service Status

Male Qatari Nationals must provide a statement of completion, exemption, or deferral of National Service.1

Female Applicant Guarantor

For female applicants, the Guarantor must be the legal guardian or a no-objection letter signed by the legal guardian is required.1

Employment Status

You must not be currently employed or working for any other entity.1

Guarantor Requirement

You must have a guarantor who is a Qatari National willing to repay the scholarship expenses if you fail or withdraw.1

Not sponsored elsewhere

You must not be currently sponsored by any other entity or company, and you must not be a former Qatar Airways employee or have had a scholarship cancelled or terminated for disciplinary or academic reasons.2

Interview and group exercise

Qatar Airways describes the programme as developing selected high calibre students into future professional airline pilots who will play a pivotal role in the growth of its fleets. It asks for good conduct and repute, evidenced through CID clearance, and for medical fitness and a minimum height of 160 cm. The programme page places a personal interview with the selection panel after the pre-selection tests. As general preparation, choose two or three real examples of discipline, teamwork and handling pressure, from school, sport, family responsibilities or volunteering, and practise telling each in under two minutes. Be ready to explain your motivation for flying with Qatar Airways, the training length of up to 18 months and the five-year service commitment after you become a First Officer, so that your answers show you know what you are signing up for.21

What you can practise here

Use the weeks before applications resume to get your documents in order: an equivalency statement if your certificate was not issued by the Qatar Ministry of Education, a recent IELTS certificate, your national service certificate if you are male, and your guarantor’s agreement. Then prepare for the pre-selection tests and the panel interview with general maths, physics and English revision and spoken practice of your motivation. The practice plan for this selection includes Interview preparation. A Pass unlocks the practice modes in that plan and runs for a week, a month, three months or a year, with no subscription and no automatic renewal.

Questions candidates ask

Who is eligible to apply for the scholarship? You must be a Qatari National, or your mother must be a Qatari National. You must be above the age of 17 and below 27 at the time of application. A guarantor who is a Qatari National must be willing to repay the scholarship expenses in the cases the conditions list. What are the academic requirements for admission? Your minimum High Secondary School overall score must be 70%. If your certificate was not issued by the Qatar Ministry of Education, you need an Equivalency Statement showing your total percentage mark. This applies to both secondary school and higher learning institution certificates. Is there an English language test requirement? Yes, you need a recent overall IELTS band score of at least 4.5. No individual component can be lower than 4.0. The test must have been taken within the last 24 months. How does the selection process work? Qatar Airways first reviews your submitted data and documents. If you are shortlisted you are notified to undergo pre-selection assessment tests, and if you complete them successfully you are invited to a personal interview with the selection panel. Selected candidates are notified in writing and then submit further documents, obtain the Class 1 medical and sign the scholarship contract. What medical standards must I meet? You must be medically fit and able to obtain the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) Class 1 medical certificate, and be at least 160 cm tall. You must also be of good conduct and repute and able to obtain CID clearance from the Qatar authorities. Selected candidates then undergo and obtain the QCAA Class 1 medical certificate. Can I apply if I am currently employed or sponsored? No. You must not be currently sponsored by any other entity or company, and you must not be currently employed or working for any other entity. If selected you provide a Ministry of Labour letter proving non-employment and a Ministry of Education letter confirming you are not under a Ministry scholarship. What are the service obligations after graduation? Upon graduation, you must immediately sign an Employment Contract with Qatar Airways. After passing the Final Line Check and appointment as a First Officer, you are obligated to work for a minimum of five years. Your job will require shift duties. What documents do I need to prepare before applying? You need coloured copies of your valid Qatar ID card and your guarantor's ID card. Educational documents include your High School Certificate or Equivalency Certificate and your recent IELTS certificate. Male applicants also need a statement regarding Qatar National Service status. Is there a specific height requirement? Yes, you must be at least 160 cm tall. The height condition sits in the same condition as medical fitness and the QCAA Class 1 medical certificate.12

CADET PROGRAMME