KAUST Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia (Fully Funded)

Applications are open for the KAUST Scholarship 2027 in Saudi Arabia. International students can apply for fully funded graduate study at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The Fall 2027 intake includes MS, integrated MS/PhD and PhD routes across science, engineering and technology subjects.

Funding is provided through the KAUST Fellowship, with exceptions for some externally sponsored students. This guide explains the available programs, financial support, application requirements and the steps to prepare a focused application.

KAUST Scholarship 2027 at a Glance

• Host country: Saudi Arabia.
• University: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal.
• Study levels: MS, integrated MS/PhD and PhD.
• Intake: Fall 2027.
• Application deadline: 3 January 2027.
• Application fee: No fee to submit an application.

Comparing universities before you apply? Explore our Saudi Arabia scholarships guide and choose opportunities that match your academic background and study plans. For research study elsewhere in Asia, compare Monash University Malaysia Scholarships, which include graduate research awards with different tuition and stipend arrangements.

What Does the KAUST Fellowship Cover?

The fellowship combines academic funding with living support. The amount and arrangements depend on your study level and circumstances, so use your admission offer as the final record of your award.

• Full tuition and bench fees.
• MS living allowance: USD 20,000 per year, paid monthly.
• PhD living allowance: USD 25,000-30,000 per year, depending on qualifications and academic progress.
• Base accommodation.
• Health insurance for students and eligible dependents living on campus.
• Relocation support for visa, relocation and travel costs.

Relocation assistance applies to the initial move to KAUST and the return home after graduation. It is not an annual flight allowance. Housing upgrades can involve extra charges, and some externally funded students are not eligible for an additional KAUST Fellowship.

Understand the official funding terms before making financial plans. Distinguish the annual stipend from the monthly payment; the advertised annual figure is not a monthly salary. Keep a separate budget for personal purchases and any optional housing changes.

Plan for the Move

Before accepting an offer, write down the questions that matter to your situation. You may need to clarify arrival arrangements, accommodation or support for accompanying family members. Ask the university directly about anything that is not explained in your offer.

Avoid booking travel just because you have submitted an application. Wait for admission and the relevant arrival instructions. Keeping your documents and correspondence together will make the next steps easier to manage.

Available Degree Program

KAUST lists 17 graduate subjects. MS and PhD options differ by discipline, and the integrated MS/PhD route is available only in selected program. The university does not offer undergraduate degrees through this call.

• Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
• Applied Physics
• Bioengineering
• Bioscience
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Marine Science
• Material Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Plant Science
• Statistics
• Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship is listed as an MS program. At this review, Bioengineering and Bioscience were marked “Applications Opening Soon” in the program directory. Confirm your chosen subject’s availability in the official study options before starting the form.

Choosing Between MS, MS/PhD and PhD

The integrated MS/PhD pathway allows eligible bachelor’s graduates to work towards both degrees without a second PhD application, provided they meet progression requirements. KAUST lists a typical duration of 5.5-6 years for that pathway. It is a substantial research commitment, so consider whether it fits your longer-term plans.

Begin with a research question rather than a long list of university names. Look at the methods you already know, the topics you enjoy and the training you still need. A program that matches those needs gives you a clearer basis for explaining your choice.

For another research-focused option, compare the National University of Singapore scholarships with KAUST. Compare funding conditions and program fit separately for each university. Students exploring PhD funding in Hong Kong can also review University of Hong Kong Scholarships and check how the research areas and award conditions match their plans.

Who Can Apply for KAUST?

• A relevant bachelor’s degree for MS entry or a relevant master’s degree for PhD entry.
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent.
• At least 18 years old on entry.
• Evidence of English proficiency unless an official exemption applies.

Admission is competitive. The minimum GPA is an eligibility threshold, not a prediction of acceptance. Your academic preparation, research interests and supporting evidence should form a consistent application.

English Language Requirements

The standard IELTS requirement is 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each section. KAUST also accepts specified TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge results. Consult the current entry requirements for the full score table and conditional admission rules.

Medium of Instruction certificates are not accepted. A degree taught in English does not automatically remove the test requirement. Exemptions are limited to qualifying in-person degrees from specified English-speaking countries or a previous degree completed at KAUST’s Thuwal campus.

You can apply before providing a test score, but any required qualifying result must be supplied before enrollment. Leave enough time for a test and a possible retake rather than assuming that admission will remove the language condition.

Show Your Academic Fit

Choose one or two examples that explain your preparation. A dissertation, laboratory project or technical assignment can be useful if you describe your own contribution clearly. Explain the problem, the approach you used and what you learned from the result.

An application becomes harder to assess when every paragraph makes a broad claim without evidence. Replace phrases about being passionate or hardworking with an example that demonstrates the point. Be honest about the skills you are still developing.

Documents to Prepare

• Academic records and transcripts.
• CV or résumé.
• Statement of purpose.
• Contact details for three referees.
• English test results, if available.
• Passport identification page, or the permitted Saudi ID alternative.
• Certified English translations where needed.

KAUST requests a statement of purpose of approximately 750 words. Referees submit their recommendations through the admissions system; provide academic or professional email addresses rather than personal accounts. Follow the document instructions before uploading files.

Use our scholarship application document checklist to organise your files. Then compare your folder against KAUST’s own requirements before submission.

Write a Focused Statement of Purpose

Start with the work that led you towards your intended field. Describe a specific problem you explored and why it interested you. This gives the reader something concrete to understand before you discuss your future plans.

Connect that experience to the program you have selected. Mention relevant research interests and explain what you hope to learn. A clear connection between your background and your proposed direction is more useful than repeating the university’s reputation.

Finish with realistic academic or professional goals. Read your draft aloud and remove sentences that repeat the same point. Ask someone familiar with your work whether the statement accurately represents your contribution and interests.

Organize Your Supporting Files

Open every file after saving it. Make sure each page is readable and that your name is consistent across the application and academic records. Use clear filenames so an older draft cannot be mistaken for the final version.

Contact referees before entering their details. Give them enough context about the program and remind them of the application timeline. Keep a simple record of requests so you can follow up politely without sending unnecessary reminders.

How to Apply for the KAUST Scholarship 2027

1. Browse the official program directory and select the route that fits your qualifications.
2. Create an account in the KAUST application portal.
3. Complete your academic history and program selection.
4. Upload the required documents and enter referee details.
5. Read your completed application carefully before submitting.
6. Monitor the portal and email for requests or decisions.

There is no separate KAUST Fellowship application for eligible admitted students. Funding arrangements are explained in the offer, and external sponsorship can affect eligibility. Only one academic program application per year is permitted.

Fall 2027 Application Dates

• Applications opened: 28 September 2026.
• Round 2 deadline: 3 January 2027.
• Published decision date: 25 February 2027.
• Semester begins: 29 August 2027.

These dates are tentative. Check the official admissions timeline and your portal for updates. Spring 2027 applications are already closed, so do not use the previous Spring deadline when preparing a Fall application.

Before You Press Submit

Set aside time for a final read-through with the program requirements beside you. Compare your selected subject, documents and personal details against the form. A small error is easier to correct before submission than during review.

Save your application reference and confirmation. Respond promptly if the admissions team requests clarification, and keep copies of the documents you supplied. Continue considering other suitable opportunities while waiting for a decision.

Our master’s scholarships directory can help you compare further options. Focus on subject fit, entry requirements and funding conditions rather than applying to unrelated program simply because they are funded.

Official information reviewed on 18 October 2026. The university’s current instructions and your individual offer take priority if arrangements change.