KAUST Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded Master’s and PhD Programs in Saudi Arabia

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers fully funded graduate study opportunities for students seeking advanced education and research experience in science, engineering, technology and related interdisciplinary fields.

Located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, KAUST is a graduate research university focused on science and technology. Its graduate admissions system provides opportunities to pursue Master’s and PhD degrees while admitted students receive the KAUST Fellowship, which provides comprehensive financial support for the duration of their graduate studies.

KAUST’s academic portfolio covers areas ranging from environmental science, marine science and plant science to bioscience, bioengineering, computer science, applied mathematics, electrical and computer engineering, statistics, chemical engineering, chemistry, earth system science, materials science, physics and mechanical engineering. The university also offers a Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Master’s programme.

For students interested in pursuing graduate-level research in science, engineering, technology and related fields, KAUST provides an opportunity to combine advanced coursework with research in an internationally oriented graduate environment.

About King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university in Saudi Arabia. The university describes itself as a research-focused institution of science and technology, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and innovation.

KAUST’s academic structure brings together several major research divisions, including:

• Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering
• Biomedical Sciences
• Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering
• Physical Science and Engineering

The university also supports research centres and platforms in areas such as generative artificial intelligence, renewable energy and storage technologies, smart health and sustainable food security.

This research orientation makes KAUST particularly relevant to applicants interested in careers and further academic development in STEM and research-intensive disciplines.

KAUST Graduate Degree Programs

KAUST offers graduate-level programmes leading to Master’s and PhD degrees. The university’s official study information lists the following major programmes.

Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship

KAUST offers a Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship Master’s programme, designed for students interested in the intersection of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.

This pathway can be particularly relevant to applicants who want to understand how scientific and technological research can be translated into innovation, products, services and wider economic or societal impact.

Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering

The Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering area includes:

• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Marine Science
• Plant Science

These programmes are relevant to students interested in environmental systems, marine ecosystems, sustainability, natural resources, climate-related research, biological systems and related areas.

Biomedical Sciences

The Biomedical Sciences division includes:

• Bioscience
• Bioengineering

These programmes provide graduate-level opportunities for students interested in biological research, biomedical technologies, engineering approaches to health and related scientific disciplines.

Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering

KAUST offers several programmes within this area, including:

• Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
• Computer Science
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Statistics

These programmes provide opportunities for students interested in computational research, mathematics, artificial intelligence, data, statistics, computing, electronics, electrical systems and related technologies.

Physical Science and Engineering

The Physical Science and Engineering division includes:

• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Earth System Science and Engineering
• Materials Science and Engineering and Applied Physics
• Mechanical Engineering

These programmes cover a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines and can support research in areas such as materials, energy, chemical processes, earth systems, applied physics and mechanical systems.

Fully Funded KAUST Fellowship

One of the major features of KAUST graduate admissions is the KAUST Fellowship.

According to the university’s admissions information, all admitted students receive the KAUST Fellowship, which supports students for the duration of their graduate studies.

The fellowship includes several forms of financial support.

1. Full Tuition Support

The KAUST Fellowship provides full tuition support for admitted graduate students.

This is significant for students who might otherwise face substantial tuition costs associated with graduate education.

2. Annual Living Allowance

The fellowship includes a monthly living allowance equivalent to approximately US$20,000–30,000 per year, depending on the student’s qualifications and progression through the degree programme.

The exact amount is therefore not necessarily identical for every student.

3. Housing

KAUST provides housing as part of the fellowship package.

The university notes that charges may apply in certain circumstances, particularly in relation to dependent housing. Applicants with families should therefore review the specific housing provisions applicable to their situation.

4. Medical and Dental Coverage

The KAUST Fellowship also includes medical and dental coverage.

As with housing, the university notes that charges may apply to dependent coverage, meaning students should distinguish between the coverage provided to the student and arrangements for accompanying dependants.

5. Relocation Support

Admitted students also receive relocation support, helping them transition to KAUST in Saudi Arabia.

Taken together, these provisions make the KAUST Fellowship a comprehensive graduate funding package rather than simply a tuition scholarship.

KAUST Master’s and PhD Admissions

KAUST’s graduate admissions process begins with selecting an appropriate academic programme.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the available programmes, research areas and faculty profiles before beginning their application. The university’s application process is designed to help prospective students identify a programme that matches their academic background, research interests and career objectives.

The basic application process involves five major stages:

1. Find a programme.
2. Review the admissions timeline.
3. Check the required documentation.
4. Create an application account and complete the application.
5. Submit the completed application.

This means applicants should not wait until the final days before the deadline to begin preparing their application.

Step 1: Find a Suitable KAUST Programme

The first step is identifying the graduate programme that best matches the applicant’s academic and research interests.

Prospective students should review:

• Available Master’s programmes
• PhD programmes
• Faculty profiles
• Research groups
• Research areas
• Academic requirements
• Programme-specific information

KAUST encourages applicants to explore faculty and research areas before applying. This is particularly important for research-oriented graduate study because the alignment between an applicant’s interests and the university’s research environment can be an important part of preparing a strong application.

Step 2: Check the Admissions Timeline

Applicants should carefully review the official KAUST admissions timeline because application deadlines differ according to the intended entry period and degree programme.

For the current Fall 2027 admission cycle, KAUST lists the following dates:

• Application opens: 28 September 2026
• Application deadline: 3 January 2027
• Admission decisions: 14 February 2027
• Fall semester begins: 29 August 2027

Fall 2027 admission is open to MS, MS/PhD and PhD applicants.

KAUST also has a Spring 2027 admission cycle, but the current timeline states that Spring 2027 admission is open only to PhD applicants. The Round 1 deadline was 27 September 2026, with decisions scheduled for 8 November 2026 and the spring semester beginning on 17 January 2027.

Therefore, applicants seeking a Master’s opportunity should pay particular attention to the Fall 2027 cycle.

KAUST Application Deadline for Fall 2027

The current official admissions timeline lists:

Fall 2027 application deadline: 3 January 2027.

KAUST notes that the dates are tentative and may change depending on application volume. Applicants should therefore check the official admissions timeline regularly and avoid relying solely on previously published dates.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

KAUST requires applicants to provide a range of supporting documentation.

The admissions information identifies the following major requirements:

• Official university transcripts or academic records
• Graduation certificate where applicable
• Certified English translations for documents issued in another language
• English-language test results where required
• Three letters of recommendation
• Curriculum vitae

Applicants should begin collecting these documents early because some, particularly recommendation letters and official academic records, may take time to obtain.

Academic Transcripts

Applicants must submit an official and complete academic record from every institution previously attended.

The transcript should be uploaded in the original language together with a certified English translation where the original document is not in English.

KAUST also requires the university grading scale to be included with the submitted academic documentation.

Applicants who receive an offer will subsequently need to provide the official final transcript to the KAUST Office of Admissions before arrival as part of the onboarding process.

English Language Requirements

English proficiency is an important component of the KAUST graduate admissions process.

The university requires a minimum:

• TOEFL iBT score of 81, or
• IELTS score of 6.5.

Only official TOEFL or IELTS scores are accepted under the stated requirements. KAUST’s admissions code for TOEFL is 4107.

Who Is Exempt from the TOEFL or IELTS Requirement?

A TOEFL or IELTS score is not required if the applicant obtained a degree from an accredited institution in one of the following countries:

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Australia
• New Zealand

Applicants who do not fall under these exemptions should carefully plan for an accepted English-language test before the application deadline.

Is the GRE Required?

KAUST does not require the GRE for admission.

However, the university states that it strongly encourages applicants to take the GRE General Test. A strong quantitative score can enhance an application, particularly for students applying to quantitatively intensive science, technology, engineering and mathematics programmes.

Official GRE results should be sent directly from ETS using KAUST’s admissions code 4139.

Therefore, while the GRE is not a compulsory admission requirement, applicants who have the opportunity to take it may consider submitting a strong result as an additional component of their application.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must have three recommendation letters submitted on their behalf.

KAUST indicates that these recommendations are important and should ideally come from professors or academic advisers who have taught the applicant in their major field or supervised their research.

Strong recommendations should provide more than general statements about an applicant’s character.

The university recommends that recommenders discuss:

• How they know the applicant
• The applicant’s academic or research performance
• Research ability
• Comparative performance, such as being among the strongest students in a class or cohort
• Relevant academic strengths

Recommendations are submitted directly through the application by the recommenders.

Applicants should therefore approach potential recommenders well in advance of the application deadline.

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must also provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV).

A strong graduate-school CV should clearly present relevant:

• Academic qualifications
• Research experience
• Publications, where applicable
• Research projects
• Technical skills
• Laboratory experience
• Internships
• Professional experience
• Academic awards
• Conferences and presentations
• Leadership or relevant extracurricular activities

The most important consideration is relevance. Applicants should ensure that their CV demonstrates their preparation for the specific graduate programme they are applying to.

Creating a KAUST Application Account

After identifying a programme and preparing the necessary documentation, applicants need to create an application account.

The application process allows applicants to upload their supporting documents as they become available.

This is useful for applicants who are still waiting for certain documents, such as recommendation letters or official academic records, because they can return to the application account and continue completing the required sections.

However, applicants should not interpret the ability to upload documents progressively as a reason to postpone preparation. It is better to begin early and leave sufficient time for reviewing the final application.

Submitting the KAUST Application

Once all required supporting documentation has been uploaded, applicants must log into their account and submit the application.

The university’s application guidance emphasises the importance of completing the supporting documentation before submission.

Applicants should carefully review the application before final submission to ensure:

• Personal information is correct.
• The intended programme is correct.
• Academic records are complete.
• English-language documentation is included where required.
• Recommendation requests have been submitted.
• The CV is uploaded.
• Required supporting documents are properly uploaded.
• Information across different sections is consistent.

KAUST Research Environment

KAUST is strongly research-oriented, making the university particularly relevant to students who want to pursue research-intensive graduate careers.

The university’s research portfolio includes areas such as:

• Generative artificial intelligence
• Renewable energy
• Energy storage
• Smart health
• Sustainable food security
• Environmental science
• Marine science
• Plant science
• Bioscience
• Bioengineering
• Computer science
• Applied mathematics
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Statistics
• Chemistry
• Chemical engineering
• Earth system science
• Materials science
• Applied physics
• Mechanical engineering

KAUST also provides access to major research infrastructure, including research platforms, core laboratories and the Shaheen III supercomputer.

This research ecosystem can be particularly relevant to graduate applicants who intend to pursue research, innovation or technology-driven careers.

Learn More HERE

Who Should Consider Applying?

KAUST is particularly relevant to students with academic backgrounds and research interests connected to science, engineering, technology, mathematics, computing, environmental sciences and related disciplines.

Potential applicants include graduates interested in:

• Computer science
• Artificial intelligence and computational research
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Chemistry
• Mechanical engineering
• Materials science
• Applied physics
• Earth and environmental sciences
• Marine science
• Plant science
• Bioscience
• Bioengineering
• Technology innovation and entrepreneurship

However, applicants should always confirm the specific requirements of their chosen programme rather than assuming that a general academic background automatically qualifies them.

International Applicants and Geographic Eligibility

KAUST’s graduate admissions process is internationally oriented, and the university describes its community as bringing together global perspectives to address scientific challenges.

The admissions information provided does not specify a nationality or racial restriction for the general Master’s and PhD admissions process. Therefore, applicants should assess eligibility primarily against the academic, programme-specific, language and documentation requirements.

The opportunity should not, however, be described as restricted to a particular race, ethnicity or continent based on the information provided.

Applicants from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and other regions should consult the official KAUST admissions requirements and the specific programme information applicable to them.

Why the KAUST Fellowship Is Important

Graduate education abroad can involve significant expenses, including tuition, accommodation, healthcare, living expenses and relocation.

The KAUST Fellowship addresses several of these major cost categories.

For admitted students, the package includes:

1. Full tuition support.
2. Annual living support of approximately US$20,000–30,000 depending on qualifications and degree progression.
3. Housing.
4. Medical coverage.
5. Dental coverage.
6. Relocation support.

The combination of these benefits means that successful applicants can focus substantially on their graduate studies and research rather than having to independently finance the major costs associated with studying abroad.

Important Things Applicants Should Do Before Applying

Prospective KAUST applicants should begin preparing well before the deadline.

1. Identify the right programme

Do not choose a programme simply because it is fully funded. Examine the curriculum, research areas, faculty members and academic requirements to determine whether the programme fits your goals.

2. Research faculty members

Graduate study at a research-intensive university requires serious attention to research alignment.

Applicants should explore faculty profiles and identify researchers whose work connects with their interests.

3. Prepare for English testing

If you are not exempt from the English-language requirement, plan for the TOEFL or IELTS early.

Waiting until close to the application deadline can create unnecessary pressure.

4. Contact recommenders early

Three recommendations are required, and recommenders need sufficient time to prepare thoughtful letters.

Approach professors, academic supervisors or research advisers early rather than requesting recommendations immediately before the deadline.

5. Organise academic records

Collect transcripts from every institution attended and ensure that documents not issued in English have the required certified English translations.

6. Build a research-focused CV

Your CV should communicate your preparation for graduate study and research.

Highlight academic projects, research experience, publications, technical skills, internships and other achievements that are relevant to the programme.

7. Consider taking the GRE

Although the GRE is not required, KAUST states that it strongly encourages applicants to take the GRE General Test and notes that a high quantitative score can strengthen an application.

Learn More HERE

KAUST Admissions 2027: Key Dates

For applicants targeting Fall 2027 entry, the current official timeline provides the following schedule:

Admission Stage	Date
Fall 2027 applications open	28 September 2026
Fall 2027 application deadline	3 January 2027
Admission decisions released	14 February 2027
Fall 2027 semester begins	29 August 2027

These dates are identified by KAUST as tentative and may change depending on application volume.

For Spring 2027, the current timeline indicates that admission is open only to PhD applicants. The Round 1 deadline was 27 September 2026.

Applicants should therefore use the official KAUST admissions timeline as the final reference before submitting an application.

KAUST Scholarship 2027: Key Details

University: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Location: Thuwal, Saudi Arabia

Study level: Master’s and PhD

Main areas: Science, engineering, technology, mathematics, computing, environmental sciences, biomedical sciences and related fields

Funding: KAUST Fellowship

Tuition: Fully supported

Living allowance: Approximately US$20,000–30,000 annually, depending on qualifications and progression

Housing: Provided

Medical and dental coverage: Provided, with conditions concerning dependants

Relocation: Supported

English requirement: TOEFL iBT 81 or IELTS 6.5, subject to stated exemptions

GRE: Not required, but strongly encouraged

Recommendations: Three

CV: Required

Fall 2027 application deadline: 3 January 2027

Fall 2027 semester: Begins 29 August 2027

How to Apply

Applicants should begin through the official KAUST admissions website and follow the university’s application process.

The process can be summarised as follows:

1. Explore KAUST’s Master’s and PhD programmes.
2. Review relevant faculty members and research areas.
3. Check the applicable admissions timeline.
4. Review the entry and documentation requirements.
5. Prepare transcripts, English-language results, recommendation letters and CV.
6. Create an online application account.
7. Upload the required documents.
8. Review the completed application carefully.
9. Submit the application before the applicable deadline.

Applicants should use the official admissions website for the latest application instructions and programme-specific requirements.

Visit HERE and HERE to learn more and apply for the KAUST Scholarship 2027.

Conclusion

The KAUST Scholarship 2027 provides an important opportunity for students seeking fully funded graduate education in science, engineering and technology. Through the KAUST Fellowship, admitted students receive full tuition support, a substantial annual living allowance, housing, medical and dental coverage and relocation support.

The university offers a broad portfolio of Master’s and PhD programmes spanning environmental science, marine science, plant science, bioscience, bioengineering, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, electrical and computer engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, earth system science, materials science, applied physics and mechanical engineering.

For students targeting Fall 2027 entry, the current application deadline is 3 January 2027, while the semester is scheduled to begin on 29 August 2027. Because KAUST notes that admissions dates are tentative and may change, prospective applicants should regularly check the official admissions timeline.

The strongest applicants should begin preparing early by identifying an appropriate programme, researching faculty and research areas, arranging three strong academic recommendations, preparing their CV and transcripts, and meeting the required English-language standards.

For anyone seeking a research-intensive graduate education with comprehensive financial support, KAUST represents an opportunity worth carefully investigating, provided the applicant meets the requirements of the specific programme.

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