Fully Funded KAUST Fellowship 2027 in Saudi Arabia for MS and PhD

The KAUST Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded award from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. It supports international students at master's and PhD level, and every admitted student receives it automatically, so no separate scholarship form is needed.

It is open to applicants from any country in KAUST science and engineering fields, and covers full tuition, an annual living allowance, free on-campus housing, health insurance and relocation support. The Fall 2027 deadline is 3 January 2027. Read the sections below for eligibility, benefits and how to apply.

The KAUST Fellowship is awarded to every admitted student and includes:

• Full tuition and bench fees – worth up to USD 35,000 per year
• Annual living allowance – USD 20,000 for M.S. students; USD 25,000–30,000 for Ph.D. students, depending on qualifications and progress
• Free on-campus housing – shared accommodation for single students and two-bedroom units for married students (upgrades available for a fee)
• Health insurance – for the student and eligible dependents living on campus
• Relocation support – visa, relocation and travel costs on arrival and the return trip home after graduation
• No application fee – applying to KAUST is free

KAUST estimates the total value of the fellowship at USD 70,000–80,000 per year. Students who already hold external sponsorship may not be eligible for the fellowship.

The KAUST Fellowship 2027 is available for the following graduate degrees at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology:

• Master of Science (M.S.) – about 2 years (thesis or non-thesis track)
• M.S./Ph.D. pathway – a combined track for bachelor's graduates who want to continue directly to a doctorate
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – about 3–4 years

Note: the Spring 2027 intake (Round 1, deadline 27 September 2026) is open to Ph.D. applicants only. The Fall 2027 intake (Round 2, deadline 3 January 2027) is open to M.S., M.S./Ph.D. and Ph.D. applicants.

KAUST offers graduate programs across its three academic divisions. Applicants can choose from fields including:

• Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
• Bioscience, Bioengineering, Chemistry, Marine Science, Earth Science and Engineering, Plant Science

Check the KAUST Programs of Study page for the current list of programs and their specific entry requirements.

The KAUST Fellowship 2027 is open to applicants of all nationalities. International students as well as Saudi nationals are eligible; the KAUST community includes students from more than 100 countries.

To be considered for admission and the KAUST Fellowship 2027, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Academic degree: a bachelor's degree in a relevant subject from an accredited institution for M.S. and M.S./Ph.D. applicants; a master's degree in a relevant subject for Ph.D. applicants.
• GPA: a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Admission is competitive – around 90% of admitted students have a GPA above 3.3 and 75% above 3.5.
• English proficiency: IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in every section, TOEFL iBT 5.0 overall with at least 4.5 in every section (new scoring scale), PTE Academic 71 overall with at least 67 in every section, or Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 185 overall with at least 176 in every section. Applicants who completed their degree in person at an accredited institution in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, or who hold a KAUST degree, are exempt.
• GRE: not mandatory, but submitting valid GRE or PGAT scores strengthens the application.
• References: three referees (academic or professional) who will submit their letters directly through the admissions system.

There is no separate scholarship application – every student who applies for admission is automatically considered for the KAUST Fellowship. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the KAUST Admissions website and review the Programs of Study to choose your program and degree level.
2. Create an account on the online application portal and complete the application form.
3. Upload the required documents: official transcripts with grading scale, degree certificate, CV, a statement of purpose of about 750 words, a copy of your passport or national ID, and English test scores if required. Research articles or publications may also be added.
4. Enter the contact details of three referees. They will receive an email and must submit their references within seven calendar days of the application deadline.
5. Submit the application before the deadline: 27 September 2026 for the Spring 2027 Ph.D. round, or 3 January 2027 for the Fall 2027 M.S., M.S./Ph.D. and Ph.D. round. No application fee is charged.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview. Decisions are released on 8 November 2026 (Round 1) and 14 February 2027 (Round 2).