King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers one of the most generous graduate fellowships in the world. The KAUST Scholarship 2027 covers 100% of your tuition, provides a $20,000–$30,000 annual stipend, and includes housing and health insurance. Applications open in August 2026.
Over 90% of admitted students receive full funding. There’s no separate fellowship application – if you’re admitted, you get the funding automatically.
📋 Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deadline (Spring 2027 – PhD only) | 27 September 2026 |
| Deadline (Fall 2027 – MS, MS/PhD, PhD) | 3 January 2027 |
| Funded by | King Abdullah University of Science and Technology |
| Degree levels | Master’s, Ph.D., MS/PhD pathway |
| Eligible nationalities | All nationalities |
| Annual stipend | $20,000 (MS) – $30,000 (PhD) |
| Total annual value | $70,000 – $80,000 |
| Application fee | 200 SAR |
| Application portal | admissions.kaust.edu.sa |
What is the KAUST Scholarship 2027?
The KAUST Scholarship is the university’s primary funding mechanism for graduate students. It’s not a separate application – every admitted student automatically receives the KAUST Fellowship. The university is located in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, on the Red Sea coast, and hosts students from over 120 nationalities.
KAUST Scholarship 2027: Funding & Benefits
The KAUST Fellowship is designed to cover all your costs so you can focus entirely on research. Here’s exactly what you get:
Total annual value: $70,000–$80,000 depending on your program and situation.
What’s NOT covered: Housing upgrades (you pay the difference), costs for dependents beyond health insurance, and conference travel (unless you have supplemental funding).
➡️ See other fully funded scholarships →
KAUST Scholarship 2027 Eligibility Requirements
KAUST uses a holistic review process – they look at grades, research potential, and motivation. Here are the minimum requirements:
Important: The minimum GPA is 3.0, but if you’re below 3.3, you’re competing against applicants who are stronger on paper. Your research experience and SOP become critical.
Deadlines & Timeline: When to Apply
Applications for 2027 entry open in August 2026. Mark these dates:
| Intake | Applicant Type | Deadline | Decisions Released | Semester Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | PhD only | 27 September 2026 | 8 November 2026 | 17 January 2027 |
| Fall 2027 | MS, MS/PhD, PhD | 3 January 2027 | 14 February 2027 | 29 August 2027 |
⚠️ Spring 2027 is PhD only. If you’re applying for a Master’s, you must apply for Fall 2027.
How to Apply for KAUST Scholarship 2027 – Step-by-Step
There’s no separate fellowship form. Your admission application is your fellowship application. Here’s the exact process:
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review the GPA and English requirements above. If you’re below a 3.3 GPA, strengthen your research experience and SOP.
Step 2: Prepare your documents. You’ll need:
- Official transcripts from every institution (with grading scale)
- CV/Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Contact details for 3 referees
- English test score (if available)
- Passport copy or national ID
Next 3: Translate transcripts. If your transcripts aren’t in English, upload both the original language version AND a certified English translation.
Step 4: Pay the application fee. The fee is 200 SAR. (Ignore websites that say it’s free – they’re outdated.)
Step 5: Submit through the official portal. Go to admissions.kaust.edu.sa and complete the online application.
Next 6: Send GRE scores (optional but recommended). If you took the GRE, send scores to KAUST code 4139.
Step 7: Respond to interview invitations quickly. KAUST explicitly states that prompt responses to interview invitations help you receive faster decisions.
Work Backward: Your 4-Week Application Timeline
If you’re targeting the Fall 2027 deadline (3 January 2027), here’s a realistic backward plan:
| Time before deadline | Action |
|---|---|
| 12 weeks out (mid-October) | Request transcripts from all universities. International transcript requests often take 3–4 weeks. |
| 10 weeks out | Contact 3 referees. Give them 4 weeks minimum – professors are busy. |
| 8 weeks out | Draft your SOP. Plan 3–4 revisions. |
| 6 weeks out | Take TOEFL/IELTS if you haven’t. Scores take 2 weeks to arrive. |
| 4 weeks out | Complete your CV. Have someone review it. |
| 2 weeks out | Submit your application. Don’t wait for the last day – the portal gets slow. |
| Deadline day | Double-check that all documents are uploaded and the fee is paid. |
Country-Specific Guidance: Transcripts & Attestation
International students from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, and other countries face extra steps:
- Pakistan (HEC): Your Bachelor’s/Master’s degree must be attested by HEC. KAUST requires transcripts with the university grading scale included. Start the HEC attestation process at least 6 weeks before your application.
- India: Get your transcripts attested by your university’s registrar. WES evaluation is not required by KAUST, but having a WES ICAP report can help if your grading system is unfamiliar.
- Nigeria: Your transcripts must come directly from your university in a sealed envelope. KAUST requires official transcripts – if your university doesn’t send them directly, you may need to request official copies.
- All countries: Your transcript must show the university’s grading scale. If it doesn’t, request an official grading scale document from your registrar.
Writing Your KAUST Statement of Purpose
KAUST’s admissions committee reads thousands of SOPs. Here’s what they actually want to see:
- Your specific research interest. Name a KAUST faculty member or research group you want to work with. Generic SOPs get rejected.
- Why KAUST specifically. Mention the facilities, the Red Sea location for marine research, or the specific labs you want to use. Show you’ve done your homework.
- Your research experience. Describe 1–2 projects in detail – what you did, what you learned, what results you got. Numbers matter (e.g., “improved efficiency by 15%”).
- Your future career. Connect your KAUST degree to a concrete goal – academia, industry, or a specific problem you want to solve.
Don’t: Open with a paragraph about how education transformed your life. That’s what 80% of applicants write. Start with your research problem.
How Competitive Is the KAUST Scholarship?
KAUST doesn’t publish official acceptance rates, but here’s what we know:
- 120+ nationalities on campus – it’s genuinely global.
- 46% of students are international.
- 90% of admitted students have GPAs above 3.3 – and 75% above 3.5.
- The university is #1 in the Arab world (THE 2023–2025).
Common rejection reasons:
- GPA below 3.3 (unless you have extraordinary research experience)
- Generic SOP that doesn’t mention specific KAUST faculty or research
- Missing or late documents (transcripts are the #1 reason for incomplete applications)
- Weak English scores (TOEFL below 81 or IELTS below 6.5)
Who gets in: Students with strong grades, clear research direction, and the ability to articulate why KAUST specifically is the right place for their work.
Available Programs at KAUST
KAUST offers graduate programs in science, engineering, and technology. Here are the fields accepting applications for 2027:
Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Bioengineering, Bioscience, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Earth Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Environmental Science and Engineering, Marine Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plant Science, Statistics, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering, Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
❓ FAQ: KAUST Scholarship 2027
What is the KAUST Scholarship 2027?
The KAUST Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded graduate fellowship at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. It covers full tuition, a $20,000–$30,000 annual stipend, housing, health insurance, and relocation support. All admitted students automatically receive it – no separate application is required.
What are the KAUST admission deadlines for 2027?
Spring 2027 (PhD only) deadline is 27 September 2026, with decisions on 8 November 2026. Fall 2027 (MS, MS/PhD, PhD) deadline is 3 January 2027, with decisions on 14 February 2027.
What are the eligibility requirements for the KAUST Scholarship?
Minimum GPA of 3.0 (though 90% of admitted students have above 3.3), TOEFL 81 iBT or IELTS 6.5, a relevant Bachelor’s (for M.S.) or Master’s (for Ph.D.), and at least 18 years old. GRE is not required but strongly encouraged.
Is there an application fee for KAUST graduate study?
Yes – 200 SAR. This contradicts some online sources that claim it’s free. The official entry requirements page confirms the fee.
Is there a separate KAUST Fellowship application?
No. Students admitted to a graduate program are automatically considered for the KAUST Fellowship. Your admission application serves as your fellowship application.
Can I apply for Spring 2027 with a Master’s degree?
No. Spring 2027 admission is only open to PhD applicants. Master’s and MS/PhD applicants must apply for Fall 2027.
What documents are required for the KAUST application?
Official transcripts, CV, Statement of Purpose, contact details for 3 referees, English test score, passport/ID copy, and 200 SAR application fee. Transcripts must include the university grading scale.
Final Checklist & Next Steps
Before you submit:
- □ Transcripts requested from all universities (allow 3–4 weeks)
- □ Grading scale included on transcripts
- □ English test taken (TOEFL 81+ or IELTS 6.5+)
- □ SOP mentions specific KAUST faculty/research
- □ 3 referees confirmed and given 4 weeks’ notice
- □ 200 SAR application fee ready
- □ Application submitted at least 2 days before deadline
➡️ Browse more scholarships in Saudi Arabia →
Applications close 3 January 2027 for Fall entry. The recommendation letter step alone takes 2–3 weeks – start contacting your referees now, not in December.
