King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is an international graduate-level, merit-based research university located on the shores of the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia. Our state-of-the-art campus, globally renowned faculty and brand new facilities come together to provide the ideal setting for significant, high-impact research.

KAUST is dedicated to inspiring a new age of scientific achievement in the Kingdom that will also benefit the region and the world. Our academic structure is wholly interdisciplinary, allowing research teams to work together to apply science and technology to fundamental problems of human need, social advancement and economic development. We pursue science and technology research that has global impact and focus on resolving the challenges faced by our planet and the advancement of quality of life for its inhabitants, such as those associated with energy, water and food.

Yes. KAUST encourages students seeking to earn graduate degrees from Saudi Arabia and around the world to apply. Admission to KAUST is merit based. The University currently hosts students from 63 countries and has received applications from students attending more than 220 universities around the world.

The KAUST Fellowship is the general scholarship program of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

All Master's and PhD students admitted to KAUST will also be evaluated for financial support under the KAUST Fellowship. If awarded, the KAUST Fellowship supports students for the duration of their graduate studies. The benefits of the KAUST Fellowship include:

• Full tuition support
• Monthly living allowance (ranging between $20,000-30,000 annual, depending on qualifications)
• Housing
• Medical and dental coverage
• Relocation support

For more details on course content and degree requirements see the KAUST Graduate Programs Guide.

There are seven components to the KAUST Fellowship application, including:

• Statement of purpose
• KAUST Scholarship Essay
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Copy of university transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official TOEFL or IELTS English language proficiency score (if English is not your native language)
• Official GRE scores (GRE submission is encouraged and will enhance your application, but it is not a compulsory requirement for consideration.)
  

Eligibility requirements for admission include the following:

• Completion of bachelor's degree in a KAUST-relevant field of study, such as engineering, mathematics, or the physical, chemical and biological sciences
• TOEFL score of 79 on the IBT (Internet Based Test) or 6.0 on the IELTS (TOEFL or IELTS score not required if applicant is a native speaker of English or received a degree from a university in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand).
  

The preferred application deadline was January 15th. The University will continue processing applications on a rolling basis as space in the program permits.

Programs may fill up quickly. You are advised to apply and complete your application as soon as possible to ensure that your application receives full consideration.

It is advisable to provide as much supporting documentation as possible with your application. You are able to upload some of your documentation online, including:

• CV
• Statement of purpose
• KAUST Scholarship Essay
• Transcripts
• Evidence of English language ability in the form of a TOEFL or IELTS test. (Official scores are required, and should be requested from ETS using KAUST Admissions code 4107).
• GRE score (Official scores are required should you choose to submit a GRE. Request from ETS that an official score be submitted direct to KAUST Admissions code 4139).
• Recommendations are confidential and must be submitted online by your referees directly to KAUST.

Mail documentation should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
Graduate Affairs,
Engineering Science Hall (Building 9), Suite 4328
4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Thuwal 23955-6900, Jeddah
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

You may apply before completing all of your academic qualifications but you will need to complete the relevant section of the application form giving details of any outstanding marks and your expected date of completion. Please upload any interim transcripts that you have to support your application.

Those applicants who are unable to produce an English language proficiency test score or the optional GRE score by the deadline may still apply. However, you must submit your scores to complete your application and enable it to move forward to the faculty review committee.

If your official transcripts or grade reports are not originally in English and the college or university you attended does not provide a translation of your transcript into English, you must provide an official translation (notarized with an appropriate seal or "chop") of your transcript into English. You may find and select a translation service of your choice. KAUST cannot provide referrals. It is preferable that your college or university provides an English translation of your official transcript.

Students holding an MS degree may be evaluated for admission to a second MS on a case by case basis. Students are generally encouraged to apply for a PhD program if they have an appropriate MS degree.

Students who have scholarships that provide supplementary support such as for travel to a conference or the purchase of a computer, are eligible for a KAUST Fellowship.
Students are not permitted to hold a full scholarship that provides a monthly stipend in addition to a KAUST Fellowship. Questions related to the receipt of scholarships from other sources should be addressed to: admissions@kaust.edu.sa

You are required to submit test scores for either the TOEFL Internet Based Test (IBT) or the IELTS exam. Other English language test scores are not accepted, including TOEFL or IELTS scores for tests administered by an educational institution for admission to that particular institution.

Submission of a General GRE score is not a compulsory requirement of the KAUST Fellowship application. Submission of GRE scores is encouraged and may enhance your application.
For further information on the GRE test please visit the ETS website for test locations, dates, and times. KAUST admissions code is 4139.

An admissions interview is required for admission. Students will be invited for interview only following a faculty academic assessment of their application. KAUST representatives or faculty may conduct the interview in person or by Skype with video.

If you have any questions during the application process, you can contact the KAUST Admissions Office at admissions@kaust.edu.sa

Graduate credit hours transferred from other programs may be applied to meet any Master's requirement. Up to 9 credits worth of graduate courses taken from another university or program that are equivalent in level and content to designated courses in the degree program may be counted towards meeting the major track requirement if their equivalence is confirmed by the Graduate Chair.

For further details please see the ../academics/programs/degrees.htmlAUST-grad-programs.pdf" style="padding: 0px;">KAUST Graduate Programs Guide.

The KAUST BS to PhD track is designed for exceptional students who have attained the highest academic grades and test scores.

If you apply directly to the BS to PhD track, you may be offered admission to the MS program. This may also lead to a PhD but will require an application once your MS is complete and faculty assess your academic and research experience.

If you have just completed your bachelor's degree and wish to pursue an MS degree only, or if you are unsure whether you wish to pursue the Ph.D. as well, then you should apply for the MS degree. You can then seek admission to the Ph.D. program upon completion of your MS at KAUST. If it is your intention to pursue the Ph.D. directly after the MS, you may apply for the MS to Ph.D. degrees. If you have completed an MS degree in a KAUST-relevant area of study at another institution, you may apply directly for the Ph.D. degree.

KAUST’s academic structure organizes interdisciplinary teams around research that applies science and technology to problems of human need, social advancement, and economic development. You can find out about our world-class faculty and individual staff interests and expertise on our staff profile page.

All Master's and PhD students admitted to KAUST will also be evaluated for financial support under the KAUST Fellowship. If awarded, the KAUST Fellowship supports students for the duration of their graduate studies. Students may be assessed academically for admission without the KAUST Fellowship.

KAUST may accommodate groups of visitors when arranged by local universities. Inquiries for possible group arrangements may be made by contacting the Office of Admissions: admissions@kaust.edu.sa. The Admissions Office is not able to accommodate individual requests to visit the KAUST campus.

MS degree students do not require faculty sponsorship. PhD students must be matched with a faculty sponsor prior to admission into the program. KAUST faculty will review applications and contact students to discuss their qualifications and suitability for the program and research support.

Currently students may not apply for more than one program.