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 benefit from the exceptional KAUST Fellowship scholarship package that supports students for the duration of their graduate studies. The benefits of the KAUST Fellowship include:

• Full tuition support
• Monthly living allowance (ranging between $20-30,000 annual, depending on qualifications)
• Beautifully designed free housing
• Premier private medical and dental coverage
• Relocation support
• Potential for additional scholarships for the highest achieving students.

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

There are five compulsory components to the KAUST Fellowship application, including:

Eligibility requirements for the KAUST Fellowship include the following:

1. PhD applications for 2011: KAUST has PhD programs starting in January 2011 and September 2011. Applications will be accepted from September 2010.
2. Master’s applications: there is one intake a year in the Fall (September). Applications will be accepted from September 2010.

The application deadline is 15 October 2010 for PhD programs starting in January 2011.

The application deadline is 15 January 2011 for MS and PhD programs starting in September 2011. Thereafter, PhD students are welcome to apply and will be considered on a rolling admission basis.

Programs may fill up quickly and you are advised to apply and complete your application by the deadline to ensure a proper faculty review of your application as well as facilitation of the visa application and relocation process.

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
• Supporting essays
• Transcripts (originals are also required, mailed direct from your University to KAUST Admissions in a university-sealed envelope).
• 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.

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 also send 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 provide an English translation of your official transcript.

Yes. Any student who has completed or will complete the bachelor's degree before start of KAUST classes is eligible to apply for a KAUST Fellowship. If you hold a master’s degree it is important to clearly outline your reasons for pursuing a second master’s degree instead of a PhD.

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. The KAUST university code with ETS for the GRE is 4139.

An interview may be required. KAUST representatives or faculty may conduct interviews in person or, by Skype/telephone.

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 the designated courses in a major track may be counted towards meeting the major track requirement if their equivalence is confirmed by the Graduate Chair.

For further details please see the 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.