The KAUST Fellowship is not a separate competition. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, on the Red Sea coast north of Jeddah, attaches it automatically to every MS and PhD admission offer, unless the student is already funded by an external sponsor or a partnership program. If you get in, you are funded.
What it covers: full tuition and bench fees (KAUST values these at up to USD 35,000 a year), a yearly stipend of USD 20,000 for MS students and USD 25,000–30,000 for PhD students, on-campus housing, health insurance, and relocation support for your arrival and your return home after graduation. KAUST puts the total package at USD 70,000–80,000 per year.
Who it fits: graduates in engineering, computer science, the physical and life sciences, mathematics and statistics, plus one program in technology innovation and entrepreneurship. There are 17 programs in total. Everything is research-heavy and taught in English.
The real catch is selectivity, not cost. The formal minimum GPA is 3.0, but KAUST reports that about 90% of admitted students have above 3.3 and three-quarters above 3.5. You may apply to only one program per year, so choose deliberately.
Timeline for Fall 2027 entry: the application round opens 28 September 2026 and closes 3 January 2027; decisions are released 14 February 2027 and classes start 29 August 2027. KAUST describes these dates as tentative. PhD candidates who want to start in January 2027 have a separate round closing 27 September 2026.
Tips for applicants from the region:
1. If your degree was taught in English at an Arab university, you still need TOEFL (81) or IELTS (6.5); the waiver only covers degrees from the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
2. The GRE is optional but encouraged. A strong quantitative score is a real differentiator if your university’s grading scale is unfamiliar to reviewers.
3. Arabic transcripts need certified English translations. Order them early.
4. If a government or employer sponsorship is already paying for you, confirm with KAUST whether it replaces the Fellowship before you accept.
5. Name a specific research group in your statement. KAUST is small and faculty-led, and a clear research match counts for more than general enthusiasm.