King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
جامعة الملك عبد الله للعلوم والتقنية
ForsaEduforsaedu.comAbout the scholarship program
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia awards a fully funded fellowship to all students admitted to its master's and PhD programs. The fellowship typically includes a full tuition waiver, a monthly living stipend, free on-campus housing, medical coverage and relocation support. KAUST focuses on science, engineering and applied research, and admission is based on academic and research excellence.
Tuition for international students
Admitted students receive the KAUST Fellowship, which covers full tuition (worth up to USD 35,000 a year) plus a stipend, housing and health insurance. KAUST does not publish self-pay fees.
Admission for international students
Applications: September 28, 2026 – January 3, 2027 · Applications open
Admission for international students
Applications: September 28, 2026 – January 3, 2027 · Applications open
Fall 2027 applications (MS and PhD) run from 28 September 2026 to 3 January 2027, with decisions on 25 February 2027. There is no application fee.
Official admission announcementAvailable programmes (3)
Each programme has its own requirements, documents and benefits. Open it to see them in full with the application steps:
- View Details
KAUST Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded MS and PhD in All Programmes
Master, PhDFully Funded14 majorsJanuary 3, 2027 - View Details
KAUST Research Internship for Undergraduate and Master's Students
Bachelor, MasterFully Funded14 majorsRolling admissions (open all year) - View Details
KAUST Global Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
PostdocFully Funded21 majorsNext cycle not announced yet
Life and living
Thuwal · Saudi Arabia
Life and living
Thuwal · Saudi Arabia
Living in Thuwal
A small Red Sea coastal town north of Jeddah, home to King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and its self-contained residential campus.
Student housing
The KAUST Fellowship covers tuition, housing, utilities, health insurance and relocation costs, plus a living stipend.
Transport for students
Public transport on the KAUST campus is free and runs throughout the day; transport to selected off-campus destinations is free too.
Top landmarks
- King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
- Red Sea
Last verified: October 2026
Studying and living in Saudi Arabia
Costs and living
Full external scholars at public universities pay no tuition and, as published by the universities (King Saud, King Abdulaziz and the Islamic University of Madinah), receive: • A monthly stipend throughout their studies, equal to the Saudi student reward. The officially published amounts in Northern Borders University’s rewards guide (2024): SAR 1,000 for science bachelor’s, SAR 850 for humanities, and SAR 900 for master’s and doctorate. • An arrival allowance equal to two months’ stipend, and a graduation allowance for shipping books equal to three months’ stipend. • An annual book allowance of one month’s stipend (Northern Borders guide) and an excellence reward of SAR 1,000 for bachelor’s students with a 4.50+ average in both semesters (University of Jeddah). • University housing, subsidised meals and health care for the student (and accompanying family at some universities). • A ticket on arrival, a return ticket at the end of each academic year per regulations, and a free residence permit. Internal (partial) scholarships for residents usually cover only the tuition exemption, without stipend or housing. Private universities (Alfaisal, Prince Sultan, Effat, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd…) charge fees — for example Alfaisal SAR 94,000 a year for bachelor’s. KAUST offers full scholarships for master’s and PhD students.
Working while studying
In 2024 the Education Visa Initiative announced that holders of long-term study visas may work part-time and bring their families “according to regulations”, but detailed hours and conditions have not been published in an official source, so check with your university before taking any job. Scholarship students are also bound by their university’s scholarship rules.
Last verified: October 2026· Source
Guide to studying in Saudi ArabiaFaculties and programmes
3 faculties · 14 programmes
Faculties and programmes
3 faculties · 14 programmes
Programmes taught at each faculty, with study levels and teaching language where the university publishes them. Admission and funding differ per programme.
Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE)
MasterPhDENEnglish- Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Division of Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)
MasterPhDENEnglish- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Physics
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is listed as: Fully Funded. The exact benefits are not verified yet, so check the official website (https://www.kaust.edu.sa) before applying.
The latest deadline we have is January 3, 2027. Dates can differ by university or programme, so confirm on the official website.
Apply directly on the official website: https://www.kaust.edu.sa. ForsaEdu does not receive applications or charge any fee.
Track your academic readiness
Use the checklist in your profile to prepare your documents and make sure you meet this scholarship’s requirements.
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