Applications are now open for the KAUST Scholarship 2026 at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology for international students from all around the world. This is a fully funded scholarship for students who want to pursue Master’s, MS/PhD, and PhD degree programs in Saudi Arabia. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, monthly stipend, free accommodation, health insurance, travel support, and relocation expenses.
International students can apply until 7 May 2026, while Saudi students can apply until 14 May 2026. The Fall 2026 semester will begin on 30 August 2026. There is no application fee, and students from all nationalities are eligible to apply if they meet the academic and English language requirements.
Key Details:
• Host University: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
• Host Country: Saudi Arabia
• Degree Level: Master’s, MS/PhD, PhD
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
• Eligible Nationalities: Open to all nationalities
• Application Deadline for International Students: 7 May 2026
• Application Deadline for Saudi Students: 14 May 2026
• Application Fee: No application fee
• Study Duration: Master’s (1.5 to 2 years), PhD (4 years)
What This Scholarship Offers:
• Full tuition fee coverage worth up to $35,000 per year
• Monthly stipend of around $20,000 per year for Master’s students
• Monthly stipend of $25,000 to $30,000 per year for PhD students
• Free on-campus accommodation
• Health insurance coverage
• Visa support
• Travel and relocation support
• Access to advanced research labs and modern facilities
• Opportunity to learn from top international researchers
Eligibility Criteria:
• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree for Master’s programs
• Applicants must have a Master’s degree for PhD programs
• Degree must be related to the selected program
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old
• Minimum GPA requirement is 3.0 out of 4.0
• Most admitted students usually have a GPA above 3.3
• Applicants must meet English language requirements
English Language Requirements:
• IELTS: Minimum 6.5 overall
• TOEFL iBT: Minimum 81 overall
• PTE Academic: Minimum 62 overall
• Cambridge English: Minimum 176 overall
Applicants may be exempt from English test requirements if they completed their degree through in person study in:
• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• Australia
• New Zealand
Required Documents:
• Academic transcripts
• Graduation certificates
• Updated CV or resume
• Statement of purpose
• Passport copy or national ID
• Contact details of three referees
• English language test scores
Programs Available:
• Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
• Bioengineering
• Bioscience
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Marine Science
• Material Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Plant Science
• Statistics
• Applied Physics
• Data Science
Why Choose KAUST?:
• Study at one of the top research universities in the Middle East
• Learn from world class scientists
• Access advanced research facilities
• Build strong career opportunities in academia and industry
• Join students and researchers from over 120 countries
Can we provide English test scores after confirmation of admissions?
Unfortunately, you must provide your English test score before admission because it is compulsory for your application evaluation.
I have pte score 60 not less than 52 I am elligible to aaply
Required PTE score is 62 not less than not less than 59 by the official authorities, so you may contact with official representatives of the university because we are non-profit organization and we can’t make final decisions.
Hello,
I wanted to ask that do they accept gap, if yes then what must be the maximum duration of gap. Thank you
Unfortunately, information about gap years is not mentioned on official site.
So,you can directly contact officials regarding this.
It’s nearly impossible to find experienced people for this subject, but you seem
like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Thank you so much for your kind words, they truly mean a lot to us and motivate our work. Our goal is to keep making reliable, accessible scholarship information easier for everyone to find and benefit from.
I have ILETS score 5.5 and study my master degree in English in Malaysia
My inquiry am I eligible to apply for this scholarship?
IELTS requirements on official website is:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
6.5 with at least 5.5 in all individual sections
*Note: IELTS Online is accepted.
If I already take master degree in others, can I applied master degree?
Yes, you can apply for another Master’s degree if you already have one, provided you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. However, admission decisions are made by KAUST, so I recommend checking the official guidelines and contacting the admissions office for confirmation regarding your specific case.