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Saudi Arabia · Thuwal

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Fees, application dates, programmes and admission information for King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.

Consulting for this universityOfficial site

Key facts

City
Thuwal
Type
Public
Founded
2009
Students
1,741
Language of instruction
English (inferred, see programs)
International student fees
Tuition and bench fees (stated as worth up to USD 35,000 per year) are fully covered by the KAUST Fellowship; stipend USD 20,000 per year for MS and USD 25,000-30,000 per year for PhD; base accommodation (shared for single students), health insurance and relocation (visa, travel) support included. Some students with external sponsorship or funding may not be eligible. More than 90% of admitted students receive funding support (admissions homepage).Source
Application dates
Spring 2027 (PhD only): Round 1 deadline 27 Sep 2026, decisions 19 Nov 2026, semester starts 17 Jan 2027. Fall 2027 (MS, MS/PhD, PhD): Round 2 opens 28 Sep 2026, deadline 3 Jan 2027, decisions 25 Feb 2027, semester starts 29 Aug 2027. Dates are tentative per KAUST. No application fee.Source

Admission and application

Entry requirements page: applicants must be at least 18 on entry; typically 90% of admitted applicants have GPA above 3.3.

Language requirement: IELTS 7 overall (6.5 per section); PTE Academic 71 (67 per section); Cambridge C1/C2 185 (176). TOEFL iBT minimum 81 per the admissions page; the entry-requirements table lists a TOEFL overall of "5" (likely a typo; confirm with admissions). Exempt: in-person degree from accredited US/Canada/UK/Ireland/Australia/NZ institution. Duolingo, MyBest and IELTS One Skill Retake not accepted. GRE optional.

  1. Check entry requirements (relevant bachelor for MS, master for PhD; GPA at least 3.0/4.0).
  2. Apply online at admissions.kaust.edu.sa within the round deadline (no application fee).
  3. Upload transcripts, CV, ~750-word statement of purpose, passport page, English test score; three referees submit directly.
  4. Decision by the published round date; accepted students receive the fellowship package and relocation/visa support.

Programmes

Master (M.S.)English

Computer Science (CS)

Covered by KAUST Fellowship

Deadline: Fall 2027: 3 Jan 2027 (Round 2)

Source
Master (M.S.)English

Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE)

Covered by KAUST Fellowship

Deadline: Fall 2027: 3 Jan 2027 (Round 2)

Source
Master (M.S.)English

Environmental Science and Engineering (EnSE)

Covered by KAUST Fellowship

Deadline: Fall 2027: 3 Jan 2027 (Round 2)

Source
Doctoral (Ph.D.)English

Chemical Engineering (CE)

3.5 years

Covered by KAUST Fellowship (stipend USD 25,000-30,000 per year)

Deadline: Fall 2027: 3 Jan 2027 (Round 2); Spring 2027 PhD: 27 Sep 2026 (passed)

Source

Faculties and schools

Accommodation

Housing is part of the fellowship (shared for single students, 2-bed for married students; upgrade possible for a fee); family accommodation on campus for married students and/or students with children.

Highlights

  • Graduate-only research university with four divisions.
  • Students surveyed reported spending about USD 1,320 per month on average (survey date not stated).
  • Free on-campus public transport, internet and two beaches, per the cost-of-living page.

Information on this page is compiled from official sources and was verified on the date shown. Fees, dates and visa rules change often; check official sources before applying. Empty fields have not been verified yet; ask our advisor for the current information.

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