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Fully Funded Verified against official source Applications open

KAUST Fellowship

Offered by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

KAUST’s graduate Fellowship covers tuition, accommodation, health coverage and relocation support, with an annual stipend of USD 20,000 for MS students and USD 25,000–30,000 for PhD students. Admission is highly competitive and no separate fellowship form is normally required.

Current status

Applications open

Fall 2027 applications are open. Round 2 deadline is 3 January 2027. Fellowship benefits depend on degree and academic progression.

Last verified: 6 October 2026

Next review: 15 December 2026

Quick facts

Current statusApplications open
Study destinationSaudi Arabia
Degree levelMaster's, PhD
FundingFully Funded
DeadlineVaries by course/country
DurationFor the duration of eligible graduate study, subject to progress and fellowship terms
Study subjectsArts & Humanities, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT, Education, Engineering & Technology, Environment & Earth Sciences, Health & Medicine, Law, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences
Last checked6 October 2026

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Choose an eligible KAUST graduate programme and admission round.
Submit the online graduate application and required academic documents.
Arrange recommendation letters and English-language evidence by the listed deadline.
If admitted, review fellowship coverage and any external sponsorship implications in the offer.

What does this scholarship actually cover?

All admitted graduate students generally receive the KAUST Fellowship: full tuition and bench fee, accommodation, health coverage, relocation support and a stipend. MS stipend is USD 20,000 annually; PhD stipend ranges from USD 25,000 to 30,000 annually.

TuitionFull
Living stipendUSD 25,000 / year
AccommodationBase accommodation
TravelInitial relocation support and return travel at graduation under fellowship terms
Health insuranceHealth and dental coverage; dependent charges may apply
Visa costsRelocation support includes visa-related support
Research allowancenone

Other verified benefits

Full tuition and bench fee; annual stipend range USD 20,000 for MS and USD 25,000–30,000 for PhD, depending on qualifications and progress.

Costs not confirmed or not covered

English test fees are not covered; dependent housing or health coverage may incur charges; external sponsorship may replace the Fellowship.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants admitted to eligible KAUST graduate programmes. Fellowship support is normally automatic with admission, except for some partnership or external sponsorship cases.

Applicants admitted to eligible KAUST graduate programmes. Fellowship support is normally automatic with admission, except for some partnership or external sponsorship cases.

Prior educationBachelor's degree for MS; relevant Master's degree for PhD, subject to programme criteria
Gender requirementNo restriction
IELTSDepends on host/course
Host institution requiredYes
Supervisor approvalDepends on host
Admission before applicationNo

Eligible countries

All international students who meet programme conditions.

Language requirements

English-language proficiency evidence or an accepted waiver is required.

Which documents should you prepare?

  • Degree certificate
  • CV or résumé
  • English test certificate

How do you apply?

  1. Choose an eligible KAUST graduate programme and admission round.
  2. Submit the online graduate application and required academic documents.
  3. Arrange recommendation letters and English-language evidence by the listed deadline.
  4. If admitted, review fellowship coverage and any external sponsorship implications in the offer.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the KAUST Fellowship stipend?

KAUST lists an annual stipend of USD 20,000 for Master’s students and USD 25,000 to USD 30,000 for PhD students, depending on qualifications and academic progress. The Fellowship also covers tuition and bench fees, base accommodation, health coverage and relocation support under its terms.

Does KAUST Fellowship pay for English tests?

No. KAUST states that English proficiency test fees are not included in the Fellowship. Students should also check whether dependent accommodation or medical coverage incurs charges. The standard package includes base accommodation and health support, while relocation support is governed by the university’s specific award conditions.