KAUST Fully Funded Scholarship 2026-27 Saudi Arabia: For Pakistani & International Students - Masters & PhD Full Tuition, Stipend, Housing, Health, Travel
KAUST Fellowship automatically awarded to every admitted MS, MS/PhD, PhD student - $20,000/year MS, $25,000-$30,000/year PhD, full tuition up to $35,000/year, free housing, medical/dental, relocation, annual flight. Official: kaust.edu.sa admissions portal
📑 Table of Contents
1. Overview - Every Admitted Student Gets Fellowship 2. Key Details at a Glance 3. Benefits - Full Tuition, Stipend, Housing, Health, Travel 4. Programs - 17 STEM Disciplines, 4 Divisions 5. Eligibility for Pakistani & All Internationals 6. Requirements - GPA, IELTS, TOEFL, Referees, SOP 7. Timeline - Spring 2027 PhD Sep 27 2026, Fall 2027 Jan 3 2027 8. How to Apply - apply.kaust.edu.sa 9. Tips for Pakistani StudentsKAUST Fully Funded Scholarship 2026-27 Saudi Arabia for Pakistani + all internationals Masters & PhD covers full tuition, monthly stipend, housing, health/dental, travel & relocation. Official: kaust.edu.sa admissions portal. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Fellowship is automatically awarded to every student admitted for MS, MS/PhD, PhD study. Worth USD 70,000-80,000/year total value including living allowance USD 20,000/year MS or USD 25,000-30,000/year PhD, full tuition and bench fee coverage up to USD 35,000/year, free housing, medical and dental coverage, relocation support, and return flight home every year. No separate scholarship application - every admitted student gets fellowship.
1. Overview - Every Admitted Student Gets Fellowship
KAUST is Saudi Arabia's flagship graduate research university, purpose-built, internationally focused, located on shores of Red Sea in Thuwal, approximately 80km north of Jeddah. Founded 2009 by late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud as graduate-only STEM research university, quickly established as world's leading research institution, consistently ranked among top for research impact, citations, innovation. Home to researchers from more than 100 countries, one of most internationally diverse university communities in Middle East.
What Makes KAUST Unique: Unlike most universities where scholarships are competitive awards given to subset of admitted students, at KAUST fellowship is given to EVERY admitted student - automatically, with no separate application. Selection process is the scholarship - if you are admitted to KAUST, you are funded. Total fellowship package USD 70k-80k/year makes it one of most financially generous graduate programmes in world - surpassing most scholarships in Europe, US, Asia.
2. Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | KAUST Fellowship 2026-27 |
|---|---|
| University | King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Saudi Arabia - Red Sea coast, 80km north Jeddah |
| Degree Levels | Master's (MS) ~1.5 years, MS/PhD Combined ~4-5 years, PhD ~3-4 years - all STEM |
| Eligible Nationalities | ALL - including Pakistani & all internationals - 100+ nationalities |
| Total Value | USD 70,000-80,000/year estimated total package |
| Living Allowance | USD 20,000/year MS, USD 25,000-30,000/year PhD - paid monthly $1,800-$2,900 |
| Tuition | Full tuition and bench fee coverage worth up to USD 35,000/year - no cost |
| Housing | Free base accommodation - shared single, 2-bedroom married, upgrade available |
| Health | Full medical and dental coverage student + eligible dependents |
| Travel | Visa + relocation + initial travel + return home upon graduation + one return flight home per year |
| Separate Scholarship App? | NO - automatically awarded on admission |
| Application Fee | FREE - no cost to apply, GRE not required but fee waiver if upload GRE |
3. Benefits - Full Breakdown
- ✅ Full Tuition Coverage: Full tuition and bench fee coverage worth up to USD 35,000/year - no tuition charges
- ✅ Annual Living Allowance: USD 20,000/year MS, USD 25,000-30,000/year PhD depending on qualifications and academic progress - paid monthly approx $2,083/month MS and higher PhD, in Saudi Riyals around $25k+ per year
- ✅ On-Campus Housing: Free base accommodation on KAUST campus - shared accommodation for single students, 2-bedroom for married students, housing upgrade available at additional charge - one of most significant benefits given Saudi housing costs
- ✅ Medical and Dental Coverage: Comprehensive health insurance for student and eligible dependents living on campus - charges may apply for dependent coverage in some cases
- ✅ Relocation Support: Visa costs, initial relocation expenses, travel costs for initial move to KAUST and return home upon graduation
- ✅ Annual Return Flight: One return economy flight home per year allowing scholars to visit family annually - crucial for Pakistani students
- ✅ Research Facilities Access: Free access to world-class Core Labs with state-of-art equipment worth billions, staffed by expert scientists who provide free training and technical support
- ✅ Laptop: Laptop provided
- ✅ No Bond Obligation: No service requirement or return obligation to Saudi Arabia after graduation
- ✅ Total Value USD 70k-80k/year: Most valuable graduate fellowship in world
- ✅ Family Support: Family members can join on-campus, housing and healthcare extended to dependents
4. Programs - 17 STEM Disciplines, 4 Academic Divisions
| Division | Programs Available |
|---|---|
| BESE - Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering | Bioscience, Marine Science, Environmental Science and Engineering, Plant Science, Bioengineering |
| CEMSE - Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering | Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics and Computational Science, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence |
| PSE - Physical Science and Engineering | Chemical Engineering, Chemical Science, Earth Science and Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering |
| BioMed - Biomedical Sciences Division | Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences |
5. Eligibility for Pakistani & All Internationals
- ✅ Any Nationality: KAUST welcomes students from any country - 100+ nationalities currently
- ✅ Academic Background: Strong academic record in STEM field. For MS: Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline. For PhD: Master's degree or exceptional Bachelor's for MS/PhD pathway
- ✅ Minimum GPA: 3.0 on 4-point scale minimum. Note 90% of admitted students have GPA above 3.3 and 75% above 3.5 - competition high
- ✅ For Pakistani students: Bachelor's from HEC recognized university, strong research background, STEM focus
- ✅ Only 1 application per year, only 1 programme per year - if unsuccessful can reapply following year
- ✅ Must satisfy Saudi Arabia visa requirements - generally straightforward, KAUST assists
6. Requirements - GPA, IELTS, TOEFL, Referees, SOP
English Language Standard Requirement (ALL applicants):
- IELTS 7.0 overall with minimum 6.5 in each section (applies to ALL MS and PhD). Exception: Saudi nationals and PhD students with IELTS 6.5 may be conditionally admitted and required to take Academic English Language Communication Course (AELC) in first year
- TOEFL iBT 5 overall with minimum 4.5 in each section (new TOEFL scoring) - KAUST code 4107 - or TOEFL iBT 81+ old scale
- PTE Academic 71 overall with minimum 67 in each section
- Cambridge C1/C2: 185 overall with minimum 176 in each section - scores valid 2 years
- No English Test If: Degree through in-person study at accredited institution in USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand - distance learning, satellite campuses, joint programmes outside these countries do NOT qualify for exemption
Other Documents:
- Exactly 3 referees required - academic preferred, professional accepted if most recent degree completed more than 3 years ago - must use academic/professional email, personal emails not accepted - references expected within 7 calendar days of deadline
- Statement of Purpose approx 750 words covering past work, preparation for field, relevant background, academic plans, career objectives
- Academic transcripts from all universities, degree certificates, CV with publications, awards
- Research alignment - must apply to programme aligning with background, strongly encouraged to review faculty profiles and identify potential supervisors
- GRE not required but strongly encouraged - uploading GRE score = application fee waiver (but application already free)
7. Timeline - Spring 2027 PhD Sep 27 2026, Fall 2027 Jan 3 2027
| Entry Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring 2027 (PhD only) Applications OPEN NOW | Round 1 Deadline 27 September 2026 - URGENT |
| Spring 2027 Decisions | 8 November 2026 |
| Spring 2027 Semester Start | 17 January 2027 |
| Fall 2027 (MS/MS-PhD/PhD) Round 2 Opens | 28 September 2026 |
| Fall 2027 Deadline | 3 January 2027 |
| Fall 2027 Decisions / Semester Start | 14 Feb 2027 decisions, 29 Aug 2027 start |
Note: Official timeline tentative may change based on application volume. Always verify at admissions.kaust.edu.sa/how-to-apply/admission-timelines
8. How to Apply - apply.kaust.edu.sa
Steps:
1. Go to apply.kaust.edu.sa - create account
2. Choose programme from 4 divisions, 17 STEM disciplines
3. Prepare documents: transcripts, degree certificates, SOP 750 words, CV, 3 referees academic emails, English test IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL, etc.
4. Submit online application - free, no fee
5. Referees submit references within 7 days of deadline
6. If shortlisted, interview invitation
7. If admitted, automatically receive KAUST Fellowship - no separate scholarship application
8. KAUST assists with Saudi visa, relocation, housing, flight
9. Tips for Pakistani Students
High GPA Critical
90% admitted GPA above 3.3, 75% above 3.5. If your GPA 3.0-3.2, compensate with strong research, publications, excellent SOP, strong referees.
SOP 750 Words
Cover past work, preparation for field, relevant background, academic plans, career objectives. Tailor to KAUST faculty research - review faculty profiles before applying, identify potential supervisors.
Referees Academic Emails
Exactly 3 referees, academic preferred, must use academic or professional email - personal Gmail not accepted. Inform referees early, they have 7 days after deadline.
IELTS 7.0 Overall
Standard requirement IELTS 7.0 overall min 6.5 each. If you have IELTS 6.5, you may be conditionally admitted as PhD and required to take AELC course first year. Prepare English test early.
One Application Per Year
Only 1 application per year, only 1 programme per year. Choose most aligned programme. If unsuccessful, can reapply following year with improved profile.
🎓 Ready for KAUST $70K-$80K/year Fellowship?
Pakistani + All Internationals - No separate scholarship app - Every admitted student funded
Go to Official KAUST AdmissionsOfficial: kaust.edu.sa | admissions.kaust.edu.sa | apply.kaust.edu.sa | Verified 2026-27 | Copyright-free guide
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