KAUST Graduate Scholarship (Master's & PhD)

The KAUST graduate scholarship is among the most financially generous research scholarships in the world. It covers 100% of tuition fees, provides an annual living allowance of USD 20,000 to 30,000 (depending on degree level and academic progression), free on-campus housing, comprehensive medical and dental coverage for students and their families, and relocation support to Saudi Arabia. For PhD students who progress well, the living allowance increases over time. The result is that KAUST graduate students can live, research, and thrive with essentially zero personal financial burden.

The scholarship is open to all non-Saudi citizens from any country for Master's and PhD programs across KAUST's full range of STEM disciplines. English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 81 or IELTS 6.5 minimum) is required. Applications are submitted in two rounds annually, with the earlier round (October deadline) recommended. Three letters of recommendation from professors or research advisors are mandatory - these must be from academics in your field, not general character references. All academic documents must be officially attested before submission.

KAUST's research impact is disproportionately large for its size. It ranks among the world's top institutions for citations per paper and research output per faculty - producing breakthrough research in machine learning, solar energy, marine ecology, computational biology, and materials science, among others. The university's small, elite cohort model means students benefit from exceptional faculty-to-student ratios, direct supervisor access, and cutting-edge laboratory infrastructure. Graduate alumni of KAUST go on to postdoctoral positions and faculty roles at leading global universities, and to research and leadership positions in industry and government worldwide.