KAUST Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded Graduate Scholarship and Deadline

The KAUST Fellowship 2027 is a major funding route for international students applying to a research-focused Master’s or PhD degree in Saudi Arabia. However, many applicants confuse a university admission round with a separate external scholarship competition, and others mix up annual stipends with monthly payments. The result can be missed deadlines, unrealistic funding expectations, or an application submitted to the wrong system. The best approach is to use the university’s verified admission timeline and read its own fellowship conditions.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, known as KAUST, offers graduate education and research in fields including computer science, engineering, mathematics, biological sciences, environmental science, and related disciplines. Its fellowship normally supports eligible admitted students with tuition coverage, annual living support, campus accommodation, health insurance and relocation assistance. Students must still meet their programme’s academic and English-language requirements. Acceptance and funding are competitive, and the final university offer establishes the individual terms.

For Fall 2027 entry, KAUST’s official timeline confirms that its second application round opened on 28 September 2026 and closes on 3 January 2027. The university describes these dates as tentative, so applicants should avoid leaving the submission until the final day. This guide explains the verified scholarship benefits, degree eligibility, documents, application steps, important conditions and official application link. Applicants should also check whether external sponsorship changes their eligibility for the standard KAUST Fellowship.

Scholarship Summary

The KAUST Fellowship is a graduate funding package associated with an eligible admission offer to King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. It is not a separate government scholarship form. Candidates should apply to their selected KAUST degree rather than search for an unrelated fellowship registration page.

KAUST’s Fall 2027 round accepts new MS, MS/PhD and PhD candidates. The graduate fellowship package is normally considered in connection with the admission offer. External sponsored applicants may be ineligible for the standard fellowship, so the funding arrangement must be checked before acceptance.

Scholarship Coverage

KAUST describes an extensive graduate fellowship. Its official annual stipend amounts must never be represented as monthly salaries. Typical components include:

1. Full tuition and bench-fee coverage: KAUST values this benefit at up to US$35,000 annually.
2. Living stipend: The university lists a value of US$20,000 per year for MS students and US$25,000–30,000 per year for PhD students, depending on qualifications and academic progress; these are annual amounts.
3. Base housing: Standard campus accommodation is provided; a requested upgrade may involve an extra payment.
4. Health insurance: Support for admitted students and eligible dependents living on campus, as specified by KAUST.
5. Relocation assistance: Assistance for initial travel, visa and move to KAUST, and return on graduation under the programme conditions.

The full quoted fellowship value includes noncash benefits and is not the amount deposited into a student’s bank account. Housing upgrades and some personal expenses may have charges. KAUST says certain students with external sponsorship or funding may not qualify for its standard fellowship. Confirm individual amounts, renewal conditions, dependents and travel terms in the offer letter.

Eligibility Criteria

KAUST evaluates academic preparation, research potential, communication and programme fit. University-wide entry standards do not replace the specific conditions of the selected graduate degree.

1. Academic preparation: Relevant previous university qualification, academic transcripts and research/technical background suitable for the selected degree.
2. General minimum GPA: KAUST lists 3.0/4.0 or equivalent as the minimum permitted GPA for graduate entry, while admitted candidates commonly have stronger academic records.
3. Age: At least 18 years old on entry according to KAUST’s general graduate requirements.
4. English: Meet the official English-proficiency rules or applicable exemption; test formats and accepted evidence are explained by the university.
5. Research fit: Demonstrate interest in a relevant KAUST research or degree area and readiness for advanced study.

A minimum GPA does not imply admission. Faculty may compare academic strength, research output, programme capacity and references. Applicants may select only one academic programme per application year under the current KAUST rules.

Requirements

The graduate admissions form requests accurate personal, degree, research and reference information. Students can prepare documents ahead of the January closing date; waiting for a final degree certificate may not always be necessary when the university accepts an interim academic record.

Required Documents: The exact combination depends on the degree and applicant; prepare the following evidence in the format requested by the university.

1. University transcripts: Records for all institutions attended, with grading scale and certified English translations where needed.
2. Academic CV: Research projects, technical skills, publications, work experience and education history.
3. Statement of purpose: Reasons for applying, intended field and evidence of research or academic motivation.
4. Three referees: Correct academic/professional contact information; KAUST directly requests the references through its system.
5. Identity: Passport identification page or qualifying Saudi national ID.
6. English evidence: Official test score or university-recognised supporting evidence, where applicable.

References are submitted by the referees, not uploaded as invented letters by the applicant. KAUST may accept recent partial transcripts before graduation, but final officially verified documents are required before enrollment. Check that documents are in English or include the required translation.

Application Process

Use the admission-based fellowship route rather than a separate global government scholarship portal:

1. Choose a KAUST MS, MS/PhD or PhD degree that is available for Fall 2027 and assess its curriculum and research direction.
2. Read the current graduate eligibility rules and confirm whether your qualification and English evidence are acceptable.
3. Prepare transcripts, research CV, statement, passport scan and referee contacts early.
4. Create an account in the official KAUST graduate application system.
5. Select your one academic programme, upload records and review the application carefully before submission.
6. Submit the full university application before 3 January 2027 and monitor your registered email.
7. Respond to any faculty interview or additional documentation request; KAUST assesses applications through admissions and faculty review.
8. If admitted, read the fellowship award, scholarship conditions, housing and travel terms before accepting.

KAUST’s published Fall 2027 round 2 decision date is 25 February 2027 and the Fall term is scheduled to begin 29 August 2027. Decision and enrolment dates should not be confused with the submission deadline.

Deadline

KAUST Fall 2027 round 2 application deadline: 3 January 2027. Round 2 opened 28 September 2026, and the university lists 25 February 2027 for decisions. The current round is open as of 12 November 2026.

KAUST states that its admission dates are tentative and can change with application volume. Applicants should submit early and follow any live notice in their own application portal. Spring 2027 has different eligibility and should not be confused with Fall 2027 funding.

Apply Now Official Website

Apply through the official KAUST graduate admissions application website. Use the university’s own form and programme rules; third-party scholarship directories are not application portals. This article is an independent guide and does not guarantee admission or funding.

Related Scholarships

Compare these existing WsScholar4U guides for related graduate opportunities and alternative research-funding routes.

• Saudi Arabia Scholarships Guide — a different scholarship guide; confirm each programme’s current deadline separately.
• Master Scholarships in Saudi Arabia — a different scholarship guide; confirm each programme’s current deadline separately.
• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme — a different scholarship guide; confirm each programme’s current deadline separately.
• Fully Funded Master Scholarships — a different scholarship guide; confirm each programme’s current deadline separately.

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