KAUST Fellowship FAQ 2027: Questions KAUST Already Answered

You do not. There is no separate application. All admitted students receive the KAUST Fellowship except those funded through specific partnerships or external sponsorship. Details appear in the offer letter.

Nothing. The official FAQ says there is no cost to submit an application. English-test fees are not reimbursed.

The minimum permitted is 3.0/4.0 or equivalent. Typically 90% of admits are above 3.3 and 75% above 3.5. Submit the original scale; Admissions converts. Partial transcripts are fine if finals are not out yet.

Yes. A medium-of-instruction letter does not count. The only published exemptions are an in-person degree in those six countries or a prior degree on the KAUST Thuwal campus. Distance and branch-campus degrees outside those countries do not qualify.

Yes. If admitted you must still meet the published minimums before enrolment. KAUST will not waive the requirement or pay for the exam. Competitive files usually include a score.

No. GRE or PGAT is optional. A strong score may help. Official reports are needed if you list one; validity is five years.

No. You do not need to email faculty before applying. M.S./Ph.D. and Ph.D. applicants can list faculty of interest. Admissions reviews first; strong candidates are forwarded; faculty may then contact you.

One application at a time, one academic programme per year. If unsuccessful, you may reapply the next year. You cannot edit after submit unless they ask.

When a final decision exists. There is no extra rolling calendar beyond the published round dates: 8 November 2026 for Spring 2027 and 14 February 2027 for Fall 2027 (official timeline, rechecked 6 October 2026). Wait until that date before chasing. Decisions are final, with no individual feedback.

Supplementary support (conference travel, a laptop) is usually compatible. Substantive coverage of tuition, relocation or living costs must be declared as soon as it is confirmed, and KAUST then decides whether it affects your Fellowship benefits. Sponsored students may still apply; they will not stack both packages.

Rarely. KAUST generally steers people with an M.S. toward a Ph.D. A second M.S. in a different field is possible only in rare cases.

The official average is about $1,320 a month, which the stipend is designed to more than cover. Housing at the entitled level is included; upgrades are extra.

Harbour units. Single students: a private bedroom with shared common space, in gender-specific buildings. Married students with family: family housing (2-bed at the Fellowship base). You cannot choose the unit. Pets are not allowed.

Visitors: yes, with limits described in the Student Handbook. Pets: no.

Yes. Core Labs are open to students during operating hours, with free staff-led training through the year.

One admission covers both degrees. You finish the M.S. requirements, then continue to the Ph.D. without a second KAUST application cycle. It is available only in fields that list it on the Study page. You can start after a bachelor’s.

Up to 9 credits of equivalent graduate courses may count toward a master’s major-track requirement if the Graduate Chair confirms equivalence.