KAUST Fully Funded PhD Applications for Spring 2027

Applications are open for Spring 2027 PhD admission at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, with candidates given until 27 September 2026 to submit their applications.

The Spring intake is reserved exclusively for doctoral applicants and covers 16 PhD disciplines across science, engineering, computing and related research fields. Successful candidates who qualify for the KAUST Fellowship receive full tuition and bench-fee coverage, a US$25,000–30,000 annual stipend, university accommodation, health insurance and relocation support.

The Spring semester is scheduled to begin on 17 January 2027, with admission decisions expected from 8 November 2026. KAUST classifies these dates as tentative, meaning applicants should not assume the deadline will be extended.

KAUST Spring 2027 PhD admission in brief

• Institution: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
• Country: Saudi Arabia
• Academic level: PhD
• Intake: Spring 2027
• Number of PhD disciplines: 16
• Funding: KAUST Fellowship for eligible admitted students
• Annual stipend: US$25,000–30,000
• Tuition and bench fees: Fully covered, valued at up to US$35,000 per year
• Accommodation: Included
• Health insurance: Included
• Relocation support: Visa, travel and relocation assistance
• Estimated total Fellowship value: US$70,000–80,000 per year
• Application fee: None
• Deadline: 27 September 2026
• Admission decisions: 8 November 2026
• Semester start: 17 January 2027
• International applicants: Eligible
• Supervisor required before applying: No

Which PhD programmes are available for Spring 2027?

Spring 2027 admission is open across 16 doctoral disciplines:

• Applied Mathematics and Computational Science
• Applied Physics
• Bioengineering
• Bioscience
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth Science and Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Energy Resources and Petroleum Engineering
• Environmental Science and Engineering
• Marine Science
• Material Science and Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Plant Science
• Statistics

This makes the Spring intake relevant to applicants from a broad range of STEM backgrounds, from artificial intelligence and computational science to energy, environmental research, biology and advanced materials.

The complete list of programmes and research areas can be explored through the KAUST graduate programmes directory.

What does the KAUST Fellowship cover?

Eligible PhD students admitted to KAUST receive a comprehensive funding package rather than tuition support alone.

The Fellowship covers full tuition and bench fees, valued at up to US$35,000 per year, together with an annual doctoral stipend of US$25,000 to US$30,000. The exact stipend can vary according to qualifications and academic progress.

Base accommodation is also included. Single students are generally housed in shared accommodation, while married students may receive two-bedroom housing under the standard package. Optional housing upgrades can result in additional costs.

Health insurance is provided for the student and eligible dependants residing with them on campus.

New students also receive support with visa arrangements, travel and relocation, including the initial move to Saudi Arabia and return travel after graduation where applicable.

Taken together, the total annual value of the Fellowship is estimated at approximately US$70,000–80,000.

Applicants do not submit a separate scholarship application. Funding is tied directly to admission for students who qualify for the KAUST Fellowship.

One exception concerns candidates already supported through certain external sponsorship or partnership schemes. Their financial package may differ from the standard KAUST Fellowship.

Full funding details are available on the KAUST fees and funding page.

Who can apply for the KAUST PhD?

Applicants seeking direct entry to a PhD programme need a relevant master’s degree from a recognized higher-education institution.

The degree should be academically aligned with the doctoral programme selected. Professional master’s qualifications may not automatically be treated in the same way as conventional academic master’s degrees, so applicants holding such qualifications should describe them accurately in their application.

The minimum academic threshold is equivalent to a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Meeting that minimum does not mean admission is likely. KAUST reports that approximately 90% of admitted students have GPAs above 3.3, while around 75% have GPAs above 3.5.

Applicants must also be at least 18 years old by enrolment and meet the university’s English-language requirements.

There is no general nationality restriction for the Spring 2027 PhD intake, making the call open to international candidates from all regions.

English-language requirements

Graduate study at KAUST is conducted in English, so most applicants need to demonstrate sufficient proficiency.

Accepted minimum scores currently include:

• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with at least 6.5 in each component
• TOEFL iBT: 5 overall, with at least 4.5 in each component
• PTE Academic: 71 overall, with at least 67 in each component
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 185 overall, with at least 176 in each component

The TOEFL figures follow the newer 1–6 score scale introduced in 2026, which explains why they differ from the traditional 0–120 TOEFL scores still familiar to many applicants.

An English-test exemption can apply to candidates who completed an in-person degree at an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. Previous on-campus KAUST graduates may also qualify.

Applicants who are not yet able to provide an English-language score may still submit an application, but any required score must be provided before enrolment if admission is offered.

GRE and PGAT scores are optional.

Detailed language requirements are listed under the KAUST entry requirements.

Documents required for the Spring 2027 application

Candidates should prepare the following:

• university transcripts and academic records;
• CV or résumé;
• statement of purpose;
• contact details for three referees;
• passport identification page;
• English-language test results, where already available.

Saudi applicants may use a national identity card instead of a passport.

The statement of purpose should be approximately 750 words and should explain the applicant’s academic preparation, previous work, research interests, reasons for choosing the field and longer-term study or career plans.

Recommendation letters are handled electronically. Applicants provide the details of three referees, and the application system contacts them directly.

Academic referees are normally preferred. Professional referees may be used in some cases, particularly when an applicant completed their most recent degree more than three years earlier.

References are expected within seven calendar days after the application deadline, and applicants can monitor their status through the admissions system.

Academic documents should be submitted in English. Where the original document is issued in another language, both the original and a certified English translation should be provided.

Do applicants need a supervisor before applying?

No prior supervisory agreement is required.

Candidates can apply directly to their chosen PhD programme without first obtaining approval from a KAUST professor.

Applicants may identify up to three faculty members whose research interests align with their own, but those preferences do not constitute a supervisory agreement and are not binding.

This is particularly important for candidates preparing applications close to the deadline. There is no need to postpone submission while waiting for replies from individual professors.

How to apply for the KAUST Spring 2027 PhD intake

Applications are submitted online through the KAUST graduate application portal.

There is no application fee.

Applicants should begin by selecting the PhD discipline that most closely matches their academic background and research interests, then prepare the required documents before completing the online form.

Only one academic programme may be selected per application year, so programme choice should be made carefully.

Once an application has been submitted, changes are generally limited unless additional information is requested during the review process.

Candidates aiming for Spring 2027 should complete the process before 27 September 2026 rather than waiting until the final hours, particularly because references and supporting documents may require additional coordination.

How are candidates selected?

Applications first undergo an administrative review to confirm that the required information and documents are present.

Eligible applications are then evaluated by faculty in the relevant academic area.

Academic background, research preparation, fit with the selected programme and overall competitiveness of the profile are considered during this stage.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an online academic interview and/or assessment.

The interview typically explores previous academic work, research interests, technical preparation and the candidate’s intended direction for doctoral study.

For the Spring 2027 round, final decisions are currently scheduled for 8 November 2026.

Important dates for Spring 2027

The current timetable is:

• Application deadline: 27 September 2026
• Admission decisions: 8 November 2026
• Spring semester begins: 17 January 2027

These dates are tentative and may be adjusted.

Applicants should also distinguish this round from the next Fall intake.

Fall 2027 applications are scheduled to open on 28 September 2026, one day after the Spring deadline, and close on 3 January 2027.

The Fall intake is broader because it includes master’s, integrated MS/PhD and PhD admission, while Spring 2027 is limited to doctoral candidates.

Why the Spring 2027 intake is particularly relevant

The main attraction is the combination of substantial funding, international eligibility and a broad selection of STEM research fields.

There is also no separate Fellowship competition after admission. Candidates apply for the PhD programme itself, and eligible admitted students receive the corresponding funding package.

The absence of a requirement to secure a supervisor in advance also removes a hurdle that can slow down PhD applications at other universities.

The main limitation is time. With the deadline falling on 27 September 2026, candidates still preparing academic records, references or their statement of purpose have only a short window remaining.

Application links and further information

Candidates can submit their application through the KAUST graduate admissions portal.

Programme descriptions and available research fields can be reviewed through the KAUST graduate programmes directory.

The full financial package is detailed under KAUST fees and funding, while eligibility, academic records and language requirements are listed under the graduate entry requirements.

For Spring 2027 applicants, the key date remains 27 September 2026.