KAUST Fellowship

In short

The KAUST Fellowship supports admitted Master's, MS/PhD and PhD students at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. It is fully funded. Somali applicants are likely eligible, but should confirm this on KAUST’s admissions pages.

What it covers

The fellowship includes tuition, a stipend, travel, health insurance and accommodation. KAUST says over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation assistance.

• Tuition feesIncluded
• Living allowanceIncluded
• TravelIncluded
• Health insuranceIncluded
• Visa costsNot stated
• AccommodationIncluded
• FamilyNot stated

Over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation assistance (the KAUST Fellowship).

Only what the official source states. "Not stated" means we could not confirm it, not that it is excluded.

Who can apply

It is for admitted students in science, engineering and related fields, applying for a Master's, MS/PhD or PhD. Applicants need a relevant degree and a strong GPA.

• You must be admitted to an MS, MS/PhD or PhD programme.
• Your field must be science, engineering or a related area.
• For MS, you need a relevant bachelor's degree and a strong GPA.
• For PhD, you need a relevant master's degree and a strong GPA.
• Somali applicants are likely eligible; confirm this on the admissions pages.
• IELTS or TOEFL is required if your degree was not taught in English.

Academic requirement

A bachelor's degree (for MS) or a master's degree (for PhD) in a relevant science or engineering field with a strong GPA.

English requirement

IELTS or TOEFL required

IELTS or TOEFL is required if your previous degree was not taught in English. Check KAUST’s official requirements page for the minimum scores.

KAUST asks for a TOEFL iBT or IELTS result from applicants whose degree was not taught in English; the minimum scores are on the official requirements page.

Never assume IELTS is needed. Only the official page and the university you apply to decide.

Documents you will need

• Academic transcripts
• Degree certificate
• CV
• Motivation letter / personal statement
• Recommendation (reference) letters
• English test result (IELTS or TOEFL)
• Passport (or national ID)

Online application with transcripts, degree certificates, a CV, a statement of purpose, three recommendation letters, an English test result and your passport.

How to apply

1. 1Read the KAUST admissions pages and confirm your eligibility, including nationality.
2. 2Choose an MS, MS/PhD or PhD programme in an eligible field.
3. 3Prepare your transcripts, degree certificates, CV and statement of purpose.
4. 4Arrange three recommendation letters and your IELTS or TOEFL result.
5. 5Prepare your passport and complete the online application on KAUST’s official website.
6. 6Submit by 3 January 2027; the stated decision date is 14 February 2027.

Important notes

• The dates are tentative. Fall 2027 applications open on 28 September 2026 and close on 3 January 2027.
• Somalia is not named in the eligibility information. Confirm your eligibility on the admissions pages before applying.
• Admission is selective, and the fellowship is linked to being admitted.

Official source

ZitTalent explains; the official website decides. Always check the official page before you apply, and apply only there.

The explanation was written by AI from the verified facts and the official page, then checked by fixed rules: any amount, date, score or document the source does not state is removed.