Frequently Asked Questions

Typically students admitted to KAUST will have received grades which put them near the top of their class. Typically, 90% of admitted applicants have a GPA above 3.3, and 75% have a GPA above 3.5 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent). The minimum permitted GPA is 3.0.

KAUST receives applications from all over the world and therefore the Admissions staff is knowledgeable of different education systems and grading scales. Please simply submit your transcripts including your overall grade in it’s original format, and our team will be able to evaluate it.

Yes, we are aware many institutes issue official transcripts after our application deadlines. If you are unable to submit an official transcript before the application deadline, please submit a partial transcript, a screenshot from your university’s academic record system, or other similar evidence of your current academic history. However, before you are admitted into KAUST, you will be required to submit your final, official academic transcripts.

If your official transcripts or grade reports are not originally in English and the college or university you attended does not provide a translation of your transcript into English, you must provide an official translation of your transcript into English. You may find and select a translation service of your choice, however KAUST is unable to provide referrals. Any costs associated with a translation will be your responsibility. It is preferable that your college or university provides an English translation of your official transcript if possible.

For more information about the English language requirements please visit https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/how-to-apply/entry-requirements and under Application Requirements, select the English Language tab.

Yes, you still need to provide an official English language test score.

Yes. Even if your previous studies were conducted entirely in English, you are still required to submit an official English language test score. The only exception is if you earned your degree from an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or if you have previously completed a degree taken at KAUST’s campus in Thuwal.

Yes, you may submit your application without an English test score. However, if admitted, you must provide results that meet our minimum requirements before enrolment. We will contact you to advise how and when to upload your English language test scores if your application progresses to the relevant stage.

Unfortunately KAUST is not able to provide waivers to our English proficiency requirements, nor are we able to pay the costs associated with the English language proficiency exam.

No. Submission of a GRE General Test or PGAT score is not required as part of the KAUST application. However, a strong score may enhance your application. Applicants who upload a valid, official GRE General Test or PGAT score report with their application will also receive an application fee waiver. To be eligible, the score report must be valid and uploaded at the time of application submission.

There is no cost to submit an application to study at KAUST.

KAUST will release your results as soon as a final admissions decision is made. We do not have a decision release schedule, however, we endeavor to provide timely decisions as quickly as possible. 

You can only submit 1 application at a time to KAUST. If you are unsuccessful applying for one year, you will be able to re-apply the next year. Additionally, you are only able to apply to one academic program per year.

You cannot change your application after submission unless we contact you for additional information. To avoid any disadvantage during the review process, we advise you to carefully review your application before submitting it.

For more information about references please visit https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/how-to-apply/entry-requirements and under Application Requirements, select the References tab.

You can check the status of your application by logging into the admissions portal.

Please refer to the How to Apply > Admission Timeline.

You do not need a faculty advisor before applying. Upon submission, M.S./Ph.D and Ph.D. applications will be reviewed by KAUST Admissions staff. Well-qualified candidates will be forwarded to faculty who may contact them to discuss their suitability for the program and research at KAUST.

No, you do not need to contact faculty members before applying. In the application, M.S./Ph.D and Ph.D. applicants can list the faculty members they are most interested in working with. Faculty members may then reach out to some well-qualified candidates to discuss their suitability for the program and research at KAUST.

All admission decisions are final and will not be reconsidered. Due to the high volume of applications we receive each year, KAUST is unable to provide individual feedback or comments on specific applications or selection outcomes.

Admitted students receive the KAUST Fellowship, which covers the entire cost of your tuition in addition to providing accommodation, health insurance, and relocation assistance, and more. Benefits may vary if you are being admitted through a partnership or sponsorship agreement.

There is no separate application for the KAUST Fellowship. All admitted students automatically receive the KAUST Fellowship, except those funded through specific partnerships or externally sponsored programs. If you are admitted, the details of the KAUST Fellowship will be outlined in your offer letter.

Students who have scholarships that provide supplementary support such as for travel to a conference or the purchase of a computer, are eligible for a KAUST Fellowship. More substantive costs such as tuition, relocation and living costs should be declared to the University as soon as it is confirmed so that we can consider whether it affects KAUST Fellowship benefits. Students who are sponsored by other universities, companies, or other sources are welcome to apply, however, if admitted, they will not receive the KAUST Fellowship in addition to their external sponsorship.

No, these costs are not covered by the Fellowship.

Students are generally encouraged to apply for a Ph.D. program if they have an appropriate MS degree. In rare cases, students may be eligible for a second MS in a different program from their first masters.

On average, our students spend around $1,320 per month, which the stipend of the KAUST Fellowship more than covers.

Our students choose to participate in many activities around KAUST and Saudi Arabia, including rock climbing, scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, and more. 

Students live in the Harbor, usually in units with private bedrooms and a shared common area and kitchen. There is also family accommodation for students who are married and/or have children living on campus with them.

KAUST is a campus university, which means that facilities are close to hand and students live together in a single community. We are a very international university and have people from many cultures living closely alongside each other. It is western in style, but in a distinct Saudi Arabian context.

Yes, though there are restrictions on how many and where they can stay. You will be provided with information about this in the Student Handbook when you arrive.

Unfortunately students are not allowed to keep or bring pets to the University.

Absolutely. Our students have access to our Core Labs during operation hours.

Yes. Our Core Labs are staffed by expert scientists and technical specialists who provide training and support to help students use advanced equipment safely and conduct their research independently. Free training is available throughout the year on the full range of equipment within our Core Labs, ensuring students have the skills and confidence to carry out their research effectively.

KAUST’s academic structure organizes interdisciplinary teams around research that applies science and technology to problems of human need, social advancement, and economic development. You can find out about our world-class faculty and individual staff interests and expertise on our staff profile page.
Click here to see a list of faculty by research area.

M.S./Ph.D. combines your admission to M.S. and Ph.D. into a single track. You'll complete all the requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs, however, you'll only have to go through the KAUST application cycle once. You can begin this once you complete an undergraduate degree.

Graduate credit hours transferred from other programs may be applied to meet any Master's requirement. Up to 9 credits worth of graduate courses taken from another university or program that are equivalent in level and content to designated courses in the degree program may be counted towards meeting the major track requirement if their equivalence is confirmed by the Graduate Chair.