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Master's Degree

KAUST’s Master of Science (MS) degree is an opportunity for you to deepen your academic interests and enhance your skills for a career in industry or further study with a PhD. Our MS programs are taught in a research-intensive environment, exposing you to globally impactful projects.

 You can choose from 17 subjects, with options for a 1.5-year non-thesis track or a 2-year thesis track. The interdisciplinary curriculum ensures you gain broad insights while specializing in your field.

Unlike many other MS programs, ours is fully funded, allowing you to dedicate yourself fully to your studies. Competition for places in our MS programs is high, so academically strong applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Key information

Study Duration:MS 1.5 years (2 years with thesis)
Costs:Read more
Entry requirements:Read more
Application deadlines:Read more
Programs Apply

Program Benefits

Work with Leading Faculty

At KAUST, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, work, and live alongside some of the best minds in their field.

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State-of-the-art Research Facilities

Get access to cutting-edge facilities, equipment, expertise, and training.

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Live in a Diverse, International Community

Join an international community of scholars and scientists living and working together in an all-inclusive campus.

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Program Outcomes

Graduates of the master’s program leave with a deep knowledge and understanding of their field, as well as gaining a broad range of skills that can be applied in many different industries. Our graduates have gone on to work in fields ranging from business consulting to oil & gas engineering, marketing & communications to biomedical research, from product development at top tech companies like Google and Tesla to careers in government service and nonprofit management.

For students interested in pursuing a career in research and academia, the exposure to leading faculty and cutting-edge research facilities ensures that the master’s program also sets graduates up with an ideal pathway to the Ph.D. Degree at KAUST or other leading universities around the world. 

Entry Requirements

We’re looking for exceptional students from around the world to join us on our mission to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. To find out more about our entry requirements and how applications are evaluated, please visit our entry requirements page.

 

Cost of Study

The cost of our Master’s program reflects the world-class education and advanced academic environment at KAUST. However, all admitted master’s students* receive the fully-funded KAUST Fellowship, which covers tuition fees, housing, health insurance, relocation support, and more. This ensures students can focus on their studies without financial concerns. To learn more about the cost of study and the details of the KAUST Fellowship, please visit our Fees & Funding page.

*Some students with external sponsorship or funding may not be eligible for the KAUST Fellowship

Program Structure

The master’s degree program is a 36-credit program with an option to complete a thesis. Students are expected to complete the program in three semesters and one summer session.

Each program has a specific set of courses that fit within the below requirements. For a list of these courses, please visit your chosen discipline page.

The programs course requirements are divided into three sections:

  • Core Curriculum (9-15 credits): This portion of the degree program is designed to provide a student with the background needed to establish a solid foundation in the discipline over and above undergraduate studies.
  • Elective Curriculum (9-15 credits): This portion of the degree program is designed to allow each student to tailor his/her educational experience to meet individual research and educational objectives. Depending upon the program and the objectives, this may be met by added coursework or by additional research experience.
  • Research/Capstone Experience (12 credits): The details of this portion of the degree program are also uniquely determined by the student and his/her academic advisor and will involve a combination of research and other capstone experiences that build on the knowledge gained in coursework.

At least 36 degree credits must be completed in graduate-level courses and research projects. These courses should be 200-level or above and must be approved by the academic advisor. 

The Master’s program is available to students with an option for a thesis.

Thesis option

Students pursuing the thesis option must apply by the eighth week of their second semester. Thesis students are expected to conduct research and compose the thesis during the summer and subsequent fall semester.

A minimum of six credits of thesis research (297) is required, although it is expected that a student will enroll in twelve credits of M.S. thesis work. With permission of the academic advisor, a student who enrolls in only six credits of thesis research may use one of the following options to earn the six remaining credits of degree requirements:

  • ​Internship: Research-based summer internship (295). Students are only allowed to take one internship.
  • Broadening-Experience Courses: Courses that broaden a student's M.S. experience.
  • Ph.D. Level Courses: Courses numbered 300 or greater. 

Students are permitted to register in more than twelve credits of M.S. thesis research as necessary and with the permission of the academic advisor.

Committee Structure and Thesis Defense

A committee comprised of the academic advisor and two other faculty members performs the evaluation of satisfactory completion of the thesis.

The evaluation of master’s thesis credits comprises of a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade and at the discretion of the student’s academic advisor, may also require the work to be presented at a public seminar.

Non-thesis option

A minimum of six credits of directed research credits (299) is required. If approved by the student’s academic advisor, a research-based summer internship may be used to fulfill the research requirement.

Students must complete the remaining credits through one or a combination of the options listed below:

  • ​Broadening-Experience Courses: Courses that broaden a student's experience.
  • Ph.D. Level Courses: Courses numbered 300 or greater. 
  • Internship: Research-based summer internship (295). Students are only allowed to take one internship.
A student might be able to also combine courses to satisfy the six-credit requirement. For example, a student could take one Ph.D.-level course and one graduate-level course in another program.

Program-Specific Requirements

Please note that individual programs may have additional (or in some cases different) requirements to those indicated on these pages.

Winter Enrichment Program

​​Hosted annually in January, the Winter Enrichment Program (WEP) is an academic, entrepreneurial, and cultural interlude session in KAUST's academic calendar whose primary purpose is to enrich and inspire the students beyond their normal academic curriculum.

Students are required to satisfactorily complete at least one full Winter Enrichment Program.

You can find out more at the Winter Enrichment Program website.

Student Stories

"Because there are only a handful of places in the world where you can accomplish the research done in KAUST. Not to mention it's beautiful."

Axel Mendoza Ortiz MS Material Science and Engineering, Mexico

"I choose to study at KAUST because studying here is like being on a conference. This university is a cultural melting pot providing a stepping stone to connect to the world "

Pauline Falkenberg MS Material Science and Engineering, Germany

"KAUST is a vibrant hub of innovation where brilliant minds collaborate, pushing boundaries to shape a better future."

Wejdan Alosaimi MS Material Science and Engineering, Saudi Arabia

"KAUST is a vibrant, multicultural university offering an enriching environment. With cutting-edge facilities, it's been a space for my academic and personal growth."

Aaron Pantoja Angles MS Bioengineering, Mexico

Axel Mendoza Ortiz

Because there are only a handful of places in the world where you can accomplish the research done in KAUST. Not to mention it's beautiful.

Pauline Falkenberg

I choose to study at KAUST because studying here is like being on a conference. This university is a cultural melting pot providing a stepping stone to connect to the world

Wejdan Alosaimi

KAUST is a vibrant hub of innovation where brilliant minds collaborate, pushing boundaries to shape a better future.

Aaron Pantoja Angles

KAUST is a vibrant, multicultural university offering an enriching environment. With cutting-edge facilities, it's been a space for my academic and personal growth.

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