skip to main content

Ph.D. Degree

The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare students for research careers in academia and industry. At KAUST exceptional students are paired with leading faculty from around the world to work on some of the most challenging problems facing humanity today. This removes the inference that we do the matching, and replaces it with a new inference that only exceptional students get paired with our best faculty.

Through this program, our students have the opportunity to work side-by-side with world renowned faculty on real-world projects, access to leading-edge tools, and learn in-demand techniques from many different disciplines. With access to our state-of-the-art equipment and facilities – including one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world -  KAUST the ideal environment to take the next step in your career.

We offer a Ph.D. across 16 different subjects which are 4 years in duration (eight Semesters and four Summer Sessions).”

Key information

Study Duration:4 years
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.

Find Out More

State-of-the-art Research Facilities

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

Find Out More

Live in a Diverse, International Community

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

Find Out More

Program Outcomes

When you earn a Ph.D., you're not just earning a degree—you're also earning a spot among an exclusive cohort of individuals who have the skills and knowledge needed to solve the world's most important problems.

A Ph.D. from KAUST opens doors in all kinds of industries: from research labs and consulting firms to pharmaceutical companies and government agencies. Our alumni have gone on to do amazing things at places like Google, Tesla, and Saudi Aramco. With the persistence, ambition, and motivation needed to achieve a Ph.D., you’ll be among a prestigious group of individuals who support each other with opportunities and inspiration. 

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 has been benchmarked against some of the world's leading universities, reflecting the quality of education and state-of-the-art academic environment you’ll have access to. To find out more about the cost of studying at KAUST please visit our Fees & Funding page.

Program Structure

The Ph.D. degree is an intensive research program designed to prepare students for esteemed careers in academia and industry. Students typically complete their PhD in eight Semesters and four Summer Sessions.

The below requirements listed below represent general university-level expectations. The specific details of specific degree requirements can be found on each discipline page.

 

Some degree programs may require an assessment entrance exam as the basis for admission, and students may be required to complete additional coursework. If the master's degree is from a subject other than the Ph.D. degree program, there may also be additional courses required and specified by the advisor. 

  • Two or more courses at the 300 level
  • Graduate seminar if required by the program

A full-time workload for Ph.D. students is twelve credit hours per semester (courses and 397) and six credit hours in summer (397 only).

Besides coursework (six or more credit hours), dissertation research (397) must be earned during the first (proposal preparation and defense) and second phases of the Ph.D. program.

The dissertation defense is the final exam of the Ph.D. degree. It involves a public presentation of the results of the dissertation research followed by a question-and-answer session.

The dissertation and defense committee consists of four members of which at least three must be KAUST faculty members and one an external examiner.

The result of the defense will be made based on the recommendation of the committee. There are four possible results:

  1. Pass: the student passes the exam, and the dissertation is accepted as submitted.
  2. Pass with revisions: the student passes the exam, and the student is advised of the revisions that must be made to the text of the dissertation.
  3. Failure with retake: normally this means the student must do more research to complete the dissertation. The student must revise the dissertation and give another oral examination within six months from the date of the first defense.
  4. Failure: the student does not pass the exam, the dissertation is not accepted, the degree is not awarded, and the student is dismissed from the University.

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 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

"KAUST is a compact city exuding Southern California charm dedicated for scientific research and resident well-being, fostering an environment where inhabitants can fully focus on impactful scientific."

Bilal Maassarani Ph.D. Electrical & Computer Engineering, Canada

"KAUST embodies 'It takes a village to raise a child,' providing us with a supportive unique ecosystem and world class facilities. "

Yousef Algoos Ph.D Mechanical Engineering, Saudi Arabia

"KAUST opened my eyes to a lot of new and state-of-the-art research opportunities that could be done here. High-quality of research facilities, specialized labs, and available equipment is fascinating."

Maria Alejandra Perea Barreto Ph.D. Earth Science and Engineering, Colombia

Bilal Maassarani

KAUST is a compact city exuding Southern California charm dedicated for scientific research and resident well-being, fostering an environment where inhabitants can fully focus on impactful scientific.

Yousef Algoos

KAUST embodies 'It takes a village to raise a child,' providing us with a supportive unique ecosystem and world class facilities.

Maria Alejandra Perea Barreto

KAUST opened my eyes to a lot of new and state-of-the-art research opportunities that could be done here. High-quality of research facilities, specialized labs, and available equipment is fascinating.

Visit us Virtually

Explore our campus with our 360 degree virtual tour of the University.

Find Out More