KAUST Fellowship for Pakistani Students: Up to US$30,000 a Year, Apply for Fall 2027 by 3 January
KAUST's Fall 2027 round closes 3 January 2027. Its fellowship gives full tuition, free housing and US$20,000 to US$30,000 a year. See what Pakistanis need.
Short answer: Pakistani graduates can apply to KAUST in Saudi Arabia for a master's or PhD starting in Fall 2027 until 3 January 2027, in round 2. Admitted students usually get the KAUST Fellowship: full tuition worth up to US$35,000 a year, a stipend of US$20,000 a year for master's students or US$25,000 to US$30,000 for PhD students, plus housing, medical cover and relocation.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university at Thuwal, on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. It is one of the few places where a funded science or engineering degree comes with free housing as standard. We read KAUST's admissions timeline, entry requirements and fees and funding pages on 20 October 2026. Here is what a Pakistani applicant needs for the KAUST Fellowship, and the date that matters.
KAUST's Fall 2027 round 2 closes on 3 January 2027
Applications for Fall 2027 entry to the MS, MS/PhD and PhD opened on 28 September 2026 and close on 3 January 2027. KAUST plans to release decisions on 25 February 2027. The fall semester starts on 29 August 2027. KAUST calls all these dates tentative.
| Intake | Round | Deadline | Decisions | Term starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2027, MS, MS/PhD and PhD | Round 2 | 3 January 2027 | 25 February 2027 | 29 August 2027 |
| Spring 2027, PhD only | Round 1 | 27 September 2026, closed | 19 November 2026 | 17 January 2027 |
The timeline page gives no time zone for the deadline. Saudi Arabia is two hours behind Pakistan, so submitting by the evening of 2 January in Pakistan keeps you safe. The page also warns that dates "may change based on application volume", so check it again in December.
The KAUST Fellowship pays up to US$30,000 a year
KAUST says over 90 per cent of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation help. Tuition and bench fees are covered, worth up to US$35,000 a year. The stipend is US$20,000 a year for master's students and US$25,000 to US$30,000 for PhD students.
By our division, that is about US$1,667 a month for a master's student and about US$2,083 to US$2,500 a month for a PhD student. The PhD amount depends on qualifications and academic progress.
Housing is base accommodation on campus: a shared room for single students and a two bedroom unit for married students. Health insurance covers students and eligible dependants living on campus. KAUST pays for the visa, relocation and travel for the first move and the return home after graduation.
One warning from KAUST itself: some students with external sponsorship or funding may not be eligible for the fellowship. If you hold an HEC or employer scholarship, ask KAUST how it affects you before you accept either.
You need a 3.0 GPA and IELTS 7 for KAUST
KAUST asks for a relevant bachelor's degree for a master's and a relevant master's degree for a PhD, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale or equivalent. For English, it accepts IELTS at 7 overall with 6.5 in every section, among other tests. Duolingo is not accepted.
- IELTS: 7 overall, at least 6.5 in each section.
- TOEFL iBT: KAUST lists 5 overall with at least 4.5 in each section. Ask KAUST how this maps to your score report if it uses the older 0 to 120 scale.
- PTE Academic: 71 overall, at least 67 in each section.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 185 overall, at least 176 in each section.
A Pakistani degree does not exempt you. The exemption covers degrees completed in person in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand, or an earlier KAUST degree. GRE scores are optional, though a strong score can help. Check your university is HEC recognised before converting your grades.
Prepare six documents and three referees
The application needs transcripts, a CV, a statement of purpose of about 750 words, the contact details of three referees, an English test score if you have one, and a clear copy of your passport photo page. Every document must be in English.
- Pick your programme and check it is open for Fall 2027.
- Book IELTS or another accepted test now, so the result arrives before 3 January.
- Collect official transcripts, translated into English if needed.
- Write a statement of purpose of about 750 words on your background, plans and why this programme.
- Ask three referees to agree, and enter their contact details in the application.
- Upload your CV and passport photo page, then submit by 2 January in Pakistan.
The entry requirements page does not state an application fee, and we did not find one on the fees and funding page either. If the portal asks for a payment, note the amount before you pay.
Compare KAUST with other funded options this winter
KAUST's deadline falls after several others. The OIST PhD in Japan closes on 15 November, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship on 1 December, and MBZUAI in Abu Dhabi on 15 December. Applying to two or three is normal for a funded science degree.
KAUST's package differs in one way: base housing is included rather than paid from the stipend. When you compare offers, add the cost of rent to the other stipends before you decide which pays more.
Common questions
What is the KAUST deadline for Fall 2027?
3 January 2027, for round 2 of MS, MS/PhD and PhD applications. KAUST says the date is tentative and may change.
How much is the KAUST Fellowship stipend?
US$20,000 a year for master's students and US$25,000 to US$30,000 a year for PhD students, depending on qualifications and progress.
Does KAUST give free housing?
Yes. Base accommodation on campus is included: a shared room for single students and a two bedroom unit for married students. Upgrades cost extra.
What IELTS score does KAUST need?
IELTS 7 overall with at least 6.5 in each section. KAUST does not accept Duolingo, except for Visiting Student applicants.
Is GRE required for KAUST?
No. KAUST says test scores are not compulsory, though a strong score may help your application.
When will KAUST announce Fall 2027 decisions?
KAUST plans to release round 2 decisions on 25 February 2027.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read KAUST's admission timelines, entry requirements and fees and funding pages on 20 October 2026. The monthly stipend figures and the Pakistan time advice are our own arithmetic. We could not find the deadline's time zone or an application fee, and the TOEFL figure is as KAUST printed it, so confirm both with KAUST.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
