King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

The short answer

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a graduate research university in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. It offers master’s and PhD programmes and no bachelor’s degree.^[1]^[2] It opened in 2009.^[1] KAUST reports 1,741 students, 46% of them international (figures correct as at September 2024).^[2]

KAUST says that over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation assistance.^[2] Applying costs nothing.^[3] The English requirement is IELTS 7 overall with at least 6.5 in each section.^[4] We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position for KAUST.

Key facts

Official name	King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Location	Thuwal, Saudi Arabia^[5]
Type	Graduate research university of science and technology; Wikipedia calls it a public research university^[1]
Founded	2009 (inaugurated 23 September 2009)^[5]
Degrees	M.S., Ph.D., a combined Master’s/Ph.D. pathway; no bachelor’s degree^[2]
Academic divisions	Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE); Biomedical Sciences; Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE); Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)^[1]
Students	1,741, of whom 46% international and 37% female (as at September 2024)^[2]
Nationalities on campus	More than 120^[2]
Intake 2025	13,589 applications, 639 students admitted, from 58 countries; 54% international^[6]
Funding of admitted students	Over 90% receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation help^[2]
Application fee	None^[3]
English requirement	IELTS 7 overall, at least 6.5 in each section; Duolingo not accepted^[4]
QS World University Rankings 2027	Could not be confirmed^[7]
Official website	kaust.edu.sa

Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 6 November 2026.

About KAUST

KAUST describes itself as a graduate research university of science and technology. It lists Master’s and Ph.D. programmes, including the Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) Masters, and more than 120 nationalities on campus.^[1] Wikipedia gives 23 September 2009 as the inauguration date, places the university in Thuwal, and calls it a public research university.^[5] KAUST’s own pages that we read do not state a legal form.^[1]

Research and teaching are organised in four divisions: Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Science and Engineering, and Physical Science and Engineering.^[1] KAUST also runs internships and short courses, which are not degrees.^[2]

Graduate only: KAUST does not admit bachelor’s students. School leavers who want an undergraduate place in Saudi Arabia should look at other universities in the Saudi Arabia ranking.

How is KAUST ranked?

We could not confirm KAUST’s position in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The Saudi press coverage we read names King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (63rd), King Saud University (107th), King Abdulaziz University (200th) and others, but not KAUST.^[7] QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access.

KAUST reported on 16 April 2026 that it ranks among the world’s top 100 in eight subjects in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject (the article gives no edition year) and that it is first in Saudi Arabia in materials science, chemistry, natural sciences and electrical engineering.^[8] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.

What can you study at KAUST?

KAUST offers the Master’s degree (M.S.), the Ph.D. and a Master’s/Ph.D. pathway that admits students to both programmes and lets them start the Ph.D. directly after the M.S.^[2] Programmes sit in the four divisions listed above.^[1]

The Ph.D. page states a minimum residency of 3.5 years for students entering with a bachelor’s degree and 2.5 years for those entering with a master’s degree, and a maximum enrolment of five years that can be extended with approval. Some programmes may require an entrance assessment exam.^[9]

How much does KAUST cost?

KAUST’s funding model is the main reason students apply. The admissions site says that over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation assistance (figures correct as at September 2024).^[2] The admissions FAQ describes the KAUST Fellowship as covering “the entire cost of your tuition”, plus accommodation, health insurance and relocation assistance, and says the stipend “more than covers” average monthly living costs of about $1,320.^[3]

The wording matters: the over-90% figure refers to admitted students, not to all applicants, so being admitted is the hard part. In the 2025 intake, KAUST received 13,589 applications and admitted 639 students.^[6] There is no fee to submit an application.^[3] The pages we read do not state stipend amounts in SAR or USD beyond the living-cost figure above.

How do you apply to KAUST?

Apply online: create an application account, upload the required documents and submit once everything is uploaded.^[10]

Master’s: a bachelor’s degree in a subject relevant to the programme.^[4]
Ph.D.: the entry-requirements page asks for a master’s degree in a relevant subject,^[4] while the Ph.D. programme page speaks of a completed undergraduate or master’s degree in a related science area.^[9] The combined Master’s/Ph.D. pathway admits you to both programmes at once.^[2]
All applicants: a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent) and three referees. Test scores such as the GRE are not compulsory.^[4]

We give no deadlines, because they change every year. The admissions site publishes an admissions timeline; the Ph.D. page notes that applications for one year close before the next intake opens.^[10]^[9]

Which English level do you need for KAUST?

The entry-requirements page asks for IELTS 7 overall with at least 6.5 in every section, valid for two years from the test date. The Duolingo English Test is not accepted, except for visiting students.^[4] The page is undated, so confirm the score with the admissions office before you book a test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is KAUST free?

For admitted students, largely yes: KAUST says over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical coverage and relocation assistance.^[2] Applying costs nothing.^[3]

Does KAUST offer bachelor’s degrees?

No. KAUST offers Master’s and Ph.D. programmes and a combined Master’s/Ph.D. pathway.^[2]

What English score do I need for KAUST?

IELTS 7 overall with at least 6.5 in each section. The Duolingo English Test is not accepted for degree applicants.^[4]

How hard is it to get into KAUST?

In the 2025 intake KAUST received 13,589 applications and admitted 639 students.^[6]

What is KAUST’s QS ranking?

We could not confirm a QS World University Rankings 2027 position. KAUST reports eight subjects in the QS top 100 and the lead in Saudi Arabia in four subjects.^[8]