Saudi Arabia funds two very different tracks for international students: a research-focused fellowship at a single elite university, and a nationwide government scholarship open across dozens of faculties and degree levels. Both are fully funded — tuition, stipend, housing, and health insurance included. Here's each one broken down, followed by a side-by-side comparison.
1. KAUST Fellowship
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology is a graduate-only research university on the Red Sea coast, funding MS and PhD study across 17 programmes with no separate scholarship application — admission itself carries the funding.
| Programmes offered | Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Bioengineering, Bioscience, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science & Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Energy Resources & Petroleum Engineering, Environmental Science & Engineering, Marine Science, Material Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plant Science, Statistics, Technology Innovation & Entrepreneurship |
| Tuition/bench fee | Up to $35,000/year, fully covered |
| MS stipend | $20,000/year (~$1,670/month) |
| PhD stipend | $25,000–$30,000/year, based on qualifications and progress |
| Entry requirement | Bachelor's (for MS) or Master's (for PhD) from a recognized institution |
| GPA | 3.0/4.0 minimum; 90% of admitted students score above 3.3 |
| Documents | Transcripts, CV, statement of purpose, 3 referee contacts, English test score, passport copy, 200 SAR fee |
| 2027 entry | Applications open mid-August |
2. King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Scholarship
KAU's fully funded scholarship targets non-Saudi students living outside the Kingdom, without a Saudi residency permit, across Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, and diploma levels in over two dozen faculties.
| Faculty groups | Health (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing), Scientific & Applied (Engineering, Computing, Sciences, Architecture, Earth & Marine Sciences), Literary (Arts, Law, Education, Media), plus a full Rabigh Branch campus |
| Benefits | Tuition waiver, monthly stipend, arrival allowance, healthcare, subsidized meals, thesis printing allowance, graduation shipping allowance, annual round-trip airfare |
| Eligibility | Non-Saudi, residing outside KSA, no active Saudi residency permit |
| Age limit | Under 30 (Master's), under 35 (PhD) |
| Academic requirement | Qualification recognized in home country, minimum "Very Good" grade |
| English requirement | IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL CBT 173, or TOEFL PBT 500 |
| Other requirements | 2 academic recommendation letters, good conduct, medical fitness, no prior dismissal from a Saudi institution |
3. Why Saudi Arabia Is Becoming a Tech & Engineering Study Destination
KAUST now ranks #11 worldwide in the QS Engineering & Technology subject rankings for 2026, and holds Saudi Arabia's top spot in materials science, chemistry, and electrical engineering. That's backed by real money: Saudi's tech and telecom sector hit $132 billion in 2024 — the largest and fastest-growing in the region — while the digital economy now makes up about 15% of national GDP. Vision 2030 is also targeting a top-15 global AI ranking and training over 20,000 new AI specialists, which is pulling fresh research funding, faculty, and lab investment into engineering and computer science programmes specifically.
4. Quick Comparison
| Feature | KAUST Fellowship | KAU Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Degree levels | MS, PhD only | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Diploma |
| Fields | 17 STEM & applied science programmes | 27+ faculties incl. medicine, engineering, law, arts |
| Tuition & bench fee | Fully covered (worth up to $35,000/yr) | Fully covered |
| Monthly stipend | ~$1,670/mo (MS); ~$2,080–$2,500/mo (PhD) | Monthly stipend (amount set per academic year) |
| Housing | Shared or 2-bed (married) on campus, included | Subject to availability, included |
| Health insurance | Included for student + eligible dependents | Included |
| Travel support | Visa, relocation & travel costs covered | Arrival allowance + annual round-trip airfare home |
| Min. GPA | 3.0 / 4.0 (typically 3.3+ admitted) | "Very Good" or equivalent |
| Age limit | 18+, no upper cap stated | Under 30 (Master's), under 35 (PhD) |
| English requirement | Proficiency test required (see program) | IELTS 5.0 / TOEFL iBT 61 |
| Application fee | 200 SAR | None stated |
| 2027 entry applications open | Mid-August | Check current cycle on KAU's portal |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia for international students?
The two most competitive fully funded options are the KAUST Fellowship (MS/PhD only) and the King Abdulaziz University scholarship (Bachelor's through PhD, open to non-resident international applicants).
Do these scholarships cover tuition and living costs?
Yes. Both are fully funded: full tuition waiver, a monthly stipend, accommodation, health insurance, and relocation or travel support.
What GPA is required for KAUST?
A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale, though most admitted applicants score above 3.3, and 75% score above 3.5.
Is there an age limit for the King Abdulaziz University scholarship?
Yes. Applicants must not exceed 30 years of age for Master's programmes or 35 years for PhD programmes at the time of application.
What English test scores are accepted for KAU?
IELTS 5.0, TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL CBT 173, or TOEFL PBT 500.
Official Resources
- KAUST Admissions: admissions.kaust.edu.sa
- King Abdulaziz University: kau.edu.sa
Free Tools
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