Direct Answer
KAUST is the one major Saudi scholarship Pakistani students apply to outside the Ministry portal, through admissions.kaust.edu.sa. Fall 2027 applications for MS, MS/PhD and PhD close 3 January 2027. Spring 2027 is PhD-only and closes 27 September 2026. Every admitted student receives the KAUST Fellowship, worth USD 70,000 to 80,000 a year. KAUST does not accept Medium of Instruction letters.
KAUST runs entirely separately from the Ministry of Education route. Applying through the Study in Saudi portal guide does not register you at KAUST. For the full picture across every route, see our guide to fully funded scholarships in Saudi Arabia for Pakistani students.
What are the KAUST deadlines for 2027 entry?
Two intakes are live, and they are open to different degree levels:
- Spring 2027 Intake (PhD only): Round 1 deadline of 27 September 2026, decisions released 8 November 2026, semester starts 17 January 2027.
- Fall 2027 Intake (MS, MS/PhD & PhD): Round 2 opens 28 September 2026, closes 3 January 2027, decisions released 14 February 2027, semester starts 29 August 2027.
KAUST notes that these dates are tentative and may change based on application volume. Check the official timeline page before relying on any date.
Which KAUST intake should a Pakistani applicant target?
Fall 2027, in most cases. Spring 2027 closes on 27 September 2026 and accepts PhD applicants only, which rules out the majority of Pakistani applicants coming from a bachelor's degree. Fall 2027 gives you until 3 January 2027 and accepts all three programme types.
- Pakistani BS / BSc graduates (4-year degree): Apply for MS or combined MS/PhD in Fall 2027.
- Pakistani MS / MPhil graduates: Direct PhD entry is open to you. (KAUST requires a Master's in a relevant subject and does not treat professional Master's as directly equivalent).
- No IELTS score yet?: Target Fall 2027 and book your IELTS test immediately. The January deadline leaves time; September does not.
What does the KAUST Fellowship actually cover?
Every admitted student receives the KAUST Fellowship automatically. It includes:
- 100% Tuition & Bench Fees: Worth up to USD 35,000 / year.
- Monthly Living Allowance: USD 20,000 / year (MS) or USD 25,000–30,000 / year (PhD).
- Housing & Healthcare: Free furnished on-campus housing & health insurance for student and dependents.
- Relocation Support: Covers initial visa and flight costs to Saudi Arabia upon entry.
⚠️ External Funding Warning: Students with external sponsorship (e.g. Pakistani government or employer scholarships) may not be eligible for the fellowship. Ask KAUST in writing before accepting both.
Does a Pakistani student need IELTS for KAUST?
Yes. KAUST requires IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in every individual section (or PTE 71 / Cambridge 185). Scores are valid for 2 years.
- Medium of Instruction (MOI) Letters: Pakistani university MOI letters are rejected.
- Duolingo English Test: Not accepted for degree programs.
- TOEFL MyBest & IELTS One Skill Retake: Not accepted.
- Pakistani English-medium Degree Exemptions: Test waivers apply ONLY to degrees physically completed in US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
What GPA does KAUST expect from a Pakistani transcript?
The minimum permitted GPA is 3.0 / 4.0, but 90% of admitted applicants are above 3.3 and 75% are above 3.5.
Pakistani transcripts issued in percentages or divisions must include the institution's official grading scale printed on the document. If your university transcript omits it, request a grading-scheme letter from your controller of examinations before uploading.
What does the KAUST application require?
- Statement of Purpose (~750 words): Academic background, research interest, and target KAUST research group.
- 3 Referee Recommendations: Must use official academic or institutional email addresses. Gmail/Yahoo emails are rejected! Reference requests trigger immediately upon entry.
- Transcripts & CV: Official transcripts and academic CV in English.
- Attestation: You do NOT need HEC/MOFA attestation at application stage. See our document attestation checklist for Pakistani applicants.
- GRE Fee Waiver: Uploading a valid GRE or PGAT score waives the KAUST application fee.
Mistakes that cost Pakistani applicants a KAUST place
- Submitting an MOI letter in place of IELTS (Rejected outright).
- Assuming 6.5 IELTS is enough (Bar is 7.0 overall, 6.5 per band).
- Giving referees' personal Gmail/Yahoo addresses.
- Entering referee details late (requests go out immediately).
- Uploading a transcript without a printed CGPA grading scale.
- Applying for Spring 2027 from a bachelor's degree (PhD only).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does KAUST accept a Medium of Instruction letter instead of IELTS?
No. KAUST does not accept Medium of Instruction certificates as evidence of English proficiency. Pakistani MOI letters carry no weight in a KAUST application.
What IELTS score does a Pakistani student need for KAUST?
IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in every individual section. PhD applicants with 6.5 may receive conditional admission with required English coursework.
Does an English-medium Pakistani degree exempt me from the KAUST English test?
No. Test waivers apply strictly to degrees physically completed in US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
What GPA does KAUST require?
Minimum 3.0 / 4.0, though 75% of admitted students are above 3.5 CGPA.
Is there an application fee for KAUST?
KAUST waives the application fee if you upload a valid official GRE or PGAT score report at submission.
Do I need my documents attested to apply to KAUST?
Not at application stage. KAUST accepts unofficial transcripts for initial review.
Applying for Fall 2027? Start now, not in December
Send us your transcript and target programme and we will tell you where the gaps are. Free of charge.
We cannot submit your KAUST application or guarantee admission. KAUST charges its own fee, waived with a valid GRE or PGAT score.
Sources & Official Guidelines
- KAUST — Admission Timeline
- KAUST — Entry Requirements
- KAUST — Fees & Funding
- Study in Saudi portal — separate Ministry route
Written by Hamza Tahire, Lead KSA Education Specialist. Requirements checked against KAUST admissions in September 2026.