KFUPM Graduate Scholarship 2026

Overview

The King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Graduate Scholarship 2026 is a fully funded place for local and international students who want to do a Master of Science (MS) or PhD in Saudi Arabia. KFUPM is one of the leading research universities in the Arab world, strong in engineering, the sciences, computing and business. Graduate applicants with strong academic records can be admitted as full-time scholarship students, with funding that lets them focus on their studies and research.

There's no separate scholarship form. The award comes through the regular graduate admissions process. When you apply to a programme, you're automatically considered for funding based on your academic record, your research potential, and the assessment of the department and the Deanship of Graduate Studies. Many scholarship students also work as Research Assistants (RA-MS or RA-PhD), getting hands-on experience in active research groups and a stipend with it. In practice that means the strength of your admission file does double duty: it decides both whether you get in and whether you're funded.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Host university: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)
• Host country: Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
• Degree levels: Master of Science (MS, thesis-based) and PhD (including Direct-Entry PhD)
• Funding type: Fully funded scholarship / research assistantship
• Who can apply: Local and international applicants from all countries
• Minimum GPA: 3.00 on a 4.00 scale (for scholarship students)
• Tuition: Fully covered (no tuition fees)
• Application window (2026 cycle): Typically opens around late May and closes around 30 June 2026 — confirm exact dates on the portal

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for a fully funded place, you generally need to meet the following. Thresholds vary by programme and department, so check the current criteria for your programme on the official admissions portal.

• Hold a four-year Bachelor's degree (for MS applicants) or a relevant Master's degree (for most PhD applicants) from a recognised institution, with a major in your field or a suitable academic background.
• Have a GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale, or equivalent, for scholarship consideration.
• Meet English-language requirements. Reported minimums include TOEFL iBT around 68 for MS and 79 for PhD, or IELTS around 6.0 for MS and 6.5 for PhD; some programmes set their own thresholds.
• Some programmes ask for the GRE or department-specific tests — check your programme's page.
• Show research potential through your academic record, statement of purpose and letters of recommendation.

Scholarship Benefits

The scholarship is built to remove financial barriers so students can give graduate study and research their full attention. Reported benefits include:

• Full tuition coverage — no tuition fees for scholarship students.
• Monthly stipend / living allowance — paid by category (MS or PhD); the university sets the amount.
• Free furnished, air-conditioned on-campus housing, including utilities and maintenance.
• Medical and dental care and access to university health services.
• Free textbooks and subsidised meals on campus.
• Air tickets for international students — reported to cover travel to Saudi Arabia and a return ticket on completion.
• Research Assistantship opportunities with additional stipends and research experience.
• Access to libraries, research centres, recreational facilities, and conference support (conditional).

For Direct-Entry PhD programmes (typically five years), the full scholarship is reported to cover the first four years, so plan ahead for how the fifth year is funded if your work runs that long.

How to Apply

Everything is submitted online through the KFUPM graduate admissions portal. There's no separate scholarship application — admitted strong applicants are considered for funding automatically. The general steps:

• Go to the official KFUPM graduate admissions portal and create an applicant account.
• Choose your programme (MS or PhD) and academic term.
• Complete the online form with your academic and personal details.
• Upload all required documents (see below).
• Submit before the deadline. Your department and the Deanship of Graduate Studies review your file and decide on admission and funding.

Required Documents

Requirements vary by programme, but you'll usually be asked for the following. Confirm the full checklist on the portal before submitting.

• Completed online application form.
• Official academic transcripts and degree certificate(s).
• Proof of English-language proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS), where required.
• GRE scores, if your programme requires them.
• A statement of purpose or research interest.
• Two or more letters of recommendation.
• An up-to-date CV / resume.
• A copy of your passport (for international applicants).

Important Dates & Deadlines

KFUPM runs graduate admissions in defined cycles. For the 2026 intake, the window has been reported to open in late May and close around 30 June 2026. Decisions follow the review of each cycle. Dates change by year and term, so confirm the current deadline directly on the official admissions portal before you apply.

• Application opens: Around late May 2026 (confirm on portal)
• Application deadline: Around 30 June 2026 (confirm on portal)
• Decisions: After departmental and Deanship review of the cycle

Tips for a Strong Application

• Apply early. Don't wait for the final day, when the portal gets busy.
• Match your statement of purpose to the department's research strengths and name potential supervisors.
• Highlight research output — publications, projects, theses or technical work — that shows you're ready for graduate research.
• Ask recommenders who know your academic and research abilities well, and give them time.
• Make sure your GPA conversion and English scores clearly meet the published minimums, and provide official documents.
• Proofread everything and keep document scans clear and complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the scholarship open to international students? Yes. Applicants from all countries may apply, and international students get extras such as air tickets.

Do I need to apply separately for the scholarship? No. You apply to the programme, and strong applicants are considered for funding automatically.

What GPA do I need? A minimum of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is reported for scholarship students.

Is the scholarship available for course-only Master's degrees? The full scholarship mainly targets thesis-based MS and PhD students; Research Assistantships (RA-MS) may also provide support. Check your programme.

What language is instruction in? KFUPM teaches in English.

Related Scholarships

• King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Fellowship, Saudi Arabia
• American University of Beirut (AUB) Scholarships, Lebanon
• Qatar University Graduate Assistantships, Qatar
• Khalifa University Scholarships, United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Government (KSA) Scholarships for international students