KAUST — Master’s / Ph.D. Pathway

Master's / Ph.D. skip to main content Apply FAQs Partnerships Contact About KAUST Life at KAUST Leading Faculty Research Facilities Student Accommodation Virtual Tour Cost of Living KAUSTs Location Study Programs of Study Master's Degree Ph.D. Degree Master’s / Ph.D. Internships Special Programs Connect With KAUST Webinar Series Events & Visits Recruitment Team How to Apply Entry Requirements Admission Process Admission Timeline Fees & Funding Onboarding Search KAUST course directory When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. MS / Ph.D. Pathway Home Study Master’s / Ph.D. If you've just completed your bachelor's degree (or will by the start of the term for which you’re applying) and you’re committed to a research career, consider the MS/Ph.D. pathway at KAUST. This option allows you to earn both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in the normal way without needing to reapply for the Ph.D. program, as long as you meet the progression requirements. You'll benefit from greater certainty in your academic journey and can build strong relationships within your field. Not all of our degree programs offer the MS/Ph.D. pathway, but we see many students in those programs continue on to get their Ph.D. at KAUST after completing their master’s here. Visit our Study Options Page to see which degree programs offer the MS/Ph.D. pathway. Our MS and Ph.D. programs span 17 subjects and are fully funded, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies. Due to high competition, strong academic performance is essential, and we encourage you to apply early. Key information Study Duration: 5.5 to 6 years Costs: Read more Entry requirements: Read more Application deadlines: Read more Programs Apply Program Benefits Work with Leading Faculty At KAUST, you’ll have the opportunity to learn, work, and live alongside some of the best minds in their field. Find Out More State-of-the-art Research Facilities Get access to cutting-edge facilities, equipment, expertise, and training. Find Out More Live in a Diverse, International Community Join an international community of scholars and scientists living and working together in an all-inclusive campus. Find Out More Program Outcomes A Ph.D. from KAUST opens doors in all kinds of industries including research labs, consulting firms, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and academic postdoctoral and faculty roles. Our alumni have excelled at prestigious organizations like Google, Tesla, and Saudi Aramco. By cultivating the persistence, ambition, and motivation required for a Ph.D., you will join a distinguished community that supports each other with opportunities and inspiration. Entry Requirements We’re looking for exceptional students from around the world to join us on our mission to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. To find out more about our entry requirements and how applications are evaluated, please visit our entry requirements page . Cost of Study The cost of our graduate programs reflects the world-class education and advanced academic environment at KAUST. However, all admitted MS and PhD students receive the fully-funded KAUST Fellowship, which covers tuition fees, housing, health insurance, relocation support, and more. This ensures students can focus on their studies without financial concerns. To learn more about the cost of study and the details of the KAUST Fellowship, please visit our Fees & Funding page . *Some students with external sponsorship or funding may not be eligible for the KAUST Fellowship Program Structure The program structure for the MS / Ph.D. pathway follows that for the MS and Ph.D. programs. Student Stories "I’m doing fascinating research with stem cells. The courses so far have all been amazing, but the laboratory experience, while demanding, is on another level." Fotios Kefalas MS/PhD Bioscience, Greece "KAUST equipped me with various cutting-edge hard and soft skills such as mathematical epidemiological model…