History
First opened in 2009, KAUST is a research university devoted to finding solutions to some of the world’s most pressing scientific and technological challenges. It is quickly becoming recognized as one of the world’s leading institutions, ranking #1 Top University Under 20 Years Old (A3 academic rankings 2018) and #2 Under 20 Years Old (Nature Index Young Universities 2021). In 2023, KAUST ranked #1 in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2023.
Education
KAUST offers graduate-level programs focused around 16 STEM disciplines. The Postgraduate Diploma, Masters, and PhD programs are designed to give top students the ability to learn and work alongside leading researchers in state-of-the-art facilities to gain the skills and experience necessary to have an impact on society.
For students in their 3rd/4th year of their undergraduate program or currently studying a master’s degree, KAUST offers fully funded 3 - 6 month research internships through the Visiting Students Research Program. This hands-on research program gives students exposure to working in KAUST’s labs and what life is like living on KAUST campus.
Research
KAUST is a curiosity-driven, interdisciplinary problem-solving environment, with state-of-the-art labs, distinguished faculty and talented students. With a focus on the areas of food and health, water, energy, environment and the digital domain, KAUST provides its members the platform to tackle the worlds pressing challenges.
KAUST’s 12 core labs are centrally organized, shared-user facilities that provide direct access to specialized research equipment operated by expert staff with advanced degrees in science and engineering. Core labs staff partner with researchers to collaborate on projects, fulfill service requests and train users to operate independently.
Career
A VSRP internship can help you to stand out among your peers by providing hands-on research experience, access to high-end labs, and mentorship by KAUST faculty, staff and students. Tangible outcomes of the experience include conference presentations, papers published, and participating in academic seminars and events etc.
Top reasons to study here
- State-of-the-art research and community facilities host an international community from over 120 nations.
- Learn and work alongside leading faculty while conducting research that impacts society.
- KAUST offers fully-funded internships and graduate programs. This funding covers travel expenses, housing, insurance and generous monthly stipends.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Key Statistics & Highlights
- #201 Ranking
- 17 Masters
- 45 Scholarships
- 193 Academic Staff
- 1,532 Students
- 1,026 Students (int'l)
- 551 Students (female)
- Private Institution Type
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Overview
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Scholarships
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
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King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Student Reviews & Awards
Based on 24 reviews
- 5 Star 11 Reviews
- 4 Star 8 Reviews
- 3 Star 5 Reviews
- 2 Star 0 Reviews
- 1 Star 0 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.3
- Student Diversity 4.1
- Admission Process 4.3
- Quality of Student Life 4.3
Great Scholarship Support and Environment
Yahan aapko “review” likhna hai jo university ke scholarship experience par ho. Neeche ek ready-made likh kar de raha hoon — aap bas copy-paste kar do 👇 --- 🎓 Give your review a title: Great Scholarship Support and Excellent Learning Environment --- 📝 Tell us about your experience: I am very satisfied with my study experience at this university. The scholarship program really helped me to continue my education without financial stress. The teachers are supportive, classes are well-organized, and the learning resources are easily available. I especially liked the way the university motivates students to focus on both academics and personal development. It would be great if the scholarship application process could be made even faster, but overall, I am truly thankful for the opportunity and support
A Valuable and Rewarding Study Experience
During my studies, I found the program both engaging and challenging. The curriculum was well-structured, and the professors provided clear explanations with practical examples that made even difficult topics easier to understand. I really appreciated the supportive learning environment and access to resources such as online materials and discussion forums. What stood out the most was how the courses connected theory to real-world applications, which made the learning experience more valuable. One area that could be improved is the timing of assignments and exams, as sometimes the workload felt a little overwhelming. More interactive sessions or workshops could also help students strengthen their practical skills. Overall, my study experience was very positive. I gained not only knowledge but also confidence in applying what I learned. I would recommend this program to others looking for both academic growth and practical insight.
“KAUST is great for IT and research.”
“KAUST offers a world-class research environment with excellent labs and supportive professors. The programs in IT and Computer Science are modern and innovative. The international campus provides great opportunities for learning, collaboration, and personal growth. Highly recommended for students seeking quality education and research exposure.
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | 201 | 201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Student services
The Visiting Students Research Internship Program is administered by Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment at KAUST.
To support students from our graduate programs, KAUSTs Graduate Affairs Operations team has a broad range of functions and services, designed to deliver the support framework that underpins the Admissions, Graduate Development and Services and Alumni Affairs.
Housing services
All students at KAUST share accommodation with 2-3 other students, but get their own private bedroom & bathroom and share living areas. All apartments are pre-furnished.The student apartments incorporate a distinctive blend of traditional regional architecture with modern influences and are located within walking distance to teaching, research and shopping areas.
Library services
The KAUST library offers a unique opportunity to study with a view of the Red Sea. The library is equipped with computer workstations, collaborative learning spaces, group study rooms, quiet zones, and a wellness lounge.
ICT services
We offer IT support to all students arriving at KAUST as well as providing an office space and lab safety training.
Medical services
We provide medical insurance for the entire duration of the internship. Our on-campus clinic KAUST Health offers a broad range of services that focus on a holistic approach to prevention, treatment, and follow-up for our patients. We pair highly qualified and caring medical professionals with medical technology to keep you well and provide support and treatment if you become unwell.
Campus life
Located on the shore of the Red Sea, KAUST is a 39 km2 private campus located about 1 hour north of Jeddah. Built with sustainability in mind, it is the first university campus in the world to be awarded a LEED Platinum rating.
KAUST has a medical clinic, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, fitness centers, schools, daycare centers, private beaches, water parks and even a golf course. These facilities are easy to access as the campus has been designed for walking and cycling, but there is also free on-demand community bus services.
Sports facilities
KAUST community members enjoy a wide range of sports, fitness and leisure activities, including golf, watersports, boat trips, fitness classes, sports coaching, and a cinema.
3 sports clubs offer access to swimming pools, gyms, sports arenas, squash and tennis courts, a rock-climbing wall, indoor children’s soft play areas, bowling alley, outdoor football fields and sports tracks. There is also a comprehensive fitness class and sports club schedule.
KAUST’s Golf Club offers mini-golf, a driving range, and a 9-hole golf course, while the Water Sports and Diving Center provide boat trips, fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving.Student clubs
A wide range of student groups have been set up at KAUST from a chess, and origami clubs to scuba diving and cycling clubs. KAUST runs a Student Life office, supporting students setting up new groups or helping students connect through regular community activities.