KAUST and HBKU 2027 Admissions Timeline: KAUST Deadline is January 3

The Bottom Line

If you plan to enroll at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) or Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) in 2027, the earliest deadline is January 3, 2027, for KAUST's Fall 2027 master's, master's/Ph.D., and Ph.D. programs. HBKU's graduate applications opened on October 1, 2026, with a February 1, 2027 deadline for international applicants; undergraduate applications opened on September 1 and close on March 1, 2027. The KAUST website also states that over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical insurance, and relocation assistance. All dates below are sourced from the official websites of both universities, checked on October 4, 2026.

Key Dates Comparison

The KAUST website specifically notes that these dates are tentative and subject to change based on application volume. Please double-check the official website before submitting your application.

KAUST Highlights

Located in Saudi Arabia, KAUST's admissions page lists degree pathways for master's, Ph.D., and a combined master's/Ph.D. program, along with internships and short courses.

• Spring 2027 intake is for Ph.D. students only. Round 1 closed on September 27, 2026, with results released on November 8 and classes starting on January 17, 2027. If you are just starting to prepare now, you have missed this round.
• Fall 2027 intake (Round 2) is open to master's, master's/Ph.D., and Ph.D. applicants. Applications opened on September 28, 2026, and close on January 3, 2027. Results will be released on February 14, and classes start on August 29.
• The January 3 deadline falls right after the New Year's holiday, overlapping with the application season for many other universities. We recommend setting your own internal deadline for mid-December to allow time for recommendation letters, transcripts, and other materials.
• Funding: The official website states that over 90% of admitted students receive full tuition support, a monthly stipend, housing, medical insurance, and relocation assistance. Specific amounts and funding conditions are not detailed on the admissions homepage; refer to your admission letter and official website for details.
• Application materials and test requirements (e.g., language proficiency, GRE): These are not listed on the two pages we reviewed. Please refer to the Entry Requirements page on the official KAUST website.

HBKU Highlights

Located in Doha, Qatar, HBKU's website lists seven colleges: the College of Islamic Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science and Engineering, College of Law, College of Health and Life Sciences, College of Public Policy, and the College of Business and Economics.

• Graduate: Online applications opened on October 1, 2026. The deadline for international applicants is February 1, 2027. There is a separate deadline of March 15, 2027, for Qatari nationals and residents applying for funding, which does not apply to general international applicants. Please do not confuse the two.
• Undergraduate: Online applications opened on September 1, 2026, with a unified deadline of March 1, 2027, for all applicants.
• Scholarships or funding for international students: The admissions page does not specify this. Please confirm directly with the university and do not assume funding is guaranteed.
• Language and test requirements (e.g., GRE): These are not listed on the admissions page. Please refer to the specific program pages on the official HBKU website.
• Contact: For graduate admissions, email admissions@hbku.edu.qa; for undergraduate admissions, email admissions.ug@hbku.edu.qa.

Key Considerations for Chinese Students

• First, confirm if your desired program is offered, the language of instruction, and the admission requirements. Please check the specific program pages on both universities' official websites for this information.
• Prepare your language and standardized test scores early. The specific score requirements are not listed on the pages we reviewed; please refer to the official websites. We recommend checking whether your target program requires IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE before scheduling your tests, leaving time for retakes if necessary.
• Review funding options separately. The KAUST website clearly outlines the funding coverage for admitted students; the HBKU admissions page does not mention funding for international students, so be sure to ask before applying.
• Time zones and system congestion. Both universities are in the Middle East and operate on a different time zone than Beijing Time. The official websites do not specify the time zone for deadlines, so we recommend submitting your application at least a few days in advance.

Countdown Plan: Now Through March 2027

1. October (Now): Finalize your target universities and programs, and review the admission requirements on their official websites one by one. HBKU graduate and undergraduate online applications are now open, and KAUST Fall Round 2 is also open.
2. October–November: If your language test scores are not yet available, take the IELTS or TOEFL as soon as possible; prepare for the GRE concurrently if required. Contact your recommenders.
3. Mid-December: Complete your KAUST application materials as your internal deadline.
4. January 3, 2027: Deadline for KAUST Fall 2027 Round 2.
5. February 1, 2027: Deadline for HBKU graduate international applicants.
6. February 14, 2027: KAUST Round 2 results released.
7. March 1, 2027: Deadline for HBKU undergraduate applications.

Need Help?

If you are considering top universities in the Middle East and want to include them in your overall university application plan alongside schools in other countries, learn more about our University Application Planning service, or Book a one-on-one consultation. If you are not yet ready with your language or standardized test scores, check out our IELTS preparation, TOEFL preparation, and GRE preparation courses.

References

• KAUST: Admission Timelines
• KAUST: Admissions
• HBKU: Admissions