SAUDI ARABIA · DHAHRAN
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
public · Founded 1963 · Languages: en
In short
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is a leading Saudi science and technology university offering over 90 English-medium programs with substantial scholarship opportunities for international students.
Key facts
- Type
- Public
- Founded
- 1963
- Students
- 7,500
- International students
- 7
- Tuition (intl)
- €3–11k/yr
- Languages
- EN
- Location
- Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is Saudi Arabia's premier science and technology university, ranked 67th globally by QS and 1st in the Middle East and Africa by THE. Founded in 1963 in Dhahran, it offers over 90 English-medium programs and provides full scholarships to qualifying international students. KFUPM integrates AI into every undergraduate curriculum via its AI+X platform and holds the 5th-highest count of US-granted patents among global universities.
Why study here
- Ranked #67 globally (QS 2026) and #1 in the Middle East and Africa (THE) — world-class recognition in science and engineering.
- Full scholarships available for international undergraduates and PhD students, covering tuition, housing, meals, and health care.
- AI+X platform integrates artificial intelligence training into every undergraduate degree program.
- Located adjacent to Saudi Aramco in Dhahran — unmatched proximity to the global energy industry for internships and careers.
- All instruction and research conducted exclusively in English, making it accessible to international students worldwide.
- 5th worldwide for US-granted patents, demonstrating exceptional research output and innovation culture.
Student life
KFUPM's enclosed self-contained campus separates residential and academic zones while keeping them closely connected. Students have access to sports facilities including a private beach, dining venues, a library with extensive digital resources, and a range of student clubs focused on engineering, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange. The campus community of 75+ nationalities fosters a global perspective alongside Saudi and Islamic cultural traditions.
Fees
InternationalInternational undergraduate students (outside Saudi Arabia) receive full scholarship — tuition waived. PhD and select MS international students receive comprehensive scholarships. Self-sponsored international graduate students pay SAR 7,500/semester + SAR 500/credit hour.
HomeSaudi undergraduate students receive a full government scholarship. Self-sponsored Saudi graduate students pay SAR 5,000/semester registration + SAR 500/credit hour.
LivingOn-campus furnished housing is provided to scholarship students at no cost. Self-sponsored students pay market rates. Campus food is subsidized. Monthly living costs on campus: approximately SAR 1,500-2,500 (EUR 380-630).
The Master of Petrochemicals Engineering is fee-based: SAR 12,000-50,000 for the full program. Medical and dental care is provided on campus for scholarship recipients.
Admissions
Recognized bachelor's degreeRequired for all graduate programs
Minimum GPA2.50/4.00 or equivalent
Recommendation lettersTwo letters required for graduate programs
Processing feeSAR 100 (non-refundable) for graduate programs
IELTS6.0
TOEFL70 iBT
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 202667
Times Higher Education (Middle East and Africa)1
QS Petroleum Engineering5
QS Data Science and AI58
University scholarships
Undergraduate International ScholarshipFull tuition waiver for students outside Saudi Arabia
Graduate Comprehensive Scholarship (PhD and select MS)Full tuition + housing + stipend + air tickets + medical care
Need/Merit Undergraduate Scholarship10%-100% of tuition (SAR 20,000/year base)
Accreditation
KFUPM Business School (KBS) is AACSB accredited since 2002. Engineering programs hold ABET accreditation. The university is licensed and overseen by the Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia.
Programs
a selectionKing Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals · Saudi Arabia
Accounting & Finance Undergraduate Program
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance. This program provides students with a strong foundation in both accounting and finance principles, preparing them for diverse roles in the global economic landscape. The curriculum covers essential topics such as accounting principles, corporate finance, managerial accounting, auditing, and investments, with a range of elective courses in areas like security analysis, taxation, and derivatives. Students can also specialize in Islamic Finance. KFUPM's Business School is AACSB accredited, ensuring a high standard of education. The program is designed to equip graduates with advanced tools to innovate within the Saudi Arabian economy and beyond.
Bachelor's
Level
Free
Tuition
—
Duration
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals · Saudi Arabia
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) offers Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degrees designed to equip students with the academic qualifications, research skills, and practical experience necessary for success in evolving industries. Undergraduate programs provide a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, or management, enabling graduates to tackle real-world challenges with confidence. The curriculum integrates Artificial Intelligence from the first semester, and many programs are interdisciplinary. Students are encouraged to engage in research early with faculty mentors and have opportunities for international study or internships. KFUPM offers pathways for students to complete both bachelor's and master's degrees in five years. Students can also enhance their learning through specialized concentrations (CX) or customize their bachelor's degree via the BS-X program. Senior projects often involve cross-departmental collaboration, culminating in the Team Design Expo, showcasing innovation and solutions to societal and technological priorities. Strategic partnerships with industry leaders ensure that learning is connected to workplace experience through programs like Student Early Employment and Development (SEED). KFUPM also supports students with startup ideas through an environment that encourages commercialization, with a 0-0-0 policy guaranteeing full ownership of inventions.
Bachelor's
Level
Free
Tuition
48 mo
Duration
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals · Saudi Arabia
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals - Overview
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is structured into seven distinct colleges, fostering collaboration and specialization. These colleges house various departments that maintain strong interdepartmental ties to enhance both teaching and research. The university's academic structure mirrors global higher education institutions, focusing on seizing emerging opportunities and addressing real-world challenges across diverse fields essential to Saudi Arabia's development and the global economy.
Bachelor's
Level
—
Tuition
—
Duration
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals · Saudi Arabia
Master of Petrochemicals Engineering
This Master of Petrochemicals Engineering program prepares professionals for the growing petrochemical sector, focusing on using conventional energy sources as feedstocks for materials rather than just fuels. The curriculum offers a deep understanding of direct and indirect routes for converting oil to chemicals, adsorption and catalysis theories, polymerization reactions, and material processing with an emphasis on polymers. It also covers industrial reactor design, risk assessment methods, quantitative models, crude oil characterization, fluid behavior analysis, and process simulation techniques for petrochemical plants.
Master's
Level
€11k
Tuition
24 mo
Duration
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals · Saudi Arabia
PhD in Business Administration
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration at KFUPM Business School is a full-time, research-intensive program designed to cultivate the next generation of leading academics and researchers. The program emphasizes high-quality, publishable research and provides strong methodological training in both qualitative and quantitative approaches, including analytics and econometrics. It aims to expand Saudi Arabia's research capacity, contribute to the nation's Vision 2030 strategic sectors, develop a national faculty pipeline, and enhance the business school's research culture and international standing.
PhD
Level
Free
Tuition
60 mo
Duration
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals · Saudi Arabia
PhD Program in Industrial and Systems Engineering
The Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) PhD program at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) aims to develop future academic leaders who are independent, creative, and innovative. The program has been graduating students since 1995. It seeks to prepare graduates who can perform critical literature reviews, present in-depth knowledge, formulate research proposals, disseminate findings, and understand ethical research practices.
PhD
Level
Free
Tuition
60 mo
Duration
Scholarships
for Saudi Arabia
partial fundingPrince Sultan University (PSU)
Prince Sultan University Scholarships
Open to both Saudi and international students applying to bachelor's, master's, or PhD programmes at Prince Sultan University in Riyadh. Saudi students need a minimum cumulative GPA of 85 percent; non-Saudi international students need a minimum of 90 percent. Meeting the GPA threshold does not guarantee an award, as scholarships are limited and granted on merit and availability.
partial
Funding
€20k
Max
-18d left
Deadline
full fundingKing Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM)
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Scholarships
Open to international students of all nationalities applying for Master's, PhD or postdoctorate programs at KFUPM in Dhahran. Master's applicants need a four-year Bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, including 3.00 in the major. PhD applicants need an M.S. following a four-year B.S. with a GPA of at least 3.00 in both. MBA applicants need a four-year Bachelor's with a GPA of at least 3.00, a college calculus course, a computing course and usually a year of work experience. English proficiency is required.
full
Funding
€20k
Max
Oct 15, 2026
Deadline
full fundingKing Abdulaziz University (KAU)
King Abdulaziz University (KAU) Scholarships
International (non-Saudi) students. Undergraduate applicants need a high school certificate not older than 3 years and must be aged 17-25; master's applicants must be up to 30 and doctoral applicants up to 35, with a minimum grade of 'Very Good', two recommendation letters and an English proficiency certificate. Arabic proficiency is required for Arabic-language programmes.
full
Funding
€12k
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
partial fundingUniversity of Prince Mugrin (UPM)
University of Prince Mugrin Scholarships
Open to Saudi and international students of all nationalities applying to undergraduate, Master's, or PhD programmes at the University of Prince Mugrin in Madinah for the 2026/2027 academic year. The full scholarship for Saudi high-school graduates requires a weighted high-school GPA of 97% or above and a maintained cumulative GPA of 3.5/4. Excellence, talented, national, and international-student scholarships are awarded on academic metrics, special skills, or admission merit. Applicants currently enrolled elsewhere must officially withdraw before enrolling at UPM.
partial
Funding
€12k
Max
29d left
Deadline
full fundingIslamic University of Madinah
Islamic University of Madinah Scholarship
Open to international Muslim students from all countries for undergraduate and master's study in Saudi Arabia. Undergraduate applicants must be aged 17 to 25 with 12 years of schooling, while master's applicants need a bachelor's degree (16 years of education) with a minimum GPA of 3.75 out of 5. Master's candidates also face test requirements: a minimum of 65 in the QIYAS aptitude test for Gulf applicants, or a minimum 130 GRE quantitative and 450 TOEFL-PBT for applicants from outside Saudi Arabia. Applicants must be in good health and of good conduct.
full
Funding
—
Max
Jun 30, 2027
Deadline
full funding
Wellcome Trust
Wellcome Trust Fellowships and Grants (for international researchers)
For researchers at different career stages working on health-related science. Wellcome funds a family of fellowships and grants — early-career, career-development, and discovery awards, plus team and translational funding — each with its own eligibility, value, and call deadline. There is no single scholarship application; you apply to the specific scheme that fits your stage and project.
full
Funding
€3000k
Max
Rolling
Deadline
Frequently asked questions
What scholarships are available for international students at KFUPM?
+
International undergraduate students outside Saudi Arabia receive a full tuition waiver. International PhD and select Master's students may receive comprehensive scholarships covering tuition, housing, a stipend, air tickets, and medical care. Some undergraduate scholarships also offer partial to full tuition coverage.
What are the English language requirements for international applicants?
+
International applicants typically need an IELTS score of 6.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 70. However, English test scores are waived for KFUPM graduates.
What are the living costs for self-sponsored graduate students?
+
Self-sponsored international graduate students can expect monthly living costs on campus to be approximately SAR 1,500-2,500 (EUR 380-630), with subsidized campus food and market-rate charges for furnished housing.
What academic programs are offered in English?
+
KFUPM offers over 90 programs conducted exclusively in English, covering a wide range of science and technology fields.
What accreditations does KFUPM hold?
+
KFUPM's Business School holds AACSB accreditation, and its engineering programs are ABET accredited. The university is licensed and overseen by the Saudi Ministry of Education.
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