Khalifa University Scholarships 2027: Fully Funded UAE PhDs with Monthly Stipend

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Full name	Khalifa University of Science and Technology — Postgraduate Scholarships
Location	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Coverage	PhD: up to 100% tuition waiver + monthly stipend up to AED 20,000 (≈US$5,450) plus accommodation, insurance, flights; Master’s: partial tuition coverage
Level	Master’s, PhD (and direct Bachelor’s-to-PhD for high achievers)
URGENT deadline	Spring 2027 PhD admission: August 3 – 31, 2026 (PhD programs only)
Fall 2027	Applications open later in 2026; published catalog deadline Feb 10, 2027 — verify on ku.ac.ae
Scholarship application	Automatic — no separate application; assessed with your admission application

Khalifa University is Abu Dhabi’s top-ranked research university, and it funds its graduate students generously. The headline: international PhD students on the top scholarship tier receive full tuition plus a monthly stipend of AED 20,000 (≈US$5,450) plus an additional AED 20,000/month performance allowance — a package rarely matched anywhere in the world. If you’re targeting a PhD in engineering, computing, science, or health, note the Spring 2027 window closes August 31, 2026 — that’s the immediate deadline on the table.

—

What Does It Cover?

PhD Scholarships (International Students)

Tier (Research Path — work commitment)	Tuition	Monthly Stipend
Tier I	100% waiver	AED 20,000 base + AED 20,000 additional (subject to progression)
Tier II	100% waiver	AED 20,000 base + AED 10,000 additional
Tier III	75% waiver	AED 20,000
Tier IV	50% waiver	Free university accommodation instead

Additional benefits on most tiers: textbooks, medical insurance, mobilization/demobilization flights between home country and Abu Dhabi, UAE visa fee coverage, and support for international research conferences.

Study Path (no work commitment) — lower stipends (Tier I: full tuition + AED 4,000/month + free accommodation; down to Tier IV: 25% waiver) but no obligation to work for the university after graduation.

Master’s Scholarships

Partial tuition fee coverage — the exact percentage depends on the award. Indicate your interest in scholarship support when submitting the admission application.

> Note: Research-path scholars commit to working with Khalifa University or a nominated entity after graduation for a period equivalent to their study. Choose this path only if the work commitment suits your plans.

—

Eligibility

✅ You Must:

• Master’s: hold a Bachelor’s in a relevant discipline with minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (or upper second-class equivalent)

• PhD (regular): hold a Master’s with minimum CGPA 3.25/4.0 plus a Bachelor’s at CGPA 3.0/4.0

• Direct PhD (no Master’s): hold a Bachelor’s at CGPA 3.5/4.0 and a GRE quantitative score of at least 150

• Meet English requirements: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 91 (test-center versions only; the TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted)

• Provide two referee recommendations (online form), a Statement of Purpose (500–1,000 words), and for PhD a Research Statement (500–1,000 words)

• Complete the UAE Ministry of Education equivalency/recognition process for degrees from outside the UAE — start this early, it’s lengthy

❌ Not Eligible If:

• Your CGPA falls below the thresholds above (unless you can demonstrate an equivalent classification)

• You can’t provide valid English test scores (no home-edition tests accepted)

• You’re applying for Spring 2027 to a Master’s program — Spring 2027 is PhD-only; Master’s applicants should target the Fall 2027 intake

—

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Check the deadline for your target intake

• Spring 2027 (PhD only): applications open August 3 – 31, 2026 — act now

• Fall 2027: application window opens later in 2026; the graduate catalog lists a Fall deadline of February 10, 2027 — confirm on ku.ac.ae

Step 2: Prepare your documents

Certified degree certificates, official transcripts (with grading scale), English test score, GRE (direct PhD only), detailed CV, passport copy (plus UAE visa if you reside there), passport photo, and the UAE MoE equivalency certificate if your degrees are from outside the UAE.

Step 3: Apply online

Complete the online application at ku.ac.ae and pay the AED 200 application fee. You’ll be asked to indicate interest in scholarship support — this is how you’re considered.

Step 4: Upload and interview

Upload all documents via the status page, then attend the admission interview. Scholarship eligibility is assessed as part of admission — no separate scholarship application exists.

—

How It Compares: Gulf PhD Funding

Feature	Khalifa University	KAUST (Saudi Arabia)	Study in Saudi programs
Location	Abu Dhabi, UAE	Thuwal, Saudi Arabia	Saudi universities
PhD stipend	Up to AED 20,000/mo + full tuition	Competitive stipend + full tuition	Monthly allowance varies
Scholarship application	Automatic with admission	Automatic with admission	Per-program application
Work commitment	Required on Research path	Not standard	Varies
Next deadlines	Spring 2027: Aug 31, 2026; Fall: Feb 10, 2027	Rolling/varies	Oct 31, 2026 (M/PhD)

For candidates who want a fully funded PhD in the Gulf with top-tier stipends, Khalifa is the strongest UAE option — and one of the strongest regionally. See also our Study in Saudi Arabia guide for the neighboring market.

—

Insider Tips

1. Spring 2027 is PhD-only — don’t waste time applying for a Master’s

The August 3–31 window applies to PhD programs only. Master’s candidates: target Fall 2027 and watch ku.ac.ae for the opening.

2. Start the UAE equivalency process immediately

The UAE Ministry of Education recognition/equivalency for foreign degrees is a lengthy process. It’s a required document — beginning it late is the most common reason applications stall.

3. Direct-to-PhD is the fast track if your grades shine

A bachelor’s at CGPA 3.5+ with GRE quant ≥150 lets you skip the Master’s entirely and enter a PhD directly — four years of full funding instead of six.

4. Match your research statement to KU’s priorities

PhD applicants are told to reference Khalifa University’s Institutional Research Priorities when drafting the research statement. Aligning with them visibly improves your chances.

5. Decide on the work-commitment path deliberately

The Research path’s AED 20,000/month extra allowance is enormous — but it commits you to working with KU or a nominated entity after graduation. If that doesn’t fit your goals, the Study path still funds you well without the obligation.

—

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate scholarship application?

No. Indicate interest in scholarship support on the admission application, and you’re automatically considered. Recipients are confirmed at the end of the admission process.

Do international students really get AED 20,000/month?

On Research-path Tier I — that’s AED 20,000 base plus up to AED 20,000 additional, subject to meeting scholarship progression criteria. Lower tiers and the Study path pay less but still cover tuition substantially.

Can I apply for Spring 2027 as a Master’s student?

No — the Spring 2027 intake is open to PhD programs only.

Is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted?

No. Only test-center TOEFL iBT (or IELTS 6.5) is accepted.

Do I need GRE?

Only for direct PhD applicants (quantitative ≥150). Regular PhD and Master’s applicants don’t require it.

—

Timeline Table

Date	Milestone
Aug 3 – 31, 2026	Spring 2027 PhD application window (URGENT — closes Aug 31)
Aug–Sep 2026	Admission interviews; scholarship assessment
Late 2026	Fall 2027 application window opens
Feb 10, 2027	Fall 2027 deadline (per graduate catalog — verify)
Jan 2027	Spring 2027 semester begins (if admitted)
Aug 2027	Fall 2027 semester begins

—

Your Action Plan

1. This week: Decide Spring vs Fall 2027 intake; if Spring, submit before Aug 31, 2026.

2. This week: Start the UAE MoE equivalency process for foreign degrees.

3. By application: Prepare transcripts, IELTS/TOEFL (test center), CV, SOP, research statement, and two referees.

4. After applying: Watch for the interview invitation; check ku.ac.ae for status.

—

Share this with someone chasing a fully funded PhD in the Gulf — the Spring 2027 window closes August 31.
Related guides: Study in Saudi Arabia Scholarship 2027 · Fully Funded PhD Scholarships 2027