Apply to KAUST Academy
Everything you need to apply, from choosing a program to your first day. Selection is on merit at every stage, and the university specializations are offered with a full scholarship.
Selection
On merit, stage by stage
Specializations
Full scholarship for selected students
Certificates
At every stage, verifiable online
Questions
Find your start
Where should you start?
Answer two questions to see the programs that fit.
How to apply
From interest to acceptance, step by step
Each learner stage applies a little differently. Pick yours to see the steps.
University specializations
Choose your specialization
Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Energy Transition or Food & Water Sustainability. They follow the same four-stage pathway.
Register online
Apply from the program page while applications are open. Eligible applicants then receive a Coursera invitation by email.
Accept your Coursera invitation quickly
Sign up within the window stated in your invitation (5 days for the AI Specialization). Otherwise your place passes to the waiting list.
Complete the prerequisite courses
Self-paced and online, usually over 3–5 weeks. Finishing them makes you eligible for the placement test in December.
Sit the placement test
Top scorers are invited to the in-person Introduction course during university breaks.
Progress by invitation
Each stage ends with an assessment. The strongest performers move on to Advanced, then to the Summer Program.
Good to know: signing up for the Coursera prerequisites (Stage 1) doesn’t guarantee a place in later stages. If you aren’t selected, you keep access to more than 200 Coursera courses for the cycle, with a free certificate for each one you complete.
Pre-university
Find a program for your grade
The KAUST Mathematics Competition is for grades 6 to 11. SRSI, STEPs and the High School Summer Program each list their own requirements on their program pages.
Register online
Complete the form on the program page. For the competition, registration is confirmed once the participation fee is paid.
Watch for announcements
Test-centre details are shared after registration closes on 12 December 2026.
Sit Phase One
A proctored written test at around 50 test centres nationwide on 23 January 2027. Calculators aren’t allowed.
Finalists come to KAUST
250 students qualify for the final round at KAUST, 2–4 April 2027. KAUST covers their costs.
Selection for SRSI, STEPs and the High School Summer Program works differently. Check each program page for its process.
Professionals
Choose a program
Master’s and diploma programs in AI and cybersecurity for organizations’ employees, and hands-on technical training at KAUST. See the programs for professionals.
Check how to join
Each program page explains how to join: organizations ask for the degree programs through the contact form, and the LEM courses take bookings by email.
Talk to us first
Not sure it’s the right fit? Send us a message and we’ll point you to the right team.
Eligibility & selection
Who can apply
A summary of the requirements on the program pages. The program page is always the final word.
| Program | Who it’s for | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence Specialization | University students, or graduates within the last two years | Aged 18–30, inclusive Complete the Coursera prerequisites Pass the assessment at each stage |
| Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Food & Water Sustainability | Saudi students and recent graduates of Saudi universities | Four stages with assessments in between Age and graduation limits: see the program page |
| Energy Transition | Students in their 3rd, 4th or 5th academic year, or recent graduates | Intensive, multi-step training Other requirements: see the program page |
| KAUST Mathematics Competition | Students in grades 6 to 11 at schools across the Kingdom | Saudi nationals and Saudi residents |
| Women in STEM | Women preparing for graduate admissions, with Alwaleed Philanthropies | See the program page |
| SRSI, STEPs, HSSP | High-school students | See each program page |
How selection works
Merit at every stage
Places in later stages go to the strongest performers in each assessment.
One stage at a time
Online prerequisites, then a placement test, then in-person Introduction and Advanced courses.
Recognised as you go
A Certificate of Completion at each stage you finish, which anyone can verify online.
Sponsorship & fees
What it costs, and what’s provided
University specializations
Full scholarship
Currently offered with a full scholarship for talented students at all Saudi universities.
- Access to more than 200 Coursera courses, with free certificates
- In-person Introduction and Advanced training during university breaks
- Summer program places with on-campus accommodation
KAUST Mathematics Competition
100 SAR application fee
Non-refundable, paid online when you register.
- For finalists, KAUST covers the costs of the final round
- Questions in Arabic and English
High School Summer Program
SAR 35,000–40,000
Program fee by track (KAUST – Oxford or KAUST – Cambridge), plus a non-refundable SAR 200 application fee. Other programs publish their own details.
Fees and sponsorship can change between cycles. The program page has the current details.
Key dates
Coming up next
- Nov302026Application deadline
Applications close: STEPs
- Dec122026Application deadline
Applications close: KAUST Mathematics Competition
- Dec192026Key date
Admissions test (online): STEPs
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
General
Who are KAUST Academy programs for?
Saudi talent at every stage: competitions, research programs and summer schools for school students; multi-stage specializations for university students and recent graduates; and master’s degrees and technical training for professionals.
Is there a tuition fee for the Specialization Program?
No. The program is currently offered with a full scholarship for talented students at all Saudi universities. See Sponsorship & fees for other programs.
How much time should I set aside?
Stage 1 (online prerequisites) is self-paced, with a suggested 3–5 weeks. The Introduction, Advanced and Summer Program stages are in person, during university breaks and the summer.
Applying and selection
How do I start a specialization?
Register on the program page, then sign up for and complete the prerequisite online courses on Coursera.
How do I get invited to the placement test?
Successfully complete the prerequisite course(s), which are added to your account when you join Coursera.
What if I’m not selected for the in-person course?
You still benefit: you keep free access to more than 200 courses, specializations and guided projects on Coursera, and can earn a free certificate for each one you complete during the program period.
Where can I see every deadline in one place?
On the Events & key dates page, where you can also add each date to your calendar.
Certificates
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Participants who complete the online course(s) and/or the in-person courses receive a Certificate of Completion at each stage.
How can an employer or university check my certificate?
Every KAUST Academy certificate has a unique ID. Anyone can enter it on Verify a Certificate to confirm it’s genuine.
Summer programs
Where do the summer programs take place?
At KAUST or at partner institutions in Saudi Arabia and abroad. Alumni have spent their summers at the University of Oxford, Duke University, the University of Glasgow and the Broad Institute. Read their stories.
Is accommodation provided?
Yes. Students invited to the AI Summer Program are provided with on-campus accommodation and privileges.
How long is the summer program?
The AI Summer Program runs for 8 weeks, starting in June.
KAUST Mathematics Competition
Who can take part?
Students in grades 6 to 11, Saudi nationals and Saudi residents, studying in schools across the Kingdom.
Is there a fee?
Yes, a non-refundable application fee of 100 SAR.
What is the question format?
Phase One: 24 multiple-choice questions for grades 6–7 and 8–9, and 30 for grades 10–11. The final round has 6 to 8 written-response questions for all grades. All questions are in Arabic and English, and calculators aren’t allowed.
When and where is it held?
Phase One is a proctored written test on 23 January 2027 at around 50 test centres in General Education Departments nationwide, in addition to Jubail and Yanbu. The final round is at KAUST, 2–4 April 2027.
Still need help?
Pick the route that fits your question and we’ll get you to the right team.
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