Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, has announced the commencement of applications for its Graduate Scholarship Programme for the 2026 academic session, offering fully funded opportunities to international students across the world.
The scholarship, open to candidates of all nationalities, is designed for those seeking to pursue Master’s degrees, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, the Pre-Medicine Bridge Programme, and the Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme at the institution.
According to the university, the scholarship will cover the 2026–2027 academic session and is aimed at attracting outstanding students to one of the Middle East’s leading research-focused universities.
Khalifa University, established in 1989, is a science-driven institution located in Abu Dhabi. It is ranked 28th best university in Asia by the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings and 401st globally by the QS World University Rankings.
The university said the scholarship is fully funded, covering all academic and living-related expenses for successful applicants.
Scholarship Details
Under the programme, eligible students will benefit from full tuition coverage, monthly stipends and additional academic support.
For graduate research and assistantship beneficiaries, the monthly stipend is pegged at AED 8,000 for Master’s students and AED 10,000 for PhD candidates, subject to periodic review.
Other benefits include comprehensive medical insurance, visa support for scholarship holders and funding to attend international research conferences.
Applicants may apply either as full-time or part-time students. Full-time students are required to register for three to four courses per semester, while part-time students must enrol in two courses per semester.
The duration of study is two years for full-time Master’s programmes, three years for part-time Master’s programmes, and three to four years for PhD programmes.
Available Fields of Study
The scholarship covers a wide range of academic disciplines across several colleges, including Engineering, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Security, Science and Technology.
Programmes are available under the College of Engineering, College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. These include, among others, Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Information Security, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Applied Chemistry, Petroleum Geoscience and the Doctor of
Medicine programme.
Some programmes, such as Nuclear Engineering and certain security-related courses, are restricted to UAE and Saudi nationals.
Eligibility and Documentation
To be eligible, Master’s applicants must possess a recognised Bachelor’s degree, while PhD applicants must hold a Master’s degree. Applicants are also required to provide proof of English language proficiency and successfully complete an admission interview.
PhD candidates must additionally submit a research statement of between 500 and 1,000 words.
Required documents include academic certificates and transcripts, a detailed curriculum vitae, passport photograph, valid passport, personal statement, statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation. All applications must be submitted online, as physical submissions will not be accepted.
Application Deadline
The university stated that the deadline for submission of applications is March 2, 2026.
Interested candidates are advised to apply through the official Khalifa University online application portal and consult the university’s official advertisement for detailed admission and conditional requirements.
The Khalifa University Graduate Scholarship Programme remains one of the most sought-after fully funded opportunities in the United Arab Emirates, offering international students access to world-class education and research facilities in Abu Dhabi.