Hello everyone!
Could someone aware me of why KAUST applications still closed? Or is there any problem with my account?
Please let me know if anyone has info about this))

Thanks in advance!.

Applications Closed?

is Admission open for MASTERS COMPUTER SCIENCES

Hi, so I’ve been waiting for my contract to renew in my new job but I am not sure when they’ll reply to me so I applied for a VSRP opportunity and I don’t know if I should commit because I’m not sure if I can leave less than two months, so if anyone has experience with the VSRP that could help also, does it involve insurance insurance for saudis?
Can I not commit and just try it out since I’m still unsure of my future plans
If anyone could help lmk!

that really sucks i was hoping to apply for the spring semester, but apparently, it's only for Phd applicants.

i really planned my whole upcoming year around applying in Aug ☹️

what sucks even more is that we (ppl seeking Ms) have to wait about 4.5 months to get a decision, and then anothor 5.5 months to start [IF] accepted

thats alot of valuable time

can i enrol in the vsrp program while waiting?

(assuming im applying this September)

I was planning on applying for spring 2027 in MS/PhD program ECE but it's only showing option for Fall 2027. Will it change later?

Contacted the PI (Prof. Ali Shoker) and haven't gotten a reply on my email nor have they seen my Linkedin messages, it's been like 15 days since I had sent them the first email and I have sent a follow up email and a message and still no reply. Should I just apply through the portal at this point without talking to them?

Hey everyone,

I recently completed my application for a research internship at KAUST, specifically targeting an autonomous racing and robotics lab. I submitted all my details and paperwork about a week ago, but I haven't received any further updates yet.

For those of you who have gone through the VSRP process or interned at KAUST recently:

• What is the typical buffer time to expect an initial response or an interview request after applying?
• My tentative date of departure/start date is starting to get close. If that window continues to shrink, who is the best point of contact? Should I follow up directly with the Principal Investigator (PI) of the lab, or is it better to contact the VSRP admissions team?

Any insights on your personal timelines or advice on how to navigate the scheduling crunch would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Hi. What time does the KAUST portal open on August 15th for MS, MS/PhD and PhD applications?

Does it open 12 am tonight or will it open around 8 or 9 am like the standard office hours? Since it's a Saturday when the portal opens I'm confused if it'll open at midnight or around a typical 9-5.

Hi everyone,

I'm currently going through the VS (Visiting Student) application process. I submitted my English proficiency verification about two weeks and a half ago.

For those who've gone through this before: how long did it typically take to hear back after submitting the English requirement? Just trying to get a sense of whether this delay is normal or if I should follow up again.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, I am having a CS interview and I would like to know what I should expect. The area is Computer Vision and Machine Learning

Hi everyone,

I applied for the CS PhD last cycle and was rejected. I am looking to strengthen my research record before applying again. I’m currently an AI Research Engineer with 3 years of experience specializing in RL and LLM post-training (SFT, GRPO, LoRA).

Quick Profile

• Industry: 3 YOE (Python, C++, CUDA), production deployments, 1 co-authored patent, 1 corporate publication.
• Academia: MSc in Info Engineering (unranked/low-tier university) with an RL-focused thesis and 1 accepted conference paper.
• Projects & OSS: Light contributions to open-source LLM repos; regular paper replications with public GitHub repos and technical write-ups.

The Dilemma

I am planning to apply to KAUST primarily to gain top-tier research experience and strong LORs, then re-apply to PhD programs elsewhere.

• MS/PhD Track: Starts Jan 2027 (Fits my timeline much better).
• MS-Only Track: Starts Aug 2027 (Delays my plans by ~8 months).

Questions

1. Admissions: Is the acceptance rate significantly different between the MS-only and MS/PhD tracks at KAUST?
2. Mastering Out: If admitted to the MS/PhD track, is it feasible/acceptable to leave after completing the Master's to pursue a PhD elsewhere? Are there potential downsides (e.g., burnt bridges, refusal of strong LORs, or delays in receiving the Master's diploma)?

Any insights from current KAUST students, alumni, or applicants would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, I‘m Paul (32M) and arrived a few weeks ago at KAUST to do a Postdoc. Would love to find some people to hangout with after work or on weekends. I have a golf cart so let’s explore the campus together :)

I’m staying in Kaust for a few days with my family (all adults). Are there any fun activities or interesting places we should check out nearby?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I know that onboarding starts on the 16th, but if my visa is delayed a couple of days can you arrive later?