The Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) offers research internships of 2 to 6 months for bachelor's and master's students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). At Youth Works Hub, we went through the official KAUST internship page and set out every detail below: eligibility, funding, required documents and how to apply. Applications are open all year round.
What the KAUST VSRP Internship Is
🔬 Faculty-led research: more than 100 faculty-led projects across STEM disciplines, so you can choose a research topic that matches your interests
🗓️ Duration: 2 to 6 months, with start and end dates of your choice at any point during the year
🏫 Who it suits: students looking for hands-on research exposure or a co-op experience; many interns see it as preparation for graduate studies
🌐 Community: KAUST's community includes more than 100 nationalities, so you work in a globally diverse environment
What KAUST Covers
The VSRP internship is a fully funded program. KAUST covers tuition fees, housing, return flights and a monthly stipend for living expenses. The official list of benefits:
💵 Stipend: USD $1,000 monthly
🛏️ Housing: private bedroom and bathroom
✈️ Flights: airfare to KAUST and back
🎭 Activities: social and cultural activities
🧪 Facilities: access to core laboratories and major research and community facilities
There is no application fee for internship applications. If you are comparing funded options, the Youth Works Hub guide to paid internships abroad for students and recent graduates explains how funded traineeships work.
Who Can Apply
🎓 Study level: undergraduate students in their 3rd year or above, and master's students
📊 GPA: minimum 3.5 on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
🗣️ English: evidence of English proficiency (details below)
🚫 Not eligible: current PhD candidates, KAUST students and KAUST alumni
🧪 Fields: science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); all projects relate to KAUST's 17 STEM degree programs, and the curriculum also emphasizes interdisciplinary studies
🎒 Already graduated? Yes, you can apply if you will have completed your degree within one year of the internship start date
English Language Requirements
The accepted scores are:
📘 IELTS: 6.5 overall, with at least 6 in all individual sections
📗 TOEFL: 4.5 overall, with at least 4 in all individual sections
📙 Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 64 overall, with at least 61 in all individual sections
📕 Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency: 176 overall, with at least 169 in all individual sections
📓 Duolingo English Test: 110 overall, with at least 100 in all individual sections
An English test score is not required if you earned a degree through in-person study at an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. Official exam scores may be required during application evaluation. If you do not meet these requirements, KAUST will provide you with a Duolingo test token to take the exam. You may submit your application without an English test score, but if your application is successful you must provide results that meet the minimum requirements.
Documents Required
📄 Transcripts: official transcript(s) in English for all degrees
✉️ Recommendation: one letter of recommendation from a faculty member at your current institution
🛂 Passport: valid passport with at least 6 months validity
📝 Statement of Purpose
📋 Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Choosing a Project
Apply on the project page, which lists more than 100 active projects across STEM disciplines. Each project includes information on the nature of the project, the recommended student background and a set of desired research outcomes. You apply to a specific project through the "Apply" button on its project page. Accepted students work directly with leading researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories.
What You Gain from the Program
VSRP interns leave with a strong grasp of their research field and practical skills valuable in further studies or any career. Many participants have presented their findings at conferences or published papers. For those interested in research or academia, exposure to leading faculty and cutting-edge research environments is a stepping stone towards a master's or PhD at KAUST or other globally ranked universities. Browse more roles in the Internship category on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to apply to the KAUST VSRP internship?
There is no application fee for internship applications. KAUST also covers tuition fees, housing, return flights and a monthly stipend.
Can I apply if I have already graduated?
Yes. You are eligible if you will have completed your degree within one year of the internship start date.
Can I apply to more than one project?
No. You can only submit one application at a time to KAUST.
Can the internship be shorter than 2 months?
No. Internships must be a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 6 months in duration.
How many letters of recommendation do I need, and do I upload them?
One letter from a faculty member at your current institution is required. You do not upload it into the portal: KAUST contacts your nominated recommenders as part of the admissions process, so your recommender should know in advance that they will be contacted. You can add or edit recommender details, send reminders and track the status of letters by logging into the admissions portal.
Can I apply without an English test score?
Yes, but if your application is successful you must provide results that meet the minimum requirements.
When will I hear the outcome?
KAUST releases results as soon as a final admissions decision is made. There is no decision release schedule, but KAUST aims to give decisions as quickly as possible.
Deadline
⏳ As soon as possible!
Links
🏫 Internship page: https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/study/internships
📨 Projects and application: https://admissions.kaust.edu.sa/internship/search
