Postgraduate 星空传媒 - Khalifa University

The PhD admissions for Fall 2025 are closed, but the online application for the Master鈥檚 programs is open until May 18, 2025. To be notified once the PhD admissions are open, please add your email address here:

How to apply

Step 1 : Select the program you want to study at ku

University鈥檚 interdisciplinary听听Master鈥檚 degree and PhD programs Read more

Step 2 : Review the admission requirements

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to a graduate program at Khalifa University of Science and Technology must meet the following minimum criteria:

Master鈥檚 Degree Program Applicants

Completion of a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent (e.g. an upper second-class honors in a UK-style degree, from a reputable accredited institution).
A minimum level of English proficiency in the form of either:
- iBT TOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91 (The test must be taken at a test center as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted) or equivalent, or
- Overall academic IELTS score of 6.5, or
- 1550 EmSAT English score
A minimum of two referee recommendations (provided via online form).
Statement of purpose (500-1,000 words).
Admission interview.

Doctorate Degree Program Applicants

For applicants with MSc degree
- Completion of a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent (e.g. an upper second-class honors in a UK-style degree, from a reputable accredited institution).
- Completion of a Master鈥檚 degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum CGPA of 3.25 out of 4.0 or equivalent from a reputable accredited institution.
For applicants without MSc degree (Direct PhD)
- Completion of a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 out of 4.0 or equivalent from a reputable accredited institution.
- A minimum quantitative score of 150 in the general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (The test must be taken at a test center as the GRE Home Edition is not accepted).听 Applicants must attempt all three sections of the GRE.
A minimum level of English proficiency in the form of either:
- iBT TOEFL (internet-based test) score of 91 (The test must be taken at a test center as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted) or equivalent, or
- Overall academic IELTS score of 6.5, or
- 1550 EmSAT English score
A minimum of two referee recommendations (provided via online form).
Statement of purpose (500-1,000 words).
Research statement (500-1,000 words).
Admission interview.

English Language Test Exemptions

Subject to review and approval, the English test score requirement (TOEFL, IELTS or EmSAT) may be waived for an applicant who is:

A native English speaker from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or other regions where English is the primary language.
A graduate from an English-medium institution who can provide evidence of acquiring a minimum overall academic IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum TOEFL score of 79 iBT (or equivalent), or a minimum EmSAT English score of 1400 at the time of admission to the completed Bachelor鈥檚/Master鈥檚 degree program.

All applicants must provide evidence of meeting the English language requirement by uploading the relevant document with their application, even if he/she may be eligible for an exemption.

Statement of Purpose Guidelines

The Statement of Purpose should clearly outline the applicant鈥檚 motivations for wishing to pursue graduate studies at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, as well as any prior achievements that will demonstrate promise for success in their degree. It is recommended that prospective students include the following information in their Statement of Purpose:

An introduction about yourself, your interests and your motivations.
The reasons for applying to your chosen graduate program at Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
What you hope to gain during your studies and any specific issues you wish to address.
Your professional aspirations and how you think this qualification will help you achieve them.
How your previous studies and work experience, where applicable, relate to the program you have chosen.
Other matters you consider important and relevant to your application.

Research Statement Guidelines

The statement should focus on the contribution you would like to make to your chosen field of research. PhD applicants are advised to refer to the Khalifa University of Science and Technology Institutional Research Priorities before drafting their Research Statement.

It is recommended that the Research Statement addresses the following points:

An explanation of your research interests and what you hope to achieve through your research.
An outline of your experience in this field to date (study, research, project work, publications, etc.).
An example of a research project you would like to be involved in (either one you would conduct, or one you have read about).

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Guidelines

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a graduate-level admissions test that has two types: Subject and General. A minimum quantitative score of 150 in the general GRE is required for admission to all programs for those applying to the direct PhD programs. Applicants should attempt all three sections of the GRE. For more details about the GRE exam please visit:

Required Documents Needed When Applying Online

*Application Fee: 200 AED, inclusive of VAT, paid upon submitting the application.

The following required documents should be scanned in a clear and legible form and be uploaded to the online application:

Certified copy of Bachelor鈥檚/Master’s degree certificate (as applicable)听
Equivalency certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Education for applicants that have graduated from institutions outside of the UAE. To apply for your Equivalency Certificate, visit the UAE Ministry of Education Equivalency Certificate and start the process as soon as possible as it is a lengthy process.听听
Official school transcript showing the grading scale.听
English language proficiency score certificate (IELTS, TOEFL, or EmSAT).
- Official TOEFL score reports can be sent directly by your institution to Khalifa University of Science and Technology using the institutional TOEFL code 0960.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report. Official score reports can be sent directly to Khalifa University of Science and Technology using the institutional GRE code 0822.
Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
Statement of Purpose (500 to 1,000 words).
Passport-style photograph on a white background.听
Copy of valid passport. International applicants who reside in the UAE should also upload a clear copy of their valid UAE visa.听
Copy of Family Book (Khulasat Al Qaid). This is required for UAE National applicants only.听
Valid UAE national ID card (for national and international applicants currently residing in the UAE).听
Statement of Purpose (500-1,000 words).听
Research Statement (500 to 1,000 words). This is for PhD applicants only.听

Accepted applicants must submit all of their official documents before they register for classes.听

Please note the following:

Incomplete applications will not be considered.
All documents received by the University are the property of Khalifa University of Science and Technology and will not be returned.
Accepted applicants must submit all of their official documents before they register for their first semester classes at KU. Failure to submit all the required official documents in a timely manner will result in canceling your class registration.听

Recognition of University Certificates Issued from Outside the UAE for Applicants who hold Degrees from Universities outside the UAE

To be eligible for admission to a graduate program, applicants must hold a Bachelor/Master鈥檚 degree from an accredited institution, as approved by the UAE Ministry of Education. Applicants holding a qualification obtained outside the UAE must submit a Recognition of University Certificates issued by the UAE Ministry of Education. Please refer to the Ministry of Education website for information on how to apply for Recognition of University Certificates.
Please note that Khalifa University is not involved in the recognition process. The UAE Ministry of Education鈥檚 Higher Education Affairs Division is responsible for assessing applications and issuing the Recognition of University Certificates.
Applicants are advised to begin the recognition process as soon as possible and prepare all the required documents, including completion of attestation, notarisation, translation, or any other processes, before travelling to the UAE.

Modes of Study

Students can be admitted on a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the program of study.

贵耻濒濒-迟颈尘别:听Students are required to register for 3-4 courses each semester (9-12 credit hours or equivalent).

笔补谤迟-迟颈尘别:听Students are required to register for 2 courses each semester (6 credit hours or equivalent).

Direct Bachelor鈥檚 to PhD applicants must study on a full-time basis.

Enrollment in credits below/above these standard limits for full- or part-time students requires advance written approval.

Employers are encouraged to allow part-time students to attend the University at least one day per week. This is particularly important during the research/project part of the program, as students are required to attend weekly meetings with their supervisor.

Registration during the Summer Term is limited to a maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours or equivalent).

Step 3 : Review the Scholarships for Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate Scholarships Read more

Step 4 : Submit your application

To submit your application, please click on the Apply now link below and fill in all required sections. After submitting your application, you will be guided to a Status Page on which you need to upload all required documents as PDF, Word, or, Scanned Image files.

Tuition Fees FAQs

Contact Us (Postgraduate office instead of Office of Student Recruitment and Admission)

Office of Student Recruitment and Admission

Khalifa University of Science and Technology

P.O Box :
127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
T: 02 3123333
Call Center Working hours :
7:30:AM 鈥� 5:00:PM

For Admission inquiries, please email us at: pgadmissions@ku.ac.ae

For technical issues regarding the online applications please email us at: servicedesk@ku.ac.ae