Kuwait, an Arabian Peninsula country, can be a worthwhile destination for higher education. Students can explore undergraduate and graduate options in academic fields such as business, engineering, arts, social sciences, and law.
By applying for scholarships and managing your finances well, you can also explore Kuwait’s popular attractions, including desert landscapes, beaches, Failaka Island, and Souq Al-Mubarakiya.
Below are some of the top scholarships and funding opportunities connected to Kuwait.
Top Scholarships in Kuwait
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Type | Eligible Degrees | Scholarship Value |
|---|
| Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships | Government of Kuwait | Kuwaiti students in approved scholarship plans | Government-funded scholarship benefits; international-student eligibility must be confirmed directly with MOHE |
| Education Future International Scholarships | External | Undergraduate and postgraduate courses | INR 200,000 to INR 1,000,000, approximately US$2,100 to US$10,400 |
| GUST Scholarships | Gulf University for Science and Technology | Bachelor’s | Committee-decided tuition discount; scholarships generally cover a specific amount up to a maximum of 15 credits per semester |
| ICGEB Grants | External research grant | Researchers at universities or research institutes in ICGEB member states | Up to EUR 25,000 per year, approximately US$29,100 |
| KCST Merit-Based Scholarships | Kuwait College of Science and Technology | Bachelor’s | Up to 100% tuition scholarship |
1. Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Government-funded scholarship benefits; international-student eligibility must be confirmed directly with MOHE
- Eligible Degree/s: Kuwaiti students in approved scholarship plans
The Ministry of Higher Education Scholarships are government scholarships connected to Kuwait’s approved scholarship plans. However, international students should be careful with this listing: the official scholarship rules published by the Kuwait Cultural Office state that scholarship applicants must be Kuwaiti citizens. Because of this, students who are not Kuwaiti should not treat this as an open international-student scholarship unless MOHE, a Kuwait Cultural Office, or a Kuwaiti embassy confirms their eligibility.
For eligible Kuwaiti scholarship students, the scholarship system supports study in approved fields and universities. The current scholarship plans and rules are announced through MOHE or the relevant Kuwait Cultural Office, so applicants should confirm the latest majors, benefits, and application dates before preparing documents.
Applicants should also check the official rules for age, citizenship, high school certificate validity, and other conditions. The cited Kuwait Cultural Office rules include an age range of 17 to 23 years old for scholarship students and require a valid high school diploma or equivalent certificate.
2. Education Future International Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: INR 200,000 to INR 1,000,000, approximately US$2,100 to US$10,400
- Eligible Degree/s: Undergraduate and postgraduate courses
The Education Future International Scholarship is an external scholarship for meritorious Indian students planning to study overseas at recognized universities outside India. Students may use the award for undergraduate or postgraduate study in Kuwait or another country outside India, provided the institution and course meet the scholarship provider’s conditions.
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must be Indian nationals with valid Indian passports. They must also have scored at least 60% in both Class 10 and Class 12. Applicants should show that they lack the means to self-fund their education abroad and should plan to fund at least 50% of their education through an education loan.
The official scholarship value is INR 200,000 to INR 1,000,000. Because exchange rates change, applicants should rely on the INR amount as the official scholarship value and treat the US dollar amount as an estimate.
3. GUST Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Committee-decided tuition discount; scholarships generally cover a specific amount up to a maximum of 15 credits per semester
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Gulf University for Science and Technology was legally established in 2002 as Kuwait’s first private university. GUST offers several scholarships and discounts, including the Outstanding Scholarship and the Financial Aid Scholarship.
The Outstanding Scholarship and Financial Aid Scholarship are available for all nationalities. The discount is decided by a committee each semester. GUST’s rules state that these scholarships are granted for one semester, cover a specific amount rather than the entire semester tuition, and may be renewed if the student continues to meet the conditions.
For the Financial Aid Scholarship, applicants must have completed at least 30 ACR credits and have a minimum GPA of 3.00. Under GUST’s general scholarship rules, students must not be receiving another GUST scholarship, must have no disciplinary decision issued against them, and must enroll in at least 12 credits unless they are graduating. The grant covers a maximum of 15 credits during the semester for which the student is applying.
Interested students should apply through the official GUST scholarship system during the period announced by the university.
4. ICGEB Grants
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Up to EUR 25,000 per year, approximately US$29,100
- Eligible Degree/s: Researchers at universities or research institutes in ICGEB member states
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology offers ICGEB Research Grants through its Collaborative Research Programme. This is a research grant rather than a traditional student scholarship, so it should not be described as a Ph.D. scholarship.
The program supports research projects in basic science, human healthcare, industrial biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, and bioenergy. The maximum annual contribution from ICGEB is EUR 25,000, and projects must be feasible within a maximum timeframe of 36 months.
Funds may be used for expenditures directly related to the project, such as consumable items, scientific literature, basic standard laboratory equipment, travel, and training costs. Salaries of principal investigators and normal institutional overhead expenses are not funded.
Applicants must hold positions at universities or research institutes in ICGEB member states, and Kuwait is listed as an ICGEB member state. Laboratories based in Italy are excluded from the call. International collaboration is an important feature of the grants and should be fully integrated into the proposed project.
5. KSCT Merit-Based Scholarships
- Scholarship Page
- Scholarship Value: Up to 100% tuition scholarship
- Eligible Degree/s: Bachelor’s
Kuwait College of Science and Technology is a private, technology-focused institution in Kuwait. Self-funded students can apply for KCST Merit-Based Scholarships based on academic performance and the college’s announced timelines and criteria.
For new admissions, KCST lists a 100% scholarship for students with final high school grades of 98% or above in the same year of admission. It lists a 50% scholarship for students with final high school grades of 95% or above obtained less than two years from the application date, and a 25% scholarship for students with final high school grades of 90% or above obtained less than two years from the application date.
For current KCST students, KCST lists a 50% scholarship for students who achieve a CGPA of 3.67 or higher for two consecutive semesters and a 25% scholarship for students who achieve a CGPA of 3.50 or higher for two consecutive semesters.
The scholarship is only applicable to self-funded students. Students receiving scholarships must maintain high standards of attendance and behavior. KCST may suspend the scholarship of any student who receives a warning for behavior or academic offenses or falls below 85% attendance in any course during the semester. Summer semesters do not count for scholarship purposes, and scholarships are usually awarded for one academic semester at a time, with evaluation at the end of each semester.
Tuition costs are a common concern for international students, but scholarships, discounts, and research grants can help reduce the financial burden. Before applying, always check the official scholarship page for the latest eligibility rules, award amounts, deadlines, and application procedures.
We hope this article on the best scholarships in Kuwait for international students was helpful. If you’re interested in studying abroad, check out the Study in Kuwait and Available Programs for International Students pages for more informative articles.
