In addition to the admission requirements specified by the Deanship of Graduate Studies, the minimum admission qualifications for admission to the KFUPM Ph.D. program in Computer Engineering is:

1. A Master's degree in a COE-related engineering or science discipline with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 from an institute with an MS program equivalent to KFUPM's.
2. A minimum TOEFL score of 560 (PBT), 215(CBT), or 80 (IBT) or other equivalent English tests. Scores should not be more than two years.
3. Three letters of recommendation (at least two from instructors or current supervisors) addressing the applicant's academic achievements and professional accomplishments.
4. Acceptable GRE scores.
5. A statement of purpose, where the student should elaborate on his general area of research and Ph.D. research plans at KFUPM (approximately 1000 words).

Students enrolled in this program are required to complete 30 graduate credit hours of courses (excluding the dissertation). These courses should be selected from a program of study approved by the student's Graduate Committee, the Department Chairman, and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Ph.D. program in Computer Engineering provides specialization in three areas of competency. These areas are chosen to provide coverage of well-recognized established areas of COE and at the same time allow for coverage of anticipated future progress in the discipline. Each student must select one of the following as his major area and another as a minor area:

Study Plan Structure:

Program Courses:

* From the same major area, with at least three latter-grade courses from COE. A designated list of courses for each COE major area will be provided. These lists will include courses from COE and other related departments.

** From the other COE major areas, with at least two latter-grade courses from COE, but not from the same COE major area.

*** COE 701, COE 702, or latter-grade courses from other departments: ICS, EE, SE, and MATH.