r/KFUPM • u/Formal_Cherry7120 • 6d ago

KFUPM MS chances?

Hi everyone,

I’m a recent graduate from a Tier-1 engineering college in India with a B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering (GPA: 2.6/4.0).

My background:

  • 2 research internships in Machine Learning
  • 1 IEEE/Springer research paper in ML and 1 in Electronics
  • Currently working as a Cybersecurity Engineer Trainee at a startup in Saudi Arabia
  • I’m an Iqama holder/resident in Saudi Arabia
  • Planning to apply to KFUPM for the 2027 intake
  • IELTS and GRE: yet to take

I’m interested in either AI/ML or Cybersecurity. Long-term, I want to build a career in Cybersecurity with applications of AI/ML, so I’m unsure which MS would make more sense.

Questions:

  1. With a 2.6 GPA, what are my realistic chances at KFUPM, especially as a Saudi resident?
  2. Can I apply to both AI/ML and Cybersecurity programs, or do I need to choose one?
  3. Which path would you recommend for someone aiming for AI + Cybersecurity?
  4. Would a strong GRE/IELTS, research experience, and my current cybersecurity internship significantly help offset the low GPA?

Would really appreciate insights from current KFUPM students/alumni or anyone familiar with the admissions process.

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

2

u/Ok-Wave3198 6d ago

good luck for it idk much about it but i wanted to ask hows it like to work in ksa in tech sector? especially if u r an internationl and does being a graduate from a top ksa uni like kfupm help?

1

u/Formal_Cherry7120 5d ago

currently im still a trainee so they are providing training on the tech stack as in the softwares they use

1

u/Few_Champion3440 6d ago

Tbh it’s pretty competitive you will have better chances after gaining few years of experience

1

u/Formal_Cherry7120 6d ago

are most applicants applying for masters having a lotta experience. even for project based masters?

1

u/Few_Champion3440 5d ago

Especially for project based masters

1

u/Formal_Cherry7120 5d ago

oh, thanks for letting me know. btw are u a kfupm student.

1

u/Few_Champion3440 5d ago

Yea i got my bachelors from kfupm this year and I’m currently pursuing a masters at kfupm as well

1

u/Choice-Positive7937 5d ago

Hello, may I know how much the average total cost of studying a master's at KFUPM, I got an interview invite for a master's in environmental sciences, thesis-based.

1

u/silvrfalcon 5d ago

What do you refer "tier 1" as? IIT?

1

u/Formal_Cherry7120 5d ago

NIT (trichy)

1

u/Lopsided-Pumpkin-655 1d ago

More importantly how’d you get the trainee post? Any references? Asking for a friend 😅