The Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has announced amendments to its foreign scholarship regulations, aiming to enhance the academic quality of scholarship recipients and better prepare them for the job market. These changes will be implemented starting from the 2025/2026 academic year.
Under the new guidelines, students are now required to achieve a minimum score of 5.5 on the IELTS exam before commencing their studies abroad. They are granted a full calendar year from the announcement of acceptance results to meet this requirement. This replaces the previous system where students underwent preparatory English language courses after being awarded the scholarship. The adjustment aims to address academic challenges faced by students who, despite completing language programs, lacked sufficient proficiency for academic success, leading to subsequent academic difficulties.
Additionally, the “Distinguished Scholarship” program now mandates that recipients maintain a minimum GPA of 2.67 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) during their studies to continue benefiting from the program. This measure seeks to uphold high academic standards among scholarship students.
Furthermore, applicants must not have previously received a scholarship or grant within Kuwait for a bachelor’s degree unless they have reimbursed any expenses incurred. This ensures equitable distribution of opportunities and optimal utilization of available resources.
The Ministry emphasizes the importance of early preparation for English proficiency tests and advises prospective scholarship applicants to stay informed through official channels. The upcoming “Guide Me” campaign will provide further support and academic guidance to students as part of the annual admission plan. Continuous monitoring of scholarship students’ performance will be conducted through cultural offices abroad to ensure they meet required academic standards and succeed in their educational endeavors.
These reforms reflect the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing educational outcomes and developing a highly qualified national workforce capable of competing in both local and international job markets.
Source: https://www.mohe.edu.kw/site/AR/News/NewsDetails/112?PageID=14
Our Perspective on the New Scholarship Amendments
In light of the recent updates from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education, here’s our summary of the key changes:
- English Proficiency – Students must now achieve a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 before starting their studies abroad, replacing preparatory language courses.
- GPA Requirement – “Distinguished Scholarship” recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.67 (out of 4.0) to continue receiving support.
- No Dual Scholarships – Applicants who have previously received a scholarship within Kuwait must reimburse past expenses before applying again.
- Monitoring and Support – The Ministry will monitor students’ progress abroad and provide guidance through the upcoming “Guide Me” campaign.
