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Often referred to as the “MIT of Asia,” the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is South Korea’s premier national research university located in Daejeon. Known globally for cutting-edge innovation in science, engineering, technology, and business, KAIST provides extraordinary financial support to international postgraduate students.
Through the KAIST International Graduate Student Scholarship (and affiliated excellence awards like the Global Presidential Scholarship and College of Engineering Fellowships), over 90% of admitted international Master’s and PhD candidates receive full funding.
If you are planning to pursue postgraduate studies in South Korea for the 2027 academic year (Spring or Fall intake), this comprehensive guide covers funding tiers, eligibility standards, English language score requirements, application timelines, and step-by-step instructions.
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Scholarship Tiers & Financial Benefits
KAIST automatically evaluates all admitted international graduate candidates for institutional scholarship coverage. Depending on the department recommendation and candidate profile, funding is provided across several tiers:
Financial Coverage Breakdown
| Scholarship Scheme | Tuition Coverage | Monthly Allowance / Stipend | Additional Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard KAIST Graduate Scholarship | 100% Fully Waived | 350,000 KRW/month (Master’s) 400,000 KRW/month (PhD) | National Health Insurance support & laboratory research assistantship (RA) stipends |
| KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS) | 100% Fully Waived | 1,000,000 KRW/month for 4 regular semesters | Top-tier award for high-ranking Master’s and Integrated applicants |
| KAIST Prestige Scholarship (KPS) | 100% Fully Waived | 300,000 KRW/month for up to 8 regular semesters | Dedicated department recommendation track for PhD candidates |
| KAIST CoE PhD Fellowship | 100% Fully Waived | 2,500,000 KRW/month for 4 academic years | Selective College of Engineering doctoral award (funded by CoE & research labs) |
> Research Assistantships (RA): In addition to the base scholarship stipend, most science and engineering graduate students receive extra project-based stipends provided by their host research laboratory supervisor.
Eligible Academic Faculties & Fields
The KAIST Graduate Scholarship applies to a broad range of Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, and Doctoral programs across KAIST colleges:
- College of Engineering: Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Materials Science, Nuclear & Quantum Engineering.
- College of Natural Sciences: Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Chemistry.
- College of Life Science & Bioengineering: Biological Sciences, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Bio & Brain Engineering.
- College of Business: Technology & Operations Management, Management Engineering, Green Business & Policy.
- College of Liberal Arts & Convergence Science: Graduate School of Culture Technology, Digital Humanities, Science and Technology Policy.
Eligibility Requirements for International Applicants
To qualify for admission and scholarship consideration under the KAIST Graduate Program 2027, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Must hold foreign citizenship. Applicants who hold Korean citizenship (including dual nationals) are ineligible for the international track.
- Academic Credentials:
- Master’s / Integrated Program: Must hold or expect to hold a Bachelor’s degree prior to the semester start date.
- PhD Program: Must hold or expect to hold both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree prior to the semester start date.
- English Language Proficiency: Since courses at KAIST are primarily conducted in English, non-native English speakers must submit an official score meeting or exceeding one of the following thresholds:
- TOEFL iBT: 83 (PBT 560) (KAIST TOEFL Institution Code: 0195)
- IELTS Academic: Overall Band 6.5
- TOEIC: 720 (Listening & Reading)
- TEPS / New TEPS: 326 or higher
- Age Limit: There is no official age limit for the KAIST International Graduate Scholarship.
Required Application Documents
All application documents must be submitted electronically via the online portal, followed by official physical copies if requested:
- KAIST Online Application Form: Completed on the KAIST admissions portal.
- Statement of Financial Resources: Select “KAIST Scholarship” on the form to be automatically considered for funding.
- Official Degree Certificates & Academic Transcripts: Officially certified and translated into English if originally issued in another language.
- Two Recommendation Letters: Submitted directly by your recommenders through KAIST’s online system.
- English Proficiency Test Report: Valid score report (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or TEPS).
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) & Statement of Purpose: Highlighting your academic history, publication record, and research interests.
- Copy of Passport & National IDs: Proof of citizenship for applicant and parents.
- Application Fee: KRW 80,000 (~USD 80) non-refundable payment.
Important Timelines for 2027 Intakes
KAIST operates three distinct graduate admission cycles each year. Pay careful attention to the schedule for your target semester:
1. Spring 2027 Intake
- Application Window Opens: Mid-August 2026
- Application Deadline: Early September 2026
- Document Verification & Review: October – November 2026
- Final Admissions & Scholarship Result: December 2026
- Classes Commence: March 2, 2027
2. Fall 2027 Entry (Early Track)
- Application Window Opens: Early December 2026
- Application Deadline: Late December 2026 / Early January 2027
- Final Result Notification: March / April 2027
- Classes Commence: September 1, 2027
3. Fall 2027 Entry (Regular Track)
- Application Window Opens: Early March 2027
- Application Deadline: Late March 2027
- Final Result Notification: June 2027
- Classes Commence: September 1, 2027
Step-by-Step Application Instructions
Applying for the KAIST International Student Scholarship involves a streamlined process integrated directly with academic admission:
- Access the KAIST Admissions Portal: Visit the official KAIST International Graduate Admissions website.
- Complete the Application Form: Fill in your academic credentials, personal details, and program choices.
- Select KAIST Scholarship: On the “Statement of Financial Resources” tab, check KAIST Scholarship as your primary funding source. You do not need to fill out a separate scholarship application.
- Upload Digital Scans: Upload PDF scans of your degree certificates, transcripts, English score report, and passport.
- Register Recommenders: Enter your two recommenders’ institutional email addresses. System emails will trigger automatically upon application fee submission.
- Pay Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable KRW 80,000 fee via credit card or online transfer.
- Track Recommender Status: Ensure both recommenders submit their evaluation links prior to the recommendation deadline.
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Official Links
- KAIST International Graduate Admissions Portal: admission.kaist.ac.kr/graduate
- KAIST Main University Portal: kaist.ac.kr
FAQs
Is there a separate application for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship?
No. There is no independent scholarship form. You automatically enter scholarship evaluation simply by checking “KAIST Scholarship” under the Statement of Financial Resources section on your regular admissions application.
Can I get an English Language Proficiency Waiver at KAIST?
Waivers are granted if you have completed your entire degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in an officially recognized English-speaking country (such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland). If your university was outside these recognized countries (even if taught in English), submitting a valid TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or TEPS report is required.
Do I need to contact a professor before applying to KAIST?
While securing prior consent from a professor is not strictly mandatory across all departments, it is highly recommended for STEM applicants. Having a lab principal investigator (PI) agree to host you significantly increases your chances of departmental recommendation and research assistantship funding.
Final Tip From ScholarshipsHive
When applying to KAIST, your research proposal and academic alignment with specific laboratory research groups play a pivotal role in final scholarship awards. Reach out to prospective lab professors at least 3 to 4 weeks before the application deadline with a concise academic CV and a brief pitch outlining how your previous thesis work or skills complement their ongoing research projects.
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