If you are planning to study in South Korea with financial support, the KAIST University Scholarship is one of the best opportunities available for international students. This scholarship provides fully funded programs at KAIST University across a wide range of fields. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the KAIST University Scholarship, including its benefits, eligibility criteria, required documents, and a detailed step-by-step application process to help you apply successfully.
The KAIST University Scholarship 2026-2027 is offered for master’s and PhD studies. This scholarship will cover the full tuition fee, a monthly allowance of up to 400,000 KRW, and medical health insurance fees.
KAIST is a famous leading university in Asia and is known as the MIT of Asia. It was established by the Korean government in 1971 as the nation’s first research-oriented science and engineering institution. The Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) offers the KAIST International Student Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate international students.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Master’s, PhD
- Institution: KAIST University
- Study Destination: South Korea
- Opportunity Focus Areas: See list below.
- Program Period: Two years for a master’s and three years for a PhD.
Courses Offered
College of Natural Sciences
- Physics
- Mathematical Sciences
- Chemistry
College of Life Science & Bioengineering
- Biological Sciences
College of Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Civil & Environmental Engineering
- Bio & Brain Engineering
- Industrial Design
- Industrial & Systems Engineering
- Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Materials Science & Engineering
- Nuclear & Quantum Engineering
College of Business
- Business and Technology Management
KAIST University Scholarships Application Deadline
The general application deadline for the KAIST University scholarship is as follows:
- Spring Admission: Late August–Mid-September
- Fall Admission (Early Track): Early December–Late December
- Fall Admission (Regular Track): Early March–Late March
Fall 2026 Entry (Regular Track): March 3 – March 17, 2026
Scholarship Coverage
The KAIST University Scholarship provides the recipient with the following benefits:
- A Full Scholarship (the program covers all expenses)
- Full Tuition Fee Covered.
- A monthly allowance of 350,000 KRW for the master’s course.
- A monthly allowance of 400,000 KRW for a doctoral degree.
- The recipient’s advisor/department supports medical health insurance fees.
Eligibility Criteria for the KAIST University Scholarship
To qualify for the KAIST University Scholarship, a candidate must fulfill all of the following requirements:
- Required Language: Applicants must meet one of the English proficiency test minimum score requirements:
- TOEFL iBT 83 (PBT 560, CBT 220)
KAIST’s institution code for TOEFL is 0195 - IELTS 6.5 band (academic mode)
- TOEIC 720 (Listening & Reading)
- TEPS 599/New TEPS 326
- TOEFL iBT 83 (PBT 560, CBT 220)
- Eligible Countries: All countries in the world. Applicants who hold Korean Citizenship (dual citizenship) are NOT eligible to apply as international students
- For the master’s scholarship, applicants hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree before enrollment at KAIST.
- For doctoral scholarship, applicants hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree before enrollment at KAIST
How to Apply for a KAIST University Scholarship?
Please follow the application instructions below to apply for this scholarship.
- Fill the online application form with the required information.
- Master’s program applicants are asked to find UP TO THREE faculty members within their research area and register them in the Faculty section. Whereas doctoral program applicants, including Master’s-PhD integrated program applicants, are asked to identify ONE faculty member as their desired academic advisor and register that faculty member’s name in the Faculty section. Communication with the faculty member before your application is recommended.
- Upload those documents online.
- Transcripts and Degrees
- English Proficiency Test Report
- Standardized Official Test Score Report
- Passport or National ID Copy
- Statement of Financial Resources
- Honors and Awards (Optional)
- Two recommendation letters
- The applicant must pay the application fee of USD 80 or KRW 80,000. Payment can be made by credit card or bank transfer after completing the application form online. Additional charges (i.e., bank charges) should be covered by the applicants. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable, and you cannot modify the application form once you pay the fee
- Submit your application
NOTE: For detailed information on the application process, please visit here.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for a step-by-step application process.
Website
To know more about the KAIST University Scholarship, please visit the official website:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate scholarship application for KAIST, or is it automatic once I apply for admission?
You usually don’t submit a separate scholarship form. During the graduate admission application, select the KAIST Scholarship option as your financial resource. If you’re eligible and admitted, you’re automatically considered for KAIST scholarship support through the department/college selection process.
Why do people quote totally different stipend amounts (350k/400k vs 1,000,000 vs 1.7M+ KRW)? What will I actually receive?
KAIST funding is not one single fixed stipend for everyone. Some scholarship support is described as a basic monthly allowance, but the actual monthly support can vary by your degree level, college/department, and your research involvement. Many students also receive research assistantship support from labs, which can be much higher than the base allowance, especially in some engineering departments. There are also separate competitive scholarship programs that list their own stipend amounts and durations.
Is the scholarship guaranteed for the whole program, or can it be reduced/stopped after year one?
Scholarship support can be reviewed periodically, and continuation depends on maintaining good performance and meeting the program’s expectations. Stipend level can also vary depending on research participation and performance, so treat it as support that must be maintained rather than an unconditional fixed amount forever.
Do I need to secure a professor/supervisor before I apply?
You can submit the admission application without having a supervisor formally confirmed in advance, but contacting potential advisors early can significantly help your fit and planning. In many labs, the larger portion of monthly financial support comes from research assistantship funding provided by an advisor, so having alignment with a lab matters for both research and finances.
How many recommendation letters do I need, and do I upload them myself?
Recommendation letters are typically submitted online by your referees, not uploaded by you. You enter your referees’ details in the system, and the platform emails them to upload their letters by the document deadline. Plan early so your referees have enough time.
Can I get an application fee waiver or a refund if I’m rejected?
The application fee is generally non-refundable and not waived, even if you are not admitted. Some colleges/programs may reimburse or compensate the fee for certain admitted students after registration, but you should assume there is no refund if you are rejected.
Can I apply without IELTS/TOEFL if I studied in English (or I’m from an English-speaking country)?
An English test score is normally required, but you can request a waiver if you meet KAIST’s waiver conditions. Waivers depend on your citizenship and/or completing a degree in specific countries, and in some cases you must also provide an official certificate confirming English as the medium of instruction. Some special programs/tracks also have different English test rules.
My track/program isn’t showing KAIST Scholarship (or I was told it’s excluded). What’s going on?
Not every track is covered under the same KAIST scholarship scheme. For international graduate admissions, some tracks are excluded from the KAIST Scholarship option, and funding can be handled differently depending on the program. If your track is excluded, you’ll need to follow that track’s specific funding route or other scholarship options.