KAIST University Scholarships 2027 in South Korea Fully Funded Graduate Scholarships for International Students

Study in South Korea Fully Funded Graduate Scholarship | Master’s, Master’s-PhD & PhD. Are you looking for a fully funded graduate scholarship in South Korea for 2027? The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is offering international students an opportunity to apply for graduate programs through its international admission system.

The KAIST University Scholarship 2027 provides financial support to eligible international graduate students, including full tuition coverage, national health insurance and a monthly stipend. The opportunity is particularly attractive to students interested in science, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, business, and other research-oriented fields. For the Spring 2027 intake, the official KAIST application period runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026.

Important: KAIST scholarship consideration is connected to the graduate admission application. Applicants should carefully select the appropriate scholarship/financial-resource option during the application process and satisfy the relevant admission requirements.

About KAIST

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is a leading South Korean institution focused on science, engineering, technology, innovation and research.

KAIST offers international graduate programs across five major academic areas: Natural Sciences, Life Science and Bio Engineering, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, and Business. The university states that programs available to international students can vary according to the admission cycle, so applicants should always check the confirmed program list for their intended intake.

KAIST University Scholarship 2027 Benefits

Eligible international graduate students may receive substantial financial support through KAIST scholarship programs.

1. Full Tuition Coverage

The KAIST Scholarship provides full tuition coverage for eligible international graduate students. This significantly reduces the financial burden associated with postgraduate study in South Korea.

2. Monthly Stipend

Scholarship recipients may receive a monthly stipend. The amount can depend on the scholarship program, degree, college, department and research involvement.

For example, KAIST's scholarship information lists the KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS) for eligible Master’s and Master’s-PhD applicants, with full tuition coverage and a monthly stipend of KRW 1,000,000 for four regular semesters for selected recipients.

3. National Health Insurance

KAIST scholarship support includes national health insurance for eligible scholarship recipients.

4. Research Opportunities

KAIST operates within a strong research environment, and students may have opportunities to participate in research projects and receive additional financial support depending on their circumstances and research involvement.

5. International Academic Environment

Students have the opportunity to study and conduct research in South Korea within an internationally oriented science and technology university.

Degree Programs Available

KAIST International Graduate Admission includes several graduate-level study options.

Eligible applicants may apply for:

Master's degree programs
Master's-Ph.D. integrated programs
Ph.D. programs

The exact programs accepting applications depend on the particular admission cycle. KAIST recommends checking the official application guide for the confirmed list before submitting an application.

Fields of Study

KAIST offers graduate programs in a broad range of disciplines.

Engineering and Technology

Potential areas include:

Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Space Exploration Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Robotics
School of Computing
Information Security
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Environmental and Energy Technology
Industrial Design
Data Science
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Nuclear and Quantum Engineering
Artificial Intelligence
Green Growth and Sustainability
Digital Humanities and Computational Social Sciences

Natural Sciences

Programs and research areas include:

Physics
Mathematical Sciences
Chemistry
Quantum Science and Technology
Biological Sciences
Medical Science and Engineering

Life Science and Bioengineering

Applicants can also explore areas such as:

Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Engineering Biology
Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology

Liberal Arts and Convergence Science

Relevant programs include:

Culture Technology
Science and Technology Policy

Business and Management

KAIST also offers graduate opportunities in areas such as:

Business and Technology Management
Global Digital Innovation
Management Engineering
Finance MBA

Because available programs can differ by admission cycle, applicants should verify the program's availability before beginning their application.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants for KAIST International Graduate Admission must satisfy the university's eligibility requirements.

Citizenship

Applicants must hold citizenship of a country other than South Korea.

Applicants holding Korean citizenship are not eligible for KAIST International Graduate Admission. Additional requirements may apply to applicants of Korean descent who hold foreign citizenship.

Academic Requirements

For Master's or Master's-Ph.D. integrated programs, applicants must have a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification by the beginning of the intended program. For Ph.D. programs, applicants must have a Master's degree or equivalent qualification by the beginning of the program.

KAIST recognizes several qualifications as equivalent to a Korean Bachelor's degree, including four-year university degrees, qualifying three-year Bologna-compliant Bachelor's degrees, certain first-cycle EHEA qualifications and Bachelor's degrees with honors under the British education system.

English Language Requirements

English proficiency is an important component of KAIST international graduate admission.

KAIST's current requirements list the following minimum scores for applicants who need to provide an English proficiency test:

TOEFL iBT: 83 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 under the newer TOEFL scoring system for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026
IELTS Academic: 6.5
TOEIC: 720
TEPS: 326

Certain applicants may qualify for an English proficiency test waiver depending on their citizenship and educational background. KAIST specifically lists Rwanda among countries whose citizens may qualify for a waiver when they have completed a qualifying Bachelor's degree or higher in English at an institution in one of the listed countries, subject to the university's documentation requirements.

Applicants should therefore carefully review the current English proficiency rules before submitting their application.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should prepare the documents required by KAIST's international graduate application system.

These may include:

Academic transcripts
Degree certificate or diploma
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
English proficiency documentation, where required
Recommendation letters
Statement of Purpose
Citizenship documentation
Additional family or nationality documents where applicable
Other supporting documents required by the selected program

Applicants should follow the official application instructions carefully because document requirements can vary according to the applicant's circumstances and selected program.

How to Apply for KAIST University Scholarship 2027

The application is submitted online through the KAIST international graduate admission system.

Step 1: Review the Admission Requirements

Before starting the application, carefully check the eligibility criteria, academic requirements, English proficiency requirements and program availability.

Step 2: Select Your Graduate Program

Choose the degree program and academic field that best matches your academic background and research interests.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Prepare your academic records, CV, statement of purpose, identification documents, recommendation information and other required materials.

Step 4: Identify Potential Faculty Members

Applicants should research faculty members and identify researchers whose academic interests and research areas align with their intended study.

This is particularly important for research-oriented graduate applications.

Step 5: Complete the Online Application

Enter your personal, educational and academic information accurately in the KAIST application system.

Step 6: Submit Recommendation Information

Provide the required information for your recommenders so that recommendation letters can be submitted according to the KAIST instructions.

Step 7: Select Scholarship/Financial Support

Applicants seeking KAIST scholarship support should select the appropriate scholarship option in the application.

KAIST states that international applicants who select the KAIST scholarship as their financial resource are automatically considered for relevant KAIST scholarship programs when eligible; a separate scholarship application is generally not required.

Step 8: Pay the Application Fee

Complete the application fee payment where applicable.

Step 9: Submit Before the Deadline

Review the entire application carefully and submit it before the official deadline.

KAIST 2027 Application Deadline

For the Spring 2027 entry, KAIST's official timeline gives the following application period:

Application Period: August 18 – September 1, 2026

Application Deadline: September 1, 2026

KAIST's official timeline identifies Spring 2027 as the current graduate admission cycle with these dates. The Fall 2027 application dates are listed as TBA on the official timeline.

Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications. Recommendation letters and other supporting materials may have their own submission requirements, so applicants should check the official application guide carefully.

Why You Should Consider KAIST

KAIST is particularly attractive for students interested in research, technology and innovation.

The university's graduate scholarship system combines tuition support with living assistance and health insurance, while its research environment can provide additional opportunities for students to participate in research projects. KAIST reports that its scholarship system benefits a large majority of its international student population.

For students pursuing careers in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics, Data Science, Biotechnology, Energy, Materials Science and Technology Management, KAIST can provide an academically strong environment for advanced study and research.

Important Advice for Applicants

Before applying, make sure you:

Confirm that your degree meets KAIST's academic requirements.
Check whether your intended program is accepting applications for Spring 2027.
Review the English proficiency requirements carefully.
Confirm whether you qualify for an English test waiver.
Research faculty members and their research interests.
Prepare a strong and focused Statement of Purpose.
Choose recommenders who can provide meaningful academic references.
Ensure that all documents are clear and correctly prepared.
Review every section of the online application before submission.
Submit the application before September 1, 2026.

Official Application Information

Applicants should use the official KAIST International Graduate Admissions website for the most current admission instructions, program availability, eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Official KAIST Graduate Admission Guide: KAIST International Graduate Admissions Application Guide

The KAIST University Scholarship 2027 in South Korea is a valuable opportunity for international students seeking advanced education in science, technology, engineering, business and research-related disciplines.

The scholarship can provide substantial financial support through full tuition coverage, monthly financial assistance and national health insurance, while students gain access to KAIST's research-focused academic environment.

If you are planning to apply for the Spring 2027 intake, start preparing your academic documents, CV, Statement of Purpose and recommendation information as early as possible.

Application deadline: September 1, 2026.

Always verify the latest requirements directly with KAIST before submitting your application because admission requirements, available programs and scholarship conditions may be updated.

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KAIST University Scholarships 2027 in South Korea Fully Funded | KAIST University Scholarships 2027