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University scholarship, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

KAIST Scholarship for International Graduate Students

Selecting the KAIST scholarship on your graduate application gives you full tuition cover and a stipend, with automatic consideration for the presidential and prestige awards.
Official page for the KAIST Scholarship for International Graduate Students (opens in a new tab)

What it pays

Full tuition, national health insurance and a monthly stipend that depends on research involvement and college. Top Masters applicants may also receive the KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KRW 1,000,000 per month for 4 regular semesters), and PhD applicants the KAIST Prestige Scholarship (KRW 300,000 per month for 8 regular semesters).

Fields: Natural sciences, Engineering, technology

Who can apply

Open to most nationalities

  • Citizen of a country other than Korea (applicants of Korean descent must meet the extra conditions on the eligibility page)
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent by the start of a Masters or Masters-PhD programme, or a Masters degree for a PhD programme
  • Meet the English proficiency test minimum listed on the KAIST eligibility page
  • Apply to any KAIST department except the GDI-GTIP track

Deadline

Two intakes a year. Spring 2027 entry applications ran 18 August to 1 September 2026. Fall 2027 entry: 7 January to 5 February 2027 (listed as to be announced, confirm on the KAIST timeline page).

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

Documents you will need

  • Online application with the KAIST scholarship option selected
  • Academic transcripts and degree certificates
  • English proficiency test score report
  • Statement of purpose and research plan
  • Recommendation letters

How to apply, step by step

  1. Step 1: Choose a programme and lab

    Check the KAIST department and research areas that fit your background before applying.

  2. Step 2: Check eligibility and English score

    Confirm your degree and English test meet the KAIST requirements.

  3. Step 3: Apply online

    Create an account on the KAIST admissions portal and select the KAIST scholarship as your financial resource.

  4. Step 4: Automatic consideration

    If eligible, you are considered for the KGPS (Masters) or KPS (PhD) without a separate application.
Official page for the KAIST Scholarship for International Graduate Students (opens in a new tab)

Conditions if you accept

  • The stipend amount depends on research involvement and can differ between colleges
  • KGPS and KPS are awarded only on department head recommendation to highly competitive applicants

Tips for a stronger application

  • Contact potential supervisors early, as stipends are often tied to lab research work
  • Prepare an English test score before the window opens
  • Compare with the Global Korea Scholarship if you want a government route, which is covered separately

Student visa guides

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

Common questions

Sources

Checked against these official pages on 17 Oct 2026.

What we can and cannot promise

Jandify Global gives guidance and prepares documents. We do not decide visas, admissions or scholarships, and we cannot promise an outcome. Those decisions belong to embassies, universities and funders. Read the no guarantee policy.

This result uses the general rules. Your own documents, finances and history can change it. Have an advisor check your exact case.

  • UniversityPartly funded

    Seoul National University Graduate Scholarships for International Students (GSFS, SNU President Fellowship, SNU Global Scholarship)

    Seoul National University

    SNU's own scholarships for international master's and PhD students, applied for by ticking the scholarship box in the graduate admission application; the SPF gives priority to university teaching staff from developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America.

    Where
    South Korea
    Level
    Master's, PhD
    Pays
    Graduate Scholarship for Foreign Students (GSFS): full tuition for up to four semesters plus a monthly stipend of at least KRW 500,000 (amount varies by college). SNU President Fellowship (SPF, PhD only): full tuition for up to six semesters, KRW 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 per month for 3 to 4 years, return airfare, national health insurance, Korean language training and child care support. SNU Global Scholarship: tuition, living costs, airfare and housing, with amounts set case by case.
    Deadline
    SNU admits international graduate students twice a year, for spring and fall semesters. For spring 2027 entry the online application ran from 6 to 9 July 2026 and final results came out on 20 November 2026. Fall-semester dates are published separately on the SNU admissions site; check the current guide before planning.
    Full details on Seoul National University Graduate Scholarships for International Students (GSFS, SNU President Fellowship, SNU Global Scholarship)
  • GovernmentFully funded

    Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

    National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea

    Korean government scholarship for undergraduate (GKS-U) and graduate (GKS-G) degrees, including a language year, applied for through the Korean embassy or a partner university.

    Where
    South Korea
    Level
    Bachelor's, Master's, PhD
    Pays
    Economy flight, tuition (NIIED pays up to KRW 5 million, the university covers the rest), a one-year Korean language course, and an all-inclusive monthly allowance. 2026 graduate rate: KRW 14,400,000 a year in the language year, KRW 16,560,000 a year in the degree.
    Deadline
    Graduate (GKS-G): announced in early February, embassy applications open for about two weeks from mid-February (2026 round: 12 to 25 February 2026). Undergraduate (GKS-U): embassy applications in the second half of September (2027 round: 15 to 30 September 2026, now closed). University Track dates vary by university. The next GKS-G call is expected February 2027.
    Full details on Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
  • UniversityTuition only

    Aalto University Excellence Scholarship

    Aalto University

    Merit-based full tuition waiver for the highest-ranked tuition-fee-paying applicants to Aalto University degree programmes; places are very limited.

    Where
    Finland
    Level
    Bachelor's, Master's
    Pays
    A 100 percent tuition fee waiver for the target study time (two years for a master's). Master's fees are EUR 15,000 a year in business, EUR 17,000 in technology and multidisciplinary programmes and EUR 20,000 in art and architecture. Living costs are not covered.
    Deadline
    Master's applications for autumn 2027 run from 7 December 2026 to 5 January 2027 (as listed for programmes such as Mechanical Engineering). Master's results are published on 30 March 2027.
    Full details on Aalto University Excellence Scholarship
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