The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 offer international students an opportunity to pursue graduate studies at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), one of South Korea’s leading science and technology universities.
The Spring 2027 international graduate admission cycle is open to applicants seeking Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, and PhD programmes. The current application window runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026, according to KAIST’s Spring 2027 admission information.
For successful scholarship recipients, financial support can include full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and National Health Insurance. The exact funding package can depend on the scholarship category, department, adviser, and research arrangements.
This makes KAIST Scholarships 2027 particularly relevant for international students looking for funded postgraduate study in South Korea, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering, natural sciences, and technology.
KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027: Quick Facts
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) |
| Country | South Korea |
| Intake | Spring 2027 |
| Degree levels | Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, PhD |
| Applicants | International students |
| Application period | August 18 – September 1, 2026 |
| Scholarship | KAIST Scholarship |
| Funding | Tuition support, stipend and health insurance |
| KGPS | Up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for eligible recipients |
| KPS | KRW 300,000 per month for eligible recipients |
| Application | Online |
The official KAIST notice states that online applications for Spring 2027 run from August 18 at 10:00 a.m. to September 1 at 5:00 p.m. Korea Standard Time, while recommendation letters are due by September 8 at 6:00 p.m. KST.
What Are the KAIST Scholarships 2027?
KAIST provides financial support to international graduate students through its scholarship system. The scholarship package can cover tuition and provide financial assistance during graduate study.
KAIST’s graduate scholarship information describes comprehensive support including full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and National Health Insurance. The duration of tuition support depends on the degree programme, with the cited KAIST scholarship structure covering four semesters for a Master’s, ten semesters for a Master’s-PhD Integrated programme and eight semesters for a PhD.
Students should understand that the monthly stipend is not necessarily identical for every student. Funding can vary according to the department, adviser, research involvement, and scholarship category.
Degree Programmes Available
The Spring 2027 KAIST international graduate admission cycle provides several postgraduate routes.
1. Master’s Programme
Applicants who hold or will obtain a Bachelor’s degree can apply for a Master’s programme.
This route is suitable for students seeking advanced academic and technical training before entering professional careers or continuing to doctoral-level research.
2. Master’s-PhD Integrated Programme
The Master’s-PhD Integrated programme provides a combined postgraduate pathway for students interested in long-term research.
Applicants with an appropriate Bachelor’s-level qualification may be considered for this route, subject to the requirements of their chosen department.
3. PhD Programme
Applicants seeking doctoral study generally need a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
PhD applicants should pay particular attention to research interests, academic preparation, faculty compatibility and the research strengths of their chosen department.
Fields of Study at KAIST
KAIST is particularly well known for science, engineering and technology, but graduate students can pursue programmes across several academic areas.
Potential fields include:
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Biological Sciences
- Life Science and Bioengineering
- Nuclear and Quantum Engineering
- Business
- Technology Management
- Liberal Arts and Convergence Science
- Other interdisciplinary research areas
Applicants should check the current admission guide carefully because not every department necessarily participates in every admission round.
KAIST Scholarship Benefits
One of the strongest features of the KAIST scholarship system is the level of financial support available to international graduate students.
Full Tuition Support
KAIST scholarship recipients can receive full tuition coverage for the applicable period of their degree programme.
Monthly Living Support
International graduate students may receive a monthly stipend. However, the amount can vary depending on factors such as the department, adviser, laboratory, and research participation.
National Health Insurance
The scholarship package also includes support for National Health Insurance for eligible international students.
KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship
Eligible Master’s and Master’s-PhD Integrated applicants can also be considered for the KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS).
The scholarship information cited by KAIST lists full tuition coverage and a KRW 1,000,000 monthly stipend for four regular semesters for selected recipients. Applicants for the relevant KAIST scholarship are automatically considered, meaning a separate KGPS application is not normally required.
KAIST Prestige Scholarship for International PhD Students
Selected Master’s-PhD Integrated and PhD applicants may also be considered for the KAIST Prestige Scholarship for International Ph.D. Students.
The cited scholarship information provides full tuition coverage and a KRW 300,000 monthly stipend for up to eight regular semesters for eligible recipients.
Who Can Apply for KAIST Scholarships 2027?
The opportunity is designed for eligible international applicants who meet KAIST’s graduate admission requirements.
Master’s Applicants
Applicants generally need:
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification
- An academic background relevant to the selected programme
- Required English-language evidence or an approved exemption
- Academic transcripts and supporting documents
- Other documents required by the selected department
Students who are completing their Bachelor’s degree may also be considered if they can satisfy KAIST’s degree-completion requirements before enrollment.
Master’s-PhD Integrated Applicants
Applicants generally need:
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Appropriate academic preparation
- English proficiency or an approved exemption
- Required academic and research documents
- Eligibility for the selected department
PhD Applicants
PhD applicants generally need:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
- Relevant academic preparation
- English proficiency or an approved exemption
- Academic transcripts and supporting materials
- Any additional documents required by the department
Importantly, applicants should not rely on a single unofficial GPA figure as a universal KAIST requirement. The competitiveness of an application can also depend on academic preparation, research experience, recommendations, research potential, and programme fit.
English Language Requirements
International applicants normally need to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an approved exemption.
The Spring 2027 information supplied for this opportunity lists the following scores:
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall
- TOEIC: 720
- TEPS: 326
- TOEFL iBT: 83 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, subject to KAIST’s rules for newer TOEFL scoring
Applicants should carefully check the current KAIST admission guide because accepted tests, score requirements, and exemptions can change.
Do You Need to Contact a KAIST Professor?
A professor’s prior acceptance is not universally required for every international graduate applicant.
Nevertheless, contacting potential supervisors can be useful for research-oriented Master’s and PhD applications. Applicants should identify faculty members whose research closely matches their academic interests and proposed research direction.
A strong research fit can help applicants understand the department and demonstrate that their proposed graduate study aligns with the university’s research environment.
However, contacting a professor does not guarantee admission or scholarship funding. Applicants must still satisfy the formal admission and scholarship requirements.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare their materials before starting the online application.
Common application materials may include:
- Online application form
- Academic transcripts
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree information
- Passport or nationality documentation
- English-language test results or exemption evidence
- Recommendation materials
- Academic information
- Research-related information
- Department-specific documents where required
Research-based programmes may request additional information.
Applicants should also be prepared for post-admission document verification. Depending on where academic documents were issued, KAIST may require formally verified documents through procedures such as Apostille or appropriate official certification.
How to Apply for KAIST Scholarships 2027
The KAIST graduate scholarship application is linked to the international graduate admission process.
Step 1: Choose Your Degree
Decide whether you are applying for a Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, or PhD programme.
Step 2: Select Your Department
Review KAIST’s graduate programmes and select a department that matches your academic background and career or research objectives.
Step 3: Research Faculty
For research-oriented programmes, explore KAIST faculty members and laboratories working in your intended area.
Step 4: Check English Requirements
Determine whether you need an accepted English test or qualify for an exemption.
Step 5: Select the Scholarship
When completing the application, indicate the appropriate KAIST scholarship option if you want to be considered for institutional funding.
Eligible applicants may also be considered for additional scholarship categories such as KGPS or the KAIST Prestige Scholarship, depending on their degree and eligibility.
Step 6: Complete the Online Application
Create an account through the KAIST graduate admission system, enter your personal and academic information, select your programme, and upload the required documents.
Step 7: Submit Recommendations
Make sure required recommendation materials are submitted within the specified period. For Spring 2027, KAIST lists September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. KST as the recommendation submission deadline.
Step 8: Complete the Selection Process
KAIST evaluates applications through its relevant academic and departmental processes. Depending on the programme, applicants may be invited to an interview or additional evaluation.
Step 9: Follow Post-Admission Instructions
Successful applicants should follow KAIST’s instructions concerning document verification, registration, and immigration requirements.
KAIST Scholarship 2027 Application Deadline
The KAIST Spring 2027 international graduate application deadline is September 1, 2026.
Applications opened on August 18, 2026. The official KAIST notice gives the online application period as August 18 at 10:00 a.m. through September 1 at 5:00 p.m. KST.
Because the application period is relatively short, prospective applicants should prepare transcripts, recommendation materials, English-language documentation, and other supporting materials as early as possible.
Is the KAIST Scholarship Fully Funded?
The KAIST Scholarship can be considered a fully funded or highly comprehensive funding opportunity for eligible international graduate students because the package can include full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and National Health Insurance.
However, applicants should avoid assuming that every student receives the same monthly allowance. Funding arrangements can differ according to the scholarship category, department, adviser, and research circumstances.
Students should therefore review the official scholarship and admission documentation for the programme they intend to enter.
Why Consider KAIST in South Korea?
KAIST is particularly attractive to students who want research-intensive graduate education in science, technology, engineering and related disciplines.
The university’s research environment makes it especially relevant for applicants interested in areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence
- Computer science
- Robotics
- Electrical engineering
- Materials science
- Biotechnology
- Aerospace engineering
- Nuclear and quantum engineering
- Data and technology
- Industrial engineering
For prospective international students, the combination of advanced research opportunities and substantial scholarship support makes KAIST an important option to consider when searching for fully funded Master’s and PhD scholarships in South Korea.
Final Thoughts
The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 provide international students with an opportunity to pursue graduate education at a major Korean science and technology university while receiving substantial financial support.
The Spring 2027 application window is particularly important because the deadline is September 1, 2026. Applicants should not wait until the final day to prepare their applications, particularly because recommendation materials have a later but separate submission deadline.
Students should carefully match their academic background and research interests with their intended KAIST department, verify the latest admission requirements, and prepare all required documents before submitting an application.
For the most authoritative and up-to-date information, applicants should rely on the official KAIST graduate admission system and current departmental guidance rather than third-party scholarship summaries.
Official application and admission information: KAIST International Graduate Admission
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KAIST Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
KAIST scholarships can provide full tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, and National Health Insurance for eligible international graduate students. Additional scholarship categories may provide enhanced financial support.
What is the deadline for KAIST Scholarships 2027?
The Spring 2027 international graduate application deadline is September 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. KST. Recommendation letters are due September 8, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. KST.
Which degrees are covered?
The Spring 2027 opportunity covers Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, and PhD pathways, subject to department participation.
Do I need IELTS for KAIST?
International applicants generally need to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an approved exemption. Applicants should check the latest KAIST requirements for their specific circumstances.
Do I need a professor’s acceptance before applying?
Not universally. However, contacting relevant faculty members can be useful for research-focused graduate applications, particularly when assessing research fit.
Can international students apply?
Yes. The opportunity is aimed at eligible international applicants who satisfy KAIST’s graduate admission requirements.
Strong SEO keywords: KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027, KAIST scholarships 2027, KAIST scholarship for international students, KAIST fully funded scholarship, KAIST Master’s scholarship 2027, KAIST PhD scholarship 2027, KAIST MS-PhD scholarship, study in South Korea with scholarship, fully funded scholarships in South Korea, South Korea scholarships for international students, KAIST graduate admission 2027, KAIST Spring 2027 admission, KAIST scholarship deadline 2026, KAIST KGPS scholarship, KAIST Prestige Scholarship, KAIST international graduate admission, fully funded Master’s scholarships 2027, fully funded PhD scholarships 2027, scholarships in South Korea for international students, KAIST scholarship without IELTS
ALSO CHECK
Dartmouth College DAAD Master’s Scholarships in Germany 2027: Study in Germany With Financial Support
European Fully Funded Scholarships 2027-2028: ARES International Training Scholarships for Bachelor’s and Master’s Students
IAEA Internship Jobs 2026: International Atomic Energy Agency Opportunities for Students and Young Professionals
Follow Us On Our Social Media Platforms
WhatsApp Group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IUYDUNb8GCx4V2QqkBoiuq?mode=ems_copy_t
WhatsApp Channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb60pjHL2ATw5rPOEw2l
Facebook Page:
