KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded)
The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 are now accepting applications from international students who want to pursue postgraduate studies at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. The KAIST International Graduate Admission for Spring 2027 is open for Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, and PhD programmes.
The application window runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026, giving international students a limited time to apply for the Spring 2027 intake.
KAIST is one of South Korea’s leading research universities and is ranked #65 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The university provides substantial financial support to international graduate students, including tuition support and monthly living allowances.
For students searching for fully funded scholarships in South Korea, KAIST scholarships for international students, or KAIST scholarships 2027, this is an opportunity worth considering.
Quick Facts About KAIST Scholarships 2027
- University: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
- Country: South Korea
- Scholarship: KAIST Scholarship
- Intake: Spring 2027
- Application Period: August 18 – September 1, 2026
- Degree Levels: Master’s, Master’s-PhD Integrated, PhD
- Eligible Applicants: International students
- Funding: Tuition support, health insurance and monthly stipend
- KGPS: Up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for selected eligible students
- KPS: KRW 300,000 per month for selected eligible students
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, unless an exemption applies
- Application: Online through the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal
Degree Level
The KAIST scholarships for international students are available for three main graduate degree routes.
1. KAIST Master’s Scholarship
Students who have completed or will complete a Bachelor’s degree can apply for a Master’s programme. This option is suitable for students who want to obtain a postgraduate qualification before deciding whether to continue toward doctoral research.
2. KAIST Master’s-PhD Integrated Programme
The KAIST MS-PhD Integrated programme allows students with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification to enter a combined postgraduate research pathway.
This route can be particularly suitable for applicants who already know that they want to pursue doctoral-level research.
3. KAIST PhD Scholarship
Applicants who already hold or will obtain a Master’s-equivalent qualification can apply for a KAIST PhD programme.
PhD applicants should pay particular attention to research interests, faculty compatibility, academic preparation and the requirements of their selected department.
Available Subjects
KAIST is primarily known for science, technology and research, but international graduate students can choose from a broad range of academic disciplines.
Available areas 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 fields
The university organizes graduate education across areas including Natural Sciences, Life Science and Bioengineering, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, and Business.
Applicants should remember that not every programme necessarily accepts students during every admission round. Therefore, candidates should check whether their intended department is participating in the Spring 2027 admission cycle.
Benefits
The KAIST Scholarship for international students provides significant financial assistance to successful graduate students.
Major benefits can include:
Full Tuition Support
The KAIST Scholarship provides full tuition support, helping students reduce one of the largest costs associated with studying abroad.
Monthly Living Stipend
Graduate students can receive a monthly stipend, although the amount under the standard KAIST Scholarship can vary according to the college, laboratory and research funding arrangement.
Health Insurance
The scholarship support includes National Health Insurance, helping eligible students manage healthcare costs during their studies in South Korea.
KGPS Funding
Eligible Master’s and MS-PhD applicants may also be considered for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship for International Students (KGPS).
Selected students can receive up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for four regular semesters, in addition to full tuition support.
KPS Funding
Selected PhD and MS-PhD students may qualify for the KAIST PhD Scholarship (KPS), which provides KRW 300,000 per month for up to eight regular semesters, alongside full tuition support.
Applicants selecting the KAIST Scholarship are automatically considered for KGPS or KPS where applicable, meaning a separate application is normally not required for these awards.
Do You Need a Professor's Acceptance Before Applying?
A professor's acceptance is not universally required for every KAIST international graduate applicant.
However, contacting professors can be useful, particularly for applicants applying to research-intensive Master’s and PhD programmes.
Students should research faculty members whose work closely matches their proposed research interests. A strong research match can help demonstrate that the applicant understands the laboratory and department they are applying to.
However, applicants should not assume that obtaining a professor's interest automatically compensates for weak academic performance. Final admission decisions involve institutional and departmental evaluation.
Some departments may have their own expectations regarding supervisor contact, interviews or research fit, so applicants should check the requirements of their chosen programme.
Eligible Nationalities
The KAIST scholarships 2027 are open to eligible international applicants.
Students from countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other regions may apply if they satisfy KAIST's international graduate admission requirements.
Applicants from countries such as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore, the Philippines and South Africa may also be eligible for certain English proficiency exemptions when they satisfy KAIST's specific conditions.
Nationality by itself, however, does not automatically waive the English-language requirement. Applicants must check whether their previous degree was completed in English at an institution located in an eligible country and provide the required evidence.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027, applicants should meet the academic and admission requirements for their chosen degree programme.
For Master’s Programmes
Applicants generally need:
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
An academic background relevant to the selected KAIST department.
Required English proficiency or an approved exemption.
The documents required by KAIST and the selected department.
Eligibility for international graduate admission.
Students who are still completing their Bachelor’s degree may also apply if they can satisfy KAIST's degree completion requirements before enrollment.
For MS-PhD Integrated Programmes
Applicants generally need:
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
A suitable academic background for the selected research area.
Required English proficiency or a valid exemption.
Supporting academic and research documents.
Eligibility for the selected department and admission cycle.
For PhD Programmes
Applicants generally need:
A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
Appropriate academic preparation for the proposed field.
Required English proficiency or an approved exemption.
Supporting academic and research documents.
Any additional requirements specified by the department.
KAIST does not publish one universal CGPA cutoff applicable to every international graduate programme. Therefore, applicants should not assume that a particular GPA, such as 3.5/4.0, is an official minimum requirement.
Academic performance remains important, but research experience, publications, recommendations, academic preparation and research fit can also strengthen a competitive application.
English Language Requirements
International applicants normally need to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption.
The requirements listed in the provided Spring 2027 information include:
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall
TOEIC: 720
TEPS: 326
TOEFL iBT: 83 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, with KAIST applying its revised TOEFL scale for newer tests
KAIST accepts IELTS Online, while IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted under the stated graduate admission rules. TOEFL MyBest scores are also not accepted.
Can Pakistani Students Apply Without IELTS?
Potentially, yes.
Pakistani applicants may request an English Proficiency Test exemption if they satisfy KAIST's exemption conditions. For example, applicants may qualify if they completed a Bachelor’s-equivalent or higher degree taught in English at an institution located in an eligible country.
Applicants may need to submit evidence such as an English-medium or English Lecture Certificate issued by their university.
Therefore, Pakistani students should not assume that IELTS is automatically waived simply because they are Pakistani. The exemption depends on the applicant's educational history and KAIST's specific rules.
Application Procedure
Documents Required for KAIST Scholarship Application
Applicants should prepare the documents required by the KAIST International Graduate Admission system and their selected department.
Common documents and information may include:
Online application
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree information
Academic transcripts
Passport or nationality documentation
English proficiency test score or exemption evidence
Recommendation materials
Academic information
Research-related information
Department-specific documents, where applicable
Research-oriented programmes may request additional materials.
After admission, students may also need to provide formally verified academic documents through procedures such as Apostille or appropriate embassy/consular verification, depending on the country where the documents were issued.
How to Apply for KAIST Scholarships 2027
The application process for the KAIST South Korea Scholarship 2027 can be completed online.
Step 1: Select Your Degree
First, decide whether you want to apply for a Master’s, MS-PhD Integrated or PhD programme.
Step 2: Choose Your Department
Review the available KAIST graduate programmes and select a field that matches your academic background and career or research goals.
Step 3: Research Faculty Members
For research-based programmes, explore KAIST professors and laboratories working in your intended research area.
Step 4: Check English Requirements
Determine whether you need IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or TEPS, or whether you qualify for an English proficiency exemption.
Step 5: Select the Scholarship
Choose the KAIST Scholarship when completing the application if you want to be considered for institutional financial support.
Eligible applicants may also be considered for KGPS or KPS.
Step 6: Complete the Online Application
Create an account on the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal, enter your personal and academic information, select your programme and upload the required documents.
Step 7: Submit Recommendations
Ensure that your recommendation materials are submitted before the application deadline. An application should not be considered complete while a required recommendation remains pending.
Step 8: Complete the Evaluation Process
KAIST departments evaluate applications based on factors such as academic background, research potential, programme fit and supporting materials. Some applicants may also be contacted for an interview or additional evaluation.
Step 9: Complete Post-Admission Requirements
If you receive an admission offer, follow KAIST's instructions for document verification, registration and the South Korean D-2 student visa process.
KAIST Scholarship Application Deadline 2027
The application deadline for the Spring 2027 KAIST International Graduate Admission is:
September 1, 2026
Applications opened on August 18, 2026.
Because the application period is short, students should prepare their transcripts, recommendation materials, English proficiency evidence and other documents before beginning the online application.
Applicants who miss the Spring 2027 deadline can also monitor future KAIST admission cycles. KAIST normally conducts international graduate admissions through Spring, Fall Early and Fall Regular rounds, although exact future dates and participating programmes should be confirmed from the official KAIST announcement.
Is KAIST Scholarship Fully Funded?
The KAIST Scholarship can provide a highly comprehensive funding package for international graduate students, including full tuition support, health insurance and a monthly stipend.
However, applicants should distinguish between the standard KAIST Scholarship and additional awards such as KGPS and KPS. The exact stipend available under the standard scholarship can vary according to the student's college, laboratory and funding arrangement.
KAIST reports that a large majority of its international graduate students receive financial support.
Why Should You Apply for KAIST Scholarships 2027?
The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 are particularly attractive for students interested in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence, life sciences and research-driven graduate education.
Instead of focusing only on the university's ranking, applicants should consider whether their academic background and research interests match the department and laboratories they are targeting.
For students seeking fully funded Master’s scholarships in South Korea, KAIST MS-PhD scholarships, or KAIST PhD scholarships for international students, the Spring 2027 admission cycle provides an important opportunity.
