KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 in South Korea (Fully Funded)
Studying in South Korea can be an exciting experience, especially if you are interested in science, technology, engineering, business, or research. The KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 gives international students a chance to study at one of South Korea’s leading universities with major financial support.
The scholarship is open to students from all countries who want to pursue a Master’s, Master’s leading to PhD, or PhD at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
One of the best parts is that several KAIST scholarship options provide full tuition support and a monthly stipend. Some students may also receive health insurance or other benefits depending on the scholarship they receive.
The application deadline mentioned in the current article is September 1, 2026, and the program is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027.
If you are planning to study in South Korea and want to reduce the financial burden of graduate study, this opportunity is worth considering.
KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 at a Glance
| Scholarship | KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 |
| University | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) |
| Country | South Korea 🇰🇷 |
| Degree Level | Master’s, Master’s leading to PhD, PhD |
| Eligibility | International students |
| Funding | Fully Funded |
| Study Begins | March 1, 2027 |
| Application Deadline | September 1, 2026 |
What Is the KAIST Graduate Scholarship?
The KAIST Graduate Scholarship is a funding opportunity for international students who want to complete graduate studies at KAIST in South Korea.
KAIST offers several scholarship and fellowship options. Applicants may be considered for different funding programs depending on their academic program and eligibility.
These include:
- KAIST University Scholarship
- KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS)
- KAIST Prestige Scholarship for International Ph.D. Students (KPS)
- KAIST CoE PhD Fellowship
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
This means students have access to more than one possible funding route.
Who Can Apply for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027?
The scholarship is open to international students from all countries who do not hold Korean citizenship.
Students applying for different degree levels need to meet the relevant academic requirements.
For a Master’s program, applicants should have a bachelor’s degree.
For a PhD program, applicants should have a master’s degree.
Final-year students can also apply if they are expected to complete their current degree before enrollment.
What Does the KAIST Scholarship Cover?
The exact benefits depend on the scholarship or fellowship awarded to the student.
1. KAIST University Scholarship
The KAIST University Scholarship provides a full tuition fee exemption for:
- Master’s: 4 semesters
- Master’s–PhD integrated program: 10 semesters
- PhD: 8 semesters
Students also receive a monthly stipend that can be used for accommodation and other living expenses.
The scholarship also covers the National Health Insurance premium, according to the information provided in the article.
2. KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS)
The KGPS provides:
- Full tuition grant for 4 semesters
- Monthly stipend of KRW 1,000,000
- Support for 4 semesters
The scholarship is available for Master’s and PhD students as stated in the article.
3. KAIST Prestige Scholarship for International Ph.D. Students (KPS)
The KPS provides:
- Full tuition grant for 8 semesters
- Monthly stipend of KRW 300,000
This scholarship is presented in the source as an option for international PhD students.
4. KAIST CoE PhD Fellowship
The KAIST CoE PhD Fellowship offers:
- Full tuition grant for 4 academic years
- Monthly stipend of KRW 2,500,000
This option is specifically presented as a PhD fellowship.
5. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
Students may also explore the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) route.
The benefits listed in the article include:
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly stipend
- Accommodation
- Airfare tickets
- Insurance
- Books
The application timeline for GKS is different from the KAIST scholarship timeline.
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What Can You Study at KAIST?
KAIST offers graduate programs across several academic areas.
The article lists these colleges and fields:
- College of Natural Sciences
- Life Science and Bioengineering
- College of Engineering
- College of Liberal Arts and Convergence Science
- College of Business
This makes the opportunity suitable for students with different academic and research interests.
English Language Requirements
KAIST offers many courses in English. According to the source article, more than 80–90% of lectures are offered in English.
The listed minimum English proficiency scores are:
| English Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 83 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEIC | 720 |
| TEPS | 326 |
Applicants should check the current KAIST admission requirements before submitting an English test score because language requirements can change between admission cycles.
Can You Get an English Test Waiver?
Yes. The article explains that some applicants may request an English proficiency test waiver.
Applicants may qualify if they are from certain English-speaking countries or completed their previous education in one of the listed countries.
The first group includes:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St. Kitts
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States
The article also lists another group of countries where applicants may qualify when they both hold citizenship and completed an academic qualification in the relevant country.
These countries include:
- Botswana
- Cameroon
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- India
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Namibia
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Philippines
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
If you believe you qualify for a waiver, check the official KAIST admission requirements before applying.
Required Documents for KAIST Graduate Admission
Applicants should prepare their documents before starting the online application.
The source article lists the following documents:
- Copy of your national identity card
- Scanned copies of your parents’ national identity cards
- Family registration certificate showing your relationship with your parents
- Certificates for all completed degrees
- Expected graduation certificate or official letter if your current degree is not yet completed
- English proficiency report, if required
- Two recommendation letters from academic advisors
- CV if recommendation letters are provided by an employer
- Proof of honors and awards
- Employment proof, where applicable
All documents should be submitted in Korean or English, according to the source.
A Note About the English Test Document
The source article mentions that the English proficiency report should have been taken within two years of September 2024. Because this date appears inconsistent with the 2027 admission cycle, applicants should verify the current validity period directly with KAIST before relying on that specific date.
How to Apply for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027
To apply, visit the official KAIST graduate application portal and complete the online application form. Make sure you select the correct graduate program and upload all required documents before submitting your application.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements and prepare their academic documents, recommendation letters, English proficiency documents (if required), and other supporting materials.
The application deadline is September 1, 2026.
Complete the Online Application Form. The online application system is available at this link:Â https://gradapply.kaist.ac.kr/intergradapply/
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | September 1, 2026 |
| Program Begins | March 1, 2027 |
Applicants should always check the official KAIST admission portal for the latest schedule before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KAIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 fully funded?
Yes. The opportunity is described as fully funded, with several KAIST scholarship options offering full tuition support and monthly stipends. The exact benefits depend on the scholarship awarded.
Who is eligible for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship?
International students who do not hold Korean citizenship can apply. Applicants need the appropriate academic qualification for their chosen Master’s or PhD program.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes. Final-year students can apply if they are expected to graduate before enrollment.
How much is the KAIST monthly stipend?
The amount depends on the scholarship. The source lists KRW 1,000,000 per month for KGPS and KRW 2,500,000 per month for the KAIST CoE PhD Fellowship. The KAIST University Scholarship also provides a monthly stipend, but the source does not specify one fixed amount.
Does KAIST provide full tuition coverage?
Yes. Several scholarship options provide full tuition grants or tuition exemptions. The duration depends on the specific scholarship and degree program.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Applicants may need to provide an accepted English proficiency test unless they qualify for an English test waiver.
The scores listed in the article are IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 83, TOEIC 720, or TEPS 326.
What is the KAIST Graduate Scholarship deadline?
The deadline stated in the source article is September 1, 2026.
When does the program start?
The study period is scheduled to begin on March 1, 2027.
