KAIST International Graduate Admission Spring 2027 with Scholarship Support

The KAIST International Graduate Admission for Spring 2027 allows eligible international applicants to pursue master’s, integrated master’s–PhD, and PhD programmes in Korea. Applicants may select the KAIST Scholarship during the admission process for consideration for full tuition coverage, national health insurance, and a monthly stipend. The online application period runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026.

Quick Overview

Programme: KAIST International Graduate Admission, Spring 2027
Host Institution: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
Country: Republic of Korea
Location: Daejeon
Study Levels: Master’s, Master’s–PhD Integrated and PhD
Application Period: August 18, 10:00 a.m. – September 1, 5:00 p.m. 2026 (KST)
Recommendation Deadline: September 9, 6:00 p.m. 2026 (KST)
Scholarship Support: Full tuition coverage, national health insurance and a monthly stipend

About KAIST International Graduate Admission Spring 2027

KAIST is accepting applications for graduate programmes offered through its colleges, schools, departments, and specialised graduate programmes. Available study routes include master’s, integrated master’s–PhD, PhD, and selected professional master’s programmes.

The specific degree options vary by department. Applicants should review the Spring 2027 programme list before selecting their intended department and degree.

KAIST Scholarship Support

International applicants may select the KAIST Scholarship as their financial resource when completing the admission application. KAIST states that the scholarship benefits 94% of its international student body.

The standard KAIST Scholarship provides:

✓ Full tuition coverage
✓ National health insurance
✓ A monthly stipend based on research involvement

The scholarship is available across all departments except the Global Technology Innovation Program, or GDI-GTIP Track. The stipend amount may vary between colleges.

Also read: University of Tasmania Research Scholarships 2027 in Australia

Additional Scholarship Consideration

Applicants who select the KAIST Scholarship may also be considered for additional scholarship programmes according to their selected degree and major.

KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship

The KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship is available to international applicants applying for master’s or integrated master’s–PhD programmes.

It provides:

✓ Full tuition coverage
✓ A monthly stipend of KRW 1,000,000
✓ Support for four regular semesters

Applicants do not submit a separate scholarship application. Highly competitive candidates may be recommended by their department head.

KAIST Prestige Scholarship for International PhD Students

The KAIST Prestige Scholarship is available to eligible international applicants entering integrated master’s–PhD or PhD programmes.

It provides:

✓ Full tuition coverage
✓ A monthly stipend of KRW 300,000
✓ Support for eight regular semesters

Integrated programme students receive this scholarship when they begin the PhD stage. Eligible applicants are considered automatically, with final selections based on academic and research achievements.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy KAIST’s citizenship, academic qualification, and English-language requirements.

Citizenship Requirements

• Applicants must hold citizenship from a country other than Korea.
• Individuals holding Korean citizenship are not eligible for international graduate admission.
• Applicants of Korean descent who hold foreign citizenship must satisfy the additional citizenship-renunciation or overseas-education conditions stated on the official page.

Academic Requirements

• Master’s and integrated master’s–PhD applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or an accepted equivalent before beginning the programme.
• PhD applicants must hold a master’s degree or an accepted equivalent before beginning the programme.

Accepted bachelor’s degree equivalents include certain four-year degrees, three-year Bologna-compliant degrees, first-cycle qualifications under the European Higher Education Area, and British-pattern honours bachelor’s degrees.

Check: RMIT 2027 Research Scholarships: EOI and Application Deadlines

English-Language Requirements

English is the official language of communication and instruction for KAIST international students. Applicants generally need to provide a valid score from an accepted English proficiency test.

The official page lists the following requirements:

• IELTS Academic: minimum 6.5
• TOEIC Listening and Reading: minimum 720
• TEPS: minimum 326

KAIST also accepts TOEFL iBT under the score conditions stated on the official admission page. Institutional testing programme scores are not accepted.

Applicants may request an English proficiency test waiver when they meet one of KAIST’s specified citizenship, education-location, or English-medium study conditions. Certain programme tracks are also exempt from the test-score requirement.

Document Preparation

All application materials must be uploaded directly through the application system.

Applicants should:

• Scan and compile their documents as PDF files.
• Prepare documents in A4 page size.
• Follow the document-submission instructions provided in the Spring 2027 application guide.
• Ensure that the recommendation is submitted by the separate recommendation deadline.

Only admitted students will be required to submit apostilled or consular-legalised degree certificates and academic transcripts for the degrees listed in their applications.

Application Process

Applicants should follow these main steps:

• Review the departments and degree programmes available for Spring 2027.
• Confirm that they meet the citizenship, academic, and English-language requirements.
• Create an application account through the KAIST admission system.
• Complete the international graduate admission application.
• Select the KAIST Scholarship option when identifying the financial resource.
• Upload all required application materials in the specified PDF format.
• Arrange for the recommendation to be submitted before its deadline.
• Submit the completed application during the official application period.

Applicants who select the KAIST Scholarship are automatically considered for the relevant KAIST scholarship programmes. A separate application is not required for the KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship or KAIST Prestige Scholarship.

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Important Dates

• Online application opens: August 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. KST
• Online application closes: September 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. KST
• Recommendation submission deadline: September 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. KST
• Fall 2027 admission dates: To be announced

KAIST generally conducts spring graduate admissions from mid-August to early September. Fall admission includes separate early and regular application tracks.

Application Deadline

The Spring 2027 online application must be submitted by September 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Korean Standard Time.

The applicant’s recommendation must be submitted separately by September 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. Korean Standard Time.

Official Link

Review the official programme details and follow the application instructions provided on the official page.

View the Official KAIST International Graduate Admission Page