KAIST International Scholarships: Fully Funded Study in South Korea

The KAIST International Scholarships are the main funding route for international students at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, South Korea's leading research university in science and technology. KAIST offers full-tuition scholarships, monthly stipends, and health insurance to international students across its undergraduate and graduate programs. Because the scholarships are awarded automatically through the admission application, many students do not realise how accessible the funding is.

This guide explains how KAIST International Scholarships work, what they cover, who is eligible, and how the application process fits together. If you want a fully funded education in engineering, science, or technology in Asia, KAIST is one of the strongest options.

Key takeaways

• The KAIST International Scholarship covers full tuition for international students plus a monthly living stipend.
• It also provides national health insurance to international students during their studies.
• The scholarship is automatic: you are considered when you apply for admission to a KAIST degree program, with no separate form.
• Graduate students in many programs can combine the scholarship with research assistantship pay from their lab.
• Deadlines vary by admissions track, so plan around your program's specific application window.

What is the KAIST International Scholarship?

KAIST, based in Daejeon, South Korea, is a research university founded in 1971 to train scientists and engineers. It is consistently ranked among the best universities in Asia and the world for engineering and technology. To attract top international talent, KAIST funds incoming international students through the KAIST International Scholarship, which is granted automatically based on admission merit.

This design is unusual and valuable: instead of requiring a separate scholarship essay and timeline, the scholarship rides on your admission application. If you are admitted as an international student, you typically receive the funding as part of your offer.

What does the scholarship cover?

The KAIST International Scholarship is a comprehensive package. It typically covers:

• Full tuition. The entire cost of tuition for your degree program is waived.
• A monthly stipend. You receive a monthly allowance for living expenses; for graduate students this is around KRW 350,000 per month, and for undergraduates it varies by level.
• Health insurance. KAIST supports international students with national health insurance coverage.

Graduate students who join research labs also earn research assistantship salaries from their professors, which can add significantly to the base stipend. Confirm the exact current figures on the official admission website, admission.kaist.ac.kr, before you apply.

Eligibility

You are eligible for a KAIST International Scholarship if you are an international applicant applying to a KAIST degree program, whether bachelor's, master's, or doctoral. You must not be receiving another scholarship that already covers your tuition and fees. Students on government scholarships such as the Global Korea Scholarship may not be able to combine the two, so check the terms of each funding source.

There is no separate scholarship application. Admission to KAIST as an international student is what triggers the award, though the exact level of funding can depend on the program and admissions track.

How to apply step by step

Choose your program and track

KAIST runs its admissions through the Graduate Admissions or Undergraduate Admissions system, with multiple tracks per year. Confirm which track is open for your program and read its requirements.

Prepare your application documents

You will need transcripts, degree certificates, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters, proof of English proficiency, and your passport details. Requirements vary by program.

Submit the online application

Complete the online application by your track's deadline. The scholarship consideration is included automatically, so there is no additional scholarship step.

Await the admission decision

Admission results are announced several weeks after the deadline. If you are admitted, your offer letter will state the scholarship you have been awarded, including the stipend level.

Secure your visa and arrive

Accepted students arrange a D-2 student visa through the Korean embassy or consulate and complete any required documents before arrival.

Key dates

KAIST International Scholarships follow the admission calendar, not a separate scholarship calendar. Graduate admission tracks typically open in the autumn and close in early winter or spring depending on the program, with a second track in some years. Undergraduate admission runs similar cycles. Check admission.kaist.ac.kr for the deadlines that apply to your program and track, and begin document preparation weeks ahead.

Tips for a strong application

• Line up recommendation letters from professors who know your research or academic potential, using our recommendation guide.
• Write a focused statement of purpose that shows fit with your chosen lab or program, following our SOP guide.
• Prepare your English test early, since KAIST requires proof of proficiency.
• Start by building the research and academic record that admissions committees reward, as covered in our profile guide.
• Compare KAIST with other Asian options like the Global Korea Scholarship on our scholarship results page.