KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded) | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | Brilliant Scholarship
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KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded)
Fully funded KAIST graduate scholarships for Spring 2027 covering tuition, health insurance and a monthly stipend, with KGPS/KPS top-ups.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Overview
International students aiming for research-driven graduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have a narrow but valuable window open right now: the KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, ranked #65 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, is accepting applications for its Spring 2027 International Graduate Admission across Master's, Master's-PhD Integrated, and PhD programmes. As one of South Korea's leading research universities, KAIST provides substantial financial support to international graduate students, combining full tuition support with health insurance and a monthly stipend. For students searching for fully funded scholarships in South Korea or considering KAIST for a STEM-focused postgraduate degree, the Spring 2027 cycle represents a genuine and time-sensitive opportunity, given that the application window runs for a comparatively short period, from August 18 to September 1, 2026.
Scholarship Details
The KAIST Scholarship for international students provides full tuition support, which removes one of the largest cost barriers associated with studying abroad, alongside National Health Insurance coverage to help manage healthcare costs during study in South Korea. A monthly living stipend is also included, though the exact amount under the standard scholarship can vary depending on the student's college, laboratory, and funding arrangement, since research funding differs across departments. Beyond the base scholarship, eligible Master's and MS-PhD Integrated applicants may additionally be considered for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship for International Students, known as KGPS, which provides up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for four regular semesters on top of full tuition support. Eligible PhD and MS-PhD Integrated applicants may instead be considered for the KAIST PhD Scholarship, or KPS, which provides KRW 300,000 per month for up to eight regular semesters, again alongside full tuition support. Applicants selecting the standard KAIST Scholarship are automatically considered for KGPS or KPS where applicable, so a separate application for these supplementary awards is not normally required. KAIST reports that a large majority of its international graduate students receive some form of financial support, though applicants should distinguish between the baseline scholarship and these additional awards when estimating their likely funding package.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements differ slightly by degree route. Master's applicants generally need a Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification, an academic background relevant to their selected KAIST department, the required English proficiency or an approved exemption, and the documents specified by KAIST and the chosen department; students still completing their Bachelor's degree may also apply if they can satisfy degree-completion requirements before enrolment. MS-PhD Integrated applicants need similar qualifications, with a suitable academic background for their chosen research area and supporting academic and research documents. PhD applicants generally need a Master's degree or equivalent, appropriate academic preparation for their proposed field, and any additional requirements specified by their department. KAIST does not publish one universal CGPA cutoff that applies across every international graduate programme, so applicants should not assume a specific GPA threshold, such as 3.5 out of 4.0, is an official minimum; research experience, publications, strong recommendations, and demonstrated research fit can meaningfully strengthen an application alongside academic performance. English proficiency is required unless an exemption applies, with current Spring 2027 thresholds set at IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, TOEIC 720, TEPS 326, or TOEFL iBT 83 for tests taken before January 21, 2026 (KAIST applies a revised scale to newer TOEFL tests). IELTS Online is accepted, but IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL MyBest scores are not. Applicants from a range of countries, including Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore, the Philippines, and South Africa, may qualify for an English-proficiency exemption if they completed a Bachelor's-equivalent or higher degree taught in English at an institution located in an eligible country, though evidence such as an English-medium instruction certificate is typically required and the exemption is not automatic based on nationality alone.
Fields of Study & Programs
KAIST is primarily known for science, technology, and research, and its graduate programmes reflect that focus while still offering some breadth. 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, and other interdisciplinary research fields. The university organises graduate education across colleges covering Natural Sciences, Life Science and Bioengineering, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, and Business. Not every department necessarily accepts students in every admission round, so applicants should confirm that their intended department is participating in the Spring 2027 cycle before finalising their choice of programme.
Participating Universities
The scholarship is hosted entirely by KAIST, located in Daejeon, South Korea, and consistently regarded as one of the country's leading research universities, currently ranked #65 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. KAIST's reputation rests heavily on its research output and strong faculty across engineering and the natural sciences, and international graduate students benefit from access to well-resourced laboratories and research groups working on internationally competitive projects. For research-intensive Master's and PhD applicants in particular, the strength of a specific department or laboratory, rather than the university's overall ranking alone, is often the more meaningful factor when evaluating fit, since research funding, equipment, and supervisory capacity can vary between groups even within the same institution.
How to Apply
The application process is entirely online through the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal. The first step is deciding on a degree route among Master's, MS-PhD Integrated, and PhD, followed by choosing a department that matches academic background and research or career goals. For research-based programmes, it is worth researching KAIST professors and laboratories working in the intended research area in advance, since demonstrating a genuine understanding of a specific lab's work can strengthen an application, even though a professor's prior acceptance is not universally required before applying. Applicants should next check which English-language test is needed, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, or TEPS, or determine whether they qualify for an exemption based on their prior education. When completing the application, selecting the KAIST Scholarship is what triggers consideration for institutional funding as well as automatic evaluation for KGPS or KPS where applicable. The online application itself requires personal and academic information, programme selection, and uploading required documents, which typically include the completed application form, degree information and transcripts, passport or nationality documentation, English proficiency evidence or exemption materials, recommendation materials, and any department-specific or research-related documents. Recommendation materials must be submitted before the deadline, since an application is not considered complete while a required reference remains outstanding. After submission, KAIST departments evaluate applications based on academic background, research potential, programme fit, and supporting materials, and some applicants may be contacted for an interview or further evaluation. Successful applicants who receive an offer will then need to complete post-admission requirements, which can include formally verified academic documents through procedures such as Apostille or embassy or consular verification, followed by registration and the South Korean D-2 student visa process.
Deadlines & Important Dates
The application period for the Spring 2027 KAIST International Graduate Admission runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026, a relatively short window that leaves limited time to prepare documents after the portal opens. Applicants should therefore have transcripts, recommendation materials, English proficiency evidence, and other required documents ready before the application period begins, rather than trying to assemble them once it opens. Beyond Spring 2027, KAIST typically conducts international graduate admissions across Spring, Fall Early, and Fall Regular rounds, so applicants who miss the September 1, 2026 deadline for Spring 2027 can look toward future admission cycles, though exact future dates and participating programmes should be confirmed directly from KAIST's official announcements when they become available.
Life as a Scholar
International graduate students at KAIST join a research-intensive environment where much of daily academic life centres on laboratory work, coursework, and close collaboration with faculty and fellow researchers. Because KAIST places significant emphasis on research output, many graduate students, particularly those in MS-PhD Integrated and PhD tracks, spend substantial time embedded in a specific laboratory alongside a smaller cohort of peers working on related projects. Financial support through full tuition coverage, health insurance, and a monthly stipend, potentially supplemented by KGPS or KPS funding, is intended to allow students to focus on their studies and research without the same degree of financial pressure that many international students face elsewhere. Daejeon, where KAIST is based, offers a somewhat different experience from Seoul, generally being quieter and more research-campus focused, which can suit students who prioritise proximity to labs and a close-knit academic community over a large capital-city environment, though Seoul remains accessible for those who want it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a professor's acceptance before applying? Not universally, though it can strengthen applications for research-intensive Master's and PhD programmes, and some departments may have their own expectations about supervisor contact.
Is the KAIST Scholarship fully funded? It provides full tuition support, health insurance, and a monthly stipend, though the exact stipend under the standard scholarship can vary by college, laboratory, and funding arrangement; KGPS and KPS provide additional defined monthly amounts for eligible students.
Do I need a separate application for KGPS or KPS? No. Selecting the KAIST Scholarship automatically considers eligible applicants for KGPS or KPS where applicable.
Can I apply without IELTS if I studied in English previously? Potentially, if the prior degree was taught in English at an institution in an eligible country and supporting evidence, such as an English-medium instruction certificate, is provided; the exemption is not automatic based on nationality alone.
What is the deadline for Spring 2027? The application period runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026.
What happens if I miss the Spring 2027 deadline? Applicants can look toward KAIST's Fall Early or Fall Regular admission rounds in future cycles, confirming exact dates from official KAIST announcements.
Final Thoughts
The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 offer a genuinely strong funding package for international students pursuing Master's, MS-PhD Integrated, or PhD study in science, technology, engineering, or a related research field. Given the short application window, the most useful step now is to identify a suitable department, check the relevant English-language requirement or exemption pathway, and prepare all supporting documents well before August 18, 2026, so that the application can be submitted promptly and completely within the available window.
Award Amount
Full tuition support, health insurance and a monthly stipend; KGPS up to KRW 1,000,000/month for eligible Master's/MS-PhD students, KPS KRW 300,000/month for eligible PhD/MS-PhD students
Payment: Monthly
Deadline
2026-09-01
Application period runs August 18 to September 1, 2026 for the Spring 2027 intake. KAIST also runs Fall Early and Fall Regular admission rounds in other cycles.
Duration
KGPS funding covers up to four regular semesters for eligible Master's/MS-PhD students; KPS funding covers up to eight regular semesters for eligible PhD/MS-PhD students, alongside full tuition support.
Renewable
Yes
About This Scholarship
The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 support international students applying for Spring 2027 admission to Master's, Master's-PhD Integrated, and PhD programmes at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, ranked #65 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The application window runs from August 18 to September 1, 2026. The standard KAIST Scholarship provides full tuition support, National Health Insurance, and a monthly stipend that varies by college, laboratory, and funding arrangement. Eligible Master's and MS-PhD applicants may additionally be considered for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship for International Students (KGPS), offering up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for four regular semesters, while eligible PhD and MS-PhD applicants may be considered for the KAIST PhD Scholarship (KPS), offering KRW 300,000 per month for up to eight regular semesters, both alongside full tuition support and without a separate application. Available fields span Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace and Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biological and Life Sciences, Nuclear and Quantum Engineering, Business, and Technology Management, organized across KAIST's Natural Sciences, Engineering, Life Science and Bioengineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, and Business colleges. English proficiency is required unless an exemption applies, with current thresholds of IELTS 6.5, TOEIC 720, TEPS 326, or TOEFL iBT 83 (for tests before January 21, 2026). A professor's prior acceptance is not universally required but can strengthen research-based applications. Applicants from many countries, including Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore, the Philippines, and South Africa, may qualify for English-proficiency exemptions if they completed a prior degree taught in English at an eligible institution.
Eligible Study Levels
MasterPhD
Fields of Study
Computer ScienceArtificial IntelligenceElectrical EngineeringMechanical EngineeringAerospace EngineeringChemical and Biomolecular EngineeringMaterials Science and EngineeringIndustrial EngineeringPhysicsChemistryMathematicsBiological SciencesLife Science and BioengineeringNuclear and Quantum EngineeringBusinessTechnology Management
Available Countries
South Korea
Eligibility Requirements
International applicants eligible for KAIST's international graduate admission
Master's applicants: Bachelor's degree or equivalent (or near completion), relevant academic background, required English proficiency or exemption
MS-PhD Integrated applicants: Bachelor's degree or equivalent, suitable academic background for the selected research area, required English proficiency or exemption
PhD applicants: Master's degree or equivalent, appropriate academic preparation for the proposed field, required English proficiency or exemption
No universal minimum CGPA is published; research experience, publications, recommendations and research fit also strengthen applications
Academic Requirements
Test Scores:
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall
TOEIC 720
TEPS 326
TOEFL iBT 83 (for tests taken before January 21, 2026; revised scale applies to newer tests)
Language Requirements:
IELTS Online accepted; IELTS One Skill Retake not accepted; TOEFL MyBest scores not accepted
Exemptions may apply for applicants who completed a Bachelor's-equivalent or higher degree taught in English at an institution in an eligible country
Application Process
1Select a degree route: Master's, MS-PhD Integrated, or PhD
2Choose a department matching academic background and research or career goals
3For research-based programmes, research faculty members and laboratories in the intended area
5Select the KAIST Scholarship when completing the application to be considered for institutional funding, KGPS, or KPS
6Complete the online application on the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal with personal and academic information and required documents
7Ensure recommendation materials are submitted before the deadline
8Complete the evaluation process, which may include an interview
9If admitted, complete post-admission requirements including document verification and the South Korean D-2 student visa process
Required Documents
Online Application*Required
Completed through the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal
Degree Information and Academic Transcripts*Required
Bachelor's or Master's degree information and official transcripts
Passport or Nationality Documentation*Required
Proof of identity and nationality
Partner Universities
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Daejeon, South Korea
Additional Benefits
Full tuition support
National Health Insurance
Monthly living stipend
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
ProviderKorea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
AmountFull tuition support, health insurance and a monthly stipend; KGPS up to KRW 1,000,000/month for eligible Master's/MS-PhD students, KPS KRW 300,000/month for eligible PhD/MS-PhD students
Deadline2026-09-01
Durationnull years
Fully FundedYes
RenewableYes
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