The KAIST University Scholarship 2025 in South Korea has been announced by the top science and technology university in Korea. It is available for students applying for Master’s, Master’s leading to Ph.D., and Ph.D. programs. This scholarship offers international students a chance to advance in science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The KAIST scholarship is for those who are creative, enjoy challenges, and want to use their knowledge to make positive changes in the world.
A positive aspect of the KAIST Graduate scholarship is that 80% to 90% of the lectures will be in English. KAIST offers scholarships to international students in various fields, including Natural Science, Life Science and Bioengineering, and Business. Each of these areas has many related fields that students can apply to, depending on their interests. KAIST is a world-renowned institute for learning.
KAIST’s mission is to educate talented individuals to benefit humanity through innovation and technology. The university also has a strategic plan called Vision 2031, which aims to make KAIST an entrepreneurial university by 2031. Because of this, KAIST graduates have a high chance of quickly entering their chosen fields after completing their degrees.
The 2025 scholarship in South Korea is an opportunity for international students to become part of a university that creates value through technology commercialization and plays a global role as “World Bridge KAIST.” Students applying for this scholarship should contact a KAIST professor before applying. Your chances of receiving the KAIST Scholarship will increase if you get an acceptance letter or recommendation from a KAIST professor. The following article provides a complete guide to the application process and eligibility criteria.
Sholarship Details
- Host Country: South Korea
- Host University: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Degree Levels: Master’s Degree, Ph.D., Master’s Leading to Ph.D.
Scholarship Benefits
- Full tuition coverage (4 semesters for Master’s, 10 semesters for Master’s-Ph.D. Integrated, 8 semesters for Ph.D. students)
- Monthly stipend
- Medical insurance coverage
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicant must be an international student.
- The applicant must not hold Korean citizenship.
- For Master’s or Master’s-Ph.D. Integrated programs: A Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- For Doctoral programs: A Master’s degree or higher.
A Bachelor’s degree must be equivalent to a Korean Bachelor’s degree (4 years of study). Master’s program applicants need to identify and list up to three faculty members in the department they are applying to who share similar research interests. Generally, Master’s applicants don’t need to contact faculty members before listing their names, but some programs may require communication with faculty. For specific details, check the “Degrees and Programs” section or the program’s website.
Doctoral program applicants are required to find a faculty advisor in the department they are applying to and include their name in the application. It is recommended that you communicate with the faculty member before submitting your application.
Please check if KAIST offers a program that matches your research interests, and learn more about their faculty members on the STARLIBRARY website (click here).
If the applicant is of Korean ethnicity, regardless of birth or place, they must have received all their education outside Korea or have parents who are not Korean citizens. If the applicant meets either of these two conditions, they are eligible.
You must provide an English proficiency certificate like TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TOEIC, or TEPS unless:
- You are from a country where English is the official language, and you have completed a Bachelor’s degree or higher in English from a recognized institution in those countries.
- You are from a country where English is the medium of instruction for a Bachelor’s or higher degree. In this case, you need to provide proof of English instruction, such as an English Lecture Certificate or an English Proficiency Certificate from your institution.
How to apply
- Submit your application for admission online.
- If you meet the scholarship requirements, your application will be automatically considered for the KAIST Scholarship 2025.
- Pay the application fee.
- Find and list the names of faculty members whose research interests align with yours.
- Send a hard copy of your online application to the KAIST office address.
Required Documents
- A copy of your national identity card.
- Scanned copies of your parents’ national identity cards.
- A certificate of family registration showing your relationship with your parents.
- Certificates of your degrees. If the degree is incomplete, provide an official letter of expected graduation.
- An English proficiency report taken within two years (Starting from September 24). IELTS (6.5), TOEFL (IBT 83/PBT 560), TOEIC (720), or TEPS (599). You do not need to submit an EPT score if you hold citizenship from the specified countries and have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or higher, taught in English, from an institution in these countries.
- Two recommendation letters from academic advisors. If employed, you may also submit recommendation letters from your employer.
- A CV.
- Proof of honors, awards, and employment.
All documents must be in either Korean or English.
KAIST Scholarship Deadline
- KAIST Scholarship Online Application: September 12, 2024.
- Application Material Submission Deadline: September 23, 2024.