Full tuition exemption and 350,000 KRW monthly stipend
Duration
4 years (8 semesters)
Deadline
Early: December; Regular: January; Late: May (Exact dates vary by year)
Level
Undergraduate
Acceptance
Highly Selective
Difficulty
Very High
Quick Summary
KAIST International Student Scholarship, administered by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), is one of the funding options available to international students in South Korea. The award covers The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for 4 years, provides a monthly living allowance of 350,000 KRW, and covers the cost of medical insurance. and is open to undergraduate students studying natural sciences, life science & bioengineering, engineering, liberal arts and convergence science, business. The scholarship runs for 4 years (8 semesters) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to non-Korean citizens who have completed high school by the time of enrollment and demonstrate high academic achievement in STEM fields. The application deadline is Early: December; Regular: January; Late: May (Exact dates vary by year), with an acceptance rate of approximately Highly Selective. Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.
✨ Should I Apply for KAIST International Student Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
50%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Approximately 5% - 8%
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Full tuition exemption and 350,000 KRW monthly stipend
⏳
Duration
4 years (8 semesters)
📅
Deadline
Early: December; Regular: January; Late: May (Exact dates vary by year)
🔬
Fields
Natural Sciences, Life Science & Bioengineering, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, Business
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 200 - 300 per year
🌏
Study Country
South Korea
🏛️
Provider
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
📊
Acceptance
Highly Selective
The KAIST International Student Scholarship is the primary funding mechanism for international undergraduate students. It is designed to attract the brightest minds in science and technology from around the world by removing financial barriers. The scholarship is awarded based on academic merit and potential, providing full tuition waiver and a monthly stipend for the duration of the degree, provided GPA requirements are met.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to non-Korean citizens who have completed high school by the time of enrollment and demonstrate high academic achievement in STEM fields.
🤝 Sponsor
KAIST (Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea)
🔬 Fields of Study
Natural Sciences, Life Science & Bioengineering, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, Business
✨ Key Benefits
The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for 4 years, provides a monthly living allowance of 350,000 KRW, and covers the cost of medical insurance.
🎯 Target Students
International Students
🏷 Tags
Full FundingUndergraduateSouth KoreaKAISTSTEMInternational
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Over 1,800 applicants
Applicants Last Year
Approximately 250 awardees
Winners
Highly Selective
Acceptance Rate
Approximately 5% - 8%
Competition Level
Win Probability
50%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
100% tuition coverage for 8 semesters
Living Stipend
350,000 KRW per month
Total Award
Full tuition exemption and 350,000 KRW monthly stipend
✈️ Travel: No🏠 Accommodation: No (Students must pay for dormitory fees from their stipend or personal funds)💊 Health Insurance: National Health Insurance premiums are covered🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: 80,000 KRW or 80 USD
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100% tuition coverage for 8 semesters
🏠 Living Stipend
350,000 KRW per month
🏡 Accommodation
No (Students must pay for dormitory fees from their stipend or personal funds)
✈️ Travel Allowance
No
💊 Health Insurance
National Health Insurance premiums are covered
🎁 Other Benefits
Access to advanced research laboratories, Korean language courses, and career support services
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.7 out of 4.3 or higher at KAIST
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
International applicants who do not hold Korean citizenship and have graduated or are expected to graduate from high school
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate
📊 Minimum GPA
Competitive (High school transcript should demonstrate top-tier performance, usually top 5-10%)
🗣️ English Requirement
TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, TEPS 326 or higher (Waiver available for native speakers or English-medium instruction)
💼 Work Experience
Not required
🏆 Leadership
Preferred (Demonstrated through extracurricular activities)
💰 Financial Need
Considered (Required for specific components of the application)
🎯 Target Students
International Students
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Statement of Purpose and personal background essays)
Rec Letters
Yes (1 recommendation letter from a teacher, preferably STEM)
Interview
Yes (Conducted only if necessary for further evaluation)
Application Fee
80,000 KRW or 80 USD
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (1 recommendation letter from a teacher, preferably STEM) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, TEPS 326 or higher (Waiver available for native speakers or English-medium instruction)
Interview: Yes (Conducted only if necessary for further evaluation)
Min GPA: Competitive (High school transcript should demonstrate top-tier performance, usually top 5-10%)
📋 Application Process
Focus heavily on mathematics and science achievements. Participating in international Olympiads or national competitions significantly strengthens the profile.
💡 Insider Tip: Ensure your Statement of Purpose clearly links your career goals to specific research happening at KAIST.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Early: September; Regular: November; Late: March
⏰ Deadline
Early: December; Regular: January; Late: May (Exact dates vary by year)
🎤 Interview
Yes (Conducted only if necessary for further evaluation)
🎓 Study Starts
Spring (February) or Fall (August/September)
Early: September; Regular: November; Late: March
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Early: December; Regular: January; Late: May (Exact dates vary by year)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Conducted only if necessary for further evaluation)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Spring (February) or Fall (August/September)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic achievement, potential for excellence, creativity, and contribution to the international community at KAIST.
Open to non-Korean citizens who have completed high school by the time of enrollment and demonstrate high academic achievement in STEM fields.
This scholarship covers: The scholarship covers the full tuition fee for 4 years, provides a monthly living allowance of 350,000 KRW, and covers the cost of medical insurance.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Early: December; Regular: January; Late: May (Exact dates vary by year). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Approximately 5% - 8%. Acceptance rate: Highly Selective. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, TEPS 326 or higher (Waiver available for native speakers or English-medium instruction), Yes (1 recommendation letter from a teacher, preferably STEM) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.