• Programs Covered: All departments (excluding the Global Technology Innovation Program – GDI-GTIP Track)
• Eligible Applicants: International students applying to KAIST graduate programs (Master’s, PhD, or Integrated)
• Automatic Consideration: Applicants who select “KAIST Scholarship” in their application are automatically considered — no separate scholarship form is required
• Scholarship Assignment: Competitive candidates may be nominated for specific scholarship tracks such as the KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS) or KAIST Prestige Scholarship (KPS)

Note: Stipend levels differ by department, program, or research activity; involvement in research may significantly enhance support

• Online Application & Application Materials Upload: August 19th – September 2nd, 2025
• Recommendation Letter Online Submission: By September 9th, 2025
• Document Screening: August 19th – October 19th, 2025
• Interview (if necessary): October 20th – November 10th, 2025
• Application Evaluation: October 20th – November 10th, 2025
• Decision Notification: December 12th, 2025
• Admission: March 2nd, 2026

Note: Please note that this timeline is subject to change. You can monitor your application status and check for updates on the KAIST Admission website.

• Level of Education
  • Master's or Master’s-PhD Integrated programs: Applicants must hold or be expected to hold a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited institution by the end of February 2026. A Bachelor's degree must be equivalent to a Korean Bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years of study.
  • Doctoral programs: Applicants must hold or be expected to hold a master's or higher degree by the end of February 2026.
• Citizenship: Applicants must NOT hold Korean citizenship.International Applicants of Korean Ethnicity: Must satisfy one of two requirements:
  • Neither parent is a citizen of Korea (a Certificate for Renunciation of Korean Citizenship may be required).
  • Completed their entire education (elementary to high school) outside of Korea (international schools in Korea are not acknowledged as foreign schools).
• English Language Proficiency: All applicants must provide at least one of the following English proficiency test (EPT) scores taken on or after September 2nd, 2023:
  • TOEFL IBT: Minimum 83 (Home Edition accepted, MyBest Scores NOT accepted).
  • IELTS (Academic Type only): Minimum 6.5 band (Overall Band Score, IELTS Online accepted, IELTS One Skill Retake NOT accepted).
  • TOEIC: Minimum 720 (Listening & Reading).
  • TEPS: Minimum 326.
  • Waiver: Possible if you hold citizenship from certain English-speaking countries, or have completed a Bachelor's degree or higher in English as the medium of instruction from an institution in specific countries (certificate required), or are graduating from KAIST's regular degree programs in February 2026.

Note: Program-specific eligibility may vary (e.g., academic background alignment with intended major)

Applicants must upload a single consolidated PDF file (25 MB or less) of their application materials during the online application process. Documents not in English or Korean must be translated by a public notary.

• Completed online application form
• Degree diploma (or Certificate of expected graduation)
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Recommendation letters (two)
• English proficiency test score (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TEPS, or equivalent)
• Passport scan
• Identity Document of BOTH Parents (if applicable; redact passport/alien registration numbers)
• Certificate of Family Registration (or birth certificate/equivalent proving relationship with parents)
• Certificate for Renunciation of Korean Citizenship (ONLY for Korean Ethnicity if applicable)
• Statement of Financial Resources (select “KAIST Scholarship” option instead)
• Certificate of Employment (if applicable)
• Research Proposal (PhD applicants)

All countries are generally eligible to apply, with the primary restriction being that applicants must NOT hold Korean citizenship

Recipients of the KAIST Graduate Scholarship receive:

• Full tuition waiver for the duration of the program:
  • 4 semesters for Master’s
  • 10 semesters for Integrated Master’s–PhD
  • 8 semesters for PhD
• National Health Insurance premium support
• Monthly stipend, amount varies based on department, advisor, and research participation:
  • Students in the College of Engineering may qualify for enhanced stipends
• Research assistantships and part-time roles on campus may be available for additional income

Note: Approximately 94% of international graduate students at KAIST receive this scholarship or comparable internal funding.

1. Submit the Online Application
2. Apply through the official KAIST international graduate admission portal (Applications will open on August 19th)
3. Select “KAIST Scholarship”
4. On the application form, choose KAIST Scholarship as your intended financial support. No additional scholarship form is required.
5. Upload Required Documents
6. Prepare and upload all required materials before the deadline.
7. Departmental Review
8. Candidates are evaluated by their respective departments.

Note: No separate scholarship application is required - scholarship consideration is automatic upon admission.

• English test scores must be valid within two years before the application deadline.
• KAIST’s application fee: 80$ (non-refundable)
• Eligible applicants may be able to request an application fee waiver. You can check page 27 of the application guide for details on the KAIST Application Waiver Program.
• Applicants cannot defer their admission to another semester.
• The recommendation letters should be submitted online through the KAIST portal only.
• KAIST may require additional documents on a case-by-case basis.