KAIST International Graduate Admission

🗓 Application Timeline

• Application Fee Waiver Program (Nov. 7 – 14, 2025)
• Online Application Period:
  📅 December 2, 10 A.M. – December 16, 5 P.M. (KST), 2025
• Recommendation Letter Submission Deadline:
  📅 December 29, 6 P.M. (KST), 2025

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent standard by the start of your course for the Master’s or Master’s-Ph.D. degree program application
• Master’s degree or equivalent standard by the start of your course for the Ph.D. degree program application
• ※Equivalent Standards of the Korean Bachelor’s Degree
  • a. A university degree requiring four years of study
  • b. Three-year Bologna-compliant Bachelor’s degree
  • c. The first cycle qualification in the framework of qualifications for the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
  • d. Bachelor’s degree with honors in British pattern education

KAIST Scholarship

KAIST offers a comprehensive scholarship package, comprising full tuition coverage for four semesters (Master’s), ten semesters (Master’s-Ph.D. Integrated), and eight semesters (Ph.D.). This enables international students to pursue their degrees without financial concerns regarding tuition. Additionally, the scholarship provides a monthly stipend to support living expenses, with the amount varying based on factors such as the department, academic advisor, and level of research engagement. Students involved in active research may receive additional support depending on the advisor’s funding. The scholarship also includes full coverage of National Health Insurance premiums, ensuring access to healthcare services during the study period. Overall, this scholarship aims to ease financial burdens and create an environment where students can focus fully on their academic and research goals. Through this support, KAIST fosters global talent in science and technology.

Programs Offered

KAIST offers a wide range of graduate programs across science, engineering, and interdisciplinary fields, nurturing future innovators and global leaders.

English Language Proficiency

• Our official language of communication and instructions for international students at KAIST is English. 
• A certificate from the undergraduate or graduate school attended indicating English as the medium of instruction must ADDITIONALLY be provided. e.g., English Lecture Certificate

A. General Application Timeline

• KAIST International Graduate Admission
  • Spring Admission: Mid-August–Early September
  • Fall Admission (Early Track): Early December–Late December
  • Fall Admission (Regular Track): Early March–Late March
• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
  • University Track: Early February
  • Embassy Track: vary by the Korean Embassy in your country of citizenship

B. Application Dates for the 2026 Entries

• KAIST International Graduate Admission
  • 2025 Spring Entry: August 19–September 2, 2025
  • 2025 Fall Entry (Early Track): December 2 – December 16
  • 2025 Fall Entry (Regular Track): March 3 – March 17
• 2026 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
  • University Track: to be announced in February
  • Embassy Track*: to be announced in February
    • refer to the official website of the Korean Embassy in your country of citizenship
    • GKS scholars are asked to take a Korean language course for one year and must obtain level 3 or above of TOPIK.