Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most KAIST scholarships (including common “full tuition + stipend” packages) are designed for full-time, degree-seeking students who enroll through KAIST admissions (i.e., on-campus study).

All KAIST classes are taught in English, and several scholarship recipients described studying primarily in English. For example, Tria Asri Widowati shared that “Classes at KAIST are conducted in English,” and Purevzaya Amarzaya explained, “Most of the classes are taught in English; however, there are some classes taught in Korean.” In practice, you can often plan an English-taught pathway, while Korean can help a lot for daily life; as Biniyam Aschalew put it, “you can manage perfectly well without knowing Korean,” even though learning Korean can still make life easier.

KAIST’s own scholarship offers are typically linked to your eligibility for admission (for undergraduate applicants, this usually means you meet the timing/credential rules around high school completion), rather than a simple “maximum age” rule. However, some external scholarships that students use alongside KAIST (especially government-funded programs) can include age requirements, so it’s important to check the specific scholarship’s rules if you’re applying via a government route.

KAIST scholarships generally follow KAIST admissions, so they apply across KAIST’s academic areas (especially STEM), and you’ll see recipients funded in different fields. For engineering and STEM, examples include Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (Tria), Data Science / Industrial Systems-type research paths (Omer Tariq), and Computer Science (Rahul Agrawal, Purevzaya). For business, KAIST offers Business and Technology Management, and recipients have pursued CS + BTM as a double major (e.g., Rahul and Purevzaya). For humanities, KAIST has transdisciplinary/humanities-adjacent options (e.g., School of Transdisciplinary Studies). For medicine: KAIST is not a traditional medical school for an MD; instead, it focuses on science/engineering pathways that can include bio/medical engineering and related research areas (so “medicine scholarships” usually mean research/engineering tracks rather than an MD program).

KAIST scholarship pathways for international applicants are broadly intended for students applying as “international” under KAIST rules (so it’s not limited to one or two countries). Recipients on GlobalScholarships include students from Mongolia (Purevzaya), Indonesia (Tria), India (Rahul), Ethiopia (Biniyam), and more. Some named scholarships have their own geography rules: for example, Tria described POSCO Asia Fellowship as supporting students “from across Asia,” while government scholarships depend on the government’s eligible-country list each year.

For many applicants, an English proficiency result is important (and in some routes it’s required). This matches what recipients did: Purevzaya said, “I took the TOEFL,” and Rahul shared that he took “the IELTS” (along with SAT/SAT Subject Tests). Strong scores can help your overall profile; Omer Tariq emphasized that “TOEFL/IELTS scores matter.” TOPIK is usually not the core requirement for studying in English at KAIST, but Korean skills can improve daily life; Purevzaya noted she “would have learned Korean at a more advanced level” for life in Korea.

KAIST is selective, and while requirements depend on the specific track and year, the most realistic guidance is to aim for top academic performance and strong test/portfolio materials. Scholarship recipients’ academic records show the kind of profile that can work: Purevzaya said, “I graduated with a GPA of 5 out of 5,” and Rahul wrote that he “achieved a 95% grade” in high school. At graduate level, Omer advised, “aim for the top percentile in your class.”

A strong STEM foundation (math/science depth), evidence of excellence (top grades, competitions), and clear motivation/research direction are common themes across recipients. Purevzaya linked her path to Olympiads: “I used to participate in Mathematical Olympiads,” and she paired that with a top GPA (“GPA of 5 out of 5”). For research-focused graduate scholarships, Omer said, “Statement of Purpose and Research experience matter the most.” For scholarship essays, Tria explained, “I focused on improving my essay writing,” especially the motivation letter and statement of purpose.

Document lists vary by program/track, but typical KAIST international applications commonly involve an application form plus academic records and identity documents, and they often include recommendation letters and proof of testing (where applicable). In KAIST undergraduate international applications, you should be ready for items like an application form, a recommendation letter, transcripts, and a passport/ID copy, plus standardized/English test score reports when required. Scholarship recipients also repeatedly stress essays: Omer highlighted “Statement of Purpose,” Tria emphasized the “motivation letter and statement of purpose,” and Mhd Anas Al-Saidi shared, “I followed previous years’ guidelines and prepared all required documents,” adding that “I took good care in writing high-quality essays.”

• Common core items: application form, transcript(s), passport/ID, recommendation letter(s)
• Common proof items: English proficiency scores (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS) and/or other standardized test scores (depending on track)
• Common writing items: statement of purpose / motivation letter / essays (especially important for scholarships)

KAIST is strongest in science, engineering, and technology, but it also includes business and transdisciplinary options. Examples of areas you can study include Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Nuclear & Quantum Engineering, Industrial Design, Industrial & Systems Engineering, and Business & Technology Management. Recipients’ majors show this mix in real life: Purevzaya and Rahul both pursued a Computer Science + Business/Technology Management combination, while Tria pursued Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering.

Yes, KAIST applications commonly include a non-refundable application fee (the exact KRW amount can vary with exchange rates depending on the payment method and year). KAIST’s undergraduate international admissions guidelines list an “Application fee: 80 USD,” and note payment options like credit card and bank transfer. KAIST also describes a fee waiver pathway for eligible applicants in special cases, so if cost is a barrier, it can be worth checking whether you qualify.