South Korea is home to universities such as KAIST, which form part of the country’s higher education system. The Republic of Korea has been a member of the United Nations since 1991 and was one of the 12 founding economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 1989. Among the country’s science and technology institutions, KAIST is a prominent option for international applicants.
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) focuses on science, engineering, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. KAIST College of Business is accredited by AACSB, and the university supports student-centered learning methods that include project-based learning, problem-solving, and team learning.
KAIST also participates in university-industry research collaborations across multiple fields. However, institutional reputation or employability rankings should not be used to infer an applicant’s chances of admission, and KAIST does not publish an official acceptance rate for international applicants.
For current information about the KAIST acceptance rate for international students and the factors applicants should consider, see the details below.
KAIST Acceptance Rate
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 20% to 30%
KAIST does not publish an official acceptance rate for international applicants. The university states that applications are evaluated holistically and that detailed assessment criteria are not disclosed. We’ve estimated the acceptance rate to be 20% to 30% based on the rankings, international student enrollment, etc.
KAIST’s institutional overview lists 929 international students. Its admissions process is selective and holistic, but the university does not publish department-specific acceptance rates or official evidence that engineering applicants are subject to stricter admission standards than applicants to other fields.
Preparing for KAIST Admissions
Admission Requirements of KAIST
For international undergraduate admission, KAIST requires an online application form, high school and any applicable university transcripts, a copy of the applicant’s passport or national identification document, at least one standardized test score report, and an English proficiency test report unless an exemption applies. A letter of recommendation is optional but highly recommended, and applicants may submit up to two. For general information, applicants can review our guide to language tests in South Korea, including IELTS and TOEFL, as well as our overview of English-taught universities in South Korea. TOPIK is not listed as a standard requirement for KAIST’s international undergraduate admissions track.
International graduate applicants must have the appropriate prior degree. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is normally required for master’s and integrated master’s-Ph.D. admission, while a master’s degree or equivalent is required for Ph.D. admission. Graduate applicants generally must also provide an accepted English proficiency score unless they qualify for an exemption. Program-specific materials may vary, so applicants should consult the current admission guide to determine whether documents such as a statement of purpose or additional supporting materials are required.
Tuition Fees
KAIST’s international undergraduate cost page lists tuition of 3,433,000 KRW per semester, or 6,866,000 KRW per academic year. KAIST’s central graduate admissions cost page currently displays a table labeled for the 2023 academic year and lists annual tuition of 19,118,000 KRW. A 2026 School of Electrical Engineering page uses the same benchmark of 9,559,000 KRW per semester. Because graduate fees and scholarship support can vary by program and student status, applicants should confirm the latest amount with their department instead of relying on a universitywide “average master’s tuition” figure.
Scholarships
KAIST offers financial support to international students, but eligibility, benefits, and continuation requirements differ by level. International undergraduate applicants who select the KAIST Scholarship option and are admitted receive full tuition coverage for eight semesters, a monthly allowance of 350,000 KRW, and medical insurance. Recipients must maintain a GPA above 2.7 on KAIST’s 4.3 scale after their freshman year.
For international graduate students, the KAIST Scholarship generally provides full tuition, National Health Insurance coverage, and a monthly stipend whose amount depends on research participation. The competitive KAIST Global Presidential Scholarship (KGPS) is available to eligible master’s and integrated master’s-Ph.D. applicants and provides full tuition plus 1,000,000 KRW per month for four regular semesters. KAIST also lists a Presidential Scholarship for eligible integrated master’s-Ph.D. and Ph.D. applicants, offering full tuition and 300,000 KRW per month for eight semesters. Applicants are considered through the KAIST scholarship selection process rather than through a separate KGPS application.
KAIST is a specialized science and technology institution with a holistic international admissions process. Because the university does not publish an official acceptance rate, applicants should avoid relying on unverified third-party estimates and instead focus on meeting the current eligibility and documentation requirements.
We hope this article clarifies the KAIST acceptance rate. If you are interested, visit our Study in Korea page for additional articles. You can also explore currently open courses through our Available Programs for International Students!
