A truly exceptional opportunity for aspiring undergraduates has been announced. Applications are now open for the KAIST University Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 for the Fall intake. To support and attract the brightest minds from around the world, KAIST is offering a comprehensive "KAIST Full Scholarship" for international students. This is a remarkable chance to study at one of South Korea's most prestigious science and technology universities.
This fully funded scholarship covers all major expenses, including full tuition, living expenses, and health insurance, for the entire 4-year duration of the program. The scholarship is open to all international applicants, and crucially, a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) certificate is not required at the time of application. Furthermore, applicants who are on track to graduate by August 2026 are also eligible to apply.
Scholarship Details at a Glance
- Host Country: South Korea
- University: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
- Degree Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor's)
- Financial Benefits: Fully Funded
- Deadline: January 6, 2026
Comprehensive Financial Benefits
All international students who are admitted to the university are automatically awarded the full KAIST Scholarship. The financial package is designed to ensure that students can focus completely on their studies without any financial burden. The benefits include:
- Full Tuition Fee: A complete tuition exemption is provided for all 8 semesters.
- Monthly Living Expenses: A stipend of 350,000 KRW per month is provided to cover daily expenses.
- National Health Insurance: Scholars are also covered by Korea's national health insurance.
(Note: To maintain the scholarship after the first year, a GPA of 2.7 out of 4.3 must be maintained by the student.)
Who is Eligible to Apply?
The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are directly tied to admission as an international student.
- An applicant must be an international student (hold foreign citizenship).
- Crucially, applicants who hold Korean Citizenship (including dual citizenship) are NOT eligible to apply as international students.
- Applicants of Korean origin must have received their entire elementary, junior high, and high school education outside of Korea.
- Neither of the applicant’s parents should be a Korean citizen.
Available Fields of Study
KAIST offers a wide range of advanced programs across its various colleges:
- College of Natural Sciences: (Physics, Mathematical Sciences, Chemistry, etc.)
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering: (Biological Sciences, Brain and Cognitive Sciences, etc.)
- College of Engineering: (Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, School of Computing, Civil, Bio and Brain, Industrial Design, Chemical Engineering, etc.)
- College of Liberal Arts and Convergence Science: (School of Digital Humanities, Graduate School of Culture Technology, etc.)
- College of Business: (School of Management Engineering, School of Business and Technology Management)
English Proficiency Requirements
This is a significant advantage for many applicants. The submission of English Proficiency Test (EPT) results, such as TOEFL or IELTS, is recommended but not mandatory. Those who do not have a test result can still apply and will not face any disadvantages in the admission process.
Required Application Documents
The following documents are mandatory and must be submitted online:
- A completed Application Form
- One Recommendation Letter
- Your official High School Transcript (University transcripts are also required if you are currently enrolled in another university)
- A copy of your Passport or National ID
- A Statement of Financial Resources
How to Apply
The application process is streamlined, as there is no separate application for the scholarship.
- To apply, you must visit the official KAIST undergraduate admission website: httpsTwo-semicolon-slash-slashunivapply.kaist.ac.kr/interapply/
- A complete online application must be filled out, and all required documents must be uploaded.
- An application fee of 80 USD (or 80,000 KRW) must be paid by credit card or bank transfer.
- There is no separate scholarship application. Upon being selected for admission to KAIST, you will automatically be entitled to the full KAIST Scholarship.
This is a premier opportunity to launch your career from one of the best universities in Asia. Be sure to prepare your application carefully and apply before the January 6, 2026, deadline.