KAIST opened in 1971 with a special legislative mandate from the Korean government. The government mandated two founding missions to KAIST: to educate scientists and engineers who would work for the nation’s industrialization; and to conduct innovative research that would drive the nation’s economic growth.
In the early 1960s, the government’s foremost goal was to eradicate the countrywide poverty that followed the Korean War. To accomplish this, it spearheaded an intensive effort to strengthen the base of the nation’s technological industries.
The government aligned its economic development plans with the comprehensive technology development plan to drive industrialization in 1962. Before launching their third economic plan, which promoted the heavy and chemical industry in 1972, the government recognized the importance of fostering scientists and engineers who would work for these new industries from the late 1960s.
Brain drain was a serious problem. Many students went abroad for advanced studies, but few returned to what was one of the poorest countries in the world.
Undergraduate Program
Eligibility
- Applicants of International Student Admission
Scholarship Coverage
- Full tuition fee: tuition exemption for 8 semesters
- Living expenses: 350,000 KRW per month
- Medical Health insurance
Requirement
- We offer KAIST Scholarships to admitted students
- Students must maintain GPA over 2.7 out of 4.3 at KAIST after their freshman year.
Required Documents
Online Submission & Platform
- Application Form See Sample Form
- One Recommendation Letter See Sample Form
Upload Online
- High School Profile
- High school / University Transcript
- English Proficiency Test Report
- Standardized Official Test Score Report
- Passport or National ID Copy
- Statement of Financial Resources
- Honors and Awards (Optional)
Graduate Program
Eligibility
- Applicants of International Student Admission
Scholarship Coverage
- Full tuition fee: tuition exemption for 4 semesters (MS) / 8 semesters (PhD)
- Living expenses: 350,000 KRW per month (for MS) or 400,000 KRW per month (for PhD)
- Medical Insurance
- Additional Stipend can be available for research assistants.
Requirement
- Students must maintain GPA over 2.0 out of 4.3 at KAIST
- GPA requirement of Seoul campus may be different from the above requirement.
Selection Procedure
- Same as Admission Application
- Undergraduate Admission
- Graduate Admission
Application Timeline
| Application window opens | Sep.1, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Application & Documents Deadlines | Oct. 23, 2020 |
| Recommendation Letter | Oct. 30, 2020 |
| Admission announcement | Jan. 4, 2021 |
| Reply to KAIST | Feb. 7, 2021 |
| Academic year begins | Spring 2021 & Fall 2021 |
For more information, please visit Official Website.
