2026 KAIST International Undergraduate Scholarship in South Korea

Location: South Korea

Program: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree)

Eligibility: International Students

Duration: 4 years

Deadline: January 6, 2026

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The KAIST International Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 is a prestigious fully funded scholarship program for international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea. This scholarship is one of the best opportunities in Asia for students interested in science, engineering, and technology.

Founded in 1971 by the Korean government, KAIST is South Korea’s first research-focused university and is globally recognized for its excellence in science and technology education. Located in Daejeon, the nation’s “innovation city,” KAIST ranks among the top 50 universities worldwide and 6th in Asia according to QS World University Rankings. Often referred to as the “MIT of Asia,” KAIST provides high-quality education in English and supports global students with comprehensive financial coverage.

All international applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship when they apply to KAIST. There is no separate scholarship application required. The scholarship covers all major expenses including full tuition, living allowance, and health insurance for the complete four years of undergraduate study, allowing students to focus entirely on their academic and personal growth.

Benefits of the Scholarship

This scholarship provides comprehensive support including:

Full tuition fee waiver for 8 semesters
Monthly living allowance of 350,000 KRW
Health insurance coverage

Access to world-class professors and researchers
State-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities
English-taught programs across all majors

Internship and industry collaboration opportunities
Strong alumni network globally
Leadership development programs

Living stipend can be used to cover:

Accommodation
Food and daily necessities
Books and Study materials
Travel Expenses
Other benefits

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:

Be an international student from any country (non-Korean citizen)
Not hold Korean citizenship (including dual citizenship)
Have graduated from high school or will graduate by August 31, 2026
Meet KAIST’s admission requirements for international undergraduate students
Demonstrate strong academic performance in high school
Meet English language proficiency requirements
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7 out of 4.3 after the freshman year to continue receiving the scholarship

Note: Kindly check the official website for full and detailed requirements.

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Selection Criteria

The KAIST Undergraduate Scholarship selection process evaluates applicants holistically based on strong high school academic performance, excellent grades (particularly in math and science), class ranking, GPA, and academic achievements; standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT (if applicable) that demonstrate academic readiness; a clear interest and passion for science and technology shown through projects, research, or participation in competitions; evidence of creativity, problem-solving ability, and leadership through extracurricular involvement and community engagement; personal qualities such as motivation, ambition, adaptability, resilience, and communication skills that align with KAIST’s mission and values; a well-written statement of purpose that clearly outlines academic and career goals, reasons for choosing KAIST, and how the university will support those goals; and a strong recommendation letter from a teacher or academic advisor attesting to the applicant’s academic capability and character.