GIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 in South Korea

The GIST Graduate Scholarship 2027 is linked directly to international graduate admission at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, one of South Korea's specialist science and technology universities.

For international graduate students, the scholarship does not require a separate scholarship application. GIST states that all international graduate students are granted the GIST scholarship, with tuition support, monthly allowances and additional benefits provided according to university rules.

The current application round is for Spring 2027 admission, with studies beginning in March 2027. Applications opened on 7 September 2026 and close on 7 October 2026 at 17:00 Korean Standard Time.

GIST offers Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy and integrated M.S.–PhD programmes. Current graduate fields include electrical engineering and computer science, artificial intelligence, semiconductor engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematical sciences, materials science, mechanical and robotics engineering, environment and energy engineering, life sciences, biomedical science, AI policy and strategy, and integrative neuroscience and physiology. Mathematical Sciences is currently listed as an M.S.-only programme.

English is an important part of GIST graduate education; the university's FAQ states that more than 90% of lectures are offered in English.

• Applicants must hold or expect to hold the appropriate final degree before enrolling at GIST. For Spring 2027, GIST states that the final degree must be completed by the first week of January 2027.
• Applicants applying through the international admission route must satisfy GIST's international-student requirements.
• Korean citizens holding dual citizenship are not eligible under this international application route.
• Applicants must apply to an eligible GIST graduate programme.
• Applicants are generally required to submit an official English-language proficiency test result.
• Accepted minimum scores currently include TOEFL iBT 80, TOEFL PBT 550, Academic IELTS 6.5, TOEIC 750 or New TEPS 285.
• English-language test results must have been taken within two years before the application deadline.
• Certain applicants with a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution physically located in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the USA may receive an exemption with prior GIST approval.
• Where an official English test cannot be taken because of qualifying circumstances, GIST may allow conditional admission using a Certificate of English Language Proficiency issued by the president or dean of the applicant's previous institution confirming English as the medium of instruction.

• Full tuition support: KRW 3,607,000 per semester.
• Student allowance: KRW 140,000 per month for M.S. students and KRW 295,000 per month for PhD students.
• Meal allowance: Approximately KRW 100,000 per month.
• International student allowance: KRW 120,000 per month.
• Research assistantship: Additional support is available to students participating in research projects.
• Health insurance: 60% of South Korea's National Health Insurance cost is supported for international students.
• Medical support: Annual medical check-up.
• Flight reimbursement: One-way flight to Korea reimbursed for incoming international students on their first use.
• Graduate housing: Dormitory and married-student accommodation are available, subject to availability and separate fees.

Mandatory documents currently listed by GIST include:

• Online application.
• Official degree certificate or expected-graduation certificate.
• Official academic transcripts covering undergraduate and graduate degrees, where applicable.
• Grading-scale information if it is not already shown on the transcript.
• Two recommendation letters.
• Official English-language proficiency test result, unless an approved exemption or conditional-admission route applies.
• Copy of the applicant's passport.

The two recommendation letters are submitted electronically by the referees through Google Forms. Applicants register their referees in the GIST application system, and the recommendation link can be sent after payment of the application fee.

If applicable, applicants may also submit:

• Recommendation letter for a matriculation-fee waiver.
• Certificate of English Language Proficiency for conditional admission.
• University profile.
• Evidence of honours and awards.

Documents must be in English or Korean. Documents issued in another language must be translated into English or Korean by the issuing institution or a public notary.

GIST's current international admissions pages confirm the following elements of the selection process:

• Review of the completed online application.
• Review of official academic qualifications and transcripts.
• Review of required English-language proficiency evidence.
• Consideration of two recommendation letters.
• Departmental review of submitted application materials.
• An interview may be requested where the relevant department considers one necessary.

• Automatic scholarship consideration: International graduate students do not submit a separate GIST scholarship application.
• Full tuition support: GIST covers the published graduate tuition amount.
• Monthly financial support: International graduate students can receive several monthly allowances subject to university conditions.
• STEM research environment: Graduate programmes span engineering, AI, science, environment, life sciences and biomedical research.
• English-accessible study: GIST reports that more than 90% of lectures are offered in English.
• Research opportunities: Students participating in research projects may receive additional research assistantship support.
• International-student support: Flight reimbursement and partial National Health Insurance support are available.