Admissions·East & Southeast Asia· 8 min read

KAIST Admission Guide for International Students

How international students apply to KAIST — Korea's English-medium science and technology institute: admission tracks, requirements, tests, and scholarships.

Last updated 12 July 2026

Key facts

Location: Daejeon, South Korea (science & technology focus)
Instruction: Primarily English-medium
International eligibility: Applicant and parents generally non-Korean citizens — verify on admission.kaist.ac.kr
Application fee: Charged per cycle — verify the current amount and payment options
Scholarships: KAIST scholarship considered for admits — verify current coverage
English proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent — verify minimum and exemptions

KAIST at a glance and why it's international-friendly

KAIST (the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is a research university in Daejeon, South Korea, focused on science, engineering and technology. It teaches most of its programs in English, which makes it accessible to students who do not yet speak Korean.

International applicants apply through a dedicated international-admissions track, separate from the domestic Korean process. A defining eligibility rule is that, to apply as an international student, both you and your parents are generally required to hold non-Korean citizenship — confirm the exact rule on the official admissions page.

Requirements and dates change each cycle, so use this as an overview and verify everything at the official KAIST admissions site before applying.

Location: Daejeon, South Korea (science and technology focus)
Primarily English-medium instruction
International track with a citizenship eligibility rule (verify on the official site)

International undergraduate admission

KAIST's international undergraduate admission assesses your secondary-school achievement, standardized-test results where required, English proficiency, essays and references, and often an interview. There is no single national exam requirement — the exact combination is set by KAIST and revised each year.

Applications are submitted online through KAIST's official application portal, with supporting documents uploaded as specified. Admitted international undergraduates are generally considered for KAIST's scholarship for international students — check the current terms rather than assuming past figures.

Because places are competitive, prepare your academic record, tests and essays early, and read the current admission guideline in full.

Assessed on: school record, tests, English, essays, references, possible interview
Apply online via the official KAIST portal; upload documents as specified
Admitted international undergraduates are usually considered for KAIST's scholarship

Graduate admission (master's and PhD)

For master's and doctoral programs, you apply to a specific department or graduate program, usually indicating your research interests. Strong applicants typically show relevant coursework, research experience, references and, for many fields, alignment with a faculty member's research.

Graduate applications generally require academic transcripts, degree certificates or proof of expected graduation, a statement of purpose, recommendation letters and English-proficiency evidence. Some programs may include an interview or additional test.

Exact requirements differ by department, so check the graduate admission pages and the department's own site for the current cycle.

Apply to a specific department/graduate program
Transcripts, SOP, references and English evidence are standard
Research fit matters, especially for PhD applicants

English proficiency and standardized tests

Because instruction is in English, KAIST generally expects evidence of English proficiency such as TOEFL, IELTS or an equivalent recognized test; some applicants may be exempt based on their prior medium of instruction. Confirm the accepted tests, minimums and any exemptions on the official page.

Standardized tests such as the SAT may also be part of an undergraduate application depending on your background, but requirements vary — do not assume a specific test is needed or accepted without checking.

Always use the official admission guideline for your intended level and cycle to confirm which tests you must submit.

English proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent (verify minimum and exemptions)
Some undergraduate applicants may submit standardized tests such as the SAT
Confirm exactly which tests your program requires

Documents, application steps and timeline

A typical KAIST international application includes an online application form, official transcripts from every secondary school (and university, for graduate applicants), an English-proficiency result, a personal statement or study plan, recommendation letters and a passport copy. Documents are usually uploaded in the specified format.

There is an application fee per cycle, payable by the methods KAIST lists. Missing or unclear documents are a common reason applications stall, so follow the checklist precisely.

KAIST opens its admission cycles months ahead of enrolment; the number of intakes and the deadlines depend on your level and program, so work backward from the official admission guideline for your target intake.

Online form, transcripts, English test, statement, references, passport
An application fee applies per cycle (verify the current amount and payment options)
Check the current intake schedule and deadlines on the official admission guideline

Scholarships, fees and the student visa

KAIST offers a scholarship for which admitted international students are generally considered, and it can include tuition support and a living allowance; the exact coverage and conditions change, so verify the current terms on the official site. Never pay an agent who claims to 'guarantee' a scholarship or admission — legitimate scholarships are awarded only through the official process.

Tuition and any non-covered costs should be confirmed on KAIST's official pages rather than from older figures or third parties.

International students studying in Korea generally need a student (D-2) visa, arranged after admission. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current requirements and process on the official Korean immigration authorities' websites before acting.

KAIST scholarship for international students — verify current coverage and conditions
No legitimate scholarship is 'guaranteed' by an agent for a fee
Study visa: student (D-2) status via official Korean immigration channels (verify)

Frequently asked questions

Is KAIST taught in English?

Yes — KAIST teaches most of its programs in English, which is why it is popular with international students who don't speak Korean. You will still generally need to show English proficiency; verify the accepted tests on the official admissions page.

Who can apply as an international student?

KAIST's international track generally requires that both the applicant and their parents hold non-Korean citizenship, and dual Korean-foreign citizens usually cannot apply on this track. Confirm the exact eligibility rule on the official site.

Does KAIST offer scholarships to international students?

Admitted international students are generally considered for KAIST's scholarship, which can include tuition support and a living allowance. Coverage changes each cycle, so verify current terms officially — and never pay for a 'guaranteed' scholarship.

What tests do I need?

Expect to submit English-proficiency evidence such as TOEFL or IELTS, and, depending on your background, possibly a standardized test like the SAT for undergraduate entry. Requirements vary by cycle — confirm on the official admission guideline.

What visa will I need?

International students in Korea generally hold a student (D-2) visa arranged after admission. This is general information, not immigration advice; verify the current process on the official Korean immigration websites.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: KAIST — International Undergraduate Admission; KAIST — Admissions Information; KAIST — English Homepage.

Last verified: 12 July 2026.