Applications are invited from international students for the GIST International Scholarships 2027 in South Korea. The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) provides comprehensive financial support to eligible international students admitted to its graduate degree programs.
The scholarship is fully funded and supports international students pursuing Master’s, PhD and integrated Master’s/PhD degrees at GIST. All admitted international graduate students receive GIST scholarship support without having to submit a separate scholarship application.
SUMMARY
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Host Institution(s): GIST, South Korea
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Study Level: Master’s, PhD & Integrated M.S./Ph.D.
- Scholarship Benefits: Full Tuition, Monthly Allowances, Research Assistantship, Health Insurance & Flight Support
- Nationality: International Students
- Application Deadline: October 7, 2026 for Spring 2027 Admission
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Program Overview | GIST International Scholarships 2027
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology offers extensive scholarship and financial support to international graduate students studying in South Korea.
Unlike scholarships that require a separate funding application, all international graduate students admitted to GIST are granted the GIST scholarship without a separate application process.
GIST offers three main graduate degree pathways:
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Integrated Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (M.S./Ph.D.)
A Master’s program normally takes two years to complete, while a PhD normally takes four years. Students are expected to maintain full-time status and continuous registration while completing their degree requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
International applicants interested in the GIST Scholarships 2027 should meet the University’s graduate admission requirements.
Applicants should:
- Be international applicants eligible for GIST’s international graduate admission.
- Hold or expect to obtain the appropriate qualifying degree before enrolment at GIST.
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent for admission to a Master’s program.
- Meet the appropriate academic qualifications for admission to a PhD program.
- Meet the admission requirements for the selected GIST department or graduate program.
- Submit evidence of English-language proficiency according to GIST requirements.
- Complete the online admission application and submit all required documents before the applicable deadline.
For the Spring 2027 admission, applicants must hold or expect to hold their final qualifying degree before enrolment, generally by the first week of January 2027.
Korean citizens holding dual citizenship are not eligible to apply through the international graduate admission route.
Eligible Graduate Programs
GIST offers international graduate study opportunities across a wide range of science, engineering and technology fields, including:
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical and Robotics Engineering
- Environment and Energy Engineering
- Life Sciences
- Physics and Photon Science
- Chemistry
- Biomedical Science and Engineering
- AI Convergence
- Semiconductor Engineering
- AI Policy and Strategy
- Integrated Neuroscience and Physiology
- Mathematical Sciences
Applicants should review the degree options available within their chosen academic unit because not every department necessarily offers every graduate degree pathway.
Scholarship Benefits
International graduate students admitted to GIST receive comprehensive financial support.
Benefits include:
- Full tuition support.
- Monthly student allowance.
- Monthly meal allowance.
- Additional international student allowance, subject to the applicable academic requirements.
- Research assistantship funding for students participating in research projects.
- Support toward National Health Insurance.
- Annual medical checkup.
- Access to graduate student housing.
- One-way flight reimbursement to South Korea for incoming international students.
GIST currently lists tuition assistance of KRW 3,607,000 per semester as fully supported.
Monthly allowances currently include:
- M.S. student allowance: KRW 140,000 per month.
- PhD student allowance: KRW 295,000 per month.
- Meal allowance: Approximately KRW 100,000 per month.
- International student allowance: KRW 120,000 per month, subject to maintaining the required GPA.
Research assistantship support is additionally available to students participating in research projects, with the amount depending on the degree level and research involvement.
International students also receive support for 60% of National Health Insurance and reimbursement for a one-way flight to Korea for their initial arrival.
Applicants should note that GIST charges newly admitted students a one-time matriculation fee of KRW 680,000, although some students may qualify for an exemption.
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How to Apply
There is no separate application for the 2027 GIST International Scholarships. International applicants apply for graduate admission, and admitted international graduate students receive GIST scholarship support automatically.
To participate, applicants should:
- Choose the appropriate M.S., PhD or integrated M.S./Ph.D. program and review the requirements of the relevant GIST department.
- Complete the official GIST international graduate online application within the applicable admission period.
- Pay the required application fee to validate the online application.
- Upload all required supporting documents through the application system. Documents must be in English or Korean; documents issued in another language must be appropriately translated.
- Register the details of two referees in the online application. GIST sends the recommendation submission link directly to the referees after the application fee has been paid.
- Monitor the email address registered in the application, as the GIST Admission Team or academic department may contact applicants regarding additional information or an interview.
- Successful applicants should accept their admission offer, submit the required enrolment documents and pay the applicable matriculation fee within the stated deadline.
- After enrolment, successful international students should complete the required academic document verification and student visa procedures.
Applicants do not need to complete another application to receive the standard GIST international graduate scholarship.
Application Documents
Applicants should prepare the academic and supporting documents required through the GIST international graduate application system.
These include relevant:
- Degree certificates or diplomas.
- Academic transcripts.
- Two letters of recommendation submitted electronically by the registered referees.
- Valid English-language proficiency evidence.
- Identification and personal information required through the online application.
- Other documents specified for the chosen program or applicant circumstances.
Documents must generally be provided in English or Korean. Documents originally issued in another language must be translated into English or Korean by the issuing institution or a public notary.
Successful applicants are subsequently required to submit verified academic certificates. Degree certificates and transcripts must generally be apostilled or authenticated by a Korean Embassy and submitted according to GIST’s enrolment instructions.
English Language Requirements
International graduate applicants are generally required to provide an accepted English-language proficiency test.
GIST currently accepts minimum scores including:
- TOEFL iBT: 80
- TOEFL PBT: 550
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEIC: 750
- New TEPS: 285
Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an institution located in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States may qualify for an exemption with prior approval from GIST.
Conditional admission may also be possible in certain circumstances where an applicant cannot submit an official English test result. Such applicants may be permitted to provide certification from their previous institution confirming that English was the medium of instruction, subject to GIST’s conditions.
Application Deadline: The application period runs from September 7 to October 7, 2026.
GIST also admits international graduate students for the Fall semester. The currently published 2027 admission schedule lists the Fall 2027 international application period as March 9 to April 8, 2027, subject to change.
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