KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is South Korea's leading science and technology university, founded in 1971 in Daejeon. KAIST is known as the “Korean MIT”: it's strong in electronics, engineering, IT and materials science, and many programs are taught in English.

It's the country's research flagship, with close ties to the tech industry (Samsung, LG and others) and a strong international setting.

KAIST - the “Korean MIT”:

• #53 in the world - QS World University Rankings
• The leading science and technology university in Korea
• English-taught programs and industry links

KAIST's modern Daejeon campus has advanced labs, research centers and residences.

KAIST is strong in technical fields:

• Electronics & Electrical Engineering
• Engineering
• Materials Science
• Computer Science & IT
• Technology Management

Admission is based on your diploma and language. Many programs are in English, which is convenient for international students.

Admission to KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) takes six months or more; here are the key stages:

1. Choose a program (9–12 months ahead). Decide on the field — electronics, engineering and materials Science — and the level: bachelor’s or master’s. Programs differ in requirements, deadlines and fees.
2. Language certificate. Not always: the number of English-taught programs is growing. Korean (TOPIK) can be studied alongside or during a preparatory year.
3. Application. Applications are submitted online; once reviewed, the university sends an offer — with it you can plan finances and housing.
4. Student visa and relocation. After the offer, StudyU helps prepare visa or residence-permit documents for South Korea; the consular or migration authority makes the decision.

After 11 years of school. Yes. The school certificate is accepted directly, no foundation year needed. Admission is based on GPA, a language certificate and a motivation letter.

• Passport
• School certificate and transcript
• An English certificate (or TOPIK)
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letters

Exact requirements depend on the program - we'll help you prepare.

Costs are moderate; scholarships, including GKS, are available. A personalised programme budget is prepared under an agreement with StudyU; each university or funding body confirms its current charges and any discount or scholarship.

Country benchmark for South Korea. Costs are moderate, and scholarships significantly reduce them.

Scholarships and grants. The government's Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and university grants that can cover tuition, accommodation and airfare.

The total budget combines tuition, housing, insurance and one-off visa and relocation costs — we will help you calculate everything before applying.

Daejeon is Korea's science city; KAIST provides residences.

Upon arrival, the first tasks are registration, a bank account and a transport card — every student gets our step-by-step checklist.

After graduation. The right to stay and work after graduation is set by the visa rules of South Korea — they change, so we check the current options individually.

The strong fields of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) are electronics, engineering and materials Science. As at most universities in South Korea, students have access to a career centre, job fairs and internships — use them from the first semesters: hands-on experience is decisive for the first job.

Another path is a master’s degree: with a bachelor’s from South Korea you can apply to programs and scholarships worldwide.