GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea | Fully Funded

Fully Funded South Korea Masters, PhD Deadline: 7 October 2026
GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea | Fully Funded

About this scholarship

The GIST Scholarship 2027 offers international students the opportunity to pursue graduate studies at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea with comprehensive financial support. GIST is a science and technology-focused university offering Master’s, Doctoral, and integrated Master’s-Doctoral programmes across a range of advanced research fields.

For the 2027 Spring admission, GIST states that all international graduate students are granted GIST scholarship support without submitting a separate scholarship application. The scholarship includes full tuition support, monthly allowances, health insurance support, and reimbursement for a one-way flight to Korea. Research assistantships may provide additional financial support to students participating in research projects.

The current 2027 Spring application period runs from September 7 to October 7, 2026, with the application deadline at 5:00 PM Korea Standard Time.

What the award covers

International graduate students at GIST receive a comprehensive package of financial support, including:

  • Full tuition fee support
  • Student allowance of KRW 140,000 per month for Master’s students
  • Student allowance of KRW 295,000 per month for PhD students
  • Meal allowance of approximately KRW 100,000 per month
  • International student allowance of KRW 120,000 per month, subject to the GPA requirement
  • Research assistantship opportunities for students participating in research projects
  • Support for 60% of National Health Insurance
  • Annual medical checkup
  • Reimbursement for a one-way flight to Korea for incoming international students
  • Access to university housing options

The student and meal allowances require students to have completed at least nine credits in the previous semester, while the international student allowance requires a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.5 in the previous semester.

Is the GIST Scholarship Fully Funded?

The GIST graduate scholarship provides extensive financial support and can reasonably be described as a fully funded graduate scholarship in terms of tuition and core student support.

GIST states that tuition is fully supported for international graduate students, while students also receive monthly allowances, health insurance support, and one-way flight reimbursement. However, a one-time matriculation fee of KRW 680,000 is charged to newly admitted students, although some students may qualify for an exemption.

Therefore, applicants should not interpret “fully funded” as meaning that every possible personal expense is automatically covered.

Study levels

The GIST Scholarship is available for:

  • Master’s degree
  • Doctoral degree
  • Integrated Master’s-Doctoral degree

GIST's graduate school offers programmes in science, engineering, artificial intelligence, life sciences, biomedical sciences, and other research-oriented disciplines.

Subjects

GIST offers graduate programmes across science, technology, engineering, and related interdisciplinary areas.

The 2027 graduate admissions information includes fields such as:

  • Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • AI Convergence
  • Semiconductor Engineering
  • AI Policy and Strategy
  • Physics and Photon Science
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Mechanical and Robotics Engineering
  • Environment and Energy Engineering
  • Life Sciences
  • Biomedical Science and Engineering
  • Integrative Neuroscience and Physiology
  • Management of Technology

The available departments and programme options should be checked in the official admission information for the selected intake.

Who can apply

The GIST graduate scholarship is available to international students.

GIST states that all international graduate students are granted GIST scholarship support without a separate scholarship application. Korean citizens with dual citizenship are not eligible under the 2027 Spring admission notice.

Eligibility

Applicants for GIST graduate admission should generally:

  • Be an international applicant.
  • Apply for an eligible GIST graduate programme.
  • Hold or expect to hold the required final degree before enrollment.
  • Meet the academic requirements of the selected department.
  • Submit all required application documents before the deadline.
  • Provide two recommendation letters through the electronic recommendation system.
  • Meet any programme-specific requirements.
  • Satisfy GIST's admission requirements for international applicants.

For the 2027 Spring intake, applicants who are expected to graduate must obtain their final degree before enrollment, with the final degree required by the first week of January 2027.

Academic Requirements:

Applicants must have the appropriate previous degree for their selected graduate programme.

Applicants who already hold the required degree can apply, while those expecting to graduate before enrollment may also apply if they can provide the final degree within the specified timeframe.

The exact academic requirements can vary according to the chosen department and degree programme. Applicants should therefore review the official GIST admission guide before submitting an application.

How to apply

The GIST graduate application process consists of several steps.

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Applicants must select their intended field of study and complete the online application form.

For the 2027 Spring admission, GIST provides an official online application system for international applicants.

Step 2: Pay the Application Fee

Applicants are required to pay the designated application fee. GIST states that an application will not be processed as valid until the required fee has been paid.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents

Applicants must upload the required supporting documents, including two recommendation letters.

Recommendation letters are submitted electronically through Google Forms directly by the referees registered by the applicant. The recommendation links become available after the application fee has been paid.

Step 4: Monitor Your Email

Applicants should regularly check their email because the GIST Admissions Team or relevant department may contact them regarding additional information or an interview.

Required Documents:

The exact document requirements depend on the applicant and programme, but the application requires supporting academic and personal documents.

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

  • Online application
  • Academic records
  • Degree certificate or expected graduation documentation
  • Two recommendation letters
  • Required identification or nationality documents
  • Other supporting documents specified in the admission guide

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

Application Deadline:

For GIST Spring 2027 admission, the application period is:

September 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – October 7, 2026, 5:00 PM KST

GIST states that online applications and all required materials must be submitted before the deadline. Late submissions are not allowed.

The admission result for Spring 2027 is scheduled for December 4, 2026, with enrollment scheduled by January 4, 2027. GIST notes that admission dates are subject to change without prior notice.

Research Assistantship:

In addition to the standard GIST scholarship benefits, graduate students participating in research projects may receive research assistantship support.

GIST's current financial support page lists average research assistantship amounts of approximately:

  • KRW 6.4 million per year for Master’s students
  • KRW 13.74 million per year for PhD students

These figures are identified by GIST as averages based on its stated reporting period and should not be treated as guaranteed scholarship payments for every student.

Housing:

GIST provides dormitory and married-student apartment options for graduate students.

Housing fees apply, and GIST notes that waiting times may be longer than expected. Utility charges and other additional costs may also apply.

Health Insurance:

International students receive support for 60% of National Health Insurance under the GIST financial support programme.

GIST also provides an annual medical checkup for international students.

Flight Reimbursement:

Incoming international students can receive reimbursement for a one-way flight to Korea.

GIST specifies that this benefit is available for first-time use by incoming international students.

Important Points:

Applicants should keep the following points in mind:

  • The scholarship is for international graduate students.
  • Master’s, PhD, and integrated Master’s-Doctoral programmes are available.
  • GIST scholarship support does not require a separate scholarship application.
  • Tuition fees are fully supported.
  • Monthly allowances are available.
  • Research assistantships may provide additional support.
  • Health insurance support is provided.
  • One-way flight reimbursement is available for incoming international students.
  • A one-time matriculation fee of KRW 680,000 may apply.
  • Some scholarship allowances have academic or credit requirements.
  • Two recommendation letters are required.
  • Documents must be in English or Korean, or appropriately translated.
  • The 2027 Spring application deadline is October 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM KST.
  • Korean citizens with dual citizenship are not eligible for the 2027 Spring international graduate admission.
More details

Applications are made on the awarding body's own site. educads does not collect applications or fees.