South Korea Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) Scholarships 2026 - Fully Funded

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea offers fully funded scholarships to international students who want to pursue their graduate studies in Master’s, PhD, or Integrated MS-PhD programs. Recognized as one of Korea’s top research-oriented universities, GIST provides cutting-edge education and research opportunities in science, engineering, and technology fields.

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is one of South Korea’s leading research-oriented universities, located in Gwangju. Established in 1993 by the Korean government, GIST is globally recognized for excellence in education and innovation in science, engineering, and technology. With English as the primary medium of instruction, GIST attracts top international students and researchers, offering world-class graduate programs in engineering, life sciences, natural sciences, and ICT. The institute emphasizes hands-on research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation, consistently ranking among the top universities worldwide for research citations per faculty. Through its fully funded scholarship programs, GIST provides exceptional opportunities for students to pursue advanced studies in a highly international and supportive academic environment.

The GIST Scholarship 2026 provides fully funded financial support to all international students, including:

• Tuition Fee: 100% tuition fee covered (3,805,000 KRW/semester).
• Matriculation Fee: 680,000 KRW (waiver available with recommendation letter).
• Monthly Stipends & Research Assistantship:

1. M.S. Students: ~1,140,000 KRW/month (including student allowance, meal allowance, international student allowance, and research assistantship).
2. Ph.D. Students: ~1,812,000 KRW/month.

• Flight Reimbursement: One-way flight to Korea (first-time only).
• Health Insurance: 60% of the National Health Insurance supported.

• Master’s Degree (M.S.)
• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.)
• Integrated M.S.–Ph.D. Program

The GIST scholarships cover graduate-level studies in:

• Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Environmental Science and related interdisciplinary areas

The GIST Scholarship 2026 is open to all international students worldwide regardless of nationality.

To apply for the GIST International Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree (for M.S.) or a Master’s degree (for Ph.D.).
• Submit official transcripts and degree certificates (apostilled/notarized or embassy-certified).
• Provide two letters of recommendation from academic or professional supervisors.
• Submit a valid English Proficiency Test Score Report:

1. TOEFL iBT: 80 | TOEFL PBT: 550 | IELTS: 6.5 | TOEIC: 750 | NEW TEPS: 285
2. Applicants from English-speaking countries or those who studied in English-medium institutions may be exempt.
3. Conditional admission is available for those unable to provide scores at the time of application.

• A copy of a valid passport.

Online Application Submission

• Complete the online application at GIST Admission Portal.
• Upload all required documents in English or Korean (notarized if in another language).

Document Review

• GIST reviews documents over 30 days, and selected applicants may be contacted for interviews.

Admission Notification

• Spring 2026: Result announced on December 4, 2025.
• Fall 2026: Result announced on June 4, 2026.

Enrollment & Matriculation Fee Payment

• Submit enrollment documents and pay the matriculation fee (or apply for a waiver).

Submission of Verified Academic Certificates

• Within 10 days of enrollment, send original verified certificates (apostilled or embassy-certified).

Visa Application

• Apply for a Korean student visa using the Certificate of Admission.

Application Deadlines for GIST Scholarships 2026

Spring 2026 Intake (Begins in March)

• Application Period: September 2, 2025 (10:00 KST) – October 2, 2025 (17:00 KST)
• Examination of Documents: 15 days
• Documents Review: 30 days
• Notification of Admission Result: December 4, 2025
• Enrollment Deadline: January 5, 2026

Fall 2026 Intake (Begins in September)

• Application Period: March 10, 2026 (10:00 KST) – April 10, 2026 (17:00 KST)
• Examination of Documents: 15 days
• Documents Review: 30 days
• Notification of Admission Result: June 4, 2026
• Enrollment Deadline: July 6, 2026

With world-class faculty, state-of-the-art research labs, and full financial support, the GIST International Scholarship 2026 is one of the best opportunities for international students to study in South Korea.