The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea is offering international students an opportunity to pursue graduate studies through its 2027 admission programme. The scholarship provides substantial financial support to eligible international students enrolled in master’s, doctoral, and integrated master’s-doctoral programmes.
The opportunity is particularly suitable for students interested in science, technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, computer science, energy, materials, life sciences and other related fields. GIST provides tuition assistance along with several additional benefits designed to help international students manage the cost of studying and living in South Korea.
For students applying for the Spring 2027 intake, the application period is scheduled from September 7 to October 7, 2026.
What Is the GIST Scholarship?
The GIST Scholarship is a financial support programme available to international graduate students at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology.
GIST provides international graduate students with tuition support and several additional benefits. Students do not need to submit a separate scholarship application because eligible international graduate students are considered for the scholarship through the graduate admission process.
The support package can include tuition assistance, monthly allowances, meal support, international student allowances, research incentives, health-insurance support and reimbursement for a one-way flight to South Korea.
GIST Scholarship 2027 Benefits
The scholarship offers several forms of financial assistance to successful international students.
Full Tuition Support
GIST provides full tuition support to eligible international graduate students. The university currently lists tuition support of approximately KRW 3,607,000 per semester.
This can significantly reduce the overall cost of completing a graduate degree in South Korea.
However, students should carefully review the university’s financial-support conditions because not every possible living or administrative expense is automatically covered.
Monthly Allowances
Students may also receive monthly financial allowances depending on their programme and eligibility.
The currently listed allowances include:
- Master’s students: KRW 140,000 per month
- PhD students: KRW 295,000 per month
- Meal allowance: approximately KRW 100,000 per month
- International student allowance: KRW 120,000 per month
Certain allowances are subject to academic requirements. For example, students generally need to complete at least nine credits in the previous semester to qualify for the student and meal allowances. The international student allowance also has a minimum GPA requirement.
Research Incentives
GIST students who participate in research projects may also receive additional research incentives.
The university’s admissions information reports average annual research incentives of approximately KRW 11.03 million for master’s students and KRW 17.48 million for doctoral students, based on 2025 figures.
These research incentives are separate from the regular monthly allowances and depend on participation in research projects.
Health Insurance Support
International students can receive support for health insurance while studying at GIST.
The university currently provides support equivalent to 60% of National Health Insurance costs for international students. GIST also provides an annual medical checkup for students.
This support can help international students manage some of the healthcare-related expenses associated with living and studying in South Korea.
One-Way Airfare Support
The GIST financial-support package also includes reimbursement for a one-way flight to South Korea.
The reimbursement is intended for an international student’s first trip to Korea after being admitted to the programme, subject to the university’s applicable conditions.
Accommodation Facilities
GIST offers accommodation options for graduate students, including dormitories and apartments for married students.
Students should note that accommodation availability may involve a waiting period. Housing fees can also change, while utility costs may be charged separately.
The university also provides access to facilities such as fitness and recreational facilities at relatively affordable rates.
Who Can Apply for GIST 2027?
The programme is open to international applicants seeking graduate-level education at GIST.
Applicants can apply for master’s, doctoral or integrated master’s-doctoral programmes, depending on their academic background and the requirements of their chosen department.
Students who are still completing their current degree may also apply, provided they can obtain their final degree before the university’s specified deadline.
For the Spring 2027 intake, applicants completing their degree must be able to receive their final degree by the first week of January 2027.
Available Fields of Study
GIST offers graduate programmes across a broad range of science and technology-related disciplines.
Some of the available academic areas include:
- 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
GIST has also introduced a Graduate School of Management of Technology, focusing on areas including management and Glocal AI.
English Language Requirements
International applicants generally need to demonstrate English-language proficiency.
GIST currently lists the following minimum scores:
| English Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80 |
| TOEFL PBT | 550 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 |
| TOEIC | 750 |
| NEW TEPS | 285 |
The English-language test should normally have been taken within two years before the application deadline.
Applicants from certain English-speaking countries may qualify for an exemption. Students who completed a bachelor’s or higher degree at a university located in an eligible English-speaking country may also qualify for an exemption, subject to GIST’s requirements.
Conditional English Admission
GIST also provides a conditional route for certain applicants who cannot submit an official English-language test score.
Applicants may be considered if an English test is unavailable in their country or if they face specific unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, they may be required to provide documentation from their previous educational institution confirming that English was the medium of instruction.
Students admitted under this condition are required to submit an acceptable official English test score within the period specified by GIST after admission.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the required documents before submitting their applications.
The main documents include:
- Completed online application
- Official degree certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Two recommendation letters
- Official English-language test score
- Passport copy
Academic documents may need to be authenticated through an apostille or the relevant Korean embassy or consular process, depending on the applicant’s country and circumstances.
Applicants whose documents are not written in English or Korean may also need to provide officially translated versions according to GIST’s requirements.
Recommendation Letters
Two recommendation letters are required as part of the application.
GIST collects recommendation letters electronically. Applicants provide the details of their selected referees through the online application system, after which recommendation links can be sent to the referees.
Applicants should therefore contact their potential recommenders in advance and allow sufficient time for the letters to be completed before the application deadline.
How to Apply for the GIST Scholarship
The application process is completed online.
Step 1: Complete the Online Application
Applicants need to create and complete their application through the GIST admissions system.
The applicant should carefully select the intended programme and provide accurate academic and personal information.
GIST recommends using a Windows-based computer because the application system is optimized for Windows.
Step 2: Upload Documents
Applicants must upload the required academic records, identification documents, English-language test results and other required materials.
The two recommendation letters must also be submitted through the system by the selected referees.
Step 3: Check Email Regularly
Applicants should regularly monitor the email address used in their application.
The GIST Admissions Team or the relevant academic department may contact applicants if additional information is required or if an interview is necessary.
Step 4: Receive the Admission Result
Successful applicants will receive their admission results through the email address registered during the application process.
Step 5: Complete Enrollment
Students who accept an offer must complete the required enrollment procedures and submit the requested documents within the university’s stated deadline.
Step 6: Verify Academic Documents
Successful applicants may be required to submit original or officially authenticated degree certificates and transcripts.
Applicants should make sure their academic documents meet GIST’s authentication requirements.
Step 7: Apply for a Student Visa
After receiving the necessary admission and enrollment documents, successful international students can begin the process of applying for the appropriate South Korean student visa through the relevant Korean embassy or consulate.
Matriculation Fee
Although the GIST scholarship provides extensive financial support, students should be aware that a one-time matriculation fee of KRW 680,000 is listed by the university.
Students experiencing financial difficulties may be able to request a waiver according to GIST’s applicable procedures.
Therefore, the term “fully funded” should not be interpreted as meaning that every possible expense is automatically covered.
GIST Scholarship 2027 Application Deadline
For the Spring 2027 graduate admission cycle, the announced schedule is:
- Application opens: September 7, 2026
- Application deadline: October 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM Korea Standard Time
- Expected admission result: December 4, 2026
- Enrollment deadline: January 4, 2027
- Spring semester: March 2027
Applicants are advised to submit their applications before the deadline because late applications are not accepted.
Fall 2027 Admission
Students who are unable to apply for the Spring 2027 intake may also have another opportunity later in the year.
GIST’s current admission schedule lists the Fall 2027 application period from March 9 to April 8, 2027.
The university has indicated that admission schedules can be subject to change, so applicants should check the official GIST admissions website for the latest information.
English-Medium Academic Environment
GIST is also an attractive option for international students because the university reports that more than 90% of its lectures are delivered in English.
This allows international students to pursue their academic programmes without relying primarily on Korean-language instruction, although students will still be living and studying in South Korea and may benefit from learning basic Korean for everyday communication.
Why Students May Consider GIST
The scholarship combines several forms of financial support rather than focusing only on tuition.
International graduate students can receive tuition assistance along with monthly allowances, meal support, research incentives, health-insurance assistance and one-way airfare reimbursement.
The university also provides graduate accommodation options and access to various campus facilities.
For students interested in research-driven fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering, computer science, energy, materials science and biotechnology, GIST offers an academic environment focused heavily on science and technology.
Final Details
The GIST Scholarship 2027 provides international students with an opportunity to pursue graduate education in South Korea while receiving substantial financial support.
The programme is open to eligible students applying for master’s, doctoral and integrated master’s-doctoral programmes. Depending on eligibility and academic requirements, the support package can include full tuition assistance, monthly allowances, meal support, research incentives, health-insurance support and one-way airfare reimbursement.
For the Spring 2027 intake, applications are scheduled to remain open from September 7 to October 7, 2026.
Students interested in applying should prepare their academic documents, English-language test results, recommendation letters and passport information well before the deadline. They should also carefully review the latest official admission requirements because scholarship conditions, dates and financial-support amounts may be updated by GIST.
Prospective applicants should use the official GIST admissions information as the final reference before submitting an application.
