GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea | Fully Funded

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a research university in Gwangju, Republic of Korea.

The institution provides graduate education and research opportunities across scientific and technological disciplines.

GIST aims to prepare researchers, engineers and specialists capable of contributing to scientific discovery, technological innovation and interdisciplinary research.

International students can pursue advanced studies while working with academic supervisors and research groups.

The university also provides financial support and access to research facilities, student accommodation and other campus services.

For official information, visit the GIST International Graduate Admissions website.

GIST offers financial assistance to international graduate students through tuition support, allowances and research-related funding.

The university's published scholarship arrangements include the following benefits.

1. Full Tuition Support

GIST provides full tuition support for graduate students covered by its scholarship system.

The international admissions funding page lists tuition support of KRW 3,607,000 per semester.

This substantially reduces the cost of pursuing a research degree in South Korea.

Important: Full tuition support does not eliminate every possible university expense. Newly admitted students generally must pay a separate matriculation fee unless granted an exemption.

2. Monthly Student Allowance

The university publishes the following monthly student allowances:

• Master's students: KRW 140,000 per month.

• PhD students: KRW 295,000 per month.

These allowances are subject to academic conditions, including completion of the required credits in the previous semester.

3. Monthly Meal Allowance

Eligible students may receive an additional meal allowance of approximately KRW 100,000 per month.

The university's funding page links this benefit to the required academic-credit conditions.

4. International Student Allowance

GIST also publishes an additional international student allowance of KRW 120,000 per month.

This allowance is subject to maintaining a previous-semester GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.5.

5. Research Assistantship Opportunities

Graduate students participating in research projects may receive research assistantship funding.

This is an important part of GIST's financial support system.

The exact amount varies depending on the research project, department, supervisor and applicable funding arrangements.

The university's scholarship page provides historical average research assistantship figures, but these should not be interpreted as guaranteed payments for every student.

6. University Accommodation

GIST offers graduate student dormitories and housing options for married students.

However, accommodation is not automatically free.

Students may need to pay:

• Monthly housing fees.

• A housing deposit.

• Utility charges.

• Other applicable accommodation costs.

Housing availability may also be limited.

7. Health Insurance Support

GIST states that it supports 60% of National Health Insurance costs for international students under its published arrangements.

Students should verify their remaining insurance contributions and any additional requirements.

8. One-Way Flight Reimbursement

Eligible incoming international students can receive reimbursement for a one-way flight to South Korea.

This benefit is available for the first eligible use.

It is a reimbursement arrangement, so applicants should not assume that the university will purchase their ticket in advance.

9. Research and Academic Opportunities

Beyond financial assistance, graduate students may benefit from:

• Access to scientific laboratories.

• Research supervision.

• Participation in research projects.

• Academic collaboration.

• International research opportunities.

• Graduate student support services.

• Professional development activities.

The full scholarship arrangements are explained on the official GIST Financial Support page.

International graduate applicants must prepare the documents required by GIST.

1. Online Application Form

Applicants must complete the official online graduate admissions application.

2. Degree Certificate

Applicants must provide official academic degree certificates.

Those awaiting graduation may submit an acceptable expected-graduation certificate or official university letter containing the required details.

3. Academic Transcripts

Applicants must provide official transcripts for their undergraduate and graduate studies, where applicable.

Transcripts should include:

• Courses completed.

• Grades or marks.

• Cumulative GPA.

• Grading scale.

• Academic ranking, if available.

4. Two Recommendation Letters

GIST requires two recommendation letters.

Recommendations are submitted electronically by referees using designated Google Forms.

Applicants must register their referees through the online application system.

The university sends the recommendation links after the application fee has been paid.

Referees may include academic faculty members or professional supervisors who know the applicant's work.

5. English-Language Test Result

Applicants must submit an accepted official English-language test result or qualifying alternative documentation under the university's rules.

6. Passport Copy

A copy of the applicant's passport is required.

7. Additional Documents Where Applicable

Depending on the applicant's circumstances, additional materials may include:

• Certificate of English Language Proficiency for conditional admission.

• Recommendation letter for a matriculation-fee waiver.

• University profile.

• Evidence of academic honours and awards.

• Additional department-specific documents.

Document Translation and Verification

Documents must be 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 office.

Successful applicants must also submit appropriately authenticated academic certificates after enrolment.

The official requirements are available on the GIST Required Documents page.

The GIST international graduate admissions route is intended for eligible applicants seeking postgraduate education in South Korea.

Master's Degree Applicants

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor's degree or expect to complete the required degree before the relevant enrolment deadline.

PhD Applicants

Applicants should hold the academic qualification required for doctoral admission, generally a relevant master's degree or recognised equivalent.

Integrated Master's–PhD Applicants

Applicants interested in integrated graduate study should review the specific academic requirements of their chosen department.

International Applicant Eligibility

The international graduate admissions route has nationality requirements.

GIST's official Spring 2027 announcement specifically states that Korean citizens with dual citizenship are not eligible under that international application route.

Applicants should verify the nationality rules in the relevant intake's official admissions guide.

Academic Background

Applicants should have academic preparation relevant to their chosen research programme.

The suitability of previous qualifications depends on the department and degree level.

English-Language Proficiency

Applicants must meet GIST's English-language requirements or qualify for an accepted exemption or conditional admission arrangement.

GIST Scholarship 2027 English-Language Requirements

English is an important language of graduate education and research at GIST.

The university accepts several official English-language tests.

TOEFL

• TOEFL iBT: Minimum score of 80.

• TOEFL PBT: Minimum score of 550.

IELTS Academic

• Minimum overall score: 6.5.

TOEIC

• Minimum score: 750.

NEW TEPS

• Minimum score: 285.

The university states that English-language test results must generally have been obtained within two years before the application deadline.

English-Language Exemptions

Some applicants may qualify for an exemption.

The university identifies possible exemptions for:

• Native-born citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States.

• Applicants holding a bachelor's or higher degree from a university physically located in one of those countries, subject to prior GIST approval.

Applicants should not assume that studying in English in another country automatically provides an exemption.

Can You Apply Without IELTS?

Possibly, under GIST's conditional admission rules.

Applicants unable to provide an accepted official English test score may be permitted to submit a Certificate of English Language Proficiency issued by the president or dean of their last educational institution.

The certificate must confirm that the language of instruction was English.

However, conditional admission is not a permanent IELTS or English-test waiver.

Students admitted conditionally must submit an accepted official English test result within six months of admission.

Failure to satisfy this condition can result in removal from the university register.

Read the official GIST admissions procedure and English requirements before relying on conditional admission.

The GIST graduate scholarship is linked to admission.

The university states that international graduate students receive its institutional scholarship support without a separate scholarship application.

Step 1: Visit the Official GIST Admissions Website

Open the GIST International Graduate Admissions website.

Review the latest admissions announcements.

Step 2: Choose Your Degree Programme

Identify the master's, PhD or integrated programme that matches your academic qualifications and research interests.

Check whether the department is accepting international applicants for your intended intake.

Step 3: Review the Admission Schedule

Visit the official 2027 International Graduate Admissions Schedule.

For Fall 2027, the published application period is 9 March–8 April 2027.

Step 4: Prepare Your Academic Documents

Gather your degree certificates, transcripts, passport and accepted English-language evidence.

Step 5: Arrange Two Referees

Contact two academic or professional referees who can provide strong recommendations.

Explain the university's electronic recommendation process and deadline.

Step 6: Open the Official Online Application

Use the GIST online application portal when the relevant application campaign is active.

The linked portal is identified in GIST's published 2027 admissions instructions; applicants should confirm that the Fall 2027 campaign is available before submitting.

Step 7: Complete the Application and Pay the Fee

Enter the required personal and academic information.

Select your field of study.

Pay the application fee to validate your application.

GIST advises applicants to use a Windows-based computer for its online application system.

Step 8: Upload the Required Documents

Upload the mandatory supporting documents.

Ensure that translations and other supporting materials satisfy the official rules.

Step 9: Request Electronic Recommendations

After paying the application fee, use the system to send the designated Google Forms links to your two referees.

Both recommendations must be submitted by the applicable deadline.

Step 10: Submit Before the Deadline

For Fall 2027 admission, submit the complete application before:

8 April 2027 at 17:00 Korean Standard Time (KST).

Step 11: Monitor Your Email

GIST may contact applicants regarding document review, interviews or admission decisions.

Step 12: Complete Enrolment Requirements

Successful applicants must:

• Accept their admission offer.

• Submit the required enrolment documents.

• Pay the matriculation fee unless exempted.

• Provide authenticated academic certificates.

• Complete the visa process.

Review the official GIST application procedure for the complete instructions.