Documents Required for KAIST Bachelor, Master, MS-PhD, and PhD Scholarship Applications
Preparing for a KAIST scholarship application is much easier when you separate undergraduate documents from graduate documents. The two admission routes share some basics—academic records, identity documents and recommendations—but their requirements are not identical.
The checklist below is designed as an evergreen preparation guide for international students. Applicants should still verify the latest KAIST admission guide for their specific intake before submission because document formats and programme-specific requirements can change.
KAIST Undergraduate vs Graduate Documents Checklist for Scholarship Admissions
| Document | Undergraduate | Master’s / MS-PhD / PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Required | Required |
| Academic transcript | Required | Required |
| Degree/graduation evidence | Required where applicable | Required |
| Recommendation | Required | Required |
| Passport/nationality evidence | Required | Required |
| English evidence | Optional/recommended or as applicable | Required unless exempt |
| Standardized tests | Optional/recommended | Generally not universal |
| Awards/honours | Optional | Useful where requested |
| Additional programme documents | Possible | Often important |
Documents for KAIST Undergraduate Applicants
International Bachelor’s applicants for KAIST scholarship programs should prepare the following documents:
- Online application and statements: Complete the KAIST application form, including the required personal and academic statements.
- High-school transcript: Submit official academic records covering your secondary education. Applicants with university study may also need to disclose those records where applicable.
- Recommendation letter: KAIST requires a recommender to submit the recommendation through its designated online process.
- Passport or national ID: Used to establish the applicant’s foreign citizenship and identity.
- Standardized test results: SAT, AP, IB, GCE A-Level or comparable examination results can strengthen the academic file where available.
- English proficiency evidence: Scores such as IELTS or TOEFL may be submitted according to the applicable undergraduate admission guidelines.
- Honours and awards: Academic competitions, Olympiads and other significant achievements can be included where relevant.
- High-school profile: Providing information about the school’s curriculum and academic environment can help KAIST interpret your results.
Applicants of Korean origin may face additional nationality, entry/exit or citizenship-renunciation documentation requirements.
Documents for KAIST Master’s, MS-PhD and PhD Applicants
Graduate applicants should normally prepare:
- Online graduate KAIST application
- Bachelor’s transcript and degree evidence for Master’s/MS-PhD applicants
- Bachelor’s and Master’s academic records for PhD applicants
- English proficiency result such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or TEPS, unless an official KAIST exemption applies
- Recommendation letter and Optional Acceptance Letter
- Passport and citizenship documentation
- Research and academic information requested in the application
- Department-specific supporting materials, where required
Research-focused applicants should also have an updated academic CV, research experience summary, publication details and proposed research interests ready even when a particular item is not universally mandatory. Individual departments can ask for additional material.
Do Documents Need Apostille Before You Apply?
Do not confuse application documents with post-admission verification.
KAIST may initially evaluate uploaded application records, but admitted graduate students must later submit officially verified academic records. Depending on the issuing country, verification may involve an Apostille, Korean embassy verification or another recognised authentication procedure.
The safest approach is therefore simple: prepare clear application copies first, but locate your original degrees, transcripts and verification route before applying. Successful applicants can then complete post-admission requirements without scrambling for documents at the last minute.