Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Scholarships 2027 in South Korea: Application Method

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology has opened its Spring 2027 graduate admissions with automatic scholarship consideration for international applicants pursuing MS, PhD or integrated MS–PhD programmes in South Korea. Applications are being accepted from September 7 to October 7, 2026, and all admitted international graduate students receive the GIST scholarship without submitting a separate scholarship application.

What Does the GIST Scholarship 2027 Cover?

Every admitted international graduate student receives full tuition assistance and access to GIST’s financial-support package. The official benefits include:

• Full tuition support worth KRW 3,607,000 per semester
• Student allowance of KRW 140,000 monthly for MS students or KRW 295,000 for PhD students
• Meal allowance of approximately KRW 100,000 per month
• International-student allowance of KRW 120,000 per month
• Research assistantship averaging KRW 6,400,000 yearly for MS students and KRW 13,740,000 yearly for PhD students, based on 2022 figures
• Support for 60% of National Health Insurance
• Reimbursement for a one-way flight to South Korea for incoming international students
• Access to subsidised graduate accommodation, subject to availability

The student and meal allowances require completion of at least nine credits in the preceding semester. The international allowance requires a previous-semester GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.5. Research assistantship funding applies to students participating in research projects and should not be treated as an unconditional stipend. Back to Table of Contents

Which Graduate Programmes Are Available?

International applicants may apply for MS, PhD or integrated MS–PhD study across GIST’s science, engineering and technology departments. Available fields include:

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mechanical and Robotics Engineering
• Environment and Energy Engineering
• Life Sciences
• Physics and Photon Science
• Chemistry
• Biomedical Science and Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence
• Semiconductor Engineering
• AI Policy and Strategy
• Integrative Neuroscience and Physiology
• Mathematical Sciences—MS only

An MS normally takes two years and a PhD approximately four years. Students must maintain full-time status and continuous registration. Back to Table of Contents

Who Can Apply for GIST Spring 2027?

Applicants must possess—or expect to receive—the degree required for their selected graduate route before enrolling at GIST.

• MS and integrated MS–PhD applicants should hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree.
• PhD applicants should hold an appropriate master’s degree.
• Expected graduates must complete their final qualification by the first week of January 2027.
• Applicants may come from any foreign country, but Korean citizens holding dual citizenship are ineligible.
• No minimum CGPA or numerical age restriction is published on the general admission pages; departments assess academic records competitively.
• Applicants must submit two recommendations from people who have worked closely with them academically or professionally.

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Can You Apply for GIST Scholarship in Korea Without IELTS?

IELTS is not the only accepted test at GIST, but most applicants must provide valid English-language evidence. The minimum scores are IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, TOEFL PBT 550, TOEIC 750 or New TEPS 285. Test results must be no more than two years old on the deadline. Applicants holding a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university physically located in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or United States may receive an exemption with prior GIST approval. Conditional admission using an official Medium of Instruction certificate may be considered when taking an approved test is genuinely impossible. The certificate must be issued by the president or dean of the applicant’s previous institution and confirm English as the teaching medium. Conditionally admitted students must submit a qualifying official score within six months of admission or lose enrolment. Back to Table of Contents

Documents Required for GIST Admission

Applicants must upload a complete electronic file before the deadline. The core requirements are:

• Completed online application
• Degree certificates or official expected-graduation evidence
• Transcripts for every undergraduate and graduate qualification
• Two electronically submitted recommendation letters
• Valid English-test report or approved conditional-admission evidence
• Copy of passport, nationality certificate or English-language national ID
• English or Korean translations for documents issued in another language

Successful candidates must later send apostilled or Korean-consular-authenticated academic documents. PhD candidates need verified bachelor’s and master’s certificates and transcripts. Back to Table of Contents

How to Apply for the GIST Scholarship 2027

1. Select your programme: Review the official graduate departments and choose MS, PhD or integrated MS–PhD.
2. Prepare academic records: Collect certificates, transcripts, grading-scale information and translations.
3. Take an English test: Obtain one of the accepted scores unless you qualify for exemption or conditional admission.
4. Choose two referees: Register their correct names and email addresses in the application.
5. Complete the online form: Apply through the GIST Spring 2027 application portal, preferably using a Windows computer.
6. Pay the application fee: Your application remains invalid until payment is completed.
7. Send recommendation links: After payment, use the portal button to email separate Google Forms to both referees.
8. Upload all documents: Ensure every file is in English or Korean and submitted before the deadline.
9. Monitor your email: GIST or the selected department may request an interview or clarification.
10. Accept admission: Successful applicants must respond, submit enrolment documents and pay the KRW 680,000 matriculation fee. A need-based waiver can be requested during application with a department-chair recommendation.

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Application Deadline and Result Date

The last date to apply for the GIST Scholarship and Spring 2027 graduate admission is October 7, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Korean Standard Time. GIST plans to announce admission results on December 4, 2026, followed by an enrolment deadline of January 4, 2027. The separate Fall 2027 application period is scheduled from March 9 to April 8, 2027. Back to Table of Contents