GIST University South Korea Scholarship 2027 | Fully Funded Master’s & PhD

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is accepting applications for its 2027 Spring Graduate Admission in South Korea. The opportunity is open to eligible international applicants seeking Master’s, PhD, or integrated Master’s–PhD study.

GIST provides substantial financial support to international graduate students, including full tuition support, monthly allowances, meal support, research assistantships, housing, health-insurance support, and one-way flight reimbursement. International graduate students receive the GIST Scholarship automatically without submitting a separate scholarship application.

For Spring 2027, the official application period runs from September 7 to October 7, 2026, with the application closing at 5:00 PM Korea Standard Time (KST) on October 7.

GIST University Scholarship 2027 – Overview

What Is the GIST University Scholarship?

The GIST Scholarship is the financial-support system provided by GIST to international graduate students.

According to GIST, all international graduate students are granted the scholarship without a separate scholarship application. Tuition is fully supported, while eligible international students can also receive monthly allowances, research support, health-insurance support and flight reimbursement.

GIST Scholarship Benefits 2027

The current GIST financial-support information includes the following benefits.

Full Tuition Support

GIST fully supports the tuition fee for its students. The current published figure is KRW 3,607,000 per semester. A one-time matriculation fee of KRW 680,000 is normally charged to newly admitted students, although students experiencing financial difficulties may apply for a waiver.

Monthly Allowance

International students can receive:

• KRW 140,000 per month for M.S. students
• KRW 295,000 per month for Ph.D. students
• Nearly KRW 100,000 per month meal allowance
• KRW 120,000 per month international student allowance, subject to the stated GPA condition

The student and meal allowances require completion of at least nine credits in the previous semester, while the international student allowance requires a GPA of at least 3.0/4.5 in the previous semester.

Research Assistantship

Students participating in research projects may receive additional research assistantship support. GIST’s current scholarship page lists historical average amounts of approximately KRW 6.4 million per year for M.S. students and KRW 13.74 million per year for Ph.D. students. Actual research support can vary by project.

Housing

GIST provides graduate housing options, including dormitories and apartments for married students. Housing fees and availability can vary, and utility charges are separate.

Health Insurance

GIST supports 60% of the Korean National Health Insurance fee for international students and also provides an annual medical checkup.

One-Way Flight Reimbursement

Incoming international students can receive reimbursement for a one-way flight to Korea, for first-time use.

GIST Graduate Programs

GIST offers graduate study in science, technology, engineering and related fields.

Available graduate programs include areas such as:

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• AI Convergence
• Semiconductor Engineering
• AI Policy & 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 also has a Graduate School of Management of Technology.

Master’s Program

The standard M.S. program is generally structured as a two-year degree program.

PhD Program

The Ph.D. program is generally structured as a four-year program.

Integrated M.S./Ph.D.

Applicants may also pursue an integrated Master’s and Ph.D. pathway.

The maximum completion periods published by GIST are three years for M.S., seven years for Ph.D., and eight years for the integrated M.S./Ph.D. program.

GIST Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the following general requirements:

• Be eligible to apply as an international graduate applicant.
• Hold or expect to hold a final degree before enrollment at GIST.
• For Spring 2027 admission, the final degree must be completed by the first week of January 2027.
• Meet the admission requirements of the selected graduate department.
• Submit all required application documents.
• Provide the required recommendation letters.

Applicants should also check the requirements of their selected department before submitting an application.

English Language Requirements

GIST requires applicants to provide evidence of English proficiency, subject to the Institute’s exemptions and conditional-admission provisions.

The published minimum scores include:

Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher at an institution in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States may qualify for an exemption with prior GIST approval.

GIST also states that conditional admission may be possible in certain circumstances where applicants cannot provide an official test score. The university recommends obtaining an English test score because the Korean Immigration Service may require evidence of English or Korean proficiency for visa purposes.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare the required documents before starting the online application.

These generally include:

• Official degree certificate or qualifying academic document
• Official academic transcripts
• Two recommendation letters
• English proficiency test result, where required
• Passport or other accepted identification documentation
• Other documents required by the selected program or department

GIST states that documents must be submitted in English or Korean. Documents in another language must be translated into English or Korean by the issuing institution or a public notary.

Recommendation Letters

GIST requires two recommendation letters. The university receives these electronically through Google Forms from the referees registered by the applicant in the online application system. The recommendation links are sent after the application fee has been paid.

Is There an Application Fee?

One important correction to some versions of this scholarship information is that GIST does currently require an application fee.

The official GIST FAQ states that all applicants must pay the designated application fee and that an application is not considered valid until payment is completed.

Therefore, applicants should not rely on claims that GIST has no application fee for the 2027 admission cycle.

GIST University Scholarship 2027 Application Deadline

For Spring 2027 admission, the official GIST schedule gives the following dates:

Application opens: September 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM KST

Application deadline: October 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM KST

Late applications are not accepted.

The university currently lists December 4, 2026 as the Spring 2027 admission-result notification date, with enrollment scheduled for January 2027.

How to Apply for GIST University Scholarship 2027

The application is completed online through the GIST graduate admissions system.

Step 1: Choose Your Graduate Program

Review the available departments and select the program that matches your academic background and research interests.

Step 2: Create Your Online Application

Access the GIST graduate application system and complete the required application sections.

Step 3: Pay the Application Fee

Complete the required application-fee payment. GIST states that the application will not be processed as valid until the payment is completed.

Step 4: Upload Your Documents

Upload the required academic and supporting documents, including the documents required for your selected program.

Step 5: Register Your Recommenders

Provide the information for your two recommenders. GIST sends the recommendation form electronically to the registered referees after the application fee has been paid.

Step 6: Check Your Application Status

Regularly check your email and online application account. GIST or the relevant department may contact applicants for additional information or an interview.

Step 7: Wait for the Admission Decision

The official Spring 2027 schedule currently lists December 4, 2026 for notification of admission results.

Important Note About the Scholarship

The GIST Scholarship does not require a separate scholarship application for international graduate students. GIST states that international graduate students are automatically granted the scholarship as part of the graduate admission process.

However, applicants still need to complete the graduate admission application, pay the application fee, submit the required documents and satisfy the admission requirements.

How to Apply

Official GIST Graduate Admissions Website:
GIST International Graduate Admissions

Online Application:
GIST 2027 Spring Online Application

Financial Support Information:
GIST Scholarships and Financial Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GIST Scholarship fully funded?

GIST provides extensive financial support, including full tuition support, monthly allowances, meal support, research opportunities, housing options, health-insurance support and one-way flight reimbursement for incoming international students. The support does not mean that every possible expense is necessarily covered, so applicants should review the current financial-support conditions.

Does GIST require a separate scholarship application?

No. GIST states that international graduate students are granted the GIST Scholarship without a separate scholarship application.

Does GIST charge an application fee?

Yes. The official GIST FAQ states that applicants must pay the designated application fee.

Can I apply without IELTS?

Some applicants may qualify for an English-proficiency exemption, particularly those who completed a bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the countries listed by GIST. Other applicants generally need to provide an accepted English test score or qualify for conditional admission under GIST’s stated rules.

What is the deadline for GIST Spring 2027?

The application deadline is October 7, 2026, at 5:00 PM KST. The application period begins September 7, 2026.

Online Application: