International undergraduate admission

KAIST

Korea's first and leading science and technology university, founded by the government in 1971 and based in Daejeon. International students apply as freshmen through Early or Regular Admissions, and admitted students are considered for a scholarship covering tuition and living support.

Check your eligibility KAIST admissions site

Admission status: open now

2027 Early Admissions: opened Sep 22 and close Oct 22, 2026, 6 PM Korea time, for entry in Spring or Fall 2027. Interviews Dec 22, results Jan 7, 2027. Regular Admissions (Fall 2027 only) are expected Nov 10, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027.

Last verified Sep 23, 2026

Quick facts

Campus: Daejeon
Type: Government-funded
Founded: 1971
Entry: Freshmen only
Rounds: Early and Regular
Application fee: USD 80
Interview: Only if invited
TOPIK: Not required to apply

Early or Regular Admissions?

	Early Admissions	Regular Admissions
Application window	Sep 22 – Oct 22, 2026	Nov 10, 2026 – Jan 14, 2027
Recommendation letters	By Oct 29, 2026	By Jan 21, 2027
Entry	Spring or Fall 2027, your choice	Fall 2027 only
Interview and results	Interviews Dec 22; results Jan 7, 2027	See KAIST's calendar

What this really means

Early Admissions is the only way to start KAIST in March 2027. If your file isn't strong yet, Regular Admissions gives you almost three more months, but only for September. Deadlines are 6 PM Korea time, not midnight.

Who can apply?

Nationality

You must hold foreign citizenship. Korean dual citizens can't apply as international students.

Applicants of Korean origin

You also need either parents who are not Korean citizens, or your entire elementary to high school education completed outside Korea (international schools in Korea don't count). Submit entry and exit records and proof of loss of Korean nationality.

KAIST has no transfer program for international students, so everyone applies as a freshman. High school graduates in Korea whose parents aren't Korean citizens can also apply.

English requirement

Reported minimums for the 2027 cycle: TOEFL iBT 83 (4.5 on the new scale from Jan 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, TOEIC 720 or TEPS 326. Citizens of English-speaking countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Ireland and Australia, and students whose high school was taught in English, can request an exemption.

What this really means

KAIST's bar is higher than most: IELTS 6.5 against 6.0 at SNU and Ewha. If you're from an English-speaking country or an English-medium school, ask for the exemption rather than booking a test.

What goes into your application

Online application and essays
High school transcripts and graduation documents
Proof of English proficiency, or an exemption request
Up to two letters of recommendation, optional but highly recommended
Up to five honors or awards, and a school profile
Statement of financial resources (tick KAIST Scholarship here)

Recommenders get their instructions by email once you pay the fee, so pay early to give them time. You can still edit your application after paying, until the deadline.

The KAIST Scholarship

Full tuition

Up to 8 semesters

Tuition exemption for the length of the degree, with academic conditions to keep it.

KRW 350,000

Monthly support

A living allowance each month, as reported for the 2027 cycle.

Included

Health insurance

Medical insurance support as part of the package.

No separate application

You're considered during admission if you tick "KAIST Scholarship" in the statement of financial resources. Miss that box and you may miss the scholarship.

Is KAIST a good fit for you?

A strong fit if you have excellent math and science results and want a research-focused STEM degree.

Great value if you win the scholarship: tuition covered plus monthly support.

Think twice if you want humanities or the arts, or life in central Seoul: KAIST is in Daejeon.

Sources and verification

KAIST international undergraduate application portal (eligibility, fee) and admission guidelines; Early Admissions dates, interview and results as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily (July and September 2026). Recommendation deadlines, Regular Admissions dates, English minimums and scholarship amounts come from secondary guides to the 2027 cycle and should be confirmed in KAIST's official 2027 guidelines. Last verified Sep 23, 2026.

K-Admission is independent and not affiliated with KAIST.