GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (GIST)
GIST International Scholarship
full · masters, phd
- Tuition fee waiver (~3,415,000 won/semester)Core benefit
- ~9,000-16,000 euros/year package (est.)Estimated value
- 295,000 won/month PhD stipendLiving support
- ~10 schools and departmentsFields covered
- MS, PhD and integrated MS-PhDStudy levels
- All nationalitiesOpen globally
At a glance
full
Funding
€16k
Max amount
Oct 15, 2026
Deadline
All countries (international applicants)
Country
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
Provider
The GIST International Scholarship is a fully funded award offered by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea for the 2026/2027 academic year, run in collaboration with the country's science and technology ministry to attract international students. GIST was established in 1993 in Gwangju, a city sometimes called Korea's Silicon Valley, and offers graduate study at the master's, doctoral, and integrated MS-PhD levels across science and engineering. The scholarship covers tuition through a fee waiver of about 3,415,000 won per semester (around 2,300 euros (est.)), pays a monthly stipend of 140,000 won for MS students and 295,000 won for PhD students, and adds health insurance, flight reimbursement, and a research assistantship for students on research projects; the overall package is worth roughly 9,000 to 16,000 euros (est.) per year. Study is offered in around 10 schools and departments, including electrical engineering and computer science, mechanical engineering, life sciences, physics and photon science, biomedical science and engineering, an AI graduate school, chemistry, integrated technology, materials science and engineering, and earth sciences and environmental engineering. To qualify, MS applicants need a Bachelor's degree and PhD applicants a Master's degree or equivalent, and all must submit the application form, transcripts, 2 recommendation letters, an English proficiency result, and a passport copy; the cycle closes around 15 October 2026 (est.). Because the exact stipend rates, fee waiver, and deadline are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 figures on the official GIST page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fee waiver — A tuition fee waiver of about 3,415,000 won per semester (around 2,300 euros (est.)) for the duration of the programme.
- Monthly stipend — A monthly living stipend of 140,000 won for MS students and 295,000 won for PhD students towards everyday expenses.
- Health insurance — National health insurance coverage for the scholarship holder while studying in South Korea.
- Flight reimbursement — Reimbursement of airfare to South Korea, part of a package worth roughly 9,000 to 16,000 euros (est.) per year.
- Research assistantship — An additional research assistantship for students who take part in funded research projects under a supervisor.
How to apply
Applications for the GIST programme are submitted online, with all required documents attached for review by the International Admissions Coordinator.
- Choose your programme — Select an MS, PhD, or integrated MS-PhD programme from one of GIST's schools and departments in science and engineering.
- Prepare your documents — Gather the application form (Form 1), official transcripts and certificates, two recommendation letters, an English proficiency result, and a passport copy.
- Complete the online application — Fill in the GIST online application carefully and accurately, attaching copies of all required documents.
- Submit and await evaluation — Submit the application and wait for notification from the International Admissions Coordinator once the application has been evaluated and confirmed.
- Complete enrolment — After notification, complete enrolment by submitting hard-copy documents and paying the matriculation fee (a waiver may be available for students in financial difficulty), before the deadline around 15 October 2026 (est.).
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to international students of all nationalities.
Master's entryApplicants for the MS programme must hold a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
PhD entryApplicants for the PhD programme must hold a Master's degree or its equivalent.
DocumentationMust submit the application form, official transcripts and certificates, two recommendation letters, an English proficiency result, and a passport copy.
Integrated MS and PhD programmes are also available. Students facing financial difficulty may be able to have the matriculation fee waived.
Eligible countries
All countries (international applicants)
Deadlines
2026/2027 academic year (MS, PhD, integrated MS-PhD)~15 October 2026 (est.)
Selection
GIST selects scholarship recipients from international applicants who meet the entry requirements for their chosen MS, PhD, or integrated programme. The International Admissions Coordinator evaluates each application on the academic record shown in transcripts and certificates, the strength of the 2 recommendation letters, English proficiency, and the fit of the applicant with the chosen school or department. Applicants are notified once their application has been evaluated and confirmed, after which they complete enrolment.
Verified sources
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)gist.ac.krofficial
- GIST - International Admissionsgist.ac.krofficial
About the provider
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a public research university in Gwangju, South Korea, established in 1993 to advance science and technology research. It offers master's, doctoral, and integrated MS-PhD programmes across engineering, the physical and life sciences, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, and funds international students through its fully funded scholarship programme.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the GIST International Scholarship?
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International students of all nationalities applying for an MS, PhD, or integrated MS-PhD programme at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea.
What does the scholarship cover?
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A tuition fee waiver of about 3,415,000 won per semester, a monthly stipend, health insurance, flight reimbursement, and a research assistantship, worth roughly 9,000 to 16,000 euros (est.) per year.
How much is the monthly stipend?
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It is 140,000 won per month for MS students and 295,000 won per month for PhD students.
What degree levels are available?
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Master's (MS), doctoral (PhD), and integrated MS and PhD programmes are available.
What are the academic entry requirements?
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MS applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, and PhD applicants a Master's degree or equivalent.
What subjects can I study?
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Science and engineering fields including electrical engineering and computer science, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, life sciences, materials science, and AI.
Do I need an English proficiency test?
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Yes; an English proficiency test result is required as part of the application documents.
How many recommendation letters are needed?
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Two letters of recommendation are required.
Is the matriculation fee always charged?
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It is normally required at enrolment, but students facing financial difficulty may have the option to waive it.
Where is GIST located?
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In the city of Gwangju in South Korea, on the GIST campus surrounded by high-tech companies and research institutes.
When is the application deadline?
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The cycle closes around 15 October 2026 (est.); confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official GIST page.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology admissions pages linked in the sources section.