GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea: Eligibility, Benefits, English Requirement and How to Apply

The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a research-focused national institute in South Korea. International students admitted to its master’s, PhD or integrated MS–PhD programmes receive the GIST scholarship, with no separate scholarship application. GIST has two admission rounds for 2027. The Spring 2027 round closed on 7 October 2026 at 17:00 Korea time. The Fall 2027 round runs from 9 March to 8 April 2027.

This guide explains what the scholarship covers, who can apply, the English requirement, the application fee and how to apply step by step. It was last checked on 4 October 2026.

GIST Scholarship 2027 at a glance

What is GIST?

GIST is a national research institute in the city of Gwangju, founded by the Korean government in 1993. It focuses on science and engineering, and its graduate schools are organised around research labs. A master’s degree takes about two years and a PhD about four. The integrated MS–PhD programme lets you move from a bachelor’s degree to a doctorate in one continuous programme.

GIST 2027 admission schedule

All times are Korea Standard Time. GIST must have your online application and every required document before the deadline for you to count as a valid applicant.

What does the GIST Scholarship cover?

• Full tuition support
• A monthly student allowance, about 140,000 KRW for master’s students and 295,000 KRW for PhD students
• An international student allowance of about 120,000 KRW a month
• A monthly meal allowance
• A research stipend for students who work on research projects
• Partial health insurance support
• A one-way flight reimbursement for new international students

The allowances are modest. Most graduate students also receive a research stipend from their lab, which is why choosing a supervisor matters. Confirm the current amounts in the official admission guide.

Who can apply?

• You hold, or will soon hold, a bachelor’s degree for the master’s or integrated programme, or a master’s degree for the PhD.
• Your background is in a science or engineering field that matches a GIST department.
• You meet the English requirement below.

English requirement

GIST asks for one English test score, taken within two years of the application deadline:

• TOEFL iBT 80, or PBT 550
• IELTS Academic 6.5
• TOEIC 750
• New TEPS 285

Native-born citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA are exempt. Graduates of universities in those countries can be exempted if GIST approves in advance. If you cannot take a test, GIST may give conditional admission based on a certificate from your last university stating that English was the medium of instruction. You must then submit an official score within six months of admission.

Documents you need

• Online application form
• Degree certificates and transcripts
• Statement of purpose or study plan
• Recommendation letters
• English test score or proof of exemption
• Passport copy

How GIST reviews applications

The GIST Admissions Committee reviews each application. GIST or the department you applied to may contact you for an interview if needed. GIST does not publish scoring criteria.

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose your department and programme.
2. Contact a potential supervisor in your field before you apply.
3. Prepare your documents and your English score.
4. Complete the online application and pay the application fee. The application is not processed until the fee is paid.
5. Submit before the deadline.
6. Check the result on the announcement date.

Tips to strengthen your application

• Look at the research labs in your department and name the ones that fit your background in your study plan.
• Write to a potential supervisor with a short, specific email and your CV before you apply.
• Take your English test early, so the score arrives before the deadline and is less than two years old.
• Ask for recommendation letters from teachers who know your project or research work.
• If you miss the Spring round, use the months before March to prepare for the Fall round.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming there is no application fee.
• Using an English score that is more than two years old.
• Applying without contacting a lab.
• Missing the 17:00 Korea time cut-off.

Is the GIST Scholarship right for you?

It suits you if:

• you want a research degree in science or engineering, and you enjoy laboratory or computational work;
• you are ready to join a research lab from your first semester, because graduate study at GIST is built around labs;
• you can study and write in English;
• you want a master’s and a PhD in one track, through the integrated programme.

Look elsewhere if:

• you want a taught master’s degree with no research thesis;
• your field is in the humanities, business or medicine;
• you need the scholarship to cover every cost without a lab stipend, since the basic allowances are small.

How to prepare each document

Statement of purpose or study plan

This is the document the Admissions Committee and the department read most closely. Write one to two pages that answer four questions: what you have studied, what research you have done, what you want to research at GIST, and which lab or professor fits that plan. Name the department and, if you can, one or two labs. Our statement of purpose guide has a structure you can follow.

Recommendation letters

Ask teachers who supervised your thesis, project or lab work. A short letter from a famous name is weaker than a detailed letter from someone who knows your work. Give your referees your CV and your study plan, and ask at least three weeks before the deadline. See our recommendation letter guide.

English test

Book the test early. GIST accepts TOEFL, IELTS Academic, TOEIC and New TEPS, and the score must be less than two years old at the deadline. If you studied in English and cannot take a test in time, ask your last university for an official certificate stating that English was the medium of instruction, and read GIST’s conditional admission rule above.

Transcripts and degree certificates

Upload clear scans of official documents. If they are not in English or Korean, prepare certified translations. Final-year students should include their latest transcript and an expected graduation statement.

A six-week preparation plan

1. Six weeks before the deadline: choose your department, read lab pages and shortlist three professors.
2. Five weeks before: email the professors with your CV and a short description of your interests. Use our template for emailing professors.
3. Four weeks before: ask your referees for letters and book your English test if you do not have a valid score.
4. Three weeks before: write the first draft of your study plan.
5. Two weeks before: collect transcripts, certificates and your passport copy, and create your online application.
6. One week before: revise the study plan, upload everything, pay the application fee and submit. Do not wait for the last day.

After you apply

GIST first checks that your application is complete, then reviews the documents. The department may contact you for an interview, usually online. Reply quickly to any email from GIST and check your spam folder. If you are admitted, you must complete enrolment by the enrolment deadline for your round: 4 January 2027 for Spring or 5 July 2027 for Fall. After that you apply for your student visa with the admission documents GIST sends you.

Similar scholarships to consider

• GKS Scholarship: the Korean government’s own scholarship, which also includes a year of Korean language training.
• KAUST Fellowship: fully funded science and engineering study in Saudi Arabia, with no application fee.
• CAS-ANSO Scholarship: funded master’s and PhD study in China, with a supervisor required before you apply.
• SINGA: a four-year funded PhD in Singapore.

Final checklist before you submit

• You chose the right round: Spring 2027 closed on 7 October 2026, and Fall 2027 runs from 9 March to 8 April 2027.
• Your department and programme (master’s, PhD or integrated) are selected correctly in the form.
• Your English score is less than two years old, or you have your exemption or English-medium certificate ready.
• Your study plan names the research area and at least one lab that fits it.
• Your referees have confirmed they will submit on time.
• Transcripts and certificates are uploaded as clear scans, with translations where needed.
• The application fee is paid. Without it, the application is not processed.
• You submitted before 17:00 Korea time, not midnight.

Save a copy of the submitted form and your payment receipt. If GIST emails you for a correction or an interview, reply within a day.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS required for GIST?

One English test is required, and IELTS Academic 6.5 is one of four accepted options. Exemptions and conditional admission are explained above.

Is there an application fee?

Yes. All applicants must pay it.

Do I apply separately for the scholarship?

No. It comes with admission.

Can I apply for a PhD directly after a bachelor’s?

You can apply for the integrated MS–PhD programme.

When is the Fall 2027 deadline?

8 April 2027 at 17:00 Korea time. The application period opens on 9 March 2027.

How long are the programmes?

About two years for a master’s degree and about four years for a PhD.

Where to apply

Apply through the official GIST international admissions page. See our GIST Scholarship page, and our guide to the GKS Scholarship for the Korean government’s own award.