Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea is fully funded. It covers 100 percent of your tuition, a monthly living allowance, an international student allowance, a meal allowance, most of your health insurance, and a one-way flight to Korea, for a master’s, PhD, or integrated MS-PhD degree in science and technology.
GIST, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, offers this to international students of any nationality across almost all its fields, from engineering and the sciences to AI and semiconductors. You apply directly to GIST for the Spring 2027 intake.
Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Host country | South Korea |
| Provider | Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) |
| Study level | Master’s, PhD, or Integrated MS-PhD |
| Funding | Fully funded: full tuition, monthly living allowance, meal and international-student allowances, health insurance, one-way flight |
| Who can apply | International students of any nationality with the right degree and English level |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | 7 October 2026 (17:00 KST), for Spring 2027 entry. See the Deadline section. |
What is the GIST Scholarship?
GIST is a research university in Gwangju, South Korea, focused on science and technology. It teaches its graduate programs in English, and it funds international graduate students so they can study without paying tuition or covering their basic living costs alone.
You apply to a degree and to the funding through the same admission. There is no separate scholarship form to hunt down. Get admitted, and the support comes with your place.
What the scholarship covers
- 100 percent of tuition (around 3,607,000 KRW per semester)
- A monthly living allowance (about 140,000 KRW for master’s, 295,000 KRW for PhD)
- An international student allowance of about 120,000 KRW a month
- A meal allowance of about 100,000 KRW a month
- Health insurance support (about 60 percent)
- One-way flight reimbursement to Korea
Figures follow the official GIST guidelines, so confirm the current numbers in the 2027 application guide when you apply.
Fields you can study
GIST covers almost all its graduate fields, including:
- Electrical engineering and computer science
- Artificial intelligence and semiconductors
- Physics, chemistry, and the life sciences
- Materials science and mechanical engineering
- Environmental and energy engineering
Who can apply
- You are an international student of any nationality. You and your parents are not Korean citizens.
- You hold a bachelor’s degree to apply for the master’s, or a master’s degree to apply for the PhD.
- You meet the English requirement: TOEFL iBT 80 or above, IELTS 6.5 or above, or an accepted equivalent.
Is there an age limit?
No age limit is stated. GIST looks at your degree, your grades, and your fit with a research group, not your age.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
Yes, GIST teaches in English and asks for proof. TOEFL iBT 80 or IELTS 6.5 is the usual bar, or an accepted equivalent. If your degree was taught fully in English, check whether you can be exempt. If you do not have a score yet, start preparing, because you will need it for admission.
Can I apply with a low GPA?
Good grades help, but GIST is a research university, so your research interest and your fit with a professor’s lab matter a lot. If you can show a strong project, a clear research plan, and a professor whose work matches yours, that can carry real weight. Reach out to potential supervisors early. If your grades are on the lower side, a strong research statement is where you make your case.
Required documents
- The GIST online application
- Your transcripts and degree certificates
- An English test score (TOEFL or IELTS)
- Recommendation letters
- A statement of purpose or research plan
- Your passport copy
Build your final list from the official GIST admission guide, because requirements can change by cycle.
How to write your research statement
At a research university, this document decides a lot. Say what you want to study, why it matters, and which GIST professor or lab you want to work with and why. Be specific and honest about your background. If you have contacted a supervisor and they are interested, mention it. Keep it clear and let your real interest show.
How to apply, step by step
- Browse GIST’s schools and labs, and find a research area and a supervisor that fit you.
- Email potential supervisors early to introduce yourself and your interest.
- Prepare your transcripts, English score, references, and research statement.
- Complete the GIST online application for Spring 2027.
- Submit before 7 October 2026 (17:00 KST), and keep copies.
Selection process
GIST reviews your documents, your grades, and your research fit. Departments and supervisors have a strong say, which is why contacting a lab early helps. Selected applicants receive admission with the funding attached, for a Spring 2027 start.
Deadline
7 October 2026, 17:00 KST, for Spring 2027 entry.
The application window runs from 7 September to 7 October 2026. That leaves a short runway, so if a Korean master’s or PhD is your goal, start on your research statement and reach out to supervisors this week. Confirm the exact date and time on the official GIST admissions site before you submit.
Have a question?
Drop your question in the comments and we will help. If you tell us your field, we can point you toward the right GIST school to look at.
Related reading
More funded opportunities to explore on the site:
- Global Korea Scholarship 2027 (GKS-U)
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme 2027/28
- Green Climate Fund IT Internship 2026 (South Korea)
- Yenching Academy Scholarship 2027
Follow us so you never miss an opportunity
We post fully funded scholarships like this one every week.
Apply now
[…] GIST Scholarship 2027 […]
[…] GIST Scholarship 2027 […]
[…] GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea […]