Why Study at KAIST?

KAIST has made distinguished impacts on academia and industries for the last half-century. KAIST was founded in 1971 and has been a unique cradle for fostering outstanding scientists and engineers. They have contributed to advanced science and technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship and facilitated the Korean economic miracle with a strong foundation in science and technology. Looking ahead to the next half-centrury, KAIST combines excellence in science and research and innovative history to create value for the world.

A Global Value-Creative Leading University

Our history of innovation and audacious challenge has been marked by international league tables. They are the marks of our collective advancement. Not to mention, our graduate students are at the heart of the excellence.

• QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  24th in Engineering and Technology * KAIST marks the 1st rank in Korea
  
  
•  - 18th in Materials Sciences
   - 22nd in Electrical & Electronic Engineering
   - 27th in Mechanical, Aeronautical Manufacturing Engineering
   - 29th in Computer Science & Information Systems
   - 30th in Chemical Engineering

A Full-ride Scholarship for All International Students

All international students receive fullly-funded tuition for four years, Monthly Stipend, National Health Insurance. 

For more information, please click Financial Support menu at https://admission.kaist.ac.kr/intl-undergraduate/support/scholarships/kaist   

Research Infrastructure

KAIST Learns and Creates through Research

KAIST learns and creates through research. In 2024, KAIST conducted 780 R&D projects from industries and 2,285 from the Korean government. KAIST also made a significant impact on the global academic stage, publishing 3,404 articles internationally and domestically including 2,979 articles published in SCI journals. These outstanding achievements came from our active engagement in a wide range of science and technology R&D projects and the strategic support of the Korean government. Furthermore, KAIST ranked 1st in Korea and 10th globally for U.S. patents granted (NAI) in 2024, securing 176 patents in key fields like devices, digital, mobility, chemistry and bio-medical sciences.

English as the Official Language of Communication

The primary medium of communication on our campus is research. KAISTians gather around the research of interest, learn, challenge, and create through it. However, when it comes to verbal and written communication, English is the official language of communication. Therefore, comprehension of written and spoken English is essential for admission.

KAISTians enrolled in graduate programs don’t need to learn the Korean language to fulfill their graduation requirements. However, you’ll have opportunities to learn the Korean language by taking courses at KAIST language center or through the language exchange programs at KI House. Your Korean language acquisition will make your life at KAIST more colorful and exciting.

Visa(F-2,Visa center)

Recognized Gateway into the Korean Society

KAISTians are acknowledged as the best scientists, and the Korean government supports them in seeking jobs and settlements into the Korean society. The Ministry of Justice has established the Global Talent Visa Center on our main campus to enhance access and convenience of addressing immigration affairs for KAISTians and those scientists and engineers who work in R&D institutes within the Daedeok Innopolis. The center provides KAISTians with the easiest access and best support to handle their immigration affairs.

The Ministry of Justice also expanded settlement opportunities for those who earned graduate degrees at research-oriented universities or research institutes designated by the minister (effective as of December 8th, 2021). Accordingly, those who earned or expect to earn graduate degrees from KAIST and who pass the special internal selection procedures at KAIST are allowed to have expanded opportunities to obtain a long-term residency visa (F-2-7S). Also, those who demonstrate outstanding research outputs and contribute to Korean society can further receive opportunities for permanent residency or Korean citizenship.