The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) offers scholarships and financial support to international students pursuing graduate studies in South Korea.
The university provides graduate programmes at Master’s, PhD and integrated Master’s-PhD levels in science and engineering-related fields. International graduate students admitted to GIST receive tuition support and monthly allowances without having to submit a separate scholarship application for the standard GIST scholarship.
For applicants looking for the next available intake in 2026, GIST’s 2027 Spring Graduate Admission is currently accepting applications from September 7 to October 7, 2026.
GIST Graduate Scholarship Overview
- University: Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
- Location: Gwangju, South Korea
- Study level: Master’s, PhD and integrated Master’s-PhD
- Eligible applicants: International students
- Tuition: Fully supported
- Student allowance: Available
- Meal allowance: Available
- Research assistantship: Available for students participating in research projects
- Current application: 2027 Spring Admission
- Application period: September 7 – October 7, 2026
- Enrollment: March 2027
What Does the GIST Scholarship Cover?
GIST provides financial support to international graduate students as part of its graduate scholarship system.
The university currently lists the following support:
- Full tuition support of KRW 3,607,000 per semester
- Monthly student allowance of KRW 140,000 for Master’s students
- Monthly student allowance of KRW 295,000 for PhD students
- Meal allowance of approximately KRW 100,000 per month
- International student allowance of KRW 120,000 per month, subject to the stated academic requirement
- Research assistantship opportunities for students participating in research projects
- Housing options for students
Students must meet the university’s conditions to receive certain allowances. For example, the student and meal allowances require completion of at least nine credits in the previous semester, while the international student allowance requires a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.5.
A one-time matriculation fee of KRW 680,000 is charged to newly admitted students, although some students may qualify for an exemption.
GIST Graduate Programmes
GIST offers graduate education in science and technology disciplines.
Applicants can pursue:
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees
- Integrated Master’s-PhD programmes
The university’s graduate programmes cover areas across science, engineering, technology and related research disciplines.
Applicants should review the available departments and research areas before applying to identify a programme that matches their academic background and research interests.
Who Can Apply?
The graduate admission is open to applicants who hold or expect to hold the required final degree before enrollment at GIST.
For the Spring 2027 intake, applicants must have completed or be expected to complete their final degree by the first week of January 2027.
Korean citizens with dual citizenship are not eligible to apply as international students under this admission route.
Applicants should also review the specific academic and programme requirements for their chosen graduate department before submitting an application.
English Language Requirements
English is the primary language of instruction at GIST, and international applicants may need to provide an official English proficiency test score.
For the GIST 2026 GKS graduate application, the university listed these minimum scores:
- TOEFL iBT: 80
- TOEFL PBT: 550
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- TOEIC: 750
- New TEPS: 285
The test must generally have been taken within two years before the application deadline. Certain applicants may qualify for an exemption based on their previous degree and country of study.
Applicants should check the admission guide for the specific intake because requirements can vary between admission tracks.
Research Assistantship
GIST graduate students participating in research projects may receive additional financial support through research assistantships.
The university’s scholarship information lists research assistantship opportunities for students involved in research projects.
Research funding and incentives can vary depending on the project, department and student’s participation.
This support can provide graduate students with additional opportunities to gain practical research experience while working alongside faculty and research teams.
Accommodation and Student Support
GIST provides housing options for graduate students.
The university also offers facilities and services designed to support international students during their studies in South Korea.
Graduate students can access campus facilities and participate in research activities, academic programmes and international collaboration opportunities.
2027 Spring Admission Application Dates
The next GIST graduate admission cycle currently open in 2026 is for Spring 2027 enrollment.
The official schedule is:
- Application opens: September 7, 2026 at 10:00 KST
- Application deadline: October 7, 2026 at 17:00 KST
- Admission result: December 4, 2026
- Enrollment deadline: January 4, 2027
- Semester begins: March 2027
GIST states that dates may be changed without prior notice, so applicants should confirm the schedule before submitting their applications.
How to Apply
Applicants should complete the online application through the GIST international admissions system.
Before applying, candidates should:
- Select an appropriate graduate programme
- Review the admission requirements
- Prepare the required academic documents
- Prepare recommendation letters
- Check English language requirements
- Complete the online application
- Submit all required materials before the deadline
GIST states that online applications and all required materials must be submitted before the deadline for the application to be considered valid.
GIST 2026 Scholarship vs 2027 Spring Admission
It is important to distinguish between the 2026 Fall Admission and the currently available 2027 Spring Admission.
The 2026 Fall Graduate Admission application period ran from March 10 to April 10, 2026 and is now closed.
The next application opportunity is the 2027 Spring Admission, with applications open from September 7 to October 7, 2026.
Therefore, applicants searching for the “GIST Graduate Scholarship 2026” can use the current 2026 application period to apply for enrollment beginning in March 2027.
Global Korea Scholarship at GIST
GIST also participates in the Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (GKS-G), a separate scholarship route administered by South Korea’s National Institute for International Education.
For the 2026 GKS-G University Track at GIST, the application deadline was March 20, 2026. The GKS route has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Applicants should therefore distinguish between the regular GIST graduate admission scholarship and the separate GKS scholarship programme.
Key Details
| Details | Information |
| University | Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology |
| Country | South Korea |
| Location | Gwangju |
| Study Level | Master’s, PhD, Integrated Master’s-PhD |
| Scholarship | GIST Graduate Scholarship |
| Tuition | Fully supported |
| Monthly Support | Available |
| Research Support | Available |
| Eligible Applicants | International students |
| Current Intake | Spring 2027 |
| Application Opens | September 7, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | October 7, 2026 |
| Enrollment | March 2027 |
Official Application Website
Applicants should use the official GIST International Admissions website to review the latest admission guide, available programmes, financial support, required documents and application instructions.
VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY
The official 2027 Spring Graduate Admission notice is also available on the GIST website.
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