KAIST International Student Doctoral Scholarship
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) offers a near-automatic doctoral funding package for admitted international PhD students — a full tuition fee waiver plus a monthly stipend of KRW 350,000+ (which often grows to KRW 700,000–1,500,000 once research lab assistantships are factored in). KAIST is South Korea's leading STEM-focused research university and one of Asia's top engineering institutions. Sri Lankan applicants with first-class engineering, computer science, or natural sciences degrees and research output are competitive — KAIST has long-standing connections with Sri Lankan engineering universities.
KAIST
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Full Tuition + KRW 350,000+/mo
Duration
Up to 4 Years (PhD)
Application
Automatic at PhD Admission
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Admission to a KAIST PhD
You must be admitted to a PhD programme at KAIST. The doctoral scholarship is functionally bundled with admission — most admitted international PhD students receive the tuition waiver and stipend automatically.
Strong Master's or Honours Bachelor's
Typically a Master's degree with strong research output, or a Bachelor's with first-class honours and demonstrated research experience. Sri Lankan applicants from Moratuwa, Colombo, or Peradeniya with publications are competitive.
Supervisor Support
Identifying and contacting a potential KAIST supervisor before applying significantly improves admission and funding outcomes. Lab-based stipend top-ups (research assistantships) come from supervisor funding.
English Proficiency
TOEFL iBT 83+, IELTS 6.5+, or equivalent. Most KAIST PhD programmes are taught in English. Korean language ability is not required at admission but is helpful for daily life in Daejeon.
account_tree Application Process
Contact prospective KAIST supervisors
Identify KAIST faculty whose research aligns with your interests and email them 4-6 months ahead of the application deadline with your CV and a brief research proposal. Strong advisor support during department ranking is the critical lever.
Submit the PhD application
Apply through the KAIST online admissions portal during the relevant intake window. Required documents include transcripts, two referee letters, a research proposal (3-5 pages), and a CV. The single application covers both admission and scholarship consideration.
Department review and interview
Applications are reviewed at department level; shortlisted candidates are typically interviewed online by faculty. Most admitted PhD students receive the standard scholarship package automatically.
Accept and arrange Korean visa
Successful applicants accept the offer and apply for the D-2 student visa at the Korean embassy in Colombo. The tuition waiver applies from the first semester; the stipend is paid monthly into a Korean bank account once enrolled.
Why KAIST?
KAIST is South Korea's flagship STEM-focused research university and consistently sits in the world's top 60. Located in Daejeon (Korea's science city), with strong industry partnerships across Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and the Korean startup ecosystem. Smaller and more research-intensive than SNU, with most PhD instruction in English.
#52
QS World Ranking 2026
1971
Founded
English
PhD Instruction
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