KAIST International Student Scholarship
KAIST — the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology — funds the vast majority of its international graduate students through its internal scholarship system. There is no separate scholarship form: you simply tick the KAIST Scholarship option on the graduate admission application, and admitted Sri Lankan students are routinely considered through their department. Around 94% of KAIST's international student body receives some form of funding, and most STEM departments add a research assistantship on top of the base stipend.
The Spring 2027 (March) intake is open — applications close around September 2026. The Fall 2027 (September) intake round normally runs around March 2027. Confirm exact dates on the KAIST admissions site.
KAIST
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Full Tuition + Monthly Stipend
Duration
Up to 2 yrs Master's / 4 yrs PhD
Top-Up
Lab RA / TA support common
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
KAIST — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
Full Tuition + KRW 350-400k/month. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Non-Korean Citizen
Both parents must be non-Korean citizens. Sri Lankan applicants are eligible. The scholarship is restricted to international students admitted to KAIST graduate programmes.
KAIST Admission
You must first be admitted to a Master's or PhD programme at KAIST. Most KAIST graduate programmes are taught in English, so a Korean language certificate is not required (TOPIK is optional).
Maintain Academic Standing
To keep the scholarship, students must maintain a minimum CGPA each semester (typically 2.7/4.3 for Master's, 3.0/4.3 for PhD) and complete required credits on schedule.
No Outside Sponsorship
Students already receiving full funding from another major scholarship (GKS, POSCO, home government) should declare it — KAIST funding is offered to top up or supplement only when appropriate.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to a KAIST graduate programme
Submit the KAIST graduate admission application via the online portal. Two intake cycles: Spring (March start, application closes around September) and Fall (September start, application closes around March).
Select "KAIST Scholarship" as financial resource
On the application form, select KAIST Scholarship as your funding source. There is no separate scholarship form — your scholarship is decided alongside the admission decision.
Submit application package
Statement of purpose, study/research plan, two recommendation letters, transcripts, English proficiency proof (TOEFL iBT 83+ / IELTS 6.5+ — or waiver if your prior degree was in English), and CV.
Department reviews and confirms support
KAIST departments review applications and confirm scholarship eligibility along with the admission offer. Successful Sri Lankan applicants are notified ~1-2 months before the intake. Many lab placements come with additional RA stipends from research grants.
Why KAIST?
KAIST is South Korea's top science and engineering university, ranked #53 globally (QS World 2026) and #1 in Korea for innovation. English-medium graduate programmes are well-suited to Sri Lankan STEM applicants.
#53
QS World Ranking 2026
~94%
International Students Funded
1971
Founded
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat KR actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for KR, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
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