South Korea · Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
KAIST International Student Scholarship
IELTS Requirement & Application Guide
- IELTS
- 6.5
- Components
- L 5.5 / R 5.5 / W 5.5 / S 5.5
- Level
- PG, PhD
- Deadline
- March–April (Fall) or September–October (Spring)
Last verified: 2026-03
About KAIST International Student Scholarship
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) offers full scholarships to all admitted international graduate students. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and airfare. KAIST is one of South Korea's most prestigious STEM-focused universities, consistently ranked among Asia's top institutions.
IELTS Required
| Overall | L | R | W | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Accepts: Academic ✓ / General ✗
Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 79
Tips for Meeting the Requirement
- 1KAIST requires IELTS 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each component. As a top-tier research university, scoring above the minimum (7.0+) significantly improves your chances, especially for competitive departments.
- 2All graduate programmes at KAIST are conducted in English, so strong academic English skills are essential. Focus on Reading and Writing for your IELTS preparation, as these are most relevant to graduate research.
- 3KAIST has two intake periods — Fall (apply March–April) and Spring (apply September–October). Plan your IELTS test date at least 2 months before the application deadline to ensure scores arrive on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What IELTS score do I need for the KAIST International Student Scholarship?
KAIST requires IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. TOEFL iBT 79 is accepted as an alternative. Higher scores strengthen your application in competitive programmes.
Does KAIST accept TOEFL instead of IELTS?
Yes, KAIST accepts TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 79. Both IELTS and TOEFL scores must be from within two years of the application date.
Can I apply for KAIST without IELTS?
You need either IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT to apply to KAIST. Applicants who completed their prior degree in English at a recognised institution may request an exemption, but this is evaluated case by case.
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