No tuition fees. No application fee. No IELTS certificate required when you apply. That is three barriers removed before most students have even opened the form.
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology is now accepting applications for its Spring 2027 intake. The GIST Scholarship covers Master’s, Integrated Master’s-PhD and Doctoral programs, and every international student admitted automatically receives the scholarship. There is no separate funding competition to enter. The deadline is 7 October 2026.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology GIST |
| Country | South Korea |
| Programs | Master’s M.S. PhD Integrated M.S./PhD |
| Intake | Spring 2027 |
| Funding | Fully funded automatically for all admitted international students |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | 7 October 2026 |
| IELTS at application | Not required |
| Teaching language | English all courses |
Scholarship Coverage
Every international student admitted to GIST receives the GIST Scholarship automatically. No separate application. No additional competition. Admission is the scholarship.
The package includes:
- Full tuition fee coverage
- Monthly living stipend for all international students
- Research stipend for students participating in research projects
- On-campus housing for all students
- 60 percent health insurance coverage
- Annual medical checkup
- One-way flight reimbursement
Two details worth noting before you celebrate the full package.
The health insurance covers 60 percent, not 100 percent. Budget for out-of-pocket medical costs, particularly for anything beyond routine care. And the flight reimbursement is one-way. It helps you get to South Korea, not back home.
Neither of these is unusual for Korean university scholarships. Both are worth knowing before you arrive.
Programs and Duration
GIST offers three program tracks for international graduate students:
| Program | Standard Duration | Maximum Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science M.S. | 2 years | 3 years |
| Doctor of Philosophy PhD | 4 years | 7 years |
| Integrated M.S./PhD | Combined | 8 years |
All programs are taught entirely in English. No Korean language ability is required for academic admission.
The IELTS Situation
GIST does not require an English proficiency test score at the time of application. You can submit your application without one.
If you are admitted the requirement splits into two paths:
1. Exempt from submitting a score at all:
Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree in Australia Canada Ireland New Zealand the UK or the USA are fully exempt.
2. Everyone else deferred not waived:
You apply without a score but if admitted you must submit an official result before enrollment. Accepted tests and minimum scores are:
- TOEFL iBT 80 or PBT 550
- IELTS 6.5
- TOEIC 750
- NEW TEPS 285
There is a second layer to this that most articles skip entirely.
Korean Immigration may require an English or Korean language test score for your student visa application independently of what GIST requires for admission. GIST specifically recommends obtaining a test score for this reason.
Applying without a score is possible. Arriving without one could complicate your visa process. Plan accordingly.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility requirements are straightforward:
- Open to applicants from all countries
- Must hold a bachelor’s degree equivalent to a Korean bachelor’s degree
- All required documents must be submitted by the deadline
- Must meet GIST’s admission requirements check the official FAQ on the portal
- No minimum GPA is stated in the official source.
- Admission decisions are based on the full application package including academic records, recommendation letters and research fit.
Documents Required
Prepare these before opening the application form:
- Official degree certificates and academic transcripts, notarized copies accepted
- Two letters of recommendation signed and stamped by the recommenders
- Official English proficiency test report if applicable to your situation
- Copy of your passport
How to Apply for the GIST Scholarship in Three Simple Steps
The process is simpler than most Korean university applications.
Step 1: Submit the online application through the official GIST admissions portal and upload all required documents.
Step 2: The International Admissions Coordinator will contact you once your application and documents are confirmed. Track your status through the online portal.
Step 3: Wait for the official admissions result notification.
No application fee is charged at any stage.
