GIST Scholarship in South Korea Fully Funded
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea has officially opened applications for its prestigious GIST Scholarship 2026. This fully funded program is designed for talented international students who wish to pursue Master's, PhD, or Integrated MS/PhD programs in science and technology.
Founded in 1993 by the Korean government, GIST has become one of the top research universities in the country. It is ranked 4th in the QS World University Ranking and has been ranked 1st in South Korea for faculty citations for 14 consecutive years, highlighting its strong research culture and academic excellence.
Benefits of the GIST Scholarship 2026
Successful applicants will receive comprehensive financial and academic support, including:
- Full tuition waiver (3,607,000 ₩ ≈ 1,587,000 FCFA) per semester.
- Monthly stipend:
- 140,000 ₩ (≈ 61,600 FCFA) for Master's students.
- 295,000 ₩ (≈ 129,800 FCFA) for PhD students.
- Meal allowance: 100,000 ₩ (≈ 44,000 FCFA) per month (students must complete at least 9 credits in the previous semester).
- International student allowance: 120,000 ₩ (≈ 52,800 FCFA) per month (with GPA ≥ 3.0/4.5).
- Research assistantship:
- 6,400,000 ₩/year (≈ 2,816,000 FCFA) for Master's students.
- 13,740,000 ₩/year (≈ 6,045,600 FCFA) for PhD students.
- One-way flight to South Korea reimbursed.
- 60% coverage of national health insurance, including annual medical checkups.
Graduate Programs at GIST
Students can apply for programs in the following schools and departments:
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering
- Life Science and Biomedical Science
- Physics and Photon Science
- Chemistry
- Integrated Technology and Energy Convergence
- Artificial Intelligence Graduate School
- Semiconductor Engineering
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an international student (Cameroonian students are eligible).
- Must hold (or expect to hold before enrollment) a degree equivalent to a Korean Bachelor's for the Master's program, or a Master's degree for the PhD program.
- English proficiency required (TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC, or TEPS). An official English proficiency certificate issued by the applicant's home university may also be accepted.
Required Documents
- Official degrees and transcripts (apostilled or notarized).
- Two letters of recommendation with signatures and official stamps.
- Valid passport copy.
- Official English test scores or university-issued English proficiency certificate.
How to Apply
- Complete the online application form on the GIST admissions portal.
- Upload the required documents in English or Korean.
- Monitor your email for interview invitations or notifications.
- Upon acceptance, submit original documents and pay the matriculation fee before the deadline.
- Apply for a student visa at the Korean Embassy with your Certificate of Admission.
Application Deadline
📅 October 2, 2025
Useful Links
- Application portal: Apply here
- Official announcement: GIST website
