KAIST (originally the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is a national research university located in Daedeok Innopolis, Daejeon, South Korea. KAIST was established by the Korean government in 1971 as the nation's first public, research-oriented science and engineering institution. KAIST has been internationally accredited in business education, and hosts the Secretariat of the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS). KAIST has 10,504 full-time students and 1,342 faculty researchers (as of the Fall 2019 Semester) and had a total budget of US$765 million in 2013, of which US$459 million was from research contracts.
In 2007, KAIST first began partnering with international institutions to adopt dual degree programs for its students. The current list of partner institutions includes New York University, the Technical University of Denmark, Carnegie Mellon University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Technische Universität Berlin, and the Technical University of Munich.
| Founded | 1971 |
| Location | Yuseong, Daejeon, South Korea |
| Address | Yuseong, Daejeon, South Korea |
KAIST educates, researches, and takes the lead in innovations to serve the happiness and prosperity of humanity. KAIST fosters talents who exhibit creativity, embrace challenges, and possess caring minds in creating knowledge and translating it into transformative innovation.
Having successfully fulfilled the founding philosophy of half a century ago, KAIST has announced Vision 2031, aiming to become a leading university that creates global value by 2031, the year marking its 60th anniversary. We intend to fulfill our mission as a science and technology university that contributes to the happiness and prosperity of humanity by pursuing innovation in education, research, technology commercialization, internationalization, and future strategies.
Founded in 1971, KAIST has spent over five decades developing world-class scientists, engineers, and innovators who have driven Korea's scientific, technological, and economic growth. Renowned for excellence in education, research, and entrepreneurship, KAIST continues to shape the future by combining cutting-edge innovation with a strong academic foundation to create lasting impact and value for society worldwide.
Our history of innovation and audacious challenge has been marked by international league tables. They are the marks of our collective advancement. Not to mention, our graduate students are at the heart of the excellence.
In 2024, KAIST conducted 3,065 R&D projects—780 with industry and 2,285 funded by the Korean government. Its researchers published 3,404 academic papers, including 2,979 SCI-indexed articles, demonstrating global research excellence. KAIST also ranked 1st in Korea and 10th worldwide for U.S. patents granted, securing 176 patents across digital, mobility, chemistry, biomedical sciences, and advanced technologies.
At KAIST, research is at the heart of learning and collaboration, while English is the official language for academic and campus communication. Strong English proficiency is required for admission. Graduate students are not required to learn Korean to graduate, but they can study the language through the KAIST Language Center and KI House exchange programs, enriching their campus experience and daily life in Korea.
International applicants MUST ADDITIONALLY satisfy one of the following two requirements:
1) Neither of the applicant’s parents is a Korean citizen; or
2) Applicants of Korean origin must have received their entire elementary, junior high, and
high school education outside of Korea. The education received must be at a level that
is comparable and equivalent to the education provided in Korea.
Note that international schools? located in Korea are NOT acknowledged as foreign schools.
? Applicants who hold Korean Citizenship (including dual citizenship) are NOT eligible to
apply as international students.
A recommendation letter is optional starting with the 2027 admissions cycle. Applicants may submit up to
two recommendation letters.
** Applicants of Korean origin with at least one Korean parent must submit diplomas from all schools
attended to verify that their education was completed outside of K
View the application guide for international Graduate admission. Official transcripts and graduation certificates from all primary and secondary schools outside Korea *only those with parent (s) still
holding Korean citizenship.
If you are expected to graduate, you can submit a certificate of expected graduation or an official letter from your university. While we prioritize a certificate indicating your expected graduation date, a certificate of enrollment is also acceptable if the former is unavailable. Please ensure you obtain your official diploma before matriculation at KAIS.
There are no minimum GPA or age restrictions for applicants. However, the program is open only to non-Korean applicants.
kindly review the information and learn more about the application process
Interviews may be conducted if deemed necessary. Selected applicants will be contacted individually via email with further instructions. The interview date is subject to change.
? Please note that the dates for Admission Announcement are subject to change.
? Submit your completed application and documents including a recommendation letter by 6:00 PM (KST) on the deadline.
? Interview is NOT required for all applicants. Applicants will be contacted through individual email if an interview is necessary.
? After you pay the application fee, you are not allowed to change your application track from one to another (i.e: from Early to Regular)
Email: [email protected],[email protected]
Phone : +82.42.350.4803, 2145, +82-42-350-2352, 2354
AACSB Accreditation (College of Business)
EQUIS Accreditation (College of Business)
Kim Kyoung-soo is a South Korean politician who served as a member of the National Assembly from 2016 to 2018 and as the governor of South Gyeongsang Province from 2018 to 2021. His governorship ended following his conviction for involvement in opinion rigging.
In 1981, the gover... read more