KAIST

KAIST

A public university established in 1971, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is Korea’s first research-oriented science and engineering institution. It is seen as Korea’s equivalent to the prestigious MIT in the United States.

Academic Highlights

Known for excellence in science, engineering and business management education, KAIST is also renowned for its ethnically diverse campus with a large cohort of international students.

Location

KAIST in located in Daejeon, the country’s fifth-largest city. Daejeon is a hub for technology companies and, with its central location and great transport links, is a good base for exploring the country. The capital Seoul is 50 minutes away by high-speed train.

Did you know?

Daejeon is known as the Silicon Valley of South Korea.

Language of Instruction

English, Korean

Program Duration

1 semester, 2 semesters

Academic Level

Undergraduate, Postgraduate

Minimum Result Required

3.0 GPA

Previous Round Cut-off (WAM % or GPA)

3.2 GPA

Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027

1-2 places

Exchange Availability

Red

Eligible Monash Campus

Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia

Agreement Scope

All Faculties

Handbook/Catalogue

Information about course restrictions and a link to KAIST's course catalogue can be found here.

  • Please make sure that 50% of the courses you take at KAIST are of the discipline your are majoring in.

More information about KAIST's exchange program can be found here.

Language requirements

  • Most units are taught in English.
  • More information on KAIST's language requirements can be found here.

Each course (unit) at KAIST is usually worth 3 credits.

Full-time Credit Load Equivalents

Semester

Min. 18 Monash points

Max. 24 Monash points

12 credits - UG

15 credits - UG

9 credits - PG

12 credits - PG

Year

Min. 36 Monash points

Max. 48 Monash points

24 credits - UG

30 credits - UG

18 credits - PG

24 credits - PG

Academic Calendar

KAIST Spring semester (Monash Semester 1): mid-March – early July
KAIST Fall semester (Monash Semester 2): late August – late December

See KAIST's Academic Calendar

Banking and finance

Biological sciences

Chemistry

Design

Earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences

Economics

Engineering

Engineering - chemical

Engineering - civil

Engineering - electrical and computer systems

Engineering - materials science

Engineering - mechanical and aerospace

English as an international language

History

Information technology

Journalism

Management

Marketing

Mathematical sciences

Philosophy

Physics and astronomy

Science

  

Note

  • The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
  • Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.

Accommodation

KAIST has a variety of dormitories available to exchange students. All rooms are double or triple occupancy with shared bathrooms.

KAIST offers further advice on accommodation here and here.

Visas

As a general rule, if you are a student who is not of Korean nationality, you will be required to apply for a D-2 or D-2-8 (for less than a year) student visa via the local Embassy or Consulate, once you have been officially accepted by your host university.

For more information on visas, please refer to the Embassy of Republic of Korea here.

KAIST also provides some advice on immigration.

Health and insurance

It is mandatory for all incoming KAIST exchange students to purchase internationally-viable health insurance in their home countries. Although the limit of coverage is up to the discretion of each student, all incoming exchange students must acquire overseas health insurance that covers them during the full duration of their stay overseas.

KAIST offers further information on health and insurance can be found here.

When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.

Orientation and extra-curricular 

KAIST offers a new student orientation before term starts (specific schedules and locations for each activity will be sent out in advance through e-mail).

KAIST provides a Buddy program for exchange students. You can find out more here.

There are many student clubs and organisations for exchange students to join, as well as programs & events to attend, and classes on aspects of Korean culture.

KAIST also has a Korean language guide to introduce students to some useful Korean phrases, and a student handbook with essential information for international students.

Cost of living

You should expect to spend approximately 2, 000,000 KRW per month while studying at KAIST.

Daejeon on the Expatistan site (this is a website external to the University and intended to be indicative only)

Funding

For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.

Exchange students at KAIST may be eligible for scholarships, including the New Colombo Plan.

Students taking Korean language courses may be eligible for the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.

To begin your application and study plan, click the button below.

Apply here

Have you been to KAIST and want to share your experience? 
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!