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 2, 2027 | 1-2 places | |||||
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.