Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Fast Facts
- KAIST is the first and top science and technology university in Korea.
- KAIST strives to become a world-renowned institute by offering the best science and technology education to its students.
- KAIST has 11,500 students enrolled in five colleges and six schools, including 920 international students from 92 countries.
Introduction
KAIST, a research university established in 1971, has served as the gateway to advanced science, technology, and innovation for Korea. To meet the growing demand for young, competent global leaders, KAIST has developed itself as a global arena for interdisciplinary education and research opportunities.
With 1,112 faculty members working with 11,176 students, KAIST focuses on creating an atmosphere for interdisciplinary communication and collaboration for its academic units in all of its four campuses in Daejeon and Seoul to stimulate the innovative leadership and entrepreneurship needed to develop technology for the advancement of the world and for sustainable economic growth. KAIST also endeavors to strengthen its network to provide its constituents with collaboration opportunities with prominent partners from academia and industry.
In 2015, QS ranked KAIST at 43rd place on its World University Rankings.
In the engineering section, KAIST was ranked 13th by the QS evaluation.
City Info
KAIST is situated in the northwestern part of Daejeon. Daejeon is the fifth largest city in Korea with a population of approximately 1.5 million people living in an area of 540 km2 (the total area of the Korean peninsula is 222,154 km2). Located in the center of Korea, Daejeon serves as a hub of transportation. Major expressways and railways connecting the country from the north to south converge in Daejeon. With this wonderful transportation network, it is possible to travel anywhere in the country within half a day from Daejeon.
University Info
University Website
College of Engineering Info
Exchange Student Info
Office Responsible for Incoming Exchange Students
International Relations Team | irt@kaist.ac.kr
Language of Instruction
English
Academic Calendar
Fall (Semester 1): early September to late December
Spring (Semester 2): early March to late June
Disciplines Available
Aerospace Engineering
Bio & Brain Engineering
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Systems Engineering
Industrial Design
Knowledge Service Engineering
Materials Science & Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Nuclear & Quantum Engineering
Web Science & Technology
Course Contents
Course Descriptions & Schedule of Classes
Additional Application Materials
Students nominated by IIE to KAIST must also submit the additional materials below.
- Nomination letter by student coordinator
- Statement of Purpose (one page, word document only)
- Current original transcript(s). All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
- English Language Proficiency Record (if applicable)
- Copy of Passport
Recommendation letter from a professor or academic staff: Required
Acceptance packets will be mailed to students’ home school advisors approximately 8 weeks after receiving a complete application.
Housing
IRT will apply for on-campus accommodation for all exchange students based on their application form. However, a place cannot be guaranteed.
- Eligibility: Exchange students, KAIST summer program participants
- Dormitory rooms (room type: two or three single beds) are furnished with beds, wardrobes, and desks. Students should prepare their own sheets, pillow/pillowcase, and blankets during their stay. Cleaning can be done (by the students themselves) either in one of the on-campus dry cleaners or elsewhere.
- A deposit fee of 100,000 won is required to pay once for maintaining the rooms’ furniture. This fee will be refunded when students move out.
- KAIST will lend you one pillow and one blanket. The rental and cleaning fee is 20,000 (subject to change) won which would be asked to pay after arrival at KAIST.
- Restrooms, showers, coin-operated washing machines, and computer labs are shared in the dormitory.
- Kitchen facilities are not available in the dormitory. Meal services are available at on-campus cafeterias serving three times a day, Monday through Sunday. The average price of a meal is US$5.
- Dormitories are installed with LAN allowing 24-hour access to information networking. Free WiFi is also available on campus after a simple online registration
Estimated Cost of Living:
We estimate that a single international student living alone in an on-campus dormitory requires approximately US$ 500 per month for living expenses.
Food/meals
- campus cafeteria - 3,500 - 6,000 won ($3 - $5.37 USD) per meal
- regular restaurant - 6,000 - 15,000 won ($5.35 - $13.43USD) per meal
Housing (dormitory) – approximately 450 - 900 USD per semester
Local transportation – approximately 12 USD per ride.
Academic expenses (e.g., books, stationery) – expenses vary depending on courses.
Personal expenses – personal expenses vary with individual students.
Other administrative fees – orientation & alien registration fees: approximately 50,000 won ($45USD)
How GE3 Works
Global E3 is a consortium of universities with strong engineering programs around the world. These universities agree to exchange students between their various campuses. Unlike a program, students are not guaranteed participation at a particular location but instead Global E3 will match students based on their preferences and coursework requirements to a school within the consortium. This means students, while they can apply to a particular program and location, must keep an open mind. The CGE will work with students to secure additional course permissions if necessary.
