UST Scholarships 2026 in South Korea (Fully Funded)

The UST Scholarship is a fully funded opportunity for international students aiming to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. degrees at the University of Science and Technology in South Korea. This scholarship is designed to support talented individuals in the fields of science and technology, providing them with the resources to conduct advanced research and contribute to global scientific progress.

Eligibility

• Nationality: Open to international students
• Master’s/Integrated programs: Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or have an equivalent qualification.
• Ph.D. Program: Applicants must possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification.

Program Dates/Location

• Application Period: September 22 – October 16, 2025
• Announcement of Successful Candidates in Document Review: November 12, 2025
• In-depth Interview: November 17 - November 21, 2025
• Final Results Announcement: December 8, 2025
• Admission Registration: December 9, 2025 – February 1, 2026
• Program Start: Spring Semester, 2026
• Location:  University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea

Program Benefits

• Full Tuition Coverage: 100% coverage of tuition fees.
• Entrance Fee: Full coverage of university entrance fees.
• Monthly Stipend:
  • KRW 1,430,000 for Master’s students.
  • KRW 1,900,000 for Ph.D. students.
• Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health and accident insurance.
• Additional Support: Access to e-library resources and counseling services.

Successful candidates will not only gain admission but also enter into an employment contract with their institute, receiving stipends, health insurance, and research support.

Fields of Study

UST offers opportunities across some of Korea’s leading research institutes. International applicants can apply to Master’s, Integrated Master–PhD, or PhD programs in cutting-edge fields such as:

• Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI): Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Information, Information Security, Media Engineering
• Korea Astronomy & Space Science Institute (KASI): Astronomy and Space Science
• Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI): Nuclear System Engineering, Radiochemistry, Radiation Convergence Science, Quantum Energy Chemical Engineering
• Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI): Food Biotechnology
• Korea Institute of Civil Engineering & Building Technology (KICT): Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Urban Convergence Engineering
• Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER): Clean Energy, Hydrogen Energy, Renewable Energy, Energy Systems Engineering
• Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources (KIGAM): Geological Science, Resources Engineering, AI applications
• Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH): Robotics, Smart Manufacturing, Green Process and Energy Systems
• Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM): Mechanical Engineering, Nano-Mechatronics, Robotics & Manufacturing Systems
• Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS): Aerospace Materials, Bio-materials, Energy and Mobility Materials
• Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST): Marine Biotechnology, Oceanography, Coastal Engineering
• Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST): AI-Robotics, Neuroscience, Nanoscience, Biomedical Science, Quantum Information
• Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB): Functional Genomics, Bioinformatics, Nanobiotechnology
• Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT): Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical & Materials Engineering
• Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS): Precision Measurement, Biomedical Measurement, Nanoconvergence

Required Documents

• Application Form: Complete the online application form available on the UST admissions portal.
• Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• Degree Certificates: Bachelor’s degree for Master’s applicants; Master’s degree for Ph.D. applicants.
• Master's Thesis: For PhD applicants
• Study Plan: A detailed research proposal outlining the intended area of study.
• Letters of Recommendation: At least one, maximum 2 letters of recommendation from academic or professional references.
• English Proficiency: Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS).
• Application Fee: A non-refundable fee of USD 30 or KRW 35,000.

For more information, please visit the official UST Admissions page.