• KAIST

    Get answers to your questions about graduate management education from admissions professionals across the globe.

    The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) was established in 1971 as the nation’s first graduate school specializing in science and engineering education and research. In 1986, KAIST started offering undergraduate degree programs in science and technology. In 1989, the university’s campus was relocated from Seoul, the capital of South Korea, to Daejeon, which is about 50 minutes away by high speed train from Seoul. In 2009, KAIST was merged with the Information and Communications University that had been established in 1997 as the nation’s only information technology research university.

    KAIST College of Business answers your questions below.


    About the Program

    • Name of the school: KAIST College of Business
    • School location: 85 Hoegiro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 130-722, Korea
    • Year school started: 1996
    • Name of the program: MBA Program (Techno-MBA, Finance MBA, Information & Media MBA)
    • Size of the intake: 350, for the class entering in 2013, in both spring and fall semester
    • Percentage of Foreign Students in an Average Class/Intake: In 2013, seven percent of our students were international

     Admission Criteria

    • Working Experience Requirement: There is no minimum requirement for work experience. Ninety percent of admitted students have working experience and the average length of experience is seven years.
    • What constitutes work experience? We do not have a requirement for the type of work experience to be considered. Our students have diverse work backgrounds and have experience in many different industries.
    • English Proficiency Requirement: Applicants who are non-native English speakers must submit the EPT score even if he/she attended an English speaking university. Applicants who completed their bachelor’s degree in the following countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and USA) are exempt from submitting the EPT score.
    • Letter of Recommendations: Two recommendation letters from professors or supervisors are required.
    • Interview/Group Discussion: Not required but may be scheduled on an individual basis.
    • Others: Applicants are required to complete their undergraduate education prior to starting the MBA program.
    Application Process
    • Where do you apply? Applicants can apply online.
    • What is the application fee? The application fee is $80 USD.
    • When does the application process start? Applications for the Fall semester (Techno-MBA, KOIKA Program in Finance MBA) will be accepted beginning in early April, and applications for the Spring semester (Techno-MBA, Finance MBA and Information & Media MBA) will be accepted beginning in early September.
    • Where does one submit applications? KAIST Admissions Office (Ms. Heayoung Lee) E11 Bldg., 5F, Rm#506B, 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea (T. 82-42-350-2355, email: kaistintl@kaist.ac.kr).

    Fees & Other Expenses

    What is the estimated cost for the entire program for a foreign student? The estimated cost (USD) for the entire program for a foreign student is as follows:

    • Program Tuition: KRW 48 million (Techno-MBA & Finance MBA: 2 years programs), KRW 42 million (Information & Media MBA: 1 year program).
    • Accommodation: Student dormitory (double-occupancy) is available; dormitory fee KRW 120,000/month.
    • Living expenses: KRW 500,000 ~1,000,000 won/month (varies by individual).

    Financial Support Options

    What are the scholarship options available to students? Scholarships are available in each MBA program as follows:

    Techno-MBA Program

    • KAIST Techno-MBA Scholarship: KAIST Techno-MBA program selectively offers full or partial scholarships to outstanding international applicants. The scholarships are available for candidates with excellent academic and/or professional credentials. Candidates with over 2 years of work experience are preferred. To apply for KAIST Techno-MBA Scholarship, select “KAIST-MBA Scholarship” when applying online.
      • Slots – Up to five international students (full or partial scholarships)
      • Scholarship Amount – Full tuition for two years, living stipend of 500,000 KRW/month (awarded to selected students)
    • Hyosung-KAIST MBA Global Scholarship: Hyosung sponsors global employees to achieve its goals in globalization. Upon graduation, recipients are obliged to work in a core global position at Hyosung for a two year period. Internship opportunities can also be arranged during the vacation period.
      • Slots – Two students from India & China every year
      • Scholarship Amounts – Full tuition for two years, living stipend of KRW 500,000/month (awarded to selected students), health insurance
    • POSCO-KAIST Russia Fellowship: POSCO sponsors Russian students to foster ties between Korea and Russia.
      • Slots – 1 ~ 3 Russian Students (who graduated from St. Petersburg Univ., in Russia
      • Scholarship Amount – Full tuition for 2 years, Living stipend of KRW 1,000,000/month (awarded to selected students)

    Finance MBA Program

    • KAIST Finance MBA Scholarship: KAIST Finance MBA program selectively offers full or partial scholarships to outstanding international applicants. The scholarships are available for candidates with excellent academic or professional credentials. Candidates with over 2 years of working experience are preferred.
      • Slots – Up to 5 students from developing countries
      • Scholarship Amount – Full tuition for 2 years, Living stipend of KRW 500,000 (awarded to selected students)

    Information & Media MBA Program

    • KAIST Information & Media MBA Scholarship: KIAST Information & Media MBA Program is available to candidates with excellent academic or professional credentials. Candidates with working experience at IT/Media-related companies are preferred.
      • Slots – 3 ~ 5 international students (full or partial scholarships)
      • Scholarship Amounts – Full tuition for 1 year, Living stipend of KRW 500,000/month (awarded to selected students)

    Green Policy MS Program

    The Green Policy program educates domestic and international green policy experts in dealing with climate change and energy shortage challenges. The Green Policy Scholarship is provided for students with academic excellence and/or experience. This program involves projects on green policy, green finance, overseas development and international negotiation.

    • Slots – Up to five international students
    • Scholarship Amount – Full tuition for two years, Additional scholarships for research assistant (awarded to selected students)

    For further questions regarding admissions, programs and application process at KAIST College of Business write to kaistintl@kaist.ac.kr