🏅 QS World Rank #65
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
South Korea’s top science and technology institute, fully taught in English — QS World Rankings 2027 #65
KAIST is a public science and technology university in Daejeon, South Korea, founded in 1971. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is 65th in the world. This guide covers programmes, admission, fees, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
KAIST Overview
KAIST was founded in 1971 as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and, after a 1981 merger with another institute, took the name KAIST. It is based in Daejeon, home to the Daedeok Innopolis science and technology cluster.
It is known for engineering, computer science and robotics, and uses English widely for teaching. It is smaller than a full-spectrum university and focuses on science and technology.
KAIST Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
KAIST is 65th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026. A third-party admissions guide lists it 56th in the 2026 edition, so it moved down in this edition.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
KAIST is known for:
- Robotics — KAIST’s team won the DARPA Robotics Challenge finals in 2015
- Electrical engineering
- Computer science and AI
- Mechanical engineering
- KAIST Business School
- Applied science research within Daedeok Innopolis
See the official website for the full list.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
International applicants apply directly through KAIST’s admissions portal. Confirm all details on KAIST’s official pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Application | Through the KAIST admissions portal for the level you want |
| Evidence | Transcripts, test scores, a personal statement and references. A third-party guide also mentions an interview for some applicants. |
| English | KAIST uses English widely, and applicants need to show English proficiency. A third-party guide lists IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 83 as typical minimums, so confirm yours. |
| Deadlines | Set by KAIST for each intake. A third-party guide lists a late-November deadline for the main round, so check the current date. |
| Documents | Transcripts, identification, language evidence and programme documents |
Official source: KAIST — Admissions.
KAIST Acceptance Rate
KAIST does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants. A third-party guide gives about 22%, but we cannot verify it, so treat it as an estimate only.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on KAIST’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
A third-party 2026 guide says KAIST offers a full tuition waiver to all students, plus a living stipend of about US$200 a month for undergraduates, and estimates living costs at about US$5,000 a year. We could not confirm these terms on an official page, so check the current scholarship rules before you apply. The old “US$3,000 to US$5,000 a year” tuition line on this page was not tied to a source and has been removed.
Source: KAIST official website. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- KAIST undergraduate scholarship: third-party guides report a full tuition waiver and a stipend for undergraduates. Confirm current terms with KAIST.
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): the Korean government funds international students. Check whether Pakistan is included in the current round.
- Other aid: compare options in our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide
- No guarantee: awards are competitive and have conditions
KAIST for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the standard international process:
- Entry: check the international requirements for your level and programme
- English: prepare an accepted test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Scholarships: read the current KAIST and GKS terms and apply on time
- Visa: a Korean student visa is required
- Budget: plan for living costs in Daejeon
Campus & Student Life
- The main campus is in Daejeon, a science city in central South Korea
- The campus is part of Daedeok Innopolis, a cluster of government research institutes and companies
- Dormitories are available for many students
- Student clubs and societies cover culture, sport and academic interests
Research & Career Opportunities
- KAIST is research-intensive, with notable work in robotics, electronics and computing
- Graduates are widely recruited by Korean technology and manufacturing companies
- Many go on to graduate study or found technology start-ups
- KAIST does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Lee Hae-jin, founder of Naver, earned a master’s degree at KAIST
- KAIST graduates have founded and led many Korean technology companies
- Researchers from KAIST work in robotics, electronics and computing
Contact & Location
KAIST
291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, South Korea
Official website: kaist.ac.kr
Frequently Asked Questions
KAIST is ranked 65th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
KAIST uses English widely, but not every course is taught in English. Check the language of your programme.
Third-party guides report full tuition waivers and stipends for undergraduates. Confirm the current terms with KAIST.
KAIST is best known for robotics, electrical engineering and computer science.
Yes. A KAIST team won the DARPA Robotics Challenge finals in 2015.
Apply through the KAIST admissions portal with transcripts, test scores, a personal statement and references. Check the current deadline.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the international route and should check eligibility, language and visa requirements.
KAIST does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants. Treat third-party estimates with caution.
Yes. International students need a Korean student visa. Requirements change, so check the official guidance.
Check KAIST’s official admissions pages. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare KAIST With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, KAIST’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.