UST Scholarships 2026 in South Korea (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the UST Scholarships 2026, offered by the University of Science and Technology (UST) in South Korea. These scholarships support Master’s, Ph.D., and Integrated programs across diverse fields such as science, technology, and specialized areas like maritime and nuclear research. Designed for international students, the scholarships emphasize research-driven education at 30 government-funded UST Schools.

The application period runs from September 22 to October 16, 2025, with final registration due by February 1, 2026 (23:59 KST). While most programs require a USD 30 application fee, certain programs like KOICA and KITECH Global Scholarships are fee-exempt. Funding varies by program, with some, like the IAEA-RCA, offering additional scholarships (e.g., 2,000,000 KRW). You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Degree Level: Master’s, Ph.D., Integrated programs
• Application Period: September 22, 2025 (10:00 KST) – October 16, 2025 (17:00 KST).
• Registration Period: December 9, 2025 – February 1, 2026 (23:59 KST).
• Application Fee: USD 30 or KRW 35,000 (non-refundable); exempt for KOICA and KITECH Global Scholarship applicants.
• Admission Fee: USD 150 or KRW 180,000 (payable upon registration).
• Language Proficiency: Required for most programs; refer to UST guidelines (page 26).

Timeline and Overall Steps

• Application Submission: September 22, 2025 (10:00 KST) – October 16, 2025 (17:00 KST)
• Supplementary Document Submission: October 27, 2025 – October 29, 2025
• Announcement of Successful Candidates (Document Review): November 12, 2025 (17:00 KST)
• In-Depth Interview: November 17, 2025 – November 21, 2025
• Final Announcement of Admitted Students: December 8, 2025 (17:00 KST)
• Admission Registration:
  • Early Registration: December 9, 2025 – January 4, 2026
  • Final Registration: January 5, 2026 – February 1, 2026 (23:59 KST)
  • Note: Early registration ensures faster visa document processing.
• Additional Acceptance (Wait-listed Candidates): From December 9, 2025 (individual notifications).

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for UST Scholarships 2026, applicants must meet specific requirements based on their chosen program. Below are the eligibility details for each category:

1. Foreign Nationals

• Citizen: Both the applicant and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Academic Requirements:
  • Master’s/Integrated Program: Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Ph.D. Program: Master’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
• Language Proficiency: Must meet UST’s language criteria (refer to UST’s official guidelines, page 26).

Check Also: East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship in USA (Fully Funded)

2. Specialized Master

• Citizenship: Both the applicant and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Academic Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
• Recommendation: Must be recommended by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The school requests the recommendation letter directly.
• Language Exemption: No language proficiency test required.

3. IAEA-RCA Degree Programme

• Citizenship: Both the applicant and their parents must Lill hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Academic Requirements:
  • Master’s/Integrated Program: Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Ph.D. Program: Master’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
• Recommendation: Must be recommended by RCA National Representatives from countries like Bangladesh, China, India, etc. The school requests the recommendation letter directly.
• Language Proficiency: Must meet UST’s language criteria (refer to page 26).
• Additional Benefits: Includes a 2,000,000 KRW scholarship and potential site visits to nuclear facilities in Korea.

Check Also: Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

4. KOICA Scholarship Program

• Citizenship: Applicants must hold Uzbekistan nationality, with non-Korean parents.
• Academic Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
• Recommendation: Must be recommended by Uzbekistan-KOICA partner institutes or public companies. The school requests the recommendation letter directly.
• Language Proficiency: Must meet UST’s language criteria (refer to page 26).

5. KITECH Global Scholarship

• Citizenship: Both the applicant and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Academic Requirements:
  • Master’s Program: Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Ph.D. Program: Master’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
• Recommendation: Must be recommended by a faculty member from participating universities (e.g., University of Science, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, or Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology).
• Language Proficiency: Must meet UST’s language criteria (refer to page 26).

See also: Yenching Academy Scholarship in China (Fully Funded)

6. Overseas Koreans

• Eligibility: Children of Korean nationals who completed their entire education (elementary, middle, high school, and university) abroad.
• Academic Requirements:
  • Master’s/Integrated Program: Bachelor’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Ph.D. Program: Master’s degree or expected graduation by February 2026, or equivalent qualifications.
• Language Proficiency: Must meet UST’s language criteria (TOPIK certification not accepted).

Check this: CERN QUEST Program 2025/26 (Fully Funded)

How to Choose Your Major

Selecting the right major and advising professor is critical for a successful application. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the UST Majors Page: Access the UST Majors Page and explore majors by list to identify those matching your interests.
2. Review Major Explanations: Read detailed descriptions to ensure alignment with your research goals, as some majors may overlap.
3. Contact Professors: Identify professors whose research aligns with your interests, obtain their contact details from the UST website, and reach out before applying.

Majors by Program

Below is a categorized list of majors offered under the UST Scholarships 2026, organized by each program category.

Foreign Nationals

• Artificial Intelligence Flagship
• Information and Communication Engineering
• Quantum Information Flagship
• Advanced Drug Discovery & Development
• Astronomy and Space Science
• Nuclear Science and Technology
• Electric Energy & Materials Engineering
• Food Biotechnology
• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Geological Science
• Resources Engineering
• Convergence Manufacturing System Engineering
• Advanced Bioconvergence Flagship
• Mechanical Engineering
• Advanced Materials Engineering
• Marine Technology & Convergence Engineering
• Ocean Science
• Korean Convergence Medical Science
• Radiological & Medical Sciences
• AI-Robotics
• Bio-Medical Science & Technology
• Energy & Environment Technology
• Nanoscience and Technology
• Natural Product Applied Science
• Polar Science
• Transportation System Engineering
• Bioscience
• Biotechnology
• Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering
• Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology
• Precision Measurement Engineering
• Precision Measurement Science

Also check: Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research (CGA) PhD Programme in Germany

Specialized Master

• Marine Technology & Convergence Engineering

IAEA-RCA Degree Programme

• Nuclear Science and Technology
• Radiological & Medical Sciences

KOICA Scholarship Program

• Advanced Materials and Chemical Engineering

KITECH Global Scholarship

• Convergence Manufacturing System Engineering

Overseas Koreans

• Artificial Intelligence Flagship
• Information and Communication Engineering
• Quantum Information Flagship
• Advanced Drug Discovery & Development
• Nuclear Science and Technology
• Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Energy Engineering
• Geological Science
• Resources Engineering
• Convergence Manufacturing System Engineering
• Advanced Bioconvergence Flagship
• Mechanical Engineering
• Radiological & Medical Sciences
• AI-Robotics
• Nanoscience and Technology
• Natural Product Applied Science
• Bioscience
• Biotechnology

Also check: Emory University Environmental Sciences and Society (ESS) PhD Scholarship

Application Process

The application process involves several steps, all completed through the UST Admission System (apply.ust.ac.kr). Here’s a breakdown:

Step 1: Select Category and Complete Survey

• Sign up on the UST Admission System and verify your email.
• Choose your admission category (e.g., Foreign Nationals, KOICA, etc.).
• Note: Multiple applications across categories are not allowed.

Step 2: Enter Applicant Information

• Select your degree program, school, and major.
• Upload a photo and enter personal details (name as per passport).
• Provide educational background, including all institutions attended, enrollment dates, and CGPA.
• Disclose any family members employed at UST (spouse, parents, siblings, etc.).
• Submit language proficiency scores or note exemptions.

Check this: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

Step 3: Academic and Research Plan

• Write a plan (up to 2,000 characters) outlining your academic and research goals.

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

• Required documents include:
  • Proposal for Study (answer questions about motivation, research interests, and career goals).
  • Bachelor’s/Master’s degree or certificate of expected graduation.
  • Transcripts showing CGPA.
  • Master’s thesis title and abstract (for Ph.D. applicants).
  • Official language test scores (if applicable).
  • Optional: Documents proving academic or professional excellence (e.g., research papers, patents, awards).
• For specific programs (e.g., IAEA-RCA, KOICA), include recommendation letters (1–2) submitted via the UST system or by recommenders directly.

Check this: Clarendon Scholarship 2026 at Oxford University, UK

Step 5: Personal Medical Check

• Complete a self-assessment of your medical condition, noting any specific issues.

Step 6: Pay Application Fee

• Pay USD 30 or KRW 35,000 via credit card (non-refundable).
• Exemptions: KOICA Scholarship and KITECH Global Scholarship applicants.

Step 7: Complete Application

• Review and submit your application. Print your admission application and Examination Slip.

Required Documents

Common Documents

• Proposal for Study: Answer questions about your motivation, research interests, and career goals.
• Degree Certificates: Bachelor’s (for Master’s/Integrated) or Master’s (for Ph.D.), or expected graduation certificates.
• Transcripts: Include CGPA for all institutions attended.
• Master’s Thesis: Title and abstract (Ph.D. applicants only).
• Language Test Scores: Required unless exempted (refer to UST guidelines, page 26).
• Optional Documents: Research papers, patents, awards, etc. (submit titles/abstracts only, not full papers).

Also check: Tokyo Metropolitan University Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

Program-Specific Documents

• Foreign Nationals, IAEA-RCA, KOICA, KITECH: 1–2 recommendation letters from academic advisors or supervisors.
• Specialized Master: Recommendation letter from IMO.
• Overseas Koreans: Elementary, middle, and high school graduation certificates, transcripts, and immigration records.

Admission Registration

UST offers two admission rounds per year (no second round in the same semester). Registration Period is December 9, 2025 – February 1, 2026 (23:59 KST).

Admission Registration Steps

• Review registration guidelines on the UST Admission System.
• Access the system and enter registration information.
• Upload required documents (scanned copies).
• Pay the admission fee (USD 150 or KRW 180,000 via credit card).
• Submit original documents via postal mail or in person.