IB Pathways
Undergraduate entry (major chosen in year two)

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology · South Korea

Undergraduate entry (major chosen in year two)

A four-year interdisciplinary degree in Daejeon.

Image: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Where
DaejeonSouth Korea
Degree
Bachelor's degree
Length
4 years
Taught in
English
Starts
September 2027
Apply by
14 January 2027Round 1 (October) by 22 Oct
Admission
SelectiveIB grades
EU/EEA fee
KRW 6,866,000 a year; scholarship waives
More facts
Degree
Bachelor's degree
Length
4 years
Taught in
English
Starts
September 2027

Deadlines

  1. 22 October 2026

    Round 1 (October): applications close, 18:00 KST
    DetailsSource

  2. 14 January 2027

    Round 2 (January): applications close, 18:00 KST
    Hard deadline
    Details

    The live round for anyone finishing the IB Diploma in May 2027; KAIST says the academic year for this round begins at the end of August 2027. Decided on predicted grades and a recommendation letter before results exist. KAIST's Early Admissions round (22 September to 22 October 2026) leads to a start at the end of February 2027 and is not for this cohort.

    KAIST's own timeline says this round's "Academic Year Begins: End of August, 2027". Opens 10 November 2026. The recommendation letter has a later deadline of its own, 21 January 2027. Decision 25 March 2027, before IB results on 6 July 2027. KAIST's other round, Early Admissions (22 September to 22 October 2026), leads to a start at the end of February 2027 and cannot be used by a May 2027 candidate.

    Source

  3. 21 January 2027

    Round 2 (January): recommendation letters due, 18:00 KST
    Hard deadline
    Details

    A week after the application itself closes. Sending the application in on time does not finish the job, and this is the part most often missed — ask your referee in November, not in January.

    Source
All dates for this programme (4 more)

  1. 10 November 2026

    Round 2 (January): applications open
    DetailsSource

  2. 7 January 2027

    Round 1 (October): results announced, 10:00 KST
    DetailsSource

  3. 3 March 2027

    Round 2 (January): online interview, if required
    Details

    KAIST states that interviews are conditional and that applicants are contacted individually if one is required.

    Source

  4. 25 March 2027

    Round 2 (January): results announced, 10:00 KST
    DetailsSource

Every date in South Korea

What it is

You enter KAIST without declaring a major and explore STEM fields in year one, then choose a department from the natural sciences, life science, engineering, AI and business colleges with no extra admission step.

What you need

  • Maths and science results are weighed most; the guide does not set a minimum IB score or required subjects.
Requirements in full

Every IB applicant at KAIST

No minimum IB score is published. Send IB results (predicted grades give a conditional place until finals); strong maths and science is encouraged. An English test or exemption is needed.

Where it says so

Its entry requirements

Check it on kaist.ac.kr

How places are decided

    • IB grades
    • Interview
    Holistic document review led by maths and science results; an online interview only if KAIST asks. Criteria are not published. Round 2 gives a September 2027 start.
Sources (2)
  1. Undergraduate entry (major chosen in year two) at KAIST — checked 2026-10-07
  2. Entry requirements

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