Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

KAIST is a very highly ranked University located in the city of Daejeon in South Korea. The 2016/7 QS World University Rankings ranked KAIST as 46th overall in the world, and 6th in Asia. It was 13th globally in Material Sciences and 14th in Engineering and Technology. 
 
KAIST has three campuses, one in Seoul and two in Daejeon. The Seoul campus is situated in Seoul, the capital of Korea. The main campus and the Munji campus are both located in the centre of Daedeok Innopolis in Daejeon. Daedeok Innopolis is the largest scientific and technological R&D cluster in Korea, comprising government & private research institutes, start-ups and venture companies. 
 
KAIST has adopted a student-centred, autonomous academic system. The Open Major System allows undergraduates to take courses in the fields of possible interest and then choose a major that best suits their aptitude by the end of their first academic year. 
 
From the outset, KAIST has emphasized the importance of both basic and applied sciences. As Korea's foremost institution, KAIST undertakes mid- to long-term strategic R&D projects in order to promote technological innovation that will benefit humanity and industrial society. 
 
ISSS provides the following numerous services for new and current international students. One of which is the Buddy Program. Students are placed in a group with a Korean buddy. The Buddy Program is a great way to meet Korean students and other international students early in the semester. Several programs and events are prepared for participants, including a field trip and movie night. 

Daejeon, temporary capital of South Korea during the Korean war, is now the fifth largest city in central South Korea. It is just under an hour away from Seoul by high speed train. The strategic location of the city makes it a hub for transport. Daedeok Innopolis (previously Daedeok Science Town) in Daejeon has been dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Korea”, as it is renowned for being an important centre for science, research and technology. The city has a vibrant and active entertainment district, Dusan-dong where you can find hundreds of trendy bars and nori-bong, Korea’s favourite past-time.

South Korea, officially called the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, covering the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing its only land border with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).

South Korea has a population of around 51.5 million people, and is one of the world's most densely populated countries at 503 people per square kilometer, a number more than 10 times the global average. South Korea is a highly developed country and the world's 11th largest economy. Its capital, Seoul, is a major global city and half of South Korea's population live in the Seoul Capital Area, the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world.

Nearly 70% of South Korea's land area is mostly uninhabitable due to it being mountainous, a major factor in the population concentration. Despite the large population and city lifestyle, South Koreans are known for being very active, with most weekends spent out of doors for many people.

It’s known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, coastal fishing villages, beautiful sub-tropical islands, and its advanced high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital. Today, South Korea is known for its globally influential pop culture such as K-pop and TV dramas, part of the phenomenon referred to as the Korean Wave. Korean and English are the major two languages used in South Korea, and generally English will get you by for exchange.

Did you know…..?

South Korea has the world's fastest Internet connection speeds and the world's second best healthcare system. South Korea is a global leader in many technology and innovation driven fields, being the world's 5th largest exporter and 8th largest importer.
 
 

All students must meet standard exchange selection criteria and any host institution restrictions.

Require a minimum GPA of 5.0  
 
Courses from the following schools are not available for exchange:

• Graduate School of Medical Science 
• Graduate School of Engineering 

• UniSA academic transcript  
• Passport 
• Passport-sized photo (3cmx4cm) 

Students must take a minimum of 12 KAIST credits for 18 UniSA units. The 13.5 UniSA unit-load option is not available at KAIST.

UniSA students are not required to provide evidence of English proficiency.  

Find courses at KAIST

KAIST does not offer airport pick up. Students will need to make their own way to the campus from Incheon International Airport. 
 
More information on how to get to the campus can be found here. 

KAIST will apply for on-campus accommodation for all exchange students based on their application form. The assigned dormitories (room type: double or triple occupancy) for exchange students are furnished with beds, closets, desks and chairs for each room. KAIST will lend you one pillow and one blanket. Shared facilities include restrooms, showers, washing machines, clothes dryer, and a lobby on each floor. 
 
More information on accommodation can be found here. 

As an exchange partner with the University of South Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees to KAIST, instead you will pay tuition as you would normally at UniSA. Travel and living expenses are at your own cost. The table below gives an indication of costs you will incur: 

More information can be found here.

You may be eligible to receive additional grants or scholarships to fund your experience. For more information please see the funding and scholarships website.

UniSA offers travel insurance as part of your exchange for up to 270 days (can be extended up to 365 days). For more information please see travel insurance website.  
 
Please click here to read the travel insurance policy. 
 
A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here. 
 
If you have any further questions about travel insurance, please contact the UniSA Insurance Office on 08 8302 1678.