Overview

Intakes

Top Courses

Cost of Studying at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST)

Master's program: a minimum of 15 million KRW annually plus additional incentives; PhD program: a minimum of 22 million KRW annually plus additional incentives; the amount of additional incentives will vary depending on research performance. On-campus housing (Biseul Village) is available for DGIST international students (single room, double room, and married student apartment); single room: 220,000 KRW per month; double room: 170,000 KRW per month; married student apartment: 290,000 KRW per month. 

All admitted undergraduate students receive full tuition and fees waived plus monthly student living support. All admitted graduate students receive full tuition and fees waived plus monthly stipend. This means the standard cost of attendance for scholarship-receiving students is essentially limited to personal expenses — one of the most financially accessible research university experiences in the world for Indian students. Note: 1 KRW ≈ ₹0.062. 

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 KRW = ₹0.062. DGIST is one of the most financially advantageous universities in the world for Indian students — all admitted students receive 100% tuition waiver plus a monthly stipend (Master's: minimum KRW 1,250,000/month ≈ ₹77,500/month; PhD: minimum KRW 1,836,000/month ≈ ₹1,13,832/month) that more than covers modest on-campus living expenses. Effectively, graduate study at DGIST is free — with a monthly salary. Please refer to DGIST's official fees page (dgist.ac.kr/iadm) for the most current figures.

Scholarships

For both Undergraduate and Graduate programs, DGIST provides: full coverage of tuition fees and monthly student living support or stipend to all admitted students. For the Graduate Program specifically, all admitted students receive full tuition and fees waived plus monthly stipend. 

Key funding opportunities include:

• DGIST Full Scholarship (UG — Automatic for ALL Admitted Students) — Scholarships: full tuition and fees waived; monthly student living support provided to all admitted undergraduate students; no application required — every UG student admitted to DGIST automatically receives this; DGIST is one of the only universities in the world where 100% of students receive full tuition support 
• DGIST Graduate Scholarship (Master's — Automatic for ALL Admitted Students) — Full tuition waiver plus minimum annual stipend of KRW 15,000,000 (approximately ₹9.3L/year) for Master's students, plus additional research performance incentives; automatically awarded to every admitted graduate student — no separate application required
• DGIST Graduate Scholarship (PhD — Automatic for ALL Admitted Students) — Full tuition waiver plus minimum annual stipend of KRW 22,032,000 (approximately ₹13.66L/year) for PhD students, plus additional research performance incentives; automatically awarded to every admitted doctoral student 
• Additional Research Incentives — The amount of additional incentives will vary depending on research performance; top-performing researchers in their labs receive additional grants from supervisor research funding — potential for significantly higher monthly income for outstanding PhD students 
• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS / KGSP) — University Track at DGIST — DGIST is a listed GKS University Track institution; GKS covers full tuition plus KRW 900,000–1,000,000/month stipend plus settlement allowance plus health insurance plus round-trip airfare; apply through the Korean Embassy in India (Embassy Track) or through DGIST (University Track)
• National Health Insurance Coverage — DGIST provides 100% of monthly insurance contributions individually paid by international students; effectively eliminates one of the significant hidden costs of studying in Korea 

Note: DGIST's scholarship model is the most generous and most accessible of all Korean universities — unlike most institutions where scholarships are competitive awards given to a subset of students, at DGIST every single admitted student receives full tuition waiver plus monthly stipend automatically. There is no scholarship application to submit.

Admissions

DGIST has an acceptance rate of approximately 20–25%, making it highly competitive. The university attracts top-tier students, especially in the fields of science and engineering, with a strong emphasis on research-driven education. For the undergraduate program, competition is far fiercer — for the early 2026 undergraduate admissions cycle, DGIST recorded a competition ratio of 27.85 to 1, with 6,182 applications for 222 undergraduate positions. 

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral / Integrated MS-PhD) Programs:

• Master's program applicants must have a bachelor's degree or be expected to complete their bachelor's degree by February (for Spring admission) or August (for Fall admission); PhD program applicants must have a master's degree or be expected to complete their master's degree by February (Spring) or August (Fall); some programs allow direct entry into PhD program after bachelor's degree
• English language requirements are optional — non-native English speakers are encouraged but not required to submit TOEFL/IELTS scores; a research project is required for receiving stipend 
• Research Proposal / Statement of Research Interests; CV / Résumé; Letters of Recommendation (2 academic referees)
• Contact a potential supervisor before applying — professor support is critical for funding and research alignment
• Official academic transcripts; Apostille-attested degree certificates (mandatory for India)
• Apply online at dgist.ac.kr/iadm

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Higher secondary certificate (Class 12 / CBSE / ISC) with outstanding STEM academic record; all subjects strong but Mathematics and Science performance particularly important
• DGIST does not acknowledge alternative qualification examinations and programs such as GED, homeschooling, online courses, and other such qualifications; CBSE and ISC are fully accepted
• TOEFL iBT 80+ / IELTS 6.0+ for international applicants; English proficiency must be demonstrated
• Apostille-attested Class 12 documents mandatory
• Application Period: December 3, 2025 – February 3, 2026; Announcement of Results: May 6, 2026 

Indian students can check DGIST's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

DGIST maintains strong connections with industry leaders, particularly within the tech, engineering, and scientific research sectors, facilitating job placements, internships, and collaborative projects. Located in Daegu, South Korea's fourth-largest city, DGIST is situated in a region known for its rich cultural heritage and technological innovation. Daegu is well-connected by high-speed train (KTX), bus, and air, making it easily accessible from other parts of South Korea. 

DGIST offers academic advising, career counselling, and job placement services to help students navigate their academic paths and prepare for future careers. The university organises numerous cultural and social events throughout the year, including festivals, performances, and workshops. DGIST encourages global engagement through partnerships with institutions around the world, offering exchange programs and collaborative research opportunities. 

Jobs After Graduating from DGIST

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 KRW = ₹0.062. DGIST graduates entering Korea's semiconductor, robotics, and AI industries — primarily at LG, Samsung, Hyundai, and Korea's national research institutes — benefit from DGIST's intense research training and growing employer recognition. As a young institution with only ~2,000 alumni to date, DGIST's employer network is rapidly expanding as its first cohorts establish themselves. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

DGIST's career support ecosystem includes:

• Career Development Centre (CDC) — Offers career counselling, workshops on resume writing, interview preparation, job search strategies, and networking opportunities; dedicated support connecting students with Korea's leading science and technology employers 
• Industry Partnership Network — Over 20 domestic and international companies and organisations including LG Chem, Siemens, MathWorks, Celltrion, and Dassault Systèmes serve as industry partners; direct internship and research collaboration pathways into global technology companies 
• Fully Funded Research Experience — Every DGIST graduate student works in a cutting-edge research laboratory under Korea's leading scientists, typically producing international publications; this research profile opens doors globally in academia, national labs, and industry R&D
• International Exchange Network — Exchange and partner universities include Stanford University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Cambridge University, and dozens of global partners; international research stays strengthen global career networks 
• Korea's 4-Institute Research Ecosystem — As one of four Korean national science institutes (alongside KAIST, GIST, and UNIST), DGIST graduates have privileged access to Korea's entire government research infrastructure — KIST, ETRI, KIMM, KRICT, and dozens of national laboratories
• Post-Study Work Options in Korea — D-10 Job-Seeker Visa (6 months–1 year); E-7 Skilled Worker Visa; F-5 Permanent Residency fast-track for high-skilled STEM graduates
• Daegu Technopolis Innovation District — DGIST is located within Daegu Technopolis — a government-planned innovation cluster bringing together research institutes, technology companies, and DGIST in a single campus ecosystem

For personalised guidance on DGIST admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.