From committee to law
A steering committee formed on 17 October 1991. The Enabling Act passed on 5 August 1993, and the school was registered as a corporation on 17 November 1993.
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
GIST · Gwangju
GIST is a science and technology institute in Gwangju that opened in 1995. It has one campus, in Buk-gu. Exchange students study and live there.
- Founded
- 1993 incorporated on 17 November
- Campus
- Gwangju Express bus, then a taxi
- Dorm
- Free ₩50,000 cleaning fee
- Course load
- 9 to 21 credits undergraduates
Wiki.blurbs, CC BY-SA 4.0, resizedWhat GIST is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
Opening in 1995
The opening ceremony was on 9 March 1995, and the first 92 master's degrees were awarded in February 1997. The school was called K-JIST until 26 March 2004.
The first undergraduates
GIST began as a graduate school. The first 100 undergraduates entered on 2 March 2010.
Four pillars and a red G
The symbol has four rectangular pillars for Global, Innovative, Scientific and Technological. GIST says the red G means dynamism, passion, strength and ambition, and the gray means autonomy.
- Words you'll hear
- GIST 지스트 How people say the school's name in Korean
- Gwagiwon 과기원 Short for a science and technology institute
- Gwangju 광주 The city where the campus is
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From GIST's official English pages (history, symbol and vision), checked on 26 October 2026.
People
GIST International
The international team's account.
@gistinternationalInstagram accounts checked on 21 October 2026.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at GIST.
Netherlands
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Sweden
Finland
PolandGoing with friends? Make a group in A-CHA for your own crew and send them the invite link.
A-CHA events
All eventsOpen to every international student in Korea, not only at GIST.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
GIST is a science and engineering school in Buk-gu, Gwangju. The International and Public Affairs team (IPA) is on the third floor of the Administration Building (S2).
Address in Korean
전남광주통합특별시 북구 첨단과기로 123
123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- By express bus
- Ask if the bus stops at Bia, on the edge of Gwangju, and take a taxi from there for about 10 minutes. From U-Square Bus Terminal downtown, a taxi takes about 30 minutes. GIST recommends a taxi because no short bus route runs to campus.
- From Gwangju Airport
- Take a taxi from the stand outside the exit. It takes about 20 minutes.
Every place to eat near campus.
159places to eat near GwangjuVegetarian options 62Each place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
Before you come
0 / 6For Spring 2027. The emails from the school come first. Use this list to check nothing is missing. Ticks stay in this browser only.
Not an official GIST page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on GIST's official site before you apply or book anything. GIST inbound exchange ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
Your home coordinator nominates you by email to mobility@gist.ac.kr. GIST then sends you the registration link and a nomination code, which you need to sign up.
Nominations closed on 18 September and the online form on 20 October. Acceptance emails go out in the last week of October.
Applying to GIST ↗At least one year of full-time study at home, a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.5 or the same level, and TOEFL iBT 80 or TOEIC 750. Students from English-medium universities don't need a score, and a certificate from your home university's language centre also works.
Your full transcript in English, your English test result, a copy of your passport's front page and a 3 × 4 cm photo.
Take the original certificate of admission to the Korean embassy or consulate at home. For spring 2027, GIST posts it in early February.
Arrive at least a week before the semester starts. You study one semester, or two if GIST agrees.
Other dates
- 18 DecemberAutumn semester ends
- 2 MarchClasses start
After you arrive
Residence card
You need the card to open a phone contract in your own name, open a bank account and sign up for most Korean apps.
Booking the immigration visit. Papers, fee and HiKorea screens step by step. Read the guide
- How long
- Everyone staying more than 90 days registers after arriving. The card can take up to two months, and you need it to open a bank account.
- Health insurance
- Once you're registered you join National Health Insurance automatically. You may be billed for up to two months before you leave, up to about ₩180,000 in total, and exchange students can't get it back.
- Cover for your whole stay
- You need health insurance for the full time you're in Korea, private or National Health Insurance. GIST sends details after acceptance.
- Fee
- The government fee for the card is ₩35,000.
- Trips abroad
- Don't travel to other countries until your card is out. A single-entry visa works only once, so leaving early can stop you from coming back on it.
- Changes
- Report a new address within 15 days of moving, at your local community centre or at immigration. Report a new passport to immigration within 15 days as well. Both are free.
- Immigration helpline
- Call 1345 with visa or residence card questions. It answers in English and other languages on weekdays from 9:00 to 22:00. From abroad, dial +82-2-1345.
Going to GIST with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
GIST dorms
Freea ₩50,000 cleaning fee, spring 2027
- Rooms
- Doubles with beds, wardrobes, desks and chairs.
- Bedding
- Not included. You can rent it for ₩20,000 a month.
- Shared
- Toilets, showers, study rooms, washing machines, dryers and a lobby.
Before you apply
- Measles vaccination. Every student moving into the dorm must be vaccinated against measles first.
- No heaters or cookers. Heaters and cooking equipment aren't allowed in the rooms.
GIST's fact sheet for spring 2027. Checked on 21 October 2026.
Room search sites in English
Korean universities point exchange students to these. They're private companies with no tie to any school. Don't send a deposit before you've seen the contract.
Finding a room. Browse rooms near campus in the app. If nothing fits, tell us what you need and we'll ask local agents for you, free.
Courses
- How much
- Undergraduates take 9 to 21 credits, usually three or four courses. Graduate students take 9 to 12.
- Course list
- The spring 2027 list opens before the semester. Until then you can look at past spring semesters in the course system.Course system ↗
- Research
- The exchange is for coursework, so a place in a lab isn't guaranteed. GIST can give you an academic adviser in your field.
- Korean
- GIST offers Korean language courses.
- Transcript
- It goes to your home coordinator one to two months after the semester ends.
Questions exchange students ask
How much is the dorm at GIST?
GIST dorms · On campus
Free
A ₩50,000 cleaning fee, spring 2027
Does the GIST dorm give you bedding?
Not included.
You can rent it for ₩20,000 a month.
What do I need for the visa to study at GIST?
Take the original certificate of admission to the Korean embassy or consulate at home.
For spring 2027, GIST posts it in early February.
Is there a group chat for GIST exchange students?
Yes.
GIST has a room on A-CHA where exchange students meet, and you can join before you land.
When should I arrive at GIST?
Arrive at least a week before the semester starts.
You study one semester, or two if GIST agrees.
Do exchange students at GIST need health insurance?
Once you're registered you join National Health Insurance automatically.
You may be billed for up to two months before you leave, up to about ₩180,000 in total, and exchange students can't get it back.
How many credits can I take at GIST?
Undergraduates take 9 to 21 credits, usually three or four courses.
Graduate students take 9 to 12.
Who do I contact at GIST?
Official links and help
International and Public Affairs+82-62-715-6254
mobility@gist.ac.kr