PhD in Department of Materials Science & Engineering

At KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), tuition costs 19,118,000 KRW per year.

Materials science and engineering studies the relationship between the structure, properties, processing, and performance of materials, including metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductors. Researchers in this field design new materials or improve existing ones for applications in electronics, energy, transportation, and manufacturing, working across scales from atomic structure to finished components. The Department of Materials Science & Engineering at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), located in Yuseong-gu, South Korea, offers a doctoral program in this area with instruction in English. Doctoral research in materials science might involve developing semiconductor materials for electronics, designing battery or energy storage materials, studying the mechanical behavior of structural materials, or creating nanomaterials with tailored properties. Training combines coursework in materials chemistry, physics, and processing with extensive laboratory work using characterization tools, culminating in a dissertation based on original findings. Graduates pursue careers in semiconductor and electronics industries, energy and battery companies, aerospace and automotive manufacturing, and academic research. The program spans four years, with intakes beginning in September and March (February for MBA cohorts). Within a broader science and technology institute, the department maintains strong connections to electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and physics, supporting interdisciplinary materials research relevant to South Korea's electronics and manufacturing industries. Because coursework and research supervision are conducted in English, applicants must meet the university's English proficiency requirements, along with the technical and scientific background expected for doctoral admission in materials science and engineering.