Data science is one of the most exciting and in-demand fields globally. For students in Nigeria, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and all across Asia and Africa, landing a fully funded data science position in a top university like POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) in South Korea could be a game changer.
In this post, you’ll learn:
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What POSTECH offers (or has offered) in terms of full scholarships for data science / related fields
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The specifics of tuition coverage, monthly allowances, and accommodation
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How to compare these with other scholarships
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A step-by-step guide for applying (especially if you’re from Africa or Asia)
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Key insights, tips, and pitfalls
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A suggested structure for your Statement of Purpose
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Frequently asked questions
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Final encouragement and next steps
Let’s dive in.
Why POSTECH for Data Science and why this scholarship matters
POSTECH is one of South Korea’s premier research universities, well known for science, engineering, technology, and innovation. Choosing POSTECH for data science offers:
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Top-tier research labs, faculty, and facilities
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A tech-forward environment and Korea’s strong industry connections
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Scholarships that are relatively generous compared to many universities
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A chance to live in a vibrant, modern society while also learning Korean culture
For a student from Africa or Asia, a POSTECH scholarship that covers full tuition, provides monthly allowances, and supports accommodation would represent not just an educational opportunity, but a transformative life path.
What POSTECH actually offers: verified details & caveats
Before believing any scholarship pitch, let’s look at what POSTECH officially provides (or has provided in the past) according to publicly available sources.
Tuition support / scholarship for all admitted students
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POSTECH’s official “Scholarship / Admission Aid” page states that all students who are admitted (domestic and international) receive full scholarships upon enrollment, meaning a full tuition waiver.
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For undergraduate students, POSTECH says that international students admitted through the international undergraduate track receive “full scholarships” and that “if they meet the continuous support criteria,” scholarship support (tuition) continues for all 8 semesters.
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In the POSTECH scholarship types page, “International Student Scholarships” include “Living Allowance: 500,000 KRW per month (including vacation periods).”
So, at least for undergraduate tracks, POSTECH does offer both tuition waiver and a living allowance (KRW 500,000/month) as part of its standard international student scholarships.
Graduate / data science / master’s scholarship reports
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In one unofficial source (IPMU site summarizing POSTECH scholarship details), it’s stated that for Master’s level, the scholarship covers full tuition, and a monthly stipend of 570,500 KRW per month is given; for PhD, around 1,047,000 KRW/month. Also, housing / dormitory on campus is “fully covered.” IPMU
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Also, external scholarship listings for POSTECH regularly list that international students may apply under the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) which covers full tuition, monthly living allowances, airfare, etc., when POSTECH is the host institution.
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The GKS / Global Korea Scholarship is mentioned in POSTECH’s graduate admissions guide as one of the scholarship opportunities for international students.
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The POSTECH Global Young Leaders Program (GYLP) is another program: it covers full tuition waiver, round-trip airfare (actual costs), living allowance of 1,000,000 KRW/month and visa & transport support of 500,000 KRW (one-time) for exchange / program participants.
Thus, while it is not always guaranteed that the “ideal” all-inclusive package exists for every data science student, there are credible reports of POSTECH offering fully funded tuition + monthly allowances + dormitory support under certain programs.
Caveats and conditions
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The scholarship continuation often depends on maintaining good academic performance and meeting credit / GPA requirements.
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Some benefits, like housing, may only be for on-campus dormitory (not luxury housing or off-campus apartments) or may depend on departmental budgets.
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The stipend (living allowance) provided (500,000 KRW/month) may cover basic living but is modest in Korean cost-of-living context.
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Graduate-level scholarships and data science specific offers may not always list housing explicitly — the “housing covered” claim in some sources is unverified or from third-party summarizations.
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The GKS scheme is a separate government-run track, so admission + scholarship are conditional on GKS selection, not just POSTECH internal scholarship.
So, your ideal package is possible in some POSTECH programs, but you need to pick the right one and meet conditions.
Comparison: What ideal vs typical POSTECH offers look like
To gain clarity, here’s a comparison table for an ideal “full package” vs what POSTECH typically or reportedly offers in various programs.
| Feature | Ideal “Full Package” for Data Science | What POSTECH’s Known Scholarships Offer / Reported |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition waiver / full coverage | Yes, from admission to degree completion | All admitted international/undergraduate get full tuition waiver. |
| Monthly living stipend / allowance | Enough to cover rent, food, transport, utilities | International student scholarship: 500,000 KRW/month ; Grad scholarship: 570,500 KRW for master’s (in one report) |
| Housing / accommodation support | On-campus housing, or stipend covering rent | Some graduate reports claim dormitory fully covered. |
| Travel / airfare support | Round-trip airfare from home country | Under GKS/Global Young Leaders, round-trip airfare actual cost is covered. |
| Visa / transportation support | Yes, one-time or continuous | In GYLP, visa & transport support (500,000 KRW) one-time is given. |
| Continuation condition | None or minimal performance requirements | Scholarship continuation depends on academic criteria (GPA, credits) at POSTECH. |
Step-by-Step Guide — How to Apply (especially for Africa & Asia)
Here’s a roadmap you can follow to apply successfully to a data science / AI scholarship at POSTECH, especially coming from Africa or Asia.
Step 1: Select the right program & track
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Identify the data science / AI / machine learning / statistics programs at POSTECH.
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See which programs accept English-taught instruction (many Korean universities now have English curriculum tracks).
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Check whether the program is eligible under GKS / POSTECH internal scholarship schemes.
Step 2: Check scholarship & admissions criteria early
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Review POSTECH’s Graduate Admissions Guide (which lists scholarship programs, timelines, eligible degrees).
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Confirm whether your target program is included in POSTECH’s full scholarship listing (or department-level funding).
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Check whether English proficiency is required or whether any waiver is allowed (POSTECH’s FAQ says English test is mandatory unless English-medium schooling).
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Prepare to meet minimum criteria (GPA, prerequisite courses) before applying.
Step 3: Prepare application materials
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Academic transcripts, degree certificates, translations where needed
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CV / resume highlighting research, projects, programming, competition, publications
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Statement of Purpose / research plan tailored to data science / AI / machine learning
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Recommendation letters (from professors or mentors who can vouch for your technical strength)
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English test score (unless waiver applies)
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Portfolio of work (code, analysis, GitHub, data projects)
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Other supporting documents (research publications, awards)
Step 4: Apply to POSTECH & submit scholarship track
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Use POSTECH’s graduate admissions portal. Submit your application and include scholarship option or indicate you want funding
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Ensure you also apply (or express interest) in GKS or POSTECH internal scholarships if required
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Some programs require departmental approval or contact with a professor — you may want to reach out to potential supervisors in data science / AI fields.
Step 5: Follow-up, interview, evaluation
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If shortlisted, you may be interviewed by faculty or admission committees. Be ready to explain your research plans, data methods, and how you’ll use Korea / POSTECH environment.
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Some scholarship calls may require subsequent document verification, proof of funding eligibility, or English test result submission.
Step 6: Accept offer & arrange logistics
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When you receive an offer and scholarship, accept officially
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Handle visa, travel, housing/dorm assignment, health insurance
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Confirm stipend scheduling and payment modalities
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Register for classes and research supervision
Step 7: Maintain scholarship & perform
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Meet academic standards (GPA, credit load) required to continue support
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Engage actively in research, publish, attend workshops
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Use campus resource (library, labs, seminars) to maximize your opportunity
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Plan for thesis/project, and network with faculty for possible continuation or career opportunities
Following such a roadmap, you position yourself as a strong, credible candidate even when competition is high.
Key Insights & Tips for Applicants from Africa & Asia
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Start early and tailor to POSTECH’s strengths: Research POSTECH’s data science labs, faculty, and align your proposal accordingly
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Show local relevance + global value: In your research proposal, state how your data science work can address challenges in Africa or your home country (health data, agriculture, finance, etc.)
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Push for housing support: If housing (dormitory) isn’t guaranteed, mention it in your budget and inquire if it’s subsidized
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Ensure strong English proof or waiver case: Because POSTECH requires English, build a case (high-school in English, courses, internal test)
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Contact prospective faculty: For graduate programs, reaching out to professors in data science / AI at POSTECH can help you get assigned assistantships or be noticed
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Leverage GKS route: Many international students finance their Korea study via the Global Korea Scholarship; POSTECH is a host institution that often supports GKS applicants.
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Maintain consistent performance: Scholarships often depend on meeting GPA or credit criteria each semester — don’t relax after admission
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Stay updated on POSTECH announcements: Scholarship details sometimes revise annually, so monitor POSTECH’s admissions / international pages
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
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Mistake: Assuming all benefits (housing, stipend, travel) will always be included
Fix: Read the specific program’s scholarship notice; confirm dorm / stipend support explicitly -
Mistake: Weak or vague research proposals
Fix: Be specific: mention dataset, algorithms, evaluation, impact — not just “I want to study AI” -
Mistake: Ignoring English test or waiver requirements
Fix: Check POSTECH’s English policy (see FAQ) and prepare or request waiver justification. -
Mistake: Not contacting faculty or aligning with departmental research
Fix: Prior to application, reach out to POSTECH faculty in data science / AI; get their interest -
Mistake: Submitting late or missing documents
Fix: Start your application process early (6–9 months ahead), check document list carefully -
Mistake: Poor budgeting of stipend
Fix: Research cost of living in Pohang / Korea to know whether KRW 500,000 + stipend is enough; supplement with part-time or research funding if allowed
Statement of Purpose — Suggested Structure (for Data Science at POSTECH)
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Introduction (hook)
Start with a local data story or challenge: e.g. “When my city faced unexpected flooding, real-time prediction failed — I wondered if data, AI, and modeling could bridge that gap.” -
Your background & preparation
Describe your academic foundation, key data science projects, internships, competitions, programming, statistical tools, etc. -
Why POSTECH & Korea
Explain why POSTECH is your ideal place: faculty, labs, industry connections, research strengths. -
Research / project plan
Detail your data science or AI question, your methodology, data sources, potential contributions, and steps. Make it concrete. -
Scholarship & funding justification
Explain why you need full scholarship / stipend support (tuition, cost of living, accommodation) and how you will maximize this support. -
Impact & return plan
How will you apply what you learned in your home country (Africa / Asia)? Which sectors or problems will you tackle? -
Conclusion & commitment
Close with a strong affirmation: you are ready, you are capable, and this opportunity aligns with your long-term mission.
Aim for ~1,000 to 1,500 words (or per POSTECH / GKS limit), clear and focused.
FAQs (Short & Useful)
Q: Does POSTECH data science scholarship always include housing?
A: Not always. Some reports claim dormitory is fully covered (for graduate scholarships), but you should verify on the specific program’s announcement.
Q: Is English proficiency / IELTS mandatory at POSTECH?
A: Yes — POSTECH requires English test scores unless you attended high school where English was the medium.
Q: What is the stipend / living allowance?
A: For undergraduates, 500,000 KRW/month is offered under international student scholarship. For master’s level, one source mentions 570,500 KRW/month.
Q: Can international students get full tuition at POSTECH?
A: Yes — all international students admitted through the international track receive tuition waivers.
Q: What is GKS and how does it relate to POSTECH?
A: GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) is a Korean government scholarship program. POSTECH often supports GKS applicants and acts as host institution for GKS scholars.
Q: What are the risks / requirements to maintain scholarship?
A: You must meet academic criteria (credits, GPA) each semester; if you fall below, scholarship support may be revoked.
Conclusion & Call to Action
For students in Africa and Asia eager to enter the world of data science, POSTECH represents one of the most promising scholarship opportunities in Asia. While not every data science program is guaranteed to give exactly the “full package” including housing, monthly allowance, and tuition waiver, many of POSTECH’s scholarships come very close — especially under programs like GKS or internal scholarship tracks.
Your next steps should be:
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Review POSTECH’s graduate admissions guide and prospectus for your chosen data science program
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Monitor POSTECH’s scholarship and GKS public announcements
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Prepare your application early: transcripts, strong portfolio, SoP, recommendation letters
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Reach out to POSTECH data science / AI faculty to express interest
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If you like, send me your background (CV, project ideas) — I can help you shape a winning POSTECH data science scholarship application.
“Your ambition deserves a stage. Let Korea, let POSTECH, and let your scholarship story be the bridge from dream to impact.”
