Approximately 15,000,000 KRW to 22,000,000 KRW per year plus full tuition waiver
Duration
Undergraduate: 4-5 years; Master's: 3 years; PhD: 4 years (includes 1-year Korean language course)
Deadline
Graduate: March (University Track); Undergraduate: October (University Track)
Level
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral (PhD), Research
Acceptance
Estimated 3-5% based on the ratio of total applicants to available slots per university track
Difficulty
Extreme
Quick Summary
National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, South Korea offers Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) at Sungkyunkwan University, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to South Korea. The award covers Comprehensive full-ride package covering all educational expenses, travel, health, and a monthly stipend for the entire duration of the degree plus a mandatory language year. and is open to undergraduate, master's, doctoral (phd), research students studying all academic fields offered at skku including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. The scholarship runs for undergraduate: 4-5 years; master's: 3 years; phd: 4 years (includes 1-year korean language course) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on high-achieving international students meeting specific age, health, and academic requirements with a strong interest in Korean culture and education. The application deadline is Graduate: March (University Track); Undergraduate: October (University Track), with an acceptance rate of approximately Estimated 3-5% based on the ratio of total applicants to available slots per university track. Students can compare this opportunity against similar scholarships below to find the best fit for their profile.
✨ Should I Apply for Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) at Sungkyunkwan University?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
60%
Eligibility Match
6%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Very Low (Highly competitive global program)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately 15,000,000 KRW to 22,000,000 KRW per year plus full tuition waiver
⏳
Duration
Undergraduate: 4-5 years; Master's: 3 years; PhD: 4 years (includes 1-year Korean language course)
📅
Deadline
Graduate: March (University Track); Undergraduate: October (University Track)
🔬
Fields
All academic fields offered at SKKU including Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
🏆
Awards/Year
Varies by year; SKKU typically selects 20-30 students through the University Track plus Embassy Track placements
🌏
Study Country
South Korea
🏛️
Provider
National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, South Korea
📊
Acceptance
Estimated 3-5% based on the ratio of total applicants to available slots per university track
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) at Sungkyunkwan University is a premier scholarship program sponsored by the Korean government. It aims to provide international students with the opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between countries. SKKU, as a top-tier private university, is a preferred host for GKS scholars in fields ranging from semiconductor engineering to East Asian studies.
👥 Who Should Apply
High-achieving international students meeting specific age, health, and academic requirements with a strong interest in Korean culture and education.
🏛️ Host University
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)
🤝 Sponsor
National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
🔬 Fields of Study
All academic fields offered at SKKU including Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
✨ Key Benefits
Comprehensive full-ride package covering all educational expenses, travel, health, and a monthly stipend for the entire duration of the degree plus a mandatory language year.
🎯 Target Students
International students seeking full-time degree programs in South Korea
🏷 Tags
South KoreaFull FundingGraduateUndergraduateSKKUGKSKGSPMerit-Based
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Over 5,000 for the University Track nationwide in South Korea
Applicants Last Year
Approximately 1,300 total GKS awardees globally per year across all Korean universities
Winners
Estimated 3-5% based on the ratio of total applicants to available slots per university track
Acceptance Rate
Very Low (Highly competitive global program)
Competition Level
Win Probability
6%
Match Score
60%
Competition
95%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
100% coverage of entrance fee and all semester tuition fees
Living Stipend
900,000 KRW per month for Undergraduate; 1,000,000 KRW per month for Graduate students
Total Award
Approximately 15,000,000 KRW to 22,000,000 KRW per year plus full tuition waiver
✈️ Travel: Fully covered economy class round-trip airfare between home country and South Korea🏠 Accommodation: Supported through a 200,000 KRW one-time settlement allowance and monthly living stipend💊 Health Insurance: Standard National Health Insurance of Korea covered at approximately 60,000 KRW per month🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: Waived for GKS applicants applying through the University Track
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100% coverage of entrance fee and all semester tuition fees
🏠 Living Stipend
900,000 KRW per month for Undergraduate; 1,000,000 KRW per month for Graduate students
🏡 Accommodation
Supported through a 200,000 KRW one-time settlement allowance and monthly living stipend
✈️ Travel Allowance
Fully covered economy class round-trip airfare between home country and South Korea
💊 Health Insurance
Standard National Health Insurance of Korea covered at approximately 60,000 KRW per month
🎁 Other Benefits
Korean Language Training (1 year), Research Allowance (210k-240k KRW/semester), Dissertation Printing (500k-800k KRW), Degree Completion Grant (100k KRW)
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher and comply with NIIED and SKKU academic regulations
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-Korean citizenship for applicant and parents; Under 25 (UG) or 40 (Grad); Bachelor's/Master's degree holder or expected graduate; GPA above 80%
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral (PhD), Research
📊 Minimum GPA
80% or higher from the previous institution or ranked within the top 20% of the class
🗣️ English Requirement
Not mandatory for entry, but TOPIK or English Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) is highly recommended for selection competitiveness
🍢 Age Limit
Under 25 years for Undergraduate; Under 40 years for Graduate (45 for academic professors from ODA countries)
💼 Work Experience
Not required, but professional experience in the field of study is considered an asset for graduate applicants
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but demonstrated leadership and community service improve candidate ranking
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary criterion; scholarship is primarily merit-based
🎯 Target Students
International students seeking full-time degree programs in South Korea
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Detailed Personal Statement and Study Plan including Research Proposal for Graduate levels)
Rec Letters
Yes (Typically 1 for Undergraduate, 2 for Graduate programs)
Interview
Yes (Conducted by the SKKU departmental admission committee via phone, Skype, or in person)
Application Fee
Waived for GKS applicants applying through the University Track
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (Typically 1 for Undergraduate, 2 for Graduate programs) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Not mandatory for entry, but TOPIK or English Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) is highly recommended for selection competitiveness
Interview: Yes (Conducted by the SKKU departmental admission committee via phone, Skype, or in person)
Min GPA: 80% or higher from the previous institution or ranked within the top 20% of the class
📋 Application Process
Align your study plan with the specific research strengths of SKKU. Secure high-quality notarized translations of all documents. Highlight any previous interest in Korean culture.
💡 Insider Tip: Obtaining TOPIK Level 3 or higher before arrival allows you to skip the language year and increases your selection chances significantly.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
Graduate: February; Undergraduate: September
⏰ Deadline
Graduate: March (University Track); Undergraduate: October (University Track)
🎤 Interview
Yes (Conducted by the SKKU departmental admission committee via phone, Skype, or in person)
🎓 Study Starts
March 1st (Spring Semester) or September 1st (Fall Semester)
Graduate: February; Undergraduate: September
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Graduate: March (University Track); Undergraduate: October (University Track)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Conducted by the SKKU departmental admission committee via phone, Skype, or in person)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
March 1st (Spring Semester) or September 1st (Fall Semester)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, feasibility of study/research plan, language proficiency, and potential to contribute to Korea-Global relations
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) at Sungkyunkwan UniversityCurrent
South Korea
Full Funding
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral (PhD), Research
—
🇰🇷 Samsung Global Research Outreach (GRO) Program
South Korea
Research funding, project expenses, and collaboration costs
High-achieving international students meeting specific age, health, and academic requirements with a strong interest in Korean culture and education.
This scholarship covers: Comprehensive full-ride package covering all educational expenses, travel, health, and a monthly stipend for the entire duration of the degree plus a mandatory language year.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Graduate: March (University Track); Undergraduate: October (University Track). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Very Low (Highly competitive global program). Acceptance rate: Estimated 3-5% based on the ratio of total applicants to available slots per university track. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Not mandatory for entry, but TOPIK or English Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) is highly recommended for selection competitiveness, Yes (Typically 1 for Undergraduate, 2 for Graduate programs) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.