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Home Scholarships South Korea
🇰🇷
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
by National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education · Multiple partner universities in South Korea (including SNU, KAIST, Yonsei, Korea University, etc.)
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
🏆 Fully Funded 🔴 Active (Annual) 🎓 Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral (PhD), Research 🌍 South Korea 📌 Government-funded scholarship
75%
Match
5%
Win Rate
9/10
Effort
10/10
Reward
60-80 hrs
Time Needed
Award
Approximately 15,000,000 KRW to 20,000,000 KRW per year
Duration
Bachelor's: 4 years + 1 yr language; Master's: 2 years + 1 yr language; PhD: 3 years + 1 yr language
Deadline
Undergraduate: September/October; Graduate: February/March (Exact dates vary by embassy or university track)
Level
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral (PhD), Research
Acceptance
Estimated 2% to 5% (Varies significantly by country and track)
Difficulty
High
Quick Summary

For students aiming to study in South Korea, Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully funded scholarship from National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education. The award covers Comprehensive package including full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, settlement allowance, health insurance, and language training costs and is open to undergraduate, master's, doctoral (phd), research students studying all academic fields offered by participating universities (excluding professional degrees exceeding 4 years). The scholarship runs for bachelor's: 4 years + 1 yr language; master's: 2 years + 1 yr language; phd: 3 years + 1 yr language and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on open to international students with a minimum 80% GPA, within age limits, and holding the required prior degree. The application deadline is Undergraduate: September/October; Graduate: February/March (Exact dates vary by embassy or university track), with an acceptance rate of approximately Estimated 2% to 5% (Varies significantly by country and track). EduAtlasHub tracks updated deadlines, coverage details and eligibility requirements for this scholarship as they change.

✨ Should I Apply for Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
5%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
Low
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately 15,000,000 KRW to 20,000,000 KRW per year
Duration
Bachelor's: 4 years + 1 yr language; Master's: 2 years + 1 yr language; PhD: 3 years + 1 yr language
📅
Deadline
Undergraduate: September/October; Graduate: February/March (Exact dates vary by embassy or university track)
🎨
Fields
All academic fields offered by participating universities (excluding professional degrees exceeding 4 years)
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 1,300 to 2,000 awards per year globally
🌏
Study Country
South Korea
🏛️
Provider
National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education
📊
Acceptance
Estimated 2% to 5% (Varies significantly by country and track)
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) aims to provide international students with opportunities to pursue higher education at Korean universities to promote international exchange and friendship. It covers all costs from language training to tuition and living expenses.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to international students with a minimum 80% GPA, within age limits, and holding the required prior degree
🏛️ Host University
Multiple partner universities in South Korea (including SNU, KAIST, Yonsei, Korea University, etc.)
🤝 Sponsor
Ministry of Education (Republic of Korea) / NIIED
🎨 Fields of Study
All academic fields offered by participating universities (excluding professional degrees exceeding 4 years)
✨ Key Benefits
Comprehensive package including full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, settlement allowance, health insurance, and language training costs
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving international students seeking to foster global relations with South Korea
🏷 Tags
South Korea Fully Funded Undergraduate Masters PhD Government Scholarship
📊 Statistics & Competitiveness
Over 10,000 globally
Applicants Last Year
Approx 1,300 Graduate and 200 Undergraduate
Winners
Estimated 2% to 5% (Varies significantly by country and track)
Acceptance Rate
Low
Competition Level
Win Probability
5%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
100% of tuition fees covered (up to 5 million KRW per semester for some programs)
Living Stipend
Undergraduate: 900,000 KRW/month; Graduate: 1,000,000 KRW/month; Research: 1,500,000 KRW/month
Total Award
Approximately 15,000,000 KRW to 20,000,000 KRW per year
✈️ Travel: Economy class airfare (one-way entry and one-way return airfare) 🏠 Accommodation: Partially covered through monthly stipend and 200,000 KRW settlement allowance 💊 Health Insurance: National Health Insurance (approx. 60,000 KRW/month) is provided/covered 🔄 Renewable: Yes 💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100% of tuition fees covered (up to 5 million KRW per semester for some programs)
🏠 Living Stipend
Undergraduate: 900,000 KRW/month; Graduate: 1,000,000 KRW/month; Research: 1,500,000 KRW/month
🏡 Accommodation
Partially covered through monthly stipend and 200,000 KRW settlement allowance
✈️ Travel Allowance
Economy class airfare (one-way entry and one-way return airfare)
💊 Health Insurance
National Health Insurance (approx. 60,000 KRW/month) is provided/covered
🎁 Other Benefits
1-year Korean Language Training, Research Support (210k-240k KRW), Thesis Printing (500k-800k KRW), TOPIK Excellence Prize (100k KRW/month)
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher and comply with NIIED regulations
Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Non-Korean citizens whose parents are also non-Korean; must meet age and health requirements
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Master's, Doctoral (PhD), Research
📊 Minimum GPA
80% or higher out of 100%, or ranking in the top 20% of the previous class
🗣️ English Requirement
Not mandatory but preferred (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS); Korean TOPIK scores highly encouraged
🍢 Age Limit
Undergraduate: Under 25 years; Graduate: Under 40 years (Academic professors under 45)
💼 Work Experience
Not mandatory for degree programs; required for certain Research track applicants
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory but heavily considered during the evaluation of personal statements
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary criterion; scholarship is based on academic merit and potential
🎯 Target Students
High-achieving international students seeking to foster global relations with South Korea
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal Statement and Study Plan)
Rec Letters
Yes (At least one letter of recommendation is mandatory)
Interview
Yes (Conducted by the Korean Embassy or the host University)
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Passport / National ID
  • Yes (At least one letter of recommendation is mandatory) Recommendation Letters
  • CV / Resume
  • Personal Statement / Essays
  • Not mandatory but preferred (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS); Korean TOPIK scores highly encouraged
  • Interview: Yes (Conducted by the Korean Embassy or the host University)
  • Min GPA: 80% or higher out of 100%, or ranking in the top 20% of the previous class
📋 Application Process
Focus on the Study Plan to show clear goals; ensure all documents are apostilled or consular-authenticated early
💡 Insider Tip: Choose the correct track (Embassy vs. University) based on your target university's quota and your competitive profile
🗾️ 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
Undergraduate: September; Graduate: February
⏰ Deadline
Undergraduate: September/October; Graduate: February/March (Exact dates vary by embassy or university track)
🎤 Interview
Yes (Conducted by the Korean Embassy or the host University)
🎓 Study Starts
Undergraduate: March 1st; Graduate: September 1st
Undergraduate: September; Graduate: February
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
Undergraduate: September/October; Graduate: February/March (Exact dates vary by embassy or university track)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes (Conducted by the Korean Embassy or the host University)
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
Undergraduate: March 1st; Graduate: September 1st
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic performance, study plan, personal statement, language proficiency, and interview performance
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Frequently Asked Questions
Open to international students with a minimum 80% GPA, within age limits, and holding the required prior degree
This scholarship covers: Comprehensive package including full tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, settlement allowance, health insurance, and language training costs. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is Undergraduate: September/October; Graduate: February/March (Exact dates vary by embassy or university track). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Low. Acceptance rate: Estimated 2% to 5% (Varies significantly by country and track). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Not mandatory but preferred (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS); Korean TOPIK scores highly encouraged, Yes (At least one letter of recommendation is mandatory) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.
🌎 Official Information
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
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