Study in Korea Scholarships
Korean Government GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) program and other Korean scholarships offering fully funded opportunities for international students to study in South Korea.
Overview
The Study in Korea scholarship portal aggregates Korean Government and Korean university scholarship programs for international students. The flagship program is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), also known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). GKS offers fully funded scholarships for international students at undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels at Korean universities. The scholarship includes tuition, living expenses, airfare, Korean language training, and medical insurance. In addition to GKS, many Korean universities offer their own institutional scholarships.
What You Can Find Here
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs at Korean universities
- Korean university-specific scholarships from institutions like KAIST, POSTECH, SNU, and Yonsei
- Korean Government Scholarship for Research (for postdoctoral researchers)
- Korean Government ASEAN Scholarship for ASEAN nationals
- Tuition coverage, monthly living allowance, airfare, Korean language training, and health insurance
- Comprehensive study and research opportunities at top Korean universities
Who Should Use This
- International students from eligible countries seeking fully funded undergraduate or postgraduate study in Korea
- Researchers interested in Korean technology, engineering, medicine, and Korean studies programs
- Students from developing countries eligible for GKS special quotas
- Applicants interested in learning Korean while earning a degree
How to Get Started
- Step 1: Visit studyinkorea.go.kr to explore GKS and university scholarship opportunities
- Step 2: GKS has two application tracks: Embassy Track (apply through Korean embassy) and University Track (apply directly to Korean university)
- Step 3: Prepare required documents: academic transcripts, language certificates, health certificate, personal statement, recommendation letters
- Step 4: Submit by the annual deadline (typically October-November for Embassy Track, institution-specific for University Track)
- Step 5: Selected candidates must pass a preliminary Korean language test and medical examination before final selection
Things to Check Before Applying
- GKS scholarship includes a mandatory 1-year Korean language training period before degree studies begin
- Eligible countries and quotas for GKS are set annually - check current eligible country list on the NIIED website
- GKS university track allows direct application to Korean universities without going through embassies
- Korean university scholarships (outside GKS) have separate processes and deadlines managed by each university
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GKS (Global Korea Scholarship)?
GKS is the Korean Government's flagship scholarship program for international students, providing full funding for study at Korean universities. It is administered by NIIED (National Institute for International Education).
Do I need to speak Korean to apply for GKS?
No. Korean language training (1 year) is included in the GKS scholarship for master's and doctoral programs. An English-taught program option is also available for some fields.
How many GKS scholarships are awarded each year?
Approximately 2,000-3,000 GKS scholarships are awarded annually across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels and across multiple eligible countries.
Which Korean universities accept GKS scholars?
All Korean universities with international programs are eligible GKS host institutions, including Seoul National University, KAIST, POSTECH, Yonsei, Korea University, and many more.
Can I apply for both Embassy Track and University Track GKS?
GKS guidelines generally do not allow applying to both tracks in the same year. Choose the track that offers the best chance and best fit for your situation.
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