The Global Korea Scholarship is a fully funded award for international students in South Korea. It supports undergraduate, master’s, and PhD study at Korean universities. The Korean government manages it. Many applicants also compare it with other fully funded routes. For example, some look at the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship, another major option in Asia.
Overview
- Host country, South Korea
- Level of study, Undergraduate, master’s, and PhD
- Field of study, All academic fields
- Nationality, Open to applicants from over 150 countries
- Funded by, National Institute for International Education, Korean Government
Benefits of the Global Korea Scholarship
First, scholars get full tuition. Also, they get a monthly allowance. Plus, they get flights and a Korean course. In short, the award covers this.
- Full tuition fees at your host university
- A monthly allowance of about 1,000,000 to 1,140,000 Korean Won
- A one time settlement allowance on arrival
- Round trip airfare, between Korea and your home country
- A free one year Korean language course
- Medical insurance for the full study period
Two Application Routes
This part matters a lot. GKS runs two separate tracks, not one. The Embassy Track lets you list up to three universities. Meanwhile, the University Track applies directly to one partner school. This two track setup is close to the split system used for the MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship, which also runs separate routes.
Eligibility Requirements
Overall, applicants must meet these points.
- Hold non Korean citizenship, along with both parents
- Be under 25 for undergraduate study, or under 40 for graduate study
- Show a strong academic record, in the top part of your class
- Meet the health rules set by the program
- Apply through only one track per cycle, not both at once
A Cycle That Has Not Yet Opened
Notably, the 2027 cycle has not opened yet. The Embassy Track is set to open in September 2026. Then, the University Track is set to open in October 2026. This clear, upcoming window is close to the setup used for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, where a firm future date also marks the start of the cycle.
Required Documents
- Completed GKS application form
- Academic transcripts
- A personal statement and study plan
- Letters of recommendation
- Proof of nationality, for you and both parents
How to Apply
First, choose your track, embassy or university, since you can only use one. Next, prepare your documents early, since the window often runs just six to eight weeks. Then, submit your full application through the official Study in Korea portal. Overall, this early document habit is close to the one used for the Weidenfeld Hoffmann Scholarships, where a short window also rewards early preparation.
Application Deadline
The Embassy Track is set to open in September 2026. Then, the University Track is set to open in October 2026. After that, final results land in January 2027, with arrival in Korea by late February 2027. So, this cycle has not opened yet, which gives you real time to prepare before the window begins.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Global Korea Scholarship gives strong, complete funding for study in South Korea. However, if a different part of Asia fits your goals better, check other options too. For instance, the Schwarzman Scholars program funds a Master’s in China.
