Korean Government Scholarship for Undergraduate Students

Applications are now open for the Korean Government Scholarship for undergraduate students. Integrated and branded as Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), the program aims to provide international students from eligible countries with opportunities to study at higher educational institutions in South Korea. The GKS program promotes international education exchange and deepens mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries. A total of 286 scholars will be selected for the 2027 cohort.

The Global Korea Scholarship is fully funded and covers tuition, a monthly allowance, a Korean language program fee, airfare, and more. Selected candidates are required to attend a one-year Korean language program in Korea prior to their major studies. Those who have attained TOPIK level 5 or 6 are exempt from this requirement.

This government scholarship has two tracks: the Embassy Track and the University Track. The Embassy Track selects 156 scholars from 74 countries. The University Track selects 130 scholars through its UIC and Associate Degree programs. Please note that this call is only for undergraduate applicants. Those wishing to apply for master’s or doctoral programs should click on the Korean Government Scholarship for Masters and Ph.D. degree students.

Program Details

• Host institutions: Partner universities in South Korea.
• Fields of Study: All fields of study offered by GKS participating universities. Academic programs offered during evenings (night school), short-term programs, and online and distant-learning programs are not applicable.
• Number of Awards: 286 scholars (156 Embassy Track, 130 University Track).
• Duration: 1 year of Korean language program + 2~3 years for associate degree and 4~6 years for bachelor’s degree (5~7 years total for bachelor’s).
• Eligible countries: Open to NIIED-designated countries. The UIC Program under the University Track is open to all countries worldwide.

Korean Government Scholarship for Undergraduate Students Benefits

The Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) will provide selected candidates with the following benefits:

1. Round trip economy class flight ticket between GKS scholar’s home country and Korea;
2. Monthly Allowance: 14,400,000 KRW per year for degree program; 13,560,000 KRW per year for the Korean language program (all-inclusive subsidy of living expenses, accommodation, health insurance, Korean proficiency grants, TOPIK application fee, settlement allowance, and degree completion grants);
3. Korean Language Program Fee: 5,200,000 KRW per year (paid by NIIED to universities);
4. Tuition Fees: NIIED covers up to 5,000,000 KRW per semester; the university covers the amount exceeding 5 million KRW plus admission fee;
5. National Health Insurance fee;
6. Korean Proficiency Grants for scholars who enter degree programs directly with TOPIK level 5 or 6.

Program Quota by Track

Korean Government Scholarship for Undergraduate Students Eligibility

To apply for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), applicants must meet the criteria below:

Nationality

• All applicants must hold citizenship of NIIED-designated countries invited to participate in the GKS program.
• Applicants and their parents must NOT hold Korean citizenship. If an applicant or their parent(s) hold dual citizenship (Korean and another country), they are NOT eligible.
• Applicants and their parents who previously held Korean citizenship must submit documentation proving renunciation of Korean citizenship.

Age

• Must be under 25 years of age (born on or after March 1, 2002).

Level of Education

• Bachelor’s degree program: for applicants who graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a high school or from an associate degree program.
• Associate degree program: for applicants who graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a high school.
• Applicants who are expected to graduate must first submit a certificate of expected graduation at the time of application. If they pass the first round, they must submit a final graduation certificate by December 31, 2026.

Grades

All applicants must have maintained a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) equivalent to or higher than any ONE of the following from their previous degree program:

• A percentage score of 80 or above on a 100-point scale;
• Ranked within the top 20% of the class;
• CGPA equal to or above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.

Health

• All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.
• Applicants must have no grounds for disqualification (e.g., criminal history) for overseas travel.

Restrictions

• A person who graduated (or is expected to graduate) from a Korean high school or Korean associate degree program is NOT eligible.
• A person who previously received a scholarship for a degree program from the Korean government is NOT eligible.
• A former GKS scholar whose scholarship was canceled after beginning a degree program is NOT eligible.
• Former GKS degree program applicants who withdrew or were disqualified in the recent three years cannot apply.

Duplicate Applications

• Embassy Track applicants who passed the first round cannot apply through the University Track.
• Embassy Track applicants must apply to only one program: General, Overseas Koreans & Adoptees, or R-GKS.
• University Track applicants must apply to only one program, either UIC or Associate Degree. Each applicant must apply to ONE university and a single department.

Available Universities for the Korean Government Scholarship for Undergraduate

Below is the list of universities where selected applicants can study. Applicants can only apply to universities listed in the official University Information file.

Embassy Track – Type A (28 institutions)

Ajou University, Chung-Ang University, Dongguk University, Ewha Womans University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Hansung University, Hanyang University, Hongik University, Incheon National University, Inha University, Kookmin University, Korea University, Kyungdong University, KyungHee University, Myongji University, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Sejong University, Seokyeong University, Seoul National University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Sogang University, Soongsil University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sungshin Women’s University, The Catholic University of Korea, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), University of Seoul, Yonsei University.

Embassy Track – Type B [R-GKS] (42 institutions)

Busan University of Foreign Studies, Changwon National University, Cheongju University, Chonnam National University, Chosun University, Chungbuk National University, Chungnam National University, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu University, Daejeon University, Dong-A University, Gyeongkuk National University, Gyeongsang National University, Hanbat National University, Hannam University, Hoseo University, Inje University, Jeju National University, Jeonbuk National University, Kangwon National University, Keimyung University, Kongju National University, Konyang University, Korea National University of Transportation, Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH), Kunsan National University, Kyungpook National University, Kyungsung University, Kyungwoon University, Mokwon University, Pai Chai University, Pukyong National University, Pusan National University, Semyung University, Silla University, Soonchunhyang University, Sun Moon University, Sunchon National University, Tongmyong University, University of Ulsan, Wonkwang University, Yeungnam University.

Note: For the General and Overseas Koreans & Adoptees programs: applicants choose up to THREE different universities and MUST apply to at least one Type B university. For R-GKS, applicants can choose up to TWO Type B universities only.

University Track – UIC (13 institutions)

Bachelor’s Degree (10 institutions): Ajou University, Daegu University, Dong-A University, Inje University, Keimyung University, Konyang University, Kookmin University, Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH), Sungshin Women’s University, and Yeungnam University.

Associate Degree (3 institutions): Dong-Eui Institute of Technology, Kyungbok University, Osan University.

The UIC Program provides customized curriculum and field experience through industry-university cooperation focused on natural science and engineering.

University Track – Associate Degree (9 institutions)

Busan Institute of Science and Technology, Cheju Halla University, Dong-Eui Institute of Technology, Induk University, Korea University of Media Arts, Kyungbok University, Kyung-In Women’s University, Kyungnam College of Information & Technology, Yeungnam University College.

How to Apply for the Korean Government Scholarship for Undergraduate Students

Applicants must submit their applications to either a Korean embassy or a partner university in Korea, depending on the track. NIIED receives applications from embassies or universities that recommend candidates.

• Embassy Track: Apply online through the Study in Korea website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr). Application period: September 15, 2026 (Tue.) 11:00 – September 30, 2026 (Wed.) 18:00.
• University Track: Apply according to each university’s own submission method. Application period: September–November 2026, according to each university’s schedule. Applicants must check the university’s own announcement for deadlines and required documents.

Applicants who fail the first round of the Embassy Track may apply to the University Track. Applicants planning to do so should check the Embassy Track first-round results announcement date and each university’s application deadline in advance.

Required Documents

1. Application Form (Form 1);
2. Personal Statement (Form 2);
3. Study Plan (Form 3);
4. Recommendation Letter (Form 4) – one letter, issued within one year of the application deadline, by a school principal or teacher;
5. GKS Applicant Agreement (Form 5);
6. Personal Medical Assessment (Form 6);
7. Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information (Form 7);
8. Proof of Citizenship (applicant and parents) and Proof of Family Relationship;
9. High School Graduation Certificate (or certificate of expected graduation);
10. Academic Transcript of High School Curriculum;
11. Graduation Certificate (or certificate of expected graduation) of Associate Degree Program (if applicable);
12. Academic Transcript of Associate Degree (if applicable);
13. Proof of Overseas Korean or Korean Adoptee Status (if applicable);
14. Proof of Korean Citizenship Renunciation (if applicable);
15. Proof of Korean War Veteran’s Descendant (if applicable);
16. Score Report of valid TOPIK or English Proficiency Test (optional);
17. Copy of awards and other certificates (up to 5 documents, optional);
18. Applicant’s Passport (copy).

Selection Schedule

Note: The above schedule is subject to change. All dates and times are based on Korea Standard Time.

Evaluation Criteria

NIIED conducts a second round of selection for candidates recommended by embassies or universities. For Embassy Track candidates, a third round of selection is conducted by universities before a final decision.

Main points of evaluation:

• Review of Eligibility: Document screening (citizenship, level of education, academic grades) to verify eligibility requirements.
• Review of Competency: Evaluation through document screening and an oral interview. Considers academic performance, language proficiency, academic activities, contributions to society and international exchange, potential for future development, and completeness of documents.

Language Proficiency Points: Language proficiency is evaluated separately for Korean and English. Official test scores are converted to points according to score/level ranges.

• TOPIK Level 5 or above: 100% of total score
• TOPIK Level 4: 90%
• TOPIK Level 3: 80%
• TOPIK Level 2: 70%
• TOPIK Level 1: 60%

Additional Points:

• Direct descendants of Korean War veterans: 10% of total allocated points;
• TOPIK level 3 or above: Level 3 = 3%, Level 4 = 4%, Level 5 or above = 5% of total score;
• Applicants to science and engineering departments: 5% of total allocated points.

The Embassy Track application deadline is September 30, 2026, at 18:00 (KST). The University Track deadline varies by university (September–November 2026). For more details on the Korean Government Scholarship (GKS), please visit the official Study in Korea website.