The Government of Korea offers Global Korea Scholarships (G.K.S.) for international students from different countries to pursue their bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. degrees in Korea. This fully-funded scholarship program covers all study expenses in Korea, including travel, accommodation, and education expenses. In the meantime, this will improve international education exchange and extend mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries.

Participation in the G.K.S. program is up to the National Institute for International Education (N.I.I.E.D.). N.I.I.E.D. manages all scholarship works and budgets and invites the Korean Embassy in the designated country or a university to recommend potential candidates.

The primary purpose of this scholarship is to promote international exchanges and mutual friendships between countries by providing international students with opportunities to continue their advanced studies in Korea.

Important Details of Global Korea Scholarships

Duration of Program: 

1. Korean language: 1 year
2. Master’s degree: 2 years
3. Ph.D.: 3 years
4. Research: 6 to 12 months (1 year)

Total Number of Scholarships: 2,200

Embassy track: 800

• • General: 737
  • Overseas Korean: 19
  •  IRT (International Reconstruction Talent) program for Ukraine Applicant: 44

University track: 1,400

• • • General: 368
    • R-GKS: 220
    • IRT: 10
    • R&D: 300
    • Research: 15

Fields of Study:

• All fields are available in the participant universities.
• Applicants can only apply to the universities listed in the application guides.
• You cannot apply for (night school), short-term programs, or online
  programs.

Important Dates:

• The first-round application period is 21 March 2024 (University Track). For Embassy Track, contact the Korean Embassy in your country.
• Interview (If necessary): 1 to 12 April 2024
• Final result announcement: Late June

• Application Track	1st Round Selection	Recommend to NIIED	2nd Round Selection	3rd Round Selection	Announcement of Final Successful Candidates
  Embassy Track	February ~March	Early April	late April	late May	Late June
  University Track	February ~April	Late April	late May	N/A

G.K.S. Scholarship Benefits: 

The scholarship covers all expenses, including the following:

• Full tuition fee: 5 million K.R.W.
• Flight ticket
• Language training: 5.2 million KRW (four semesters)

Study Incentives:

• Korean language program: 14,100,000 KRW per year
• Graduate Degree program: 15,700,000 KRW per year
• Research Program: 19,800,000 KRW per year

Notes:

• Study Incentive: All–inclusive subsidy of Settlement Allowance, Monthly Allowance, Research
  Allowance, Korean Proficiency Grants, TOPIK Application Fee, Degree Completion Grants,
  Medical Insurance and Publication Printing Fee
• GKS Scholars who will be exempted from the Korean language program with TOPIK level 5 or 6 will be
  given Korean Proficiency Grants automatically

Who can Apply for Global Korea Scholarships?

• Be a national of NIIED designated countries:  Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Common Wealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Cote d‟Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala,
  Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,
  Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania,
  Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar,
  Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,
  Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone,
  Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand,
  Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela,
  Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

More Eligibilities

1. Nationality
   • Applicants must hold citizenship in NIIED-designated countries eligible for the GKS program.
   • Applicants’ parents must hold citizenship from a country other than Korea, and dual citizenship holders (Korean and another country) are ineligible.
   • Applicants who previously held Korean citizenship must submit documentation proving renunciation.
   • Changes in citizenship during the selection process will result in disqualification, except for R&D and Global Network programs.
   • Overseas Korean applicants with Japanese citizenship are eligible if their parents hold a “Permanent Residency Permit” in Japan while holding Korean citizenship.
2. Level of Education
   • Applicants must meet the minimum education level requirements based on the program they are applying for.
   • Degree programs include Master’s, Doctoral, Research, Exchange Professor, and programs for Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation Professionals.
   • Applicants expected to graduate by July 31, 2024, can apply with a certificate of expected graduation.
3. Grades
   • Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or ranking from the previous degree program must meet specified conditions.
   • CGPA should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked in the top 20% of the class.
   • Minimum CGPA thresholds vary based on the GPA scale used by the applicant’s institution.
4. Age
   • Applicants must be under 40 (born after September 1, 1984).
   • Academic professors in Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient countries under 45 are eligible.
5. Health
   • All applicants must have good mental and physical health to study in Korea for the program’s duration.
6. Additional Requirements for the Global Network Program
   • University track applicants must meet additional requirements, including those of officials, professionals, or students in global affairs.
7. Language Proficiency Reports: 

• All the applicants must provide at least one of the following English proficiency test (EPT) scores: TOEFL iBT 83/ IELTS 6.5 band/ TOEIC 720/ TEPS 326

1. Restrictions
   • Graduates from Korean high schools or universities, graduates of online Korean curriculums, and current final-year Korean university students are ineligible.
   • Previous recipients of Korean government or GKS scholarships with canceled scholarships have restrictions.
   • Duplicate submissions and specific restrictions for embassy and university track applicants apply.
   • Additional eligibility criteria may be set by individual universities/departments.
   • TOPIK level requirements and enrollment periods vary by university/department.

Note: Applicants are advised to thoroughly review all eligibility criteria and additional requirements specified by each university or department.

How to Apply for Global Korea Scholarships?

Applicants should apply through the embassy in their home country or their desired University.

Candidates for the Embassy track should select three universities, and applicants of the University should choose only one University in their application. Please download the complete application guidelines and forms.

Required Documents (in English or Korean)

• Application form
• Personal statement
• Study plan (only for Master’s and Ph.D.)
• Research proposal (only for research)
• One letter of recommendation
• Letter of invitation (only for research)
• G.K.S. application agreement
• Personal medical assessment form
• Consent letter to collect and use personal information
• Applicants’ or Parents’ citizenship document and relation document
• Bachelor’s graduation certification or diploma
• Transcripts of bachelor’s degree
• Master’s graduation certificate and diploma (only for Ph.D. and research applicants)
• Transcripts of Master’s degree (only for Ph.D. and research applicants)
• Doctoral graduation certificate and transcript (only for research)
• Certificate of employment for research applicants only

Optional Documents:

• Overseas Korean Documents or Proof of Korean Adoptee
• Korean Citizenship Renunciation Evidence
• Proof of Korean War Veteran’s Descendant
• Language certificates (TOEFL, IELTS, T.O.E.C., Cambridge, T.O.P.I.K.)
• Published research and books
• Awards and certificates
• Copy of passport

 

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For more details on the Global Korea Scholarships, please download the files attached to this post or visit the official website of Study in Korea.