Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2026 | Fully Funded

Scholarships for International

The Korean government has announced the opening of applications for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2026, one of the most prestigious fully funded scholarships worldwide. The program offers international students the opportunity to pursue their undergraduate studies (Bachelor’s or Associate Degree) in South Korea. The scholarship is managed by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and aims to support global talent and promote mutual understanding between Korea and participating countries.

Program Duration

Bachelor’s Degree: 5–7 years (including 1 year of Korean language study + 4–6 years of academic study).
Associate Degree: 3–4 years (including 1 year of Korean language study + 2–3 years of academic study).
Exemption from language year: Granted to students with level 5 or 6 in the Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK).

Funding Details and Benefits

The GKS is a fully funded scholarship that covers:

Airfare: Round-trip economy class ticket.
Tuition Fees: Up to 5 million KRW per semester (with excess costs covered by universities if exceeded).
Language Program: One intensive year of Korean language training.
Monthly Stipend: 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 KRW (depending on the program type).
Settlement Allowance: One-time payment upon arrival.
Health Insurance: Coverage for the entire duration of study.
Research Support: Printing costs, academic materials, and research trips.
Completion Grant: Awarded upon graduation to support post-study transition.
Additional Language Proficiency Grant: For students achieving TOPIK level 5 or 6.

Application Timeline

Embassy Track

Online Application Deadline: By September 30, 2025
Result Announcement (1st Round): By October 17, 2025
Applications Arrive at NIIED: By October 31, 2025
Result Announcement (2nd Round): By late November 2025
Result Announcement (3rd Round): By December 26, 2025
Final Announcement: Expected by January 9, 2026

University Track

Online Application Deadline: By October 31, 2025
Result Announcement (1st Round): By November 14, 2025
Applications Arrive at NIIED: By November 28, 2025
Result Announcement (2nd Round): By mid-December 2025

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Number of Seats for 2026

Total: 280 international students (for both Bachelor’s and Associate Degree programs).

Embassy Track: 150 seats, distributed as follows:
- 82 for the General Program.
- 7 for Overseas Koreans.
- 61 for the R-GKS Program.
University Track: 130 seats, distributed as follows:
- 30 for the Associate Degree Program.
- 100 for the University-Industry Cooperation (UIC) Program.

Eligible Countries

The list includes countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas such as: Egypt, Morocco, Sudan, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mexico, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Uganda, Ukraine, Turkey, and others (according to the detailed list for each track).

Participating Universities and Available Majors

You will Find all the Details through this Link.

Applications are only accepted for universities and majors listed in the official University Information file published on the Study in Korea website.

Embassy Track:
- Applicants for the General Program and Overseas Koreans may choose up to 3 universities (one must be from Type B).
- Applicants for the R-GKS Program may choose up to 2 universities from Type B.
University Track:
- Applicants may choose only one university.
- The UIC Program offers specialized pathways in natural sciences and engineering, with applied curricula in cooperation with industry.

Eligibility Criteria (for Bachelor’s/Associate Degree)

Nationality: Must be from an NIIED-designated country and neither the applicant nor their parents should hold Korean nationality. Dual citizens are not eligible. (UIC program is open to all nationalities.)
Academic Background:
- High school graduate or expected graduate by December 31, 2025.
- Holders of a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
Academic Performance:
- At least 80%, or ranked within the top 20% of the class.
- Or a minimum GPA: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.
Age: Under 25 years old (born after March 1, 2001).
Health: Must be in good physical and mental condition.
Restrictions:
- Graduates of Korean schools or prior degree programs in Korea are not eligible.
- Previous recipients of a Korean government scholarship for a degree are ineligible.
- Applicants may not apply to more than one track or more than one university.

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Required Documents

Application form + Applicant agreement.
Personal statement + Study plan.
Personal medical assessment.
Recommendation letters (as per official forms).
Graduation certificate or expected graduation proof.
Academic transcripts.
Proof of nationality (applicant and parents).
Additional documents for Overseas Koreans (if applicable).

Application Process

Create an account on the Study in Korea website: www.studyinkorea.go.kr.
Complete the online application form and upload the required documents.
Submit any additional documents directly to the university (e.g., portfolio if requested).
Check individual university/department requirements carefully.

Note: Some embassies may not accept online applications, so applicants should confirm with the Korean embassy or consulate in their country.

Selection Process

First Stage: Document screening by embassies or universities.
Second Stage: Review of accepted applications by NIIED.

Evaluation Criteria

Academic qualifications: Nationality, academic level, academic performance.
Personal competencies: Through documents and interviews.
Extra points:
- TOPIK level 3 or higher (+10%).
- Children of Korean War veterans (+5%).
- Applicants in science and engineering fields (+5%).

Language Requirements

Submitting official English or Korean test scores (TOPIK/TOEFL/IELTS) may provide additional points.
In the absence of language certificates, the personal statement and study plan will be evaluated more thoroughly.