Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) for International Students

The 2025-2026 application for the Korean Government Scholarship for master and PhD degree students is now open. The Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) programs which have been integrated and branded as Global Korean Scholarship (GKS), aims to provide international students with opportunities to conduct advanced studies in undergraduate & graduate programs at higher educational institutions in the Republic of Korea.

Fully funded, this scholarship program to study in South Korea aims to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between countries. Grantees are required to take the Korean language training courses for 1 year at a language institution located on the campus of domestic universities. Those who have attained a Korean language fluency score higher than level 5 in TOPIK, are exempt from this requirement.

Program Details

• Host institutions: Partner universities in South Korea.
• Areas of Research : Disciplines available at participating universities.
• Number of fellowships : 1,820 for graduate studies and research.
• Duration : Please find details below.
• Eligible countries: Open to non-Korean citizens.

Korean Government Scholarship Benefits

The Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) is a Fully funded program that provides selected candidates with the following benefits:

1. Airfare: Economy class flight ticket (Actual cost);
2. Tuition Fees: Actual cost (up to 5 million KRW);
3. Korean Language Training Fee: 5.2 million KRW (four quarters);
4. Study Incentive:
   • Korean language program: 14,100,000 KRW per year;
   • Graduate (Master PhD): 15,720,000 KRW per year ;
   • Research Program: 19,800,000 KRW per year.

For Research and Global Network program, all scholars who obtained TOPIK level 5 or 6 will be exempt from a Korean language program. Those who receive TOPIK level 5 or 6 within the first 6 months of the Korean language program will be exempt from the remaining 6-month language program and must start their degree program in the following semester (March 2026). GKS Scholars who will be initially exempted from the Korean language program with TOPIK level 5 or 6 will be given Korean Proficiency Grants automatically (except for GKS scholars in Global Network program, Research program and Japanese applicants).

Duration

Program	Duration
Associate degree	1 year of Korean language program (KLP) + 2~3 years
Bachelor’s degree	1 year KLP + 4~6 years (5~6 years for some programs e.g., Architecture, Medicine)
Master’s Degree	1 year KLP + 2 years
Doctoral Degree	1 year KLP + 3 years
Research	6 months or 1 year

Korean Government Scholarship Host Universities by Type

Candidates can use this Asia scholarship to study in various fields at partner higher educational institutions.

Type A : General (33 institutions)

Academy of Korean Studies, Ajou University, Chung-Ang University, Dankook University, Dongguk University, Duksung Women’s University, Ewha Womans University, GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Hanyang University ERICA, Hanyang University (Seoul), Hongik University, Incheon National University, Inha University, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Konkuk University, Kookmin University, Korea University,

Kyung Hee University, POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), Seokyeong University, Seoul National University, SeoulTech (Seoul National University of Science and Technology), Sogang University, Sookmyung Women’s University, Soongsil University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sungshin Women’s University, Tech University of Korea, UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Techology), University of Seoul, Yonsei University

Type B (41 institutions)

Andong National University, 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, Dongseo University, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gyeongsang National University, Hannam University, Hoseo University, Inje University, Jeju National University, Jeonbuk National University,

Kangwon National University, Keimyung University, Kongju National University, Konyang University, KOREATECH (Korea University of Technology and Education), Kunsan National University, Kyungpook National University, Kyungsung University, Mokwon University, National Korea Maritime & Ocean University, Pai Chai University, Pukyong National University, Pusan National University, Semyung University, Silla University, Soonchunhyang University, Sun Moon University, Sunchon National University, University of Ulsan, Yeungnam University

Available Universities by Application Track

Please find below, the list of universities to which applicants can apply through the two tracks.

Embassy Track

General, Overseas Korean, International Reconstruction Talent candidates can apply for Type A or Type B universities.

University Track

General and Research university candidates can apply for Type A or Type B universities. Regional University candidates can only apply for Type B universities.

Research and Development (R&D) candidates must apply to the following universities: Ajou University, Chonnam National University, Chungnam National University, Gyeongsang National University, Inje University, Jeju National University, Jeonbuk National University, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Keimyung University, Kookmin University, KOREATECH (Korea University of Technology and Education), Kunsan National University, Kyungpook National University, Pukyong National University, Pusan National University, Seoultech (Seoul University of Science and Technology), Soonchunhyang University, Sunchon National University, Sungkyunkwan University, University of Ulsan, Yonsei University.

Global Network candidates must apply to the following universities: KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Pusan National University, Seoul National University, Yonsei University.

International Reconstruction Talent Scholarship (IRTS) Program (for Ukraine) applicants can choose General or RGKS Program under the University Track.

Korean Government Scholarship Eligibility

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

Nationality

• All applicants must hold citizenship of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program.
• All applicants and their parents must NOT hold Korean citizenship. If an applicant or his/her parent(s) hold dual citizenship (one who has Korean citizenship and citizenship of another country), he/she is NOT eligible to apply.
• Applicants and their parents who had previously held Korean citizenship must submit documentation that proves their renunciation of Korean citizenship.
• If an applicant’s citizenship is changed during the selection process, he or she will be excluded from the evaluation. (Not applicable to R&D program).
• Applicants from all countries around the world can apply to R&D program

Degree Requirements

• Master’s Program Applicant: Must hold a bachelor’s degree or a level of education equivalent to or higher than a bachelor’s degree.
• Doctoral Program Applicant: Must hold a Master’s degree or a level of education equivalent to or higher than a master’s degree.
• Research Program Applicant: Applicants must have obtained the required degree (minimum level of education indicated below).
  • Postdoctoral Research Program: Must hold a doctoral degree
  • Professor Exchange Program: Must hold a Master’s degree AND must be currently teaching at a university as a professor
  • Program for Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation Professionals: Must hold a Master’s degree AND must be a professional in a field of Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation (E.S.C.I.)

Applicants who are expected to graduate by July 31st, 2025 can also apply for the program with a certificate of expected graduation. Such applicants must submit their official graduation certificate (or diploma) and final academic transcript to GKS Center, NIIED by July 31st, 2025. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your acceptance.

Grades

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the entire curriculum from the previous degree program must meet one of the conditions below. For example, the previous degree for a doctoral degree program applicant is a master’s degree program.
  • CGPA must be above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0
  • Score percentile should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked within the top 20% of one’s class.

Age

• Must be under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1985)
• Academic professors in one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients who are under 45 years of age (born after September 1, 1980) are eligible to apply.

Health

All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.

Additional Requirements for Global Network Program

University track applicants of Global Network Program must meet the following additional requirements to apply for the program.

• Applicants from all countries around the world
• Current/Prospective officials, professionals or students in the field of global affairs (e.g. Working for Diplomatic Strategy in G7 or ODA conturies)
• No age limitations with Global Network Program‟s practice concentration. Course and Degree: Master‟s degree program within 2-year only (No Korean language program), etc.

Similar opportunities

1. Université Paris-Saclay Scholarship for International Students;
2. Government of Romania Scholarship;
3. Australia Awards Scholarships for Development.

How to Apply for the Korean Government Scholarship?

Interested applicants in this government scholarship program must check the deadline and application methods with the institution they intend to submit their application to.

NIIED receives applications from Korean Embassies or domestic universities that recommend potential candidates. Therefore, applicants must submit their applications with all required documents either to :

• Korean Embassies around the world or
• Partner universities in Korea.

Notice:

• The embassies and universities select the successful candidates among the applicants in the 1st round of selection.
• The applications of successful candidates will then be forwarded to NIIED.
• The NIIED selection committee selects successful candidates among those who passed the 1st round. (2nd round)
• Among the successful candidates who have passed the 2nd round, application of those who applied through the Korean Embassies will be reviewed by universities for admission.

Please note that this application call is only for master, PhD and research applicants. Please click here if you wish to apply for undergraduate programs.

Deadlines are decided by each Korean embassy and university and usually fall in February ~ March for graduate applicants. For more detail on the Korean Government Scholarship (GKS), please visit the official page. To be the first to see latest opportunities, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.