The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), formerly the Korean Government Scholarship Program, is one of the most generous fully funded scholarships in the world. Run by South Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education, it pays tuition, a monthly living allowance, a year of Korean language training and return airfare. Competition is intense — and the application window is short — so preparation must start months before the guidelines appear.
What GKS pays
For the 2027 undergraduate cycle, NIIED's guidelines (published September 2026) set out the following benefits:
| Benefit | 2027 undergraduate amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | NIIED pays up to KRW 5,000,000 per semester; the host university waives the rest plus the admission fee |
| Korean language programme fee | KRW 5,200,000 for the one-year language programme, paid in full |
| Living allowance — language year | KRW 13,560,000 per year (about KRW 1,130,000 per month) |
| Living allowance — degree years | KRW 14,400,000 per year (KRW 1,200,000 per month) |
| Airfare | Return economy flight (not provided if you already live in Korea or enter from a third country) |
The allowance is described by NIIED as an all-inclusive subsidy: it already covers housing, health insurance, Korean proficiency grants, TOPIK examination fees, the settlement allowance on arrival and the degree-completion grant. There is no separate housing payment — your dormitory or rent comes out of this figure. For graduate scholars, the 2026 guidelines set the degree-year allowance at KRW 16,560,000 per year and the language-year allowance at KRW 14,400,000 per year; the 2027 graduate guidelines had not been published at the time of writing and are to be confirmed on the Study in Korea notice board.
Two tracks — and why the choice matters
Embassy Track: you apply online through the Study in Korea portal and the Korean Embassy in your country screens you first. For the 2027 undergraduate cycle, 286 places were offered in total — 156 through the Embassy Track across 74 invited countries and 130 through the University Track. Pakistan received 3 Embassy Track bachelor's seats in the 2027 cycle. The Embassy Track window for 2027 was 15 to 30 September 2026 (closing 18:00 KST, 14:00 PKT), entirely online, and the final result was expected on 7 January 2027.
University Track: you apply directly to one GKS-designated Korean university, which screens you first. The University Track runs from September to November 2026, with each university setting its own deadline. You may apply to only one track — applying to both disqualifies you.
Who can apply
- Citizenship: you and your parents must hold citizenship of the invited country (Korean citizens and dual nationals are excluded).
- Age and grades: undergraduate applicants are generally under 25 with strong school results; graduate applicants are generally under 40. Exact grade thresholds and age cut-offs are set in each year's guidelines — confirm them before applying.
- Language: no Korean is required at application, because the scholarship includes a year of language training. However, you must reach TOPIK Level 3 after the language year to start the degree; strong English or Korean scores strengthen your application.
- Health: a medical check is part of selection, and scholars must maintain good academic standing to keep funding.
Timeline for the next cycle
Because the 2027 undergraduate Embassy Track has closed, the realistic target for new applicants is the 2028 undergraduate cycle (expected September 2027) and the 2027 graduate cycle (the 2026 graduate round ran 12 to 25 February 2026; watch the notice board for 2027 dates). Work backwards: gather transcripts and recommendations by June, prepare your study plan and personal statement over the summer, and be ready the day the guidelines appear — the Embassy Track window is only 15 days long.
Application documents checklist
- Completed application form and personal statement / study plan.
- Academic transcripts and graduation certificates (apostilled or consular-confirmed where required).
- Two recommendation letters.
- Proof of citizenship for you and your parents.
- Language score reports (TOPIK, IELTS or TOEFL) if you hold them.
- Passport copy and, where required, a medical report.
Common mistakes
- Applying to both tracks. This is an automatic disqualification.
- Missing the 15-day window. The Embassy Track does not extend; late applications are not considered.
- Weak study plan. A generic "I love Korea" essay loses to a plan that names a field, a university and a career it leads to.
- Quitting early. NIIED warns that anyone who quits within three months of starting must repay the full amount received.
Graduate versus undergraduate GKS
The undergraduate and graduate rounds differ in more than level. The undergraduate round funds a full bachelor's degree plus a language year — five to seven years in total — and is offered to a fixed set of invited countries with published seat counts. The graduate round funds master's degrees (typically two years plus a language year) and doctoral degrees (typically three years plus a language year), and its allowance is higher: the 2026 graduate guidelines set the degree-year allowance at KRW 16,560,000 per year, against KRW 14,400,000 for undergraduates. Graduate applicants also face a research-proposal requirement and, often, a need to contact prospective supervisors early. If you are finishing a bachelor's degree, the graduate round is usually the faster and more realistic target than waiting for an undergraduate seat.
Life as a GKS scholar
Scholars spend their first year in full-time Korean language training at a designated language institute, usually on or near their host university's campus, and must reach TOPIK Level 3 to begin the degree. Dormitory housing is the norm in the first year, and the all-inclusive allowance is designed to cover it. Academic performance matters throughout: scholars who fall below the required grade average risk losing funding, and those who withdraw early face repayment rules — including full repayment if you quit within three months of starting. On the positive side, GKS alumni form a large global network, and many scholars stay on for work in Korea or return home to strong career positions with Korean language skills.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work part-time? International students in Korea may work part-time within the limits of their visa after meeting the usual conditions; the allowance is designed to cover living costs without work.
Do I need TOPIK before applying? No — the language year is part of the scholarship — but a TOPIK score strengthens your application and helps with university placement.
To be confirmed: the 2027 graduate guidelines (not yet published at the time of writing), the 2028 undergraduate seat allocation by country, and each university's University Track deadline. Always verify on studyinkorea.go.kr (Plan your studies → Scholarships → GKS Notice) before applying.
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Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · Digital SAT 2027 Guide · IELTS Academic Guide · UCAS Application Guide 2027
Sources and verification: NIIED 2027 GKS Undergraduate Guidelines (September 2026): 286 places (156 Embassy Track, 74 countries; 130 University Track), Embassy window 15–30 September 2026, allowance KRW 14,400,000/year degree years and KRW 13,560,000/year language year, tuition up to KRW 5,000,000/semester, language programme KRW 5,200,000; Pakistan 3 Embassy Track seats; 2026 graduate round 12–25 February 2026 — checked November 2026.