Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) for International Students

The application period for the Korean Government Scholarship for master’s and doctoral candidates has begun. The Global Korean Scholarship (GKS) programs, which have been integrated and branded as the Korean Government Scholarship (GKS), aim to provide international students with opportunities to pursue advanced studies in undergraduate and graduate programs at higher educational institutions in the Republic of Korea.
This fully financed scholarship program to study in South Korea aims to promote international educational exchanges and mutual friendship among countries. Grantees must complete a year of Korean language training at a language institute on the campus of a local university. Individuals who have achieved a TOPIK score of 5 or higher in Korean language fluency 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 : 1,300 for graduate studies and research.
• Duration : Please find details below.
• Eligible countries: Open to non-Korean citizens.

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

1. Airfare: Actual cost;
2. Resettlement Allowance: KRW 200,000;
3. Living Allowance:
   • Undergraduate: KRW 900,000;
   • Graduate (Master PhD): KRW 1,000,000;
   • Research : 1,500,000 KRW.
4. Medical Insurance: standard amount set by NIIED;
5. Language Courses: KRW 1,000,000 per quarter;
6. Tuition Fees: Actual cost (No more than 5 million KRW per semester);
7. Award for Excellent Korean Language Proficiency: KRW 100,000;
8. research Support: KRW 210,000 – 240,000 (per semester).

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

Type A : General (30 institutions)

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), 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 Technology), University of Seoul, Yonsei University.

Type B (35 institutions)

Andong National University, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Changwon National University, Chonnam National University, Chungbuk National University, Chungnam National 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, 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, 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

Candidates for General, Overseas Korean, Teaching Professional, and Research Program can apply to Type A or Type B universities.
Overseas Koreans are ethnic Koreans who do not have Korean citizenship. Overseas Koreans are descendants of the Korean diaspora or Korean immigrants living in countries other than the Korean peninsula. Embassy Track applicants may apply to up to THREE different universities from Types A and B and MUST apply to at least one university from Type B. Applicants for research programs must apply to ONE university from Category A or B.

University Track

Candidates from general and research universities may apply to Type A or Type B universities. Candidates from regional universities can only apply to Type B universities.

Candidates for research and development (R&D) positions should apply to the following universities: Ajou University, Chonnam National University, Gyeongsang National University, Inje University, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Keimyung University, Kookmin University, KOREATECH (Korea University of Technology and Education), Kyungpook National University, SeoulTech (Seoul National University of Science and Technology), Soonchunhyang University,

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:

• In the first round of selection, embassies and institutions select the successful candidates from among the applicants.
• Successful candidates’ applications will subsequently be forwarded to NIIED.
• Candidates that pass the first stage are chosen by the NIIED selection committee. (Second Round)
• Universities will consider the applications of individuals who applied through Korean embassies among the successful candidates who cleared the second stage.

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.