Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 | National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea | Brilliant Scholarship
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Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027
Fully funded South Korean government scholarship covering tuition, stipend, and language training for Master's and PhD study.
National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea
Overview
The Global Korea Scholarship, widely known as GKS, is a fully funded scholarship program run by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the National Institute for International Education, an agency operating under the Ministry of Education. It supports Master's and PhD study for international students at leading Korean universities, and it has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive government-funded graduate scholarship programs in Asia. GKS matters because it removes essentially every major financial barrier to graduate study in Korea, covering not just tuition but living costs, language training, and travel, while placing recipients at some of the country's most academically respected institutions. For students who are interested in Korea specifically, or who simply want a genuinely fully funded graduate pathway backed by a national government, GKS represents one of the most complete packages currently available anywhere in the world.
Scholarship Details
GKS provides a full tuition fee waiver at the recipient's host Korean university, along with a monthly living stipend of approximately KRW 1,000,000, equivalent to roughly USD 700, for the duration of the Master's or PhD program. Scholars also receive one round-trip economy airfare ticket to and from South Korea, a settlement allowance of KRW 200,000 paid shortly after arrival to help with initial costs, and up to one full year of free Korean language training, including TOPIK preparation, before the academic degree itself begins. Medical insurance is provided for the entire scholarship period, and in some fields, scholars may also receive a research support allowance to help fund lab work or fieldwork tied to their studies. In the final semester, scholars additionally receive a dissertation or thesis printing allowance to help cover the costs of completing and submitting their final academic work. Because the scholarship includes a mandatory year of Korean language study before the degree program begins for most scholars, the effective total duration of support extends well beyond the length of the academic program itself, giving scholars a genuinely gradual transition into full-time graduate study in a new country and language environment.
Award Amount
Full tuition waiver plus a monthly stipend of approximately KRW 1,000,000 (about USD 700), airfare, language training, and insurance
Payment: Monthly
Deadline
2026-09-15
Embassy Track expected window: September–October 2026 (each embassy sets its own deadline). University Track expected window: February–March 2027 (each university sets its own deadline). Exact 2027 dates not yet officially confirmed by NIIED as of September 2026.
Duration
Duration matches the Master's or PhD program length, preceded by up to one year of Korean language training
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ProviderNational Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea
AmountFull tuition waiver plus a monthly stipend of approximately KRW 1,000,000 (about USD 700), airfare, language training, and insurance
Deadline2026-09-15
Durationnull years
Fully FundedYes
RenewableNo
Who Is This Scholarship For?
Ideal Candidate:
Eligibility Requirements
GKS is open to citizens of nearly all countries with which South Korea maintains diplomatic and educational relationships, spanning most of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, though exact country-by-country availability should be confirmed with the applicant's local Korean Embassy or Korean Cultural Center before beginning the process. Both the applicant and the applicant's parents must be citizens of the applicant's country of origin, and applicants must not hold Korean citizenship themselves. Applicants must be in adequate physical and mental health to live abroad for an extended period, since the program requires an extended stay in Korea covering both language training and the degree itself. Graduate applicants must be under 40 years of age at the date of entrance, and must hold a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree by the time they arrive in Korea, depending on whether they are applying for the Master's or PhD track. Applicants must also have a grade point average above 80 percent from their most recently attended educational institution, reflecting the program's genuinely competitive, merit-based selection process. Applicants who have previously completed any undergraduate, Master's, or doctoral program within Korea are generally not eligible to apply again, since the scholarship is intended to support students pursuing a new stage of study in Korea rather than repeating a level they have already completed there. There is one notable exception: a former or current KGSP scholar who achieved an overall grade of 90 percent or above may reapply to the program once, through either the Embassy Track or the University Track, recognizing genuinely exceptional prior performance.
Fields of Study & Programs
GKS graduate scholarships are open to nearly all academic fields, including engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, business and economics, medicine and health sciences, Korean studies, and the arts. Because scholars are placed at a wide range of partner universities across the country, the exact subjects and specific department offerings available to a given applicant depend heavily on which university they are admitted to, so prospective applicants should check their target university's department list directly before finalizing their application. It is worth noting that GKS graduate scholarships are distinct from the program's separate undergraduate track, known as GKS-U, and its separate exchange or visiting student track, known as GKS Exchange — each of these runs on its own timeline with its own specific eligibility criteria, so applicants should be careful to apply through the correct track that matches their intended level of study.
Participating Universities
GKS graduate scholars are placed across more than 90 NIIED-designated partner universities throughout South Korea, including some of the country's most internationally recognized institutions. Seoul National University, widely regarded as Korea's leading comprehensive research university, is among the participating institutions, alongside KAIST, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, known for its strength in engineering and applied sciences. Yonsei University and Korea University, both long-established and highly ranked private research universities in Seoul, also participate, as does POSTECH, a smaller but research-intensive institution known particularly for its strength in the physical sciences and engineering. Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University round out some of the more prominent names among the dozens of other partner institutions spread across the country. This breadth of partner universities means GKS scholars are not limited to a single host institution or a single city — students can be placed in major urban centers like Seoul, or in other academic hubs around the country, depending on their chosen field of study, their application track, and the specific university's admissions decision.
How to Apply
GKS applicants must choose between two distinct application routes: the Embassy Track, submitted directly to the Korean Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's home country, and the University Track, submitted directly to the applicant's chosen NIIED-designated partner university. For the 2027 intake, the Embassy Track application window is expected to run from September to October 2026, though each embassy sets its own exact deadline, typically announced four to six weeks in advance, so applicants should monitor their local embassy's announcements closely as the window approaches. The University Track window is expected to run from February to March 2027, with individual universities setting their own internal deadlines within that broader period; applicants using this track should apply early and build in one to two weeks of buffer time for international document mailing, since physical document delivery can still be part of the process depending on the university. Across both tracks, the core application package includes a completed application form, a personal statement and study plan explaining the applicant's academic background and goals, two academic recommendation letters, official transcripts and degree certificates, a passport copy, and a health status form confirming the applicant's fitness to study abroad for an extended period. Once submitted, the Korean Embassy or the applicant's chosen university forwards qualified candidates to NIIED, which evaluates all potential candidates and typically conducts interviews with shortlisted applicants before making final selection decisions. Because exact 2027 dates had not yet been officially confirmed by NIIED as of this update, applicants should directly confirm current deadlines with their local Korean Embassy, Korean Cultural Center, or their target university before submitting any materials, rather than relying solely on previously published timelines. Strong applications typically pair a clearly articulated study plan with academic references that speak specifically to the applicant's research potential, since NIIED's evaluation process weighs both academic performance and the coherence of the applicant's stated goals for graduate study in Korea.
Deadlines & Important Dates
The Embassy Track for the 2027 intake is expected to open sometime between September and October 2026, with each individual embassy announcing its specific deadline roughly four to six weeks beforehand. The University Track is expected to open between February and March 2027, with deadlines set individually by each partner university within that window. Following the initial application period, NIIED reviews candidates and typically notifies embassies of final selected grantees around June to July 2027. Selected scholars then travel to South Korea and begin the mandatory Korean language program in September 2027, ahead of starting their actual degree program the following year. Because the exact 2027 dates had not been officially finalized by NIIED as of this update in September 2026, applicants should treat all listed windows as provisional and confirm the current status directly with their local Korean Embassy, Korean Cultural Center, or target university before finalizing their own application timeline.
Life as a Scholar
GKS scholars begin their time in Korea with up to a full year of dedicated Korean language training, including preparation for the TOPIK proficiency exam, before transitioning into their actual Master's or PhD coursework. This extended language preparation period gives scholars meaningful time to adjust to daily life in Korea, build foundational language skills, and form early social connections before the academic demands of graduate study begin in earnest. Once scholars start their degree program, they join Korea's broader international student community at their host university, with access to campus support services, medical insurance coverage throughout the scholarship period, and — depending on their field — additional research support allowances to help fund lab access, equipment, or fieldwork tied to their thesis or dissertation work. Because scholars are placed across such a wide range of universities and cities, day-to-day life can vary considerably depending on location, from the fast-paced, densely international environment of Seoul to quieter academic hubs elsewhere in the country. The settlement allowance provided upon arrival is intended to help scholars manage the initial costs of setting up daily life, while the monthly stipend supports ongoing living expenses throughout the language training period and the subsequent degree program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I already completed a degree program in Korea? Generally no, though a former or current KGSP scholar with a 90 percent or higher overall grade may reapply once through either track.
Do I need to already speak Korean to apply? No, GKS includes up to one year of free Korean language training before the degree program begins.
What is the difference between the Embassy Track and University Track? The Embassy Track is submitted through your home country's Korean Embassy, while the University Track is submitted directly to your chosen Korean partner university; availability and timing differ between the two.
Is there an age limit? Yes, graduate applicants must be under 40 years of age at the date of entrance.
What GPA do I need? Applicants must have a grade point average above 80 percent from their most recently attended educational institution.
Are undergraduate students eligible for this specific program? No, this program covers Master's and PhD study; undergraduate applicants should look into the separate GKS-U track.
Final Thoughts
For graduate students seeking a genuinely comprehensive, fully funded path to study in South Korea, the Global Korea Scholarship offers one of the most complete packages available anywhere, combining tuition coverage, a monthly stipend, language training, travel support, and insurance into a single national program. Because exact deadlines for the coming intake had not yet been finalized at the time of this update, prospective applicants should stay in close contact with their local Korean Embassy, Korean Cultural Center, or target university to catch announcements as soon as they are released. With careful preparation — a clear study plan, strong academic references, and complete documentation — GKS remains one of the most rewarding graduate scholarship opportunities available to students around the world.
Renewable
No
About This Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 is a fully funded Master's and PhD scholarship offered by the Government of the Republic of Korea through NIIED. It covers full tuition, a monthly stipend of approximately KRW 1,000,000, round-trip airfare, a settlement allowance, up to one year of Korean language training, medical insurance, and additional research and thesis printing allowances. Open to nearly all nationalities with diplomatic ties to Korea, eligibility requires applicants and their parents to be non-Korean citizens, GPA above 80%, and age under 40 for graduate applicants. Scholars are placed at over 90 partner universities including Seoul National University, KAIST, Yonsei, Korea University, POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan, and Hanyang. Applicants choose between the Embassy Track and University Track, each with its own timeline; exact 2027 deadlines were not yet finalized as of this update.
Eligible Study Levels
MasterPhD
Fields of Study
EngineeringNatural SciencesSocial SciencesHumanitiesBusiness & EconomicsMedicine & Health SciencesKorean StudiesArts
Available Countries
South Korea
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant and parents must be citizens of the applicant's country of origin
Applicant must not hold Korean citizenship
Must have adequate physical and mental health for extended stay abroad
Must be under 40 years of age at the date of entrance (Graduate)
Must have a GPA above 80% from the last educational institution attended
Must hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree by the date of arrival (Graduate)
Applicants who previously completed a degree program in Korea generally cannot reapply, except former/current KGSP scholars with a 90%+ overall grade, who may reapply once
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: Above 80% from the most recently attended educational institution
Language Requirements:
No language proficiency required at time of application; up to 1 year of Korean language training with TOPIK preparation provided before the degree begins
Application Process
1Choose between the Embassy Track or the University Track
2Submit application form, personal statement and study plan, two academic recommendation letters, transcripts and degree certificates, passport copy, and health status form
3Submit documents to the Korean Embassy (Embassy Track) or chosen NIIED-designated university (University Track)
4Embassy or university forwards qualified candidates to NIIED
5NIIED evaluates candidates and conducts interviews with shortlisted applicants
6NIIED notifies the Korean Embassy of final selected grantees
7Selected scholars travel to South Korea to begin the mandatory Korean language program
Required Documents
Application Form*Required
Official GKS application form
Personal Statement and Study Plan*Required
Explains academic background and goals
Two Academic Recommendation Letters*Required
From professors or supervisors
Official Transcripts and Degree Certificates*Required
Proof of academic history and qualifications
Passport Copy*Required
Identification document
Health Status Form*Required
Confirms fitness for extended stay abroad
Partner Universities
Seoul National University
Seoul, South Korea
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
Daejeon, South Korea
Yonsei University
Seoul, South Korea
Korea University
Seoul, South Korea
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Pohang, South Korea
Sungkyunkwan University
Seoul, South Korea
Hanyang University
Seoul, South Korea
Additional Benefits
Full tuition fee waiver
Round-trip economy airfare
Settlement allowance of KRW 200,000 on arrival
Up to one year of free Korean language training with TOPIK preparation
Medical insurance coverage for the full scholarship period
Research support allowance in some fields
Dissertation/thesis printing allowance in the final semester
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