Program Objectives
Global Korea Scholarship is designed to provide international students with opportunities to study
at higher educational institutions in Korea in pursuit of academic degrees, which will enhance
international education exchange and deepen mutual friendship between Korea and participating
countries. As Korean Government Scholarship Programs have been integrated and branded as Global Korea Scholarship in 2010, the name has been changed to GKS (Global Korea Scholarship).
Requirement Documents
– Application form, Personal Statement, Study Plan
– Recommender’s Information + Recommendation Letter
– GKS Applicant Agreement & Medical Assessment
– High school graduation/expected graduation certificate
– Academic transcripts
– Citizenship & family relationship proof (applicant + parents)
– Passport copy (if needed)
– TOPIK / English test score (optional, but gives advantage)
– Awards / Certificates (optional)
Scholarship Benefits
– Full tuition fees (Bachelor: 5–7 years / Associate: 3–4 years)
– 1-year Korean language training
– Living allowance (monthly stipend)
– Airfare (round trip, economy class)
– Settlement allowance & completion grants
– Health & accident insurance
– Korean proficiency grants (for TOPIK achievers)
Eligibility
Nationality
- Applicants must hold citizenship of countries designated by NIIED for the GKS program.
- Exception: University Industry Cooperation (UIC) Program is open to applicants from all countries.
- Applicants’ parents (or legal guardians) must also hold non-Korean citizenship.
- Dual citizens (Korean + another country) are not eligible.
- Former Korean citizens (and their children) must provide official proof of renunciation of Korean nationality.
- Citizenship changes during the selection process will lead to disqualification (not applied to UIC).
Age
- Must be under 25 years old (born after March 1, 2001).
Education
- Bachelor’s degree program: Applicants must be high school graduates (or expected to graduate) OR associate degree holders.
- Associate degree program: Applicants must be high school graduates (or expected to graduate).
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are NOT eligible.
- Associate degree holders can only apply for a Bachelor’s program.
- Those expected to graduate by December 31, 2025 must submit a certificate of expected graduation during application and the final certificate + transcript by that date.
Grades
- Applicants must meet minimum GPA/grade requirements:
- CGPA: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, 3.23/5.0, or 80% or above on a 100-point scale.
- Or be ranked within the top 20% of their class.
- If GPA is below 80% but within top 20% of class rank, eligibility is valid (requires official proof).
Health
- Must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.
Other Restrictions
- Graduates of online curriculums from Korean schools/universities are not eligible.
- Students in their final year at a Korean high school or university cannot apply.
- Former GKS degree program scholars cannot reapply.
- Applicants must apply through only one track/program/university; multiple applications will result in cancellation.
Application Deadline
Embassy Track: September 30, 2025
University Track: October 31, 2025
For more information
