Unveiling the Global Korea Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Application

Studying in South Korea has become an increasingly attractive prospect for students worldwide, drawn by the nation's prestigious universities, vibrant culture, and promising career opportunities. However, financing higher education can be a significant hurdle. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a fully funded program offered by the Korean government, presents a remarkable opportunity for international students to pursue their academic aspirations in Korea.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program aims to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between countries. The Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) play key roles in administering this prestigious scholarship.

Understanding the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The Global Korea Scholarship, formerly known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), is a government-funded initiative designed to attract talented international students to pursue higher education in South Korean institutions. The program is not only an academic endeavor but also a cultural exchange, fostering global leaders and strengthening relationships between Korea and participating nations.

GKS 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.

Comprehensive Financial Support: GKS Benefits

The GKS program is renowned for its comprehensive financial support, alleviating the financial burden for selected students. The scholarship typically covers:

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Round-trip Airfare: Economy class tickets to and from Korea.
Settlement Allowance: A one-time payment to assist with initial settling-in expenses.
Monthly Allowance: A stipend to cover living costs, including food and transportation.
Korean Language Training: Full funding for a mandatory one-year Korean language course before commencing degree studies.
Full Tuition: Complete coverage of tuition fees at the host university.
Medical Insurance: Health insurance coverage throughout the scholarship duration.
Degree Completion Grant: A lump-sum grant awarded upon successful completion of the degree program.
Korean Proficiency Grant: An additional monthly allowance for students who achieve a high level of proficiency in the Korean language by passing the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam.

Eligibility Requirements for GKS

The GKS program adheres to strict eligibility criteria. Meeting all requirements is essential for consideration.

General Eligibility

Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of a NIIED-designated country. Neither parent can be a Korean citizen. Dual citizens (including Korean) are ineligible. Applicants and their parents who had previously held Korean citizenship must submit documentation issued by the Korean government that proves their renunciation of Korean citizenship. For Overseas Korean applicants (Embassy Track) holding Japanese citizenship, if their parents hold “Permanent Residency Permit‟ within Japan while holding Korean citizenship, they are exceptionally eligible to apply. Applicants from all countries around the world can apply to R&D program, International Organization program.
Age: Age requirements are strict and vary based on the level of education. The age criteria are quite strict and are based on your level of education.
- For Undergraduate applicants: You must be under 25 years old (born after March 1, 2001, for the 2026 cycle).
- For Graduate applicants: You must be under 40 years old (born after September 1, 1985, for the 2025 cycle). Current professors from ODA must be under 45 years old (born after September 1, 1980)
Health: Applicants must be physically and mentally fit to undertake the program in Korea. An applicant must be in a good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.
Degree Requirements: All applicants must have obtained the required degree (as specified below) or must be expected to graduate by July 31, 2025. Also, applicants who are expected to graduate by July 31st, 2025 can apply for the program with a certificate of expected graduation and grades for all completed semesters at the time of application. 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. A certificate of attendance is not valid as proof of graduation.

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

Academic and GPA Requirements

Academic excellence is a key factor in the selection process. Applicants must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

A Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 80 percent or higher in your former school.
Achieve a top 20 percent grade in your previous degree program.
If your transcript does not show a percentage, your CGPA must be equal to or higher than the following:
- 2.64 on a 4.0 scale
- 2.80 on a 4.3 scale
- 2.91 on a 4.5 scale
- 3.23 on a 5.0 scale

Ineligibility Criteria

You cannot apply for GKS if you:

Have completed (or are about to complete) a high school or university in Korea.
Have already been awarded a Korean government scholarship to pursue a degree program.
Is a re-applying current or former GKS scholar.

Language Ability

Applicants who are expected to complete the IRTS Korean language program by August 2026 are eligible to apply if they have achieved a TOPIK, TOPIK IBT Level 3 or higher. Accepted certificates include TOPIK results from the 93rd to the 105th exams and TOPIK IBT results from the 1st to the 12th exams. Duplicate submissions are not permitted and will be excluded from the evaluation. However, some department of degree universities may have additional requirements (e.g., TOPIK level 4) for enrollment. Please be mindful about these requirements set by each university/department. If you do not meet these requirements and fail to enroll in the university, your scholarship will be cancelled. Please check the enrollment period set by each degree university/department. Scholars whose Korean language program is delayed (e.g., return after a leave of absence) must check if their degree program is only available to start at a certain period of time. For example, if a specific department or major only allows students to start their first semester in September, relevant scholars may not be able to enroll in the degree program in March.

GKS Degree Programs

The scholarship supports both undergraduate and graduate studies, with slight variations in program duration.

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GKS Scholarship Undergraduate (and Associate) Program

This program is designed for high school graduates.

Bachelor's Degree: Consists of 1 year of Korean language training and 4 to 6 years of the degree program.
Associate Degree: Consists of 1 year of Korean language training and 2 to 3 years of the degree program.

Next year's program will select 280 scholarship recipients from 71 countries. Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or be on track to graduate. They and their parents must be foreign nationals, and the maximum age is 25 as of March 1, 2026.

Global Korea Scholarship Graduate (Master's and PhD) Program

This program is designed for students with a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

Master's Degree: Consists of 1 year of Korean language training and 2 years of the degree program.
Doctoral (PhD) Degree: Consists of 1 year of Korean language training and 3 years of the degree program.

For the year 2026, there are 2000 seats for GKS graduate scholarship for international students from all over the world who want to pursue Master’s or PhD degree in Korea.

Research Program

Available Degree Program: Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree, Research Program

Application Tracks: Embassy vs. University

Choosing the right application track is crucial. Applicants must select one track, as applying to both leads to disqualification.

Embassy Track

In this track, applicants submit their application and documents to the Korean Embassy in their country of origin.

Strength: Applicants can apply to three universities simultaneously.
Process: Consists of three selection rounds.
- 1st Round: The embassy reviews applications and selects the initial group of candidates.
- 2nd Round: The applications are forwarded to NIIED for further review.
- 3rd Round: If successful in the NIIED review, applications are sent to the three chosen universities. Final selection depends on admission from at least one university.

This Scholarship Program invites four Canadian nationals (three Canadians, one overseas Korean) for the "2025 Global Korean Government Scholarship Program for International Students for Graduate Degrees”, to be conducted in Korea (Master's Degree Program: 1 year of Korean Language Training + 2 years of Degree Program or Doctoral Degree Program: 1 year of Korean Language Training + 3 years of Degree Program).

University Track

This track allows applicants to apply directly to a single university in Korea, bypassing the embassy.

Advantage: Faster process with fewer rounds.
Process: Consists of two selection rounds.
- 1st Round: The university reviews the application and nominates selected candidates to NIIED.
- 2nd Round: NIIED reviews university recommendations and makes the final decision.

Choosing the Right Track

There is no universally "better" track; the choice depends on individual strategy. The university track may be less competitive, but offers only one opportunity at a specific university. The embassy track provides three university choices but may involve greater competition within your country.

Feature	Embassy Track	University Track
Where to Apply	Korean Embassy in your home country	Directly to the Korean university
University Choices	3 different universities	1 university
Selection Rounds	3 Rounds (Embassy - NIIED - University)	2 Rounds (University - NIIED)
Best For	Students with multiple preferred universities	Students certain about a specific university

Recommendation Letter

The letter of recommendation must be signed and sealed by one recommender who can evaluate the applicant's academic abilities. Examples of recommenders include a supervising professor, department head, or specialist in the applicant's field of study. The recommendation should preferably be issued by professors, department heads, or other relevant individuals at the applicant's university.(The recommendation letter should be dated within one year of the application deadline.) Applicants recommended by the International Organization program (ADB, WB) must submit a recommendation letter from a partner university affiliated with the International Organization. In the case of refugee applicants, a letter of recommendation must be issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Documents to Submit

Proof of Citizenship and Family relationship: Official certificates such as birth certificate or family register issued by a government that proves family relationship between an applicant and his/her parents and ‚ their citizenship. If one cannot submit necessary documents due to an absence of their parent(s) - e.g., divorced or deceased - please provide additional documents (e.g., divorce certificate or death certificate) that explains the reason for not submitting their proof of citizenship. Chinese applicants can submit a household register or a certificate of kinship. Consular confirmation is required. If the document is written in Chinese, submit a certified translation as well. If applicants’ or their parents’ citizenship information is not indicated in the above documents, then submit valid passport copies (do not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed) as supplementary documents. Ethnic group, birth place, or current residency in the submitted documents are not accepted as a citizenship information. If passport is not available, please submit other government issued document (need to be apostilled or consular confirmed) or a copy of an ID card that clearly indicates citizenship information (does not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed) as supplementary document. If supplementary documents submitted in addition to a birth certificate or a family register are not reliable, such application may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation
Certificate of Graduation: Submit a graduation certificate, degree certificate or a diploma that indicates the date of graduation (or degree acquisition date). Applicants who are expected to graduate by July 31st, 2025 can also apply for the program with a certificate of expected graduation including a date of 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. (A certificate of attendance is not valid as proof of graduation.) Must submit a certificate officially issued by the university of previous degree program (latest degree certificate is mandatory and others are optional). Temporary certificates (such as temporary graduation certificates, completion certificates, graduation examination records, or passing certificates) are not considered valid or accepted as official documents. Applicants who graduated from a university in China must submit an English copy of the degree certification report issued by CHIS (www.chsi.com.cn) and an official graduation certificate or degree certificate (Chinese documents must be translated and notarized and submitted with an apostille.)
Academic Transcript: Submit an academic transcript officially issued by the graduated university. Applicants who are expected to graduate by July 31, 2026must submit a transcript that includes all semester grades up to the time of application. In addition, they must submit their final academic transcript to the GKS Center, NIIED, by July 31, 2026, after acceptance. The final transcript must be apostilled or consular-confirmed. Failure to submit the final transcript by the required deadline will result in the cancellation of your acceptance. If the CGPA is not indicated in one of the acknowledged GPA scales (4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0 or 100 point scale), submit a transcript converted into one of the above GPA scales as a supplementary document. A converted transcript is only valid when the relevant university officially confirmed the document (this supplementary document does not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed, but should be submitted in an original document with university’s authentication). A transcript converted with a conversion tool such as scholaro.com or wes.org is only acceptable when the relevant university officially confirms the document (does not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed, but should be authenticated by the university). Application without converted transcript may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation. Transcript indicated with a CGPA for the entire academic curriculum will be accepted even if it does not have GPA per semester/year. In such case, please put CGPA only and leave the GPA section empty in the application form. Academic transcript without a CGPA or without ranking information may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation. If a transcript of a transferred student that does not include the grades of the previous semester(s), submit an academic record of the previous university as a supplementary document (need to be apostilled or consular confirmed)
Proof of Overseas Korean or Adoptee: Submit supporting documents such as family register or birth certificate that proves family relationship between an applicant and his/her lineal ascendant
Proof of Korean Citizenship Renunciation: Submit supporting document issued by the Korean government that indicates details on the definite loss of Korean citizenship and its date. Submit in photocopied documents.

Application Period and Deadlines

Meeting deadlines is critical, as they are strictly enforced.

Key Steps

Locate and read the official GKS application guidelines on the Study in Korea website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr).
Prepare required documents early.
Craft compelling personal statements and study plans.
Identify and contact a professor (graduate applicants).
Submit the application.

Preparation of Documents

You are supposed to begin collecting your documents early enough. The official guidelines will provide the final checklist, but you will almost always need:

The official GKS Application Form
Your Personal Statement
A Study Plan
Two Letters of Recommendation
Proof of Citizenship (your birth certificate and your parents' birth certificates or passports)
Your formal Graduation Certificate and Academic Transcripts

Apostille or Consular Confirmation

Official certificates, like diplomas and transcripts, must be Apostilled or Consular Confirmed to verify their authenticity. This process can take weeks or months, so it should be initiated promptly.

Crafting Your Personal Statement and Study Plan

These documents provide a platform to showcase your background, interests, and motivations to the selection committee.

Personal Statement: Describe your background, interest in your field, and personal motivation.
Study Plan: Outline your intended study area, academic objectives, and reasons for choosing Korea.

Clarity, honesty, and specificity are essential.

Identifying a Professor (Graduate Applicants)

Reaching out to a prospective professor, especially in the University Track, can significantly enhance your application. It demonstrates your research commitment and ensures alignment with the professor's research interests.

Submission Process

Submit your application based on the chosen track:

Embassy Track: Submit to the Korean Embassy in your home country.
University Track: Submit directly to the university.

Important points on Apostille (or Consular Confirmation)

Required Certificates (refer to ‘List of Documents to Submit’ section) must be apostilled (or consular confirmed). If your document is unable to be re-issued, please keep the original and obtain an apostille (or consular confirmation) on a notarized copy. Simple photocopies or notarized copies of the apostilled (or consular confirmed) documents are NOT accepted. However, a certified true copy (등본 인증) issued by a Korean embassy or a certified true copy issued by a government agency that initially issued the original apostille document are accepted. If the document cannot be apostilled or consular confirmed (e.g., because the type of document is not subject to apostille), applicants must obtain a certified true copy (등본 인증) from the apostille issuing government authority or from the Korean embassy on a notarized copy. If the authenticity of the submitted document is unclear, such application may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation. If an applicant graduated from a third country, he or she may obtain a consular confirmation from the embassy of the relevant country on the graduation certificate and academic transcript. Required certificates that are issued in digital format must also be apostilled (or consular confirmed). If there is an expiration date on an apostilled or consular confirmed document, the validity of the document will be judged based on the date indicated on the authentication. If there is no specific date indicated, the document will be accepted if it was submitted within 2 years from the date of authentication

Application Changes

The 2026 GKS Undergraduate application has shifted to a mandatory online application system. The application is now primarily submitted online through the Study in Korea website.

Applicants must create an account, complete the form, and upload all required documents online. However, it is crucial to verify specific regulations of the embassy or university, as some may require physical, apostilled documents after online submission.

Conclusion

The Global Korea Scholarship represents a transformative opportunity to pursue higher education in South Korea, allowing students to focus on their studies and cultural immersion without financial constraints. While the application process can be demanding, the prospect of studying in Korea with full financial support makes it a worthwhile endeavor.

Begin preparations early, carefully review the guidelines, and craft a compelling personal statement.

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