2026 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) For Undergraduates | Fully Funded
The Global Korea Scholarship, run by South Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED), is the most generous fully funded undergraduate scholarship available in Korea, covering full tuition, a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and a paid year of Korean language training before your degree even begins. The 2026 intake’s deadlines — Embassy Track September 30, 2025, University Track October 31, 2025 — have both closed.
Also, Check Out: Top Fully Funded Master’s Scholarships in Europe
NIIED hasn’t yet officially announced dates for the 2027 cycle, but based on the consistent annual pattern, the Embassy Track is expected to open around September 2026 and the University Track around October 2026 — both essentially imminent from where you’re reading this. This guide covers the current benefit figures, the genuinely important choice between the two application tracks, and one major process change worth knowing about before you apply.
Don’t Miss: Top Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students
How GKS Actually Works — Choosing Your Track
This is the decision that trips up most applicants, so it’s worth understanding clearly before anything else. You apply through exactly one of two tracks, and applying through both results in disqualification from the entire programme. The Embassy Track routes through the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country, and lets you list up to three preferred universities, giving you flexibility if you haven’t settled on a single school — the embassy screens applicants first, then forwards a shortlist to NIIED directly.
Also Read: How to Write a Personal Statement for Scholarship | Tips and Free Template
Each partner country has its own embassy-track quota, so your odds partly depend on how many places are allocated to your specific country. The University Track skips the embassy entirely and applies you directly to one chosen Korean university, which reviews your application and, if it selects you, recommends you to NIIED as its candidate.
The trade-off is straightforward: Embassy Track gives you three shots at different universities but faces more competition within your own country’s quota; University Track is often less competitive overall, but you only get one opportunity at one specific school. Neither track is objectively better — it depends on whether you’ve already settled on a target university or want flexibility across a few options.
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Summary
| Scholarship Name ⇒ | Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) |
| Host Country ⇒ | South Korea |
| Study Level ⇒ | Undergraduate |
| Benefits ⇒ | Full tuition, monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and funded Korean language training |
| Funded by ⇒ | Government of the Republic of Korea, via NIIED |
| Eligible Countries ⇒ | Citizens of NIIED-designated countries — over 150 countries participate |
| Application Deadline ⇒ | 2026 cycle closed. 2027 cycle not yet officially announced; based on pattern, expect Embassy Track around September 2026 and University Track around October 2026 |
Who Can Apply
- You must be a citizen of a country NIIED has designated as eligible to participate — this covers more than 150 countries, but confirm your specific country’s inclusion and quota when the 2027 guidelines are released.
- Neither you nor either of your parents may hold Korean citizenship — dual nationals with Korean citizenship are explicitly ineligible, not just discouraged.
- You must be under 25 years old for the undergraduate programme specifically.
- You need to have completed high school or an associate degree.
- Your academic standing needs to place you in the top 20% of your class, which NIIED defines as roughly a CGPA of 2.64 on a 4.0 scale, or 80% on a 100-point scale — borderline GPAs are reviewed against class rank, so a strong rank can offset a slightly lower numeric average.
- You must not have previously studied in Korea under any other scholarship programme.
- You need to be in good physical and mental health, confirmed through a medical examination.
- No Korean language proficiency is required to apply — the funded year of language training exists specifically to bring you up to speed before your degree begins.
What the Scholarship Actually Provides
- 100% of tuition covered, up to KRW 5,000,000 (roughly USD 3,700) per semester, with your host university’s admission fee waived entirely.
- A monthly stipend of KRW 1,070,000 during your language training year, rising to KRW 1,140,000 once your degree programme begins.
- A one-time settlement allowance of KRW 200,000 on arrival.
- Round-trip economy airfare, provided at the start and end of the programme.
- Full health insurance for the duration of the scholarship.
- A funded, mandatory one-year Korean language programme before your degree starts — this isn’t optional, and reaching TOPIK Level 3 during this year is generally required to continue into your degree.
- A bonus stipend increase of KRW 100,000 per month for scholars who reach TOPIK Level 5 or 6 — a real incentive to push further in Korean proficiency than the minimum requirement.
A Major Process Change Worth Knowing About
One of the most significant shifts to the GKS Undergraduate application in recent cycles: the process has moved to a mandatory online application. Previously, applicants had to mail large physical bundles of documents. Now, most of the process runs through the official Study in Korea portal — you open an account, complete the form, and submit documents online. That said, some embassies or universities may still require physical, apostilled documents at a later stage even after you’ve completed the online submission, so verify your specific embassy’s or university’s exact requirements once the 2027 guidelines are published rather than assuming the process is entirely paperless.
Documents to Prepare
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate Program—funded by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED)—is a fully funded scholarship for international students.
Selection involves administrative document verification. Candidates apply through either the Embassy Track (3 university choices) or the University Track (1 university choice).
1. Official NIIED Application Forms (Form 1 to Form 6):
- Form 1 (Application Form): Personal biodata, track selection, track choices, and high school academic summaries.
- Form 2 (Personal Statement): A structured essay detailing your background, motivation, and accomplishments.
- Form 3 (Study Plan): Details language study plans, academic goals, degree objectives, and post-graduation career plans.
- Form 4 (Recommender Information) & Recommendation Letter: Standardized reference form accompanied by the sealed letter.
- Form 5 (GKS Applicant Agreement): A legal pledge agreeing to NIIED terms, award conditions, and grade performance standards.
- Form 6 (Personal Medical Assessment): A self-reported health declaration evaluating physical and mental fitness to study in South Korea.
2. Two Recommendation Letters:
Source: Issued by high school principals, academic teachers, or counsellors who can evaluate your academic ability, character, and discipline.
Submission Standard: Written in English or Korean. If submitting physical paper forms for certain embassy processes, each letter must be sealed in an official envelope with the recommender’s signature across the flap.
3. Official High School Graduation Certificate:
Requirement: Official high school diploma or graduation certificate. Applicants expecting to graduate must submit an official Certificate of Expected Graduation issued by their school.
Apostille / Consular Authentication: Must be legally verified via Apostille or Consular Confirmation by the Korean Embassy/Consulate in your home country.
4. High School Academic Transcripts:
Performance Benchmark: Transcripts covering your entire secondary school program. Must show a Cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 80% or higher on a 100-point scale, rank in the top 20% of your class, or meet minimum equivalent GPA benchmarks (e.g., $2.64/4.0$, $2.80/4.3$, $2.91/4.5$).
Grading Key: Must include the school’s official GPA scale or grading legend. If your school uses an unconvertible system, you must attach an official conversion certificate issued by your school or education authority.
5. Proof of Nationality & Family Relationship:
Verification: Official documents proving that both you and your parents hold non-Korean citizenship.
Accepted Documents: High-resolution scans of international passports, national identity cards, or official birth certificates clearly establishing parental lineage. Dual citizens holding Korean nationality are ineligible.
6. Optional Supplementary Documents (Merit Boosters):
Language Certificates: Official TOPIK score reports (Korean Language Test) or valid English proficiency test scores (TOEFL iBT or IELTS).
Awards & Certificates: Certified copies of academic honors, national/international competition certificates, or documented extracurricular achievements.
How to Apply — For the 2027 Cycle
- Decide between the Embassy Track and University Track based on your own strategy — flexibility across three universities versus a single, potentially less competitive shot at one school.
- Watch NIIED’s official channels and the Study in Korea portal for the 2027 guidelines, expected around September 2026 for Embassy Track applicants.
- Confirm your specific country’s participation and quota once guidelines are released — eligibility and competitiveness both vary meaningfully by country.
- Begin gathering and certifying your documents well in advance, including any required translations, since apostille and certification processes can take real time.
- If pursuing Embassy Track, contact your Korean embassy directly for country-specific requirements and interview details, since format varies by country.
- If pursuing University Track, research and select your target Korean university carefully, since you only get this one shot under this track.
- Complete the online application through the Study in Korea portal once it opens, following your track’s specific process exactly.
- Submit before your track’s deadline — these are firm, non-negotiable dates.
- Prepare for possible interviews or additional verification if shortlisted, and expect results announced in stages, with final selection communicated in the following January or thereabouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Global Korea Scholarship currently open for the 2026 intake?
No. Both the Embassy Track (September 30, 2025) and University Track (October 31, 2025) deadlines have closed. The next opportunity is the 2027 cycle.
When will the 2027 cycle open?
NIIED hasn’t officially announced dates yet. Based on the consistent annual pattern, expect Embassy Track around September 2026 and University Track around October 2026.
Do I need to already know Korean to apply?
No. There’s no language requirement at the point of application. The scholarship includes a fully funded year of Korean language training before your degree programme begins.
Can I apply through both the Embassy Track and University Track to improve my chances?
No. You must choose exactly one track per cycle. Applying through both results in disqualification from the entire programme.
Has the application process changed recently?
Yes, significantly. The GKS Undergraduate application has moved to a mandatory online system through the Study in Korea portal, replacing the previous process of mailing large physical document bundles — though some embassies or universities may still require physical, apostilled documents at a later stage.
Disclaimer: All scholarship details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria in this post were verified from official and closely tracking independent sources as of August 2026. Because NIIED has not yet published official 2027 cycle dates, always confirm the latest details directly on the official Study in Korea portal or through your country’s Korean embassy before applying. ScholarWaka is not affiliated with the Government of the Republic of Korea or NIIED
Official Application Portal
Join ScholarWaka Community
Get the latest scholarship updates and study abroad opportunities before anyone else.
