Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
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The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the Korean government’s fully funded scholarship for undergraduate and graduate study. It covers tuition, a monthly allowance, flights and usually Korean language training. Applicants need 80% or an accepted academic equivalent, and must meet nationality and applicable age requirements.
The thought of studying in South Korea is a dream for many students worldwide. It may attract you with its universities, its rich culture, or its career opportunities. However, there is a huge problem that accompanies this dream, and that is how to finance it. The GKS program can assist in that.
We created this guide to explain what the Global Korea Scholarship is, who is eligible, what it pays, and how the two application tracks differ.
Read more: How to Apply for a PhD in South Korea
What Is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)?
The Global Korea Scholarship, or GKS, is a program run by the Korean government through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Its primary objective is to attract excellent international students to higher education institutions in Korea.
It is not merely an academic program. It is also about encouraging international education exchange and establishing good relations between Korea and other nations.
GKS vs. KGSP: Full Form and Meaning
This scholarship is commonly referred to as GKS and KGSP. KGSP means Korean Government Scholarship Program, the former name. GKS stands for Global Korea Scholarship. In this context, the two names refer to the same Korean government scholarship program.
What Does the GKS Scholarship Pay? Benefits and Allowance Amounts
When we say “fully funded,” what does that mean? GKS supports tuition, Korean language training, eligible airfare and a living allowance. The published allowance differs between undergraduate and graduate scholars, and between the language and degree stages.
| Benefit | Undergraduate: Associate and Bachelor’s | Graduate: Master’s and PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Allowance during Korean language training | ₩1,130,000 per month equivalent ₩13,560,000 per year |
₩1,200,000 per month equivalent ₩14,400,000 per year |
| Allowance during the degree program | ₩1,200,000 per month equivalent ₩14,400,000 per year |
₩1,380,000 per month equivalent ₩16,560,000 per year; the same published rate for master’s and PhD degree scholars |
| Tuition and admission fees | NIIED provides up to ₩5,000,000 per semester. The university covers tuition above that amount and the admission fee. | NIIED provides up to ₩5,000,000 per semester; the university covers the admission fee. Confirm the treatment of any tuition above the cap with your host university. |
| Korean language training fees | ₩5,200,000 for the language year, paid to the institution | ₩5,200,000 for four quarters, where language training applies |
| Flights | Economy-class airfare at actual cost, subject to eligibility and travel conditions | Economy-class airfare at actual cost, subject to eligibility, travel conditions and applicable country agreements |
| Settlement allowance | Included in the all-inclusive allowance; do not add a separate flat settlement payment to the totals above. | The cited benefits table does not itemise a separate settlement amount. Confirm payment arrangements with the host university. |
| Medical insurance, TOPIK fees and completion support | Included in the all-inclusive allowance, along with living costs, accommodation and Korean proficiency support | The cited table does not provide separate fixed amounts for these items. Check the applicable award arrangements rather than adding older itemised figures. |
| Research funds | No separate fixed research grant is listed in the cited benefits table. | No separate fixed research grant for master’s or PhD degree students is listed in the cited table. The separate non-degree Research Program has its own allowance. |
Rate sources: NIIED’s GKS-U guidelines, scholarship information, page 22 (2027 edition) and GKS-G guidelines, page 31; Korean version, page 26 (2026 edition). Monthly equivalents divide the published annual amounts by 12; they do not establish the actual instalment schedule. These are different guideline editions, not a promise of unchanged rates in future cycles. Amounts may change.
Avoid double-counting benefits. The undergraduate guideline explicitly bundles settlement, insurance, Korean proficiency, TOPIK application and degree-completion support into its allowance. It does not promise each as an additional payment on top. The graduate guideline allows Korean proficiency support for certain scholars initially exempted from language training with TOPIK level 5 or 6, but does not specify an extra amount in the benefits table.
Airfare has exceptions. For example, entry airfare is not provided to newly selected scholars already residing in Korea at the final announcement. Read the applicable travel rules before buying a ticket.
To compare the allowance with your likely housing and daily expenses, read our guide to study and living costs in South Korea.
GKS Eligibility Requirements
This is the question that is of the greatest concern to any applicant. GKS has strict eligibility criteria. You must meet the requirements for your degree level, program and application track to be considered.
General Eligibility Requirements
These are the first things that you need to check.
- Nationality: Applicants and their parents or legal guardians must hold non-Korean citizenship. Dual citizenship that includes Korean citizenship is not eligible. Applicants or parents who previously held Korean citizenship must provide the required proof of renunciation.
- Eligible country and program: Check NIIED’s invited-country and program lists. Some programs have broader country eligibility, including the undergraduate University Industry Cooperation (UIC) program.
- Education: Undergraduate applicants need the appropriate high-school or associate qualification. Master’s applicants need a bachelor’s degree; PhD applicants need a master’s degree. Expected graduates must meet the completion and document deadlines in their applicable guideline.
- Health: Applicants must meet the guideline’s health requirements for studying in Korea throughout the program.
GKS Age Limit: Undergraduate and Graduate Applicants
The GKS age limit depends on your level of study. NIIED specifies an exact birth-date cutoff in each cycle’s guideline; check that cutoff rather than calculating eligibility from your age today.
| Study Level | Standard Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate: Associate or Bachelor’s | Under 25, using the published birth-date cutoff |
| Graduate: Master’s or PhD | Under 40, using the published birth-date cutoff |
The graduate guideline includes a limited under-45 exception for current academic professors in designated Official Development Assistance recipient countries. This is not a general age extension for all graduate applicants.
Academic and GPA Requirements
Your academic record is part of the assessment. The published undergraduate and graduate guidelines accept the following alternatives for the relevant previous course of study:
- A score of 80% or above on a 100-point scale;
- A ranking within the top 20% of your class; or
- A CGPA that meets one of the accepted thresholds below.
| GPA Scale | Minimum CGPA |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 2.64 |
| 4.3 | 2.80 |
| 4.5 | 2.91 |
| 5.0 | 3.23 |
If your transcript uses a different grading system, follow the guideline’s requirements for official grading explanations or converted transcripts. Do not assume that simply dividing your GPA by its maximum produces an accepted GKS percentage. Meeting the minimum academic requirement does not guarantee selection.
Who Is Not Eligible to Apply?
The restrictions differ by program, so check the relevant guideline before ruling yourself in or out. Important restrictions include:
- Undergraduate applicants: Graduates or expected graduates of Korean high schools or Korean associate-degree programs are restricted. Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree cannot use GKS-U to obtain another bachelor’s degree.
- Graduate applicants: Graduates or expected graduates of Korean high schools or Korean universities are generally excluded under the published rules.
- Previous scholarship recipients: Prior Korean government degree funding, previous GKS degree or research study, and scholarship cancellations can make an applicant ineligible. Non-degree exchange and IRTS language-program recipients have specified exceptions.
- Withdrawals and duplicate submissions: Restrictions apply to certain recently selected scholars who withdrew or were disqualified before enrolment. Duplicate track, program or university applications can also lead to disqualification.
Official eligibility references: GKS-U guidelines, pages 7-9; GKS-G guidelines, pages 12-15. The current guideline and participating university’s additional requirements govern your application.
GKS Degree Level Scholarship
The scholarship is provided for both undergraduate and graduate studies, with differences in the standard duration of the program.
GKS Undergraduate Scholarship: Bachelor’s and Associate Programs
This program targets eligible high-school graduates and, for bachelor’s entry, eligible associate-degree graduates.
- Bachelor’s degree: Normally 1 year of Korean language training and 4-6 years of degree study.
- Associate degree: Normally 1 year of Korean language training and 2-3 years of degree study.
Global Korea Scholarship Graduate Program: Master’s and PhD
This program is offered to eligible students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
- Master’s degree: Normally 1 year of Korean language training and 2 years of degree study.
- Doctoral (PhD) degree: Normally 1 year of Korean language training and 3 years of degree study.
A valid TOPIK level 5 or 6 can qualify a scholar for exemption from language training. Graduate programs have additional exemption categories, including specified English-taught programs; the Global Network master’s program does not include the language year. Check the rules for your program.
GKS-G also has a separate non-degree Research Program lasting 6 months or 1 year. Its published annual allowance is ₩20,880,000, equivalent to ₩1,740,000 per month. This is a separate program rate, not an additional research grant for master’s or PhD degree students.
For subject ideas, explore our guide to popular subjects to study in South Korea. Confirm GKS eligibility for any course in NIIED’s University Information files.
The GKS Application: Embassy Track vs. University Track
This is an important decision in your GKS application. You cannot submit simultaneous applications through both tracks. However, applicants who do not pass the first embassy round may be allowed to apply through the university track afterward, if they can meet the relevant deadline. Successful first-round embassy candidates, including reserve candidates, cannot use that option.
What Is the Embassy Track?
In this route, your application is considered through the Korean embassy responsible for your country of citizenship. The current undergraduate and graduate guidelines use the Study in Korea online system for Embassy Track submission.
General and Overseas Korean/Adoptee applicants can normally select up to three universities, including at least one Type B university. Undergraduate R-GKS applicants may select up to two Type B universities. Selection involves the embassy, NIIED and university admission reviews.
Type A and Type B are NIIED’s university categories. Use the official University Information files to check a university’s category and eligible departments.
What Is the University Track?
In this route, you apply directly to one designated university and one department, following that university’s submission rules. The university reviews your application and recommends selected candidates to NIIED. Eligible programs and departments vary by degree level.
Which Track Should You Choose? A Simple Breakdown
There is no universally easier track. Your choice depends on your eligible programs, country quota, academic fit and university preferences. More university choices do not guarantee a higher chance of selection.
| Feature | Embassy Track | University Track |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Study in Korea online system, through the relevant Korean embassy | Directly to the designated university |
| University choices | Normally up to 3, including a Type B university; undergraduate R-GKS allows up to 2 Type B choices | 1 university and 1 department |
| Selection rounds | 3: Embassy, NIIED, then university admission review | 2: University, then NIIED |
| Best suited to | Applicants with several eligible universities they would be happy to attend | Applicants with a specific eligible university and program in mind |
Your Journey to Korea with GKS
The Global Korea Scholarship can be a life-changing experience. Its tuition and living support can help you concentrate on your studies and cultural life, although you should still compare the allowance with your personal expenses.
Start preparing early, read the official guidelines carefully, and be honest and specific in your personal statement and study plan. Check the official university and department lists before choosing a course.
If you are comparing GKS with other funding options, browse academic and research opportunities in South Korea. These listings include opportunities beyond GKS; each has its own funding and eligibility rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is GKS Fully Funded?
Yes. GKS provides tuition support, eligible airfare, Korean language training where required, and a living allowance. The amount and payment structure depend on your program and study stage. Fully funded does not mean every personal expense or travel cost is reimbursed; check the benefits table and the applicable guideline.
What Is the GKS Age Limit?
The standard limits are under 25 for undergraduate applicants and under 40 for graduate applicants, assessed against the guideline’s exact birth-date cutoff. A limited under-45 graduate exception applies to eligible current academic professors from designated ODA recipient countries.
What GPA Do You Need for GKS?
The accepted minimum CGPAs are 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or 3.23/5.0. A score of 80% or above, or a top-20% class ranking, is also accepted under the published academic rules. Your previous course of study must be the one specified for your chosen degree level.
Is It Possible to Apply for GKS With a Low GPA?
A percentage below 80% does not automatically rule you out if you meet an accepted alternative, such as an officially documented top-20% class ranking. You must satisfy at least one approved academic criterion. A strong essay does not waive the eligibility rules.
Do I Need TOPIK or IELTS/TOEFL to Apply?
Language certificates are generally optional for the GKS application, but a university or department may require a particular score. TOPIK is the Korean proficiency test; valid level 5 or 6 can support exemption from the language year. Scholars normally need at least TOPIK level 3 to progress from language training to degree study, and some departments require a higher level.
Embassy vs. University Track: Which Is Easier?
Neither track is universally easier. Compare your eligible programs, country quota, academic fit and university preferences. The embassy route may allow several university choices, while the university route requires a single university and department. Avoid treating unverified acceptance-rate claims as a reliable way to choose.
Can I Apply to Both the Embassy and University Tracks?
Not simultaneously. The published guidelines allow applicants who fail the first embassy round to apply through the university route afterward, subject to its deadline. Applicants who pass the first embassy round, including reserve candidates, cannot do this. Follow the duplicate-submission rules for your cycle.
Is There a GKS Entrance Exam or Syllabus?
NIIED’s guidelines describe eligibility screening and assessment through application documents and interviews, rather than one common GKS entrance exam or syllabus. Embassies and universities conduct their own first-round assessments. TOPIK is a separate Korean language test, not a universal GKS entrance exam.
When Does the Next GKS Round Open?
Graduate GKS guidelines are normally announced around February; undergraduate guidelines usually appear around September, before the year of entry. These are expected annual patterns, not a confirmed opening date for every program. See our GKS application dates and preparation guide for current-cycle details, then verify the relevant NIIED announcement.
Official GKS sources
- NIIED’s Study in Korea scholarship overview: program purpose, degree levels and general selection patterns.
- Official GKS-U guidelines and University Information files: undergraduate benefits, eligibility and track rules.
- Official GKS-G guidelines and University Information files: graduate benefits, eligibility, exceptions and track rules.
- NIIED’s undergraduate online-application user guide: the portal is for Embassy Track applications; University Track applicants follow their university’s procedures.
For a future intake, check the GKS Notice board for the applicable edition. Where translations differ, NIIED states that the Korean-language guideline prevails.
