Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The thought of studying in South Korea is a dream for many students worldwide. It may attract you with its world-class universities, its rich culture, or the amazing career opportunities. However, there is a huge problem that accompanies this dream, and that is how to finance it.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program can assist in that.

It is among the most generous and popular scholarships provided by the Korean government. It is a fully-funded program that enables bright foreign students to pursue degrees in Korea.

However, the process of application may be tedious and disorienting. There are many documents, two different application tracks, and strict deadlines. It's normal to feel overwhelmed.

We created this guide to help you through every step. We will explain the benefits, the eligibility rules, and exactly how to prepare your application for the upcoming 2026 cycle.

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What Is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)?

The Global Korea Scholarship or GKS is a program that is run by the Korean government. Its primary objective is to attract excellent foreign students to attend higher education institutions in Korea.

It is not merely an academic program. It is also about encouraging international education exchange, nurturing future global leaders, and establishing good and cordial relations between Korea and other nations.

GKS vs. KGSP: Do they differ?

This scholarship is commonly referred to as GKS and KGSP. KGSP is an abbreviation that means the Korean Government Scholarship Program. This was the initial name. The program was rebranded a few years ago. It is now called the GKS or Global Korea Scholarship. They are the same scholarship.

What Does the GKS Scholarship Exactly Pay? (The Benefits)

When we say "fully funded," what does that mean? The GKS program is known to be highly comprehensive, and it includes nearly all expenses. In case you are chosen, you will usually get:

• Round-trip Airfare: A ticket in an economy flight to and back from Korea.

• Settlement Allowance: A one-time payment to help you get settled after you arrive.

• Monthly Allowance: This is a monthly allowance to take care of your living expenses, such as food and transport.

• Korean Language Training: Every scholar has to take a one-year course in the Korean language prior to commencing their degree, and this is financed.

• Full Tuition: The scholarship pays 100 percent of your tuition fees at the university.

• Medical Insurance: You will be given health insurance throughout your scholarship.

• Degree Completion Grant: This is a single grant given to scholars who successfully complete their degree.

• Korean Proficiency Grant: You will be able to receive an additional monthly grant when you pass the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) test with a high level.

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Am I Eligible? GKS 2026 Requirements

This is the question that is of the greatest concern to any applicant. The GKS program has strict eligibility criteria. You must meet all of them to be considered.

General Eligibility Requirements

These are the first things that you need to check.

• Nationality: To take part in the GKS program, you have to be a citizen of a country specified by NIIED (the National Institute of International Education). In addition, neither of your parents should be a Korean citizen. Korean citizens or dual citizens (including Koreans) are not allowed to apply.

• Age: 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).

• Health: The applicants must be physically and mentally fit to undertake the whole program in Korea.

Academic & GPA Requirements

Your academic record is one of the assessments. You have to satisfy one of the following requirements:

• 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.

Your CGPA must be equal to or higher than the following in case your transcript does not show a percentage:

• 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

Who Is Not Eligible to Apply?

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.

GKS Degree Level Scholarship

The scholarship is provided in both undergraduate and graduate studies, but with a slight variation in the duration of the program.

GKS Scholarship Undergraduate (and Associate) Program

This is a program that targets high school graduates

• Bachelor's Degree: This consists of 1 year of training in the Korean language and 4 to 6 years of the degree program.

• Associate Degree: This consists of 1 year of training in the Korean language and 2 to 3 years of the degree program.

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

This is a program that is offered to students with a Bachelor's or Master's degree.

• Master's Degree: This consists of 1 year of training in the Korean language and 2 years of the degree program.

• Doctoral (PhD) Degree: This consists of 1 year of training in the Korean language and 3 years of the degree program.

The GKS Application: Embassy Track vs. University Track

This is the biggest decision you'll have to make in your GKS application. You have to pick one track to apply through; you can not apply to both. Applying to both will lead to your application being disqualified.

Let's look at the differences.

What is the Embassy Track?

In this path, you present your application and documents to the Korean Embassy in your country of origin.

• The Strength: You can apply to three universities simultaneously.

• The Process: It consists of three selection rounds.

1. 1st Round: The embassy in your country goes through all the applications and picks the first group of successful candidates.

2. 2nd Round: The applications of the embassy decisions are forwarded to NIIED (the central scholarship committee) to be reviewed again.

3. 3rd Round: In case you pass the NIIED review, your application is forwarded to the three universities you have listed. You have to be a final winner by getting admission in at least one of them.

What is the University Track?

In this path, you bypass the embassy and apply to a single university in Korea.

• The Advantage: The process is faster and has fewer rounds.

• The Process: It consists of two selection rounds.

1. 1st Round: The university reviews your application. Should they select you, they will suggest you to NIIED as their candidate.

2. 2nd Round: NIIED examines the recommendations of the university and decides.

Which Track Should You Choose? A Simple Breakdown

No better track, it is a matter of your strategy. The university track might not be as competitive, but you can only get one opportunity at one university. The embassy track offers you three opportunities, but you might have more competition in your country.

The following is a comparison to enable you to make a decision:

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Global Korea Scholarship 2026: Application Period and Deadlines

The most important part of your application is meeting the deadline. These deadlines are not flexible.

The timelines below are the typical schedules based on the 2025 cycle to help you prepare in advance. Deadlines are set by each embassy or university, so you must check their websites for the exact dates.

Typical Timeline for Graduate (Spring) Applications

The application for Master's and PhD programs usually opens in the spring.

• Application Period: February – March

• 1st Round Results (Embassy & Uni): Late March

• 2nd Round Results (NIIED): Early May (Embassy Track) / Early June (University Track)

• 3rd Round Results (Embassy Track only): Early June

• Final Announcement: Late June

Undergraduate (Fall) Applications: Typical Timeline

Bachelor's and Associate degrees applications normally open in the fall of the preceding year.

• Application Period: September (e.g., September 15 – 30, 2025)

• 1st Round Results & Interviews: October

• 2nd Round Results (NIIED): November

• 3rd Round Results (Embassy Track only): Late December

• Final Announcement: Early January 2026

Application to the GKS Scholarship: Step-by-Step

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the main tasks you need to complete.

Step 1: Check the Official GKS Guidelines & University Info

This is the most important part of your preparation. The first thing you need to do is to locate and read the official GKS application guidelines before you do anything. They are published annually on the site Study in Korea (www.studyinkorea.go.kr).

These are the guidelines that are most valuable to you. They include the official list of the eligible countries, the exact number of students to be chosen (the quota), and all the regulations of the year. You also need to download the files of the University Information. These files will tell you precisely what departments and majors each of the participating universities has to offer.

Step 2: Prepare Your Required 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

One more word about documents: You will have to have your official certificates, such as your diploma and transcripts, Apostilled or Consular Confirmed. This is an official certification that proves your documents are real. This may take weeks or even months, and therefore you need to know how to do this in your home country immediately.

Step 3: Writing Your Personal Statement & Study Plan

These two documents are your only opportunity to present yourself to the selection committee. Your Personal Statement is the place where you describe your background, your interest in your field, and your personal motivation. Your Study Plan is where you describe what you want to study, your academic objectives, and why you think Korea is the right place where you can realize your objectives.

Be clear, honest, and specific. This is often the most difficult part of the application. For those who need help organizing their thoughts or personalizing their application, ApplyKite's kiteAI can assist in generating materials that align with your goals.

Step 4: Identifying a Professor (Graduate Applicants)

This is strongly advised to graduate (Master's and PhD) applicants, particularly when you are on the University Track. Although it is not necessarily a mandatory aspect of the application, reaching out to a prospective professor prior to applying can make a significant difference.

It shows that you are serious about your research and helps you confirm that your interests match their lab. If a professor is interested in your profile, they may support your application. Students looking for supervisors can use ApplyKite's Explore Professors and Research Supervisors service to find faculty who match their research interests.

Step 5: Submitting Your Application

After you have checked your documents numerous times and have all the documents ready, it is time to submit. You will submit your application based on the track you chose:

• Embassy Track: You will submit your application to the Korean Embassy in your home country.

• University Track: You will submit your application directly to the university you are applying to.

What's New? GKS Application Changes

The most significant modification in the 2026 GKS Undergraduate application is that it will shift to a mandatory online application. In the past, the applicants had to mail massive, physical bundles of documents. It is now to be applied mostly online through the Study in Korea site.

You will be required to open an account, complete the form, and submit all your documents online. Nevertheless, you must still verify the particular regulations of your embassy or university, since some of them might demand that you provide physical, apostilled documents once you have filled out the online application.

Your Journey to Korea with GKS

The Global Korea Scholarship is a life-changing experience. It gives you the full opportunity to concentrate on your studies and cultural life without worrying about tuition and living expenses.

The process of application is lengthy and tiresome. To collect all the documents, meet the deadlines, and adhere to all the rules to the letter, you will have to be very organized. However, the idea of studying in Korea with a full scholarship is worth the struggle.

Start preparing early, read the guidelines carefully, and be honest and passionate in your personal statement. We wish you the best of luck in your application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Is it possible to apply to GKS with a low GPA?

You have to have the least academic qualification. The requirements are that you must have a GPA of 80% or above, or you must be in the top 20% of your class. Any failure to fulfill this minimum requirement will most likely result in your disqualification.

Do I need TOPIK or IELTS/TOEFL to apply?

No, there are no language test scores that are typically required to be used. Nevertheless, they are strongly suggested. A TOPIK level 3 or above, or a high score on the IELTS or TOEFL, will earn you an additional 5-10 percent of your total score (so-called preference points).

Where do I find the GKS 2026 application form?

The official application form and all guidelines are posted only on the site of the Study in Korea (www.studyinkorea.go.kr). You are to refer to the board of GKS Notice. Forms that are applied to any other unofficial site should not be applied since they may be outdated.

Can I apply to both the Embassy and University tracks?

No. You must choose only one track. Should you apply to the University Track and the Embassy Track in the same application year, you will automatically be disqualified.