Scholarship Overview
- Offered By: Government of South Korea (Ministry of Education)
- Host Country: South Korea
- Study Levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral, and Research programs
- Fields of Study: All academic fields available at Korean universities
The GKS program offers international students an unparalleled opportunity to study at Korea's prestigious universities while experiencing the country's rich culture and technological advancements.
Visit Official WebsiteApplication Timeline
Application Opens
Undergraduate: Sept–Oct • Graduate: Feb–Mar (every year)
Deadline
Varies by embassy/university (early–late March for Graduate)
1st Round Results
April
Final Results
June–July
Exact dates vary each year — confirm with your local Korean embassy or your target university.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Countries: 150+ countries including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Indonesia, Nigeria, Egypt
- Academic Requirements:
- Bachelor's: completed high school
- Master's: holds a Bachelor's degree
- PhD: holds a Master's degree
- Age Limits: Undergraduate under 25, Graduate under 40
- Minimum GPA: Above 80% of maximum score, or top 20% of class
Financial Coverage
- Tuition: Fully covered (up to KRW 5 million/semester)
- Monthly Stipend: Undergrad ~$700 • Graduate ~$750
- Settlement Allowance: KRW 200,000 (one-time)
- Airfare: Round-trip economy flight tickets
- Language Training: Covered (1-year Korean course)
- Medical Insurance: KRW 20,000/month covered
Required Documents
- GKS Application Form
- Personal Statement & Study Plan / Research Proposal
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Certificate of Graduation & Transcript
- Proof of Citizenship
- Medical Assessment Form
- Language Certificate (TOPIK/IELTS/TOEFL — optional)
- Passport Copy
All documents must be notarized and submitted in both hardcopy and digital format — check your embassy or university's exact instructions.
Application Process
- Embassy Track: Apply through the Korean Embassy in your country
- University Track: Apply directly to a participating Korean university
- Choose your track and eligible universities
- Prepare and notarize all documents
- Submit before the deadline
- Pass document screening & interview
- Final results published by NIIED
Important Notes
- Undergraduate applicants can select only 1 university
- Graduate applicants can choose up to 3 universities (Embassy Track only)
- Highly competitive — emphasize achievements and extracurriculars
- Applicants with TOPIK Level 5–6 may skip the 1-year language program