NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION (NIIED)
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) – Undergraduate
full · bachelors
- Fully FundedScholarship type
- Korean universitiesHost country
- UndergraduateStudy level
- ~KRW 900,000/moLiving allowance
- 1-year Korean courseLanguage training
- Embassy or university trackApplication
At a glance
full
Funding
€15k
Max amount
Sep 30, 2026
Deadline
~150+ countries (quotas allocated per country)
Country
National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
Provider
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate programme, funded by the Korean government and administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), supports international students to pursue a full bachelor's degree at Korean universities. It includes a funded year of Korean language study before the degree. The scholarship is fully funded: it covers round-trip airfare, a settlement allowance, a monthly living allowance (around KRW 900,000 for undergraduates), full tuition, one year of Korean language training, medical insurance, and a degree-completion grant. The undergraduate track typically runs for 5 years in total (1 language year plus a 4-year degree). Applicants apply via one of two tracks — the embassy track (through the Korean embassy in their home country, by country quota) or the university track (directly through a designated Korean university). Applicants generally must be under ~25, have completed (or be completing) secondary school, and meet a GPA threshold. Selection includes document screening and an interview.
What's covered
- Airfare — Round-trip economy airfare to and from Korea.
- Settlement & monthly allowance — A settlement allowance plus ~KRW 900,000/month living allowance for undergraduates.
- Tuition — Full tuition covered.
- Korean language year — One year of funded Korean language study before the degree.
- Insurance & completion grant — Medical insurance and a degree-completion grant.
How to apply
Decide between the embassy track and the university track, then apply by that track's deadline (the embassy undergraduate track commonly closes around ~September–October).
- Choose your track — Pick the Korean embassy track (country quota) or the university track (apply directly to a designated university).
- Select universities & majors — Choose eligible universities/majors per the track's rules.
- Prepare documents — Assemble the application forms, personal statement, study plan, school records, and recommendations.
- Submit by the deadline — Apply to the embassy or the university by the track deadline.
- Screening & interview — Pass document screening and an interview; NIIED and the embassy/university evaluate candidates.
- University acceptance — Secure university admission; begin with the funded Korean language year.
Eligibility
NationalityApplicant and both parents must be non-Korean citizens.
AgeGenerally under ~25 years old as of the application year.
EducationCompleted (or will complete) secondary school / high school by the arrival date.
GPAA strong GPA above the threshold (often top ~20% / ~80% equivalent).
HealthIn good physical and mental health to live and study in Korea.
Choose ONE track — embassy (country quota) or university (apply directly to a designated GKS university). The undergraduate cycle and deadlines differ from the GKS graduate cycle.
Eligible countries
~150+ countries (quotas allocated per country)
Deadlines
2027 undergraduate intake (embassy track)2026-09-30
Selection
Selection has multiple stages: document screening and an interview at the embassy or university, then university acceptance, then final confirmation by NIIED. Panels assess academic record (GPA), the study plan and personal statement, and motivation; the embassy track also balances country quotas.
Verified sources
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) — Undergraduatestudyinkorea.go.krofficial
About the provider
The Global Korea Scholarship is funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea and administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), an agency of the Korean Ministry of Education. It supports international students to study in Korea and builds a global network with ties to Korea.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the GKS Undergraduate scholarship?
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A fully-funded Korean government scholarship administered by NIIED for international students to pursue a full bachelor's degree at Korean universities, including a funded year of Korean language study.
Who is eligible?
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Non-Korean citizens (with non-Korean parents), generally under ~25, who have completed or will complete secondary school with a strong GPA above the threshold.
What does it cover?
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Round-trip airfare, a settlement allowance, a monthly living allowance (~KRW 900,000), full tuition, one year of Korean language training, medical insurance, and a completion grant.
What are the two tracks?
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The embassy track (apply through the Korean embassy by country quota) and the university track (apply directly to a designated GKS university). You may use only one.
When is the deadline?
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The embassy undergraduate track commonly closes around ~September–October, with the language year starting the following spring. Confirm dates for your track and country.
Do I need to speak Korean?
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Not at application — GKS includes one funded year of Korean. You typically need to reach TOPIK Level 3+ to progress, and some programmes are offered in English.
How long is the scholarship?
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About 5 years total — one year of Korean language study plus a 4-year bachelor's degree.
Is there an age limit?
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Yes — undergraduate applicants generally must be under ~25 as of the application year.
What GPA do I need?
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A strong GPA above the threshold — often equivalent to the top ~20% of your class or around ~80% — as a strict eligibility requirement.
How competitive is it?
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Highly — places are allocated by country quota (embassy track) and by university, so strong school records, a clear study plan, and a good interview are essential.
Which universities can I attend?
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Designated GKS universities across Korea. The embassy track and university track each have their own lists of participating institutions and majors.
How does this differ from GKS Graduate?
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The undergraduate programme funds a bachelor's degree (under-25 applicants), while the graduate programme funds master's/doctoral study; the cycles, ages, and deadlines differ.