Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2026 Study in Korea

About the Scholarship

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully funded scholarship from the Government of South Korea. It helps international students study in Korea for free. This scholarship supports students who want to study Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degrees. GKS covers tuition fees, flight tickets, living costs, and Korean language study. Many students from different countries apply every year. The program is managed by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It gives students a chance to study at top Korean universities and learn about Korean culture. This scholarship is very competitive, but it gives great benefits and full financial support to selected students.

Scholarship Details

• Host Country: South Korea
• Host Organization: National Institute for International Education
• Scholarship Name: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
• Degree Levels: Bachelor, Master, PhD
• Gender: Male & Female
• English Language Certificate: Not always required (depends on university)
• Application Deadline:
  • Bachelor: September–October
  • Graduate: February–March
• Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

Degree Levels Covered

• Bachelor’s Degree – 4 to 5 years (including 1 year Korean language)
• Master’s Degree – 2 to 3 years (including 1 year Korean language)
• PhD Degree – 3 to 4 years (including 1 year Korean language)

Fields of Study

Bachelor Programs

• Engineering
• Business
• Computer Science
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Arts and Design

Master Programs

• Engineering
• International Relations
• Public Health
• Economics
• Education
• IT and AI

PhD Programs

• Advanced Engineering
• Medical Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Political Science
• Management

Scholarship Benefits

• Full tuition fee
• Free round-trip air ticket
• Monthly living allowance
• Korean language training
• Health insurance support
• Settlement allowance

Not Covered

• Extra personal expenses
• Family expenses
• Extra language courses (outside program)
• Travel inside Korea (personal trips)

Who Can Apply

• International students
• Good academic record
• Good physical and mental health
• Age limit as required
• Strong motivation to study in Korea

Who Cannot Apply

• Korean citizens
• Students already studying in Korea (in some cases)
• Those with serious health problems
• Applicants with very low grades

Required Documents

• Application form
• Passport copy
• Academic transcripts
• Graduation certificate
• Study plan
• Recommendation letters
• Medical report
• Language certificate (if available)

How to Become Successful

• Prepare documents early
• Write a strong study plan
• Get good recommendation letters
• Keep high academic grades
• Follow official guidelines carefully

Living Costs in South Korea

Item	Monthly Cost (USD)
Accommodation	$300 – $600
Food	$200 – $400
Transport	$50 – $100
Health Insurance	$20 – $40
Personal Expenses	$100 – $200
Total Average	$700 – $1,200

How to Apply

1. Choose Embassy Track or University Track
2. Prepare all required documents
3. Submit application before deadline
4. Wait for document screening
5. Attend interview (if required)
6. Wait for final result

FAQ

What is the Global Korea Scholarship?
It is a fully funded scholarship by the Korean government for international students.

Does GKS cover all costs?
Yes, it covers tuition, flight, and monthly allowance.

Is IELTS required?
Not always. It depends on the university.

Can I apply without Korean language?
Yes. Selected students will study Korean for one year.

How competitive is GKS?
It is very competitive because many students apply every year.

Apply Now

Apply through the Embassy of Korea in your country or directly to participating Korean universities.

For more information, please visit the official website of the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).

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