🇰🇷 South Korea · Scholarships
Scholarships and financial aid for studying in South Korea — government, university, and international programs.
Quick answer
South Korea's flagship scholarship is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), covering tuition, a stipend, airfare and Korean-language training. Many universities also offer their own awards. Explore options on the Study in Korea portal and apply by embassy or university track deadlines.
South Korea's flagship is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS, formerly KGSP), a fully-funded government programme run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) for undergraduate, master's and doctoral students across all disciplines. It typically covers tuition, living expenses, airfare and a one-year Korean-language course. The official Study in Korea portal is the central application and information hub.
- GKS is fully funded — tuition, a monthly stipend, return airfare, settlement/medical allowances and a one-year Korean-language programme.
- Two application tracks: the Embassy Track (via the Korean embassy/consulate in your country) or the University Track (directly to a GKS-designated Korean university).
- It supports undergraduate, master's and doctoral study in all fields; about 1,500 students from 150+ countries are selected each year.
- Korean universities and city/provincial governments also offer additional scholarships for international students.
Step-by-step
- 1
Map the funding landscape
Map Korean funding: the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS, NIIED) and university awards, via the Study in Korea portal.
- 2
Check eligibility and deadlines
Confirm eligibility (level, nationality, grades, language) and note that scholarship deadlines are often months before course start.
- 3
Prepare your documents
Prepare transcripts, a language-test score, reference letters, a strong personal statement and (for research) a proposal.
- 4
Apply to the scheme and university
Submit the scholarship application and, where required, a separate university/admission application by each deadline.
- 5
Interview, results and acceptance
Attend any interview or selection stage; if awarded, formally accept the scholarship and your study place.
- 6
Handle visa, funds and conditions
Apply for your student visa, arrange disbursement, and note any conditions such as progress requirements or a return/service obligation.
Checklist
- Funding sources identified (government / university / private)
- Eligibility + deadlines confirmed
- Transcripts + language test + references
- Personal statement / research proposal
- Scholarship + university applications submitted
- Interview / selection completed
- Offer accepted + funding terms understood
- Student visa + disbursement + any bond/return rules
Official authorities
- Study in Korea — GKS (Global Korea Scholarship)
Official Korean-government portal for the GKS and study information.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Global Korea Scholarship?
A NIIED scholarship covering tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare and a year of Korean-language training for international students.
How do I apply for the GKS?
Through either the embassy track (your country’s Korean embassy) or the university track (directly via a Korean university).
Is Korean-language training included?
Yes — GKS scholars typically complete a year of Korean-language study before or alongside their degree program.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of Korea — Korea's integrated government portal — policy, administrative services, e-government
- Korea Immigration Service (HiKorea) — Visas, residence status changes, work permits, and alien registration in Korea
- National Tax Service (NTS) — Korean income tax, corporate tax, VAT filing; annual comprehensive tax return for foreigners (May); foreign taxpayer incentive lookup