The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under Korea’s Ministry of Education. It funds a full degree at a Korean university, usually starting with a year of Korean language study.
This guide covers the undergraduate scholarship (GKS-U) and is based on the official 2027 guidelines published by NIIED in September 2026. The graduate scholarship (GKS-G) has a separate call: for the 2026 intake, applications ran from 12 to 25 February 2026.
Two tracks: Embassy or University
You apply through one track only. Applying to more than one track or programme leads to disqualification.
| Embassy Track | University Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to apply | Online via Study in Korea; the Korean embassy in your country runs the first round | Directly with the Korean university, following its own process |
| Universities | Up to 3, from Type A and Type B, at least one Type B | One university and one department |
| 2027 intake dates | 15 September 2026, 11:00 to 30 September 2026, 18:00 (Korea time) | September–November 2026, depending on each university |
| Countries | Invited countries only, each with a quota | The UIC programme is open to all countries except Korea |
The list includes 28 Type A and 42 Type B institutions. Yonsei University, for example, is a Type A university in the Embassy Track.
Invited Arab countries in the Embassy Track (2027 intake)
From the quota table in the official guidelines:
| Country | General | R-GKS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Morocco | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Syria | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Yemen | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Iraq | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jordan | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Arab countries not in this table have no Embassy Track places this year, but the University Track (UIC) is open to them. The guidelines also note that an embassy may decline to recommend candidates depending on local circumstances.
Number of awards in 2027: 156 Embassy Track scholars from 74 countries, 100 University Track (UIC) scholars and 30 associate-degree scholars — 286 in total.
Who can apply?
- Citizenship of an invited country; your parents must not hold Korean citizenship.
- Under 25: born after 1 March 2002 for the 2027 intake.
- High-school graduate, or expected graduate with proof by 31 December 2026.
- Grades: 80/100 or above, or top 20% of your class, or a CGPA of at least 2.64/4.0 (or equivalent).
- Fit to study in Korea for the whole programme.
Not eligible: bachelor’s degree holders, graduates of Korean high schools (including international schools), and former Korean government degree scholars.
What does the scholarship cover?
- Tuition: NIIED pays part; the university covers the rest plus the admission fee.
- An all-inclusive monthly allowance covering living costs, accommodation and health insurance, plus a settlement allowance, a degree completion grant and Korean proficiency grants (TOPIK).
- Airfare: economy class at actual cost (not for scholars already living in Korea).
- A year of Korean language study before the degree.
Duration for a bachelor’s: 5 to 7 years — one language year plus 4 to 6 years of degree study.
The Korean language year and TOPIK
- TOPIK level 5 or 6 holders go straight into the degree.
- Reaching level 5 or 6 within the first 6 months of language study exempts you from the remaining 6 months; you start your degree in September 2027.
- In the evaluation, applicants get bonus points: 3% for TOPIK 3, 4% for TOPIK 4, 5% for level 5 or above.
- Science and engineering applicants receive an extra 5%.
If you have time before applying, studying Korean and reaching at least TOPIK 3 genuinely improves your chances.
Stages and dates (2027 intake, Embassy Track)
- Online application: 15–30 September 2026.
- First-round results (embassy): by 16 October 2026.
- Documents must reach NIIED: by 30 October 2026.
- Second-round results (NIIED): late November 2026.
- Third-round results (universities): by 23 December 2026.
- Notify your chosen university: by 29 December 2026.
- Final announcement: expected 7 January 2027, with invitation letters in January.
Candidates not admitted by any of their chosen universities are disqualified.
Required documents
Forms: application form (in English), personal statement, study plan (English or Korean), one recommendation letter issued within a year of the deadline, applicant agreement, personal medical assessment and data consent.
Official certificates (with an apostille or consular confirmation):
- proof of your and your parents’ citizenship and family relationship;
- high-school diploma (or expected-graduation certificate) and transcript;
- associate degree certificate and transcript, if any.
Other: TOPIK or English test score report if available, up to 5 optional awards, and your passport.
Documents not in English or Korean need a certified translation.
Practical tips
- Start legalisations early: apostilles or consular confirmation of school and citizenship documents take weeks in many countries.
- Choose universities wisely: in the Embassy Track at least one choice must be Type B, so study those universities’ programmes carefully before choosing.
- Write a specific study plan: why this field, why Korea, and what you will do after graduating.
- Mind the age limit: the under-25 rule is strict and calculated from a fixed date.
- Follow your local Korean embassy’s notice: it runs the first round and may add local instructions.
When is the next intake?
The 2027 Embassy Track closed on 30 September 2026; the University Track continues until November 2026, depending on the university. The 2028 call has not been announced yet; in the last two intakes the Embassy Track closed on 30 September. Follow Study in Korea and the related scholarship pages below.