2026 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Graduate Degrees

Program Objectives

• Attract outstanding students from around the world
• Support degree studies and academic excellence
• Strengthen international networks and global partnerships

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Scholarship Information

• Korean language training + degree programs

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Selection Quota

• Approximately 1,900 graduate students
• Total: 2,000 scholars

Scholarship Benefits

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) provides comprehensive financial support to all selected scholars.

Covered Benefits

• Airfare: Economy-class round-trip flight ticket (actual expense covered)
• Tuition: Up to 5,000,000 KRW
  • The admission fee is covered by the host university
• Korean Language Training Fees: Fully covered
• Monthly Allowance: Provided to support living expenses

Fields of Study

General Programs

• Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Arts

Specialized Programs

R&D Program

• Science and engineering fields related to industrial sectors
• Available only for Master’s and Doctoral degrees

Global Network Program

• Humanities and social science fields focused on global cooperation
• Lectures are conducted mainly in English
• Designed for invited experts and key professionals
• Available only for a Master’s degree
• No Korean language training required

Application Tracks

Embassy Track

• General: 776
• Overseas Koreans: 24
• Subtotal: 800

University Track – General

• General: 160
• R-GKS: 480
• Research: 5
• International Organisation: 72
• Subtotal: 717

University Track – Specialisation

• R&D: 403
• Global Network: 80
• Subtotal: 483

Total Quota: 2,000

Application Method

Degree Programs

• Embassy Track: Apply online via the Study in Korea website
  👉 www.studyinkorea.go.kr
• University Track: Apply directly to a GKS-designated university

Research Programs

• Applications must be submitted directly to a GKS-designated university

Scholarship Duration

• Korean Language Training
• Master’s Degree: 2 years
• Doctoral Degree: 3 years

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Scholarship Benefits

• Round-trip airfare
• Full tuition coverage
• Korean language training costs
• Monthly living allowance

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Available Degree Programs

• Graduate Degrees (Master’s and Doctoral Degrees)

Programs are offered at over 80 GKS-designated universities in various academic fields nationwide.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nationality: Applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship
• Age: Under 40 years
• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree completed
• Academic Performance: Minimum GPA of 80% from the most recent academic program

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Selection Process

1. Announcement
   • Conducted by NIIED
   • Application period: February
2. Application Submission
   • Via the Korean Embassy or the University
   • Application period: February–March
3. Review Process
   • Embassy / University / NIIED
   • Application period: April–June
4. Final Results
   • Announced by NIIED
   • Application period: June

Available Universities

Type A (35 Institutions)

Includes leading research-intensive universities such as Seoul National University, KAIST, Yonsei University, Korea University, POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University, and others.

Type B (41 Institutions)

Includes national and regional universities across Korea offering diverse academic programs.

Universities by Application Track

Embassy Track

• General, Overseas Korean & Adoptee
• Type A or Type B
• Applicants may choose up to three universities and must apply to at least one Type B university

University Track

• General: Type A or Type B
• R-GKS: Type B
• Research: Type A or Type B

Specialization Programs

R&D Program (25 Institutions)
Includes KAIST, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Pusan National University, and others.

Global Network Program (6 Institutions)
Ajou University, Gyeongkuk National University, Hongik University, KDI School of Public Policy and Management, Pusan National University, Seoul National University

Download the application Guidelines below

For the application form and other documents, visit here