The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the Korean government’s flagship award for international students, managed by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It funds undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees at Korean universities, usually after a year of paid Korean language training. Understanding the quota system and the two application tracks is the key to choosing where you apply.
What the GKS Scholarship Covers
GKS is a full package, covering study costs, living costs, and language training. Exact amounts are confirmed in each year’s NIIED guidelines, so treat the figures below as recent reference points.
These are the main benefits listed in recent GKS notices:
- Round-trip airfare: An economy ticket to Korea at the start and home at the end of your studies.
- Settlement allowance: A one-time payment on arrival to help with initial costs.
- Monthly allowance: Recent summaries list around KRW 900,000 for graduate students, with undergraduate rates slightly lower.
- Tuition: Fully covered for the degree programme.
- Korean language course: One year of funded language study before the degree starts.
- Medical insurance and extra grants: Including research support for graduate students and a completion grant.
Embassy Track vs University Track
GKS runs two parallel routes, and you may only apply through one of them in a given year. Both lead to the same scholarship, but they differ in where you apply and how many universities you can list.
| Factor | Embassy Track | University Track |
|---|---|---|
| Where you apply | Korean embassy in your country | Directly to a Korean university |
| University choices | Up to three universities | One university |
| First-round selection | Embassy committee | The university |
| Quotas | Set per country | Set per university, open to many countries |
| Best for | Applicants undecided between universities | Applicants with a clear first choice |
Applying through both tracks in the same year usually leads to disqualification. Pick one route based on how certain you are about your university.
GKS Eligibility Requirements
NIIED applies a set of fixed rules before any committee looks at your essays. If you miss one, your file is screened out regardless of how strong it is.
These are the core requirements in recent GKS guidelines:
- Nationality: You and both parents must hold citizenship of an eligible country, and neither you nor your parents can hold Korean citizenship.
- Age: Under 25 for undergraduate applicants and under 40 for graduate applicants, calculated against a fixed date in the guidelines.
- Degree: A high school diploma for undergraduate study, a bachelor’s for master’s, and a master’s for doctoral study, completed before arrival.
- Grades: A cumulative GPA of at least 80%, or 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, or 2.91/4.5, or a ranking in the top 20% of your class.
- Health: You must be in good physical and mental health to study in Korea for several years.
- No prior Korean degree at the same level: Applicants who already hold a Korean degree at the level they are applying for are usually ineligible.
Language Certificates and Bonus Points
You do not need Korean to apply, since the scholarship funds a language year. A TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) score earns extra points, and strong TOPIK results can also exempt you from part of the language training. English scores such as IELTS or TOEFL also add points, especially for English-taught programmes.
How the GKS Selection Process Works
Selection runs in three rounds, and each round can eliminate you. The process takes several months, so plan your other applications around it.
This is the standard sequence for graduate applicants:
- First round: The embassy (Embassy track) or the university (University track) screens documents and may hold interviews or written tests.
- Second round: NIIED reviews the candidates recommended in the first round and selects those who move on.
- Third round: Korean universities review candidates and issue admission decisions.
- Final selection and medical check: NIIED announces scholars, who must submit a medical certificate before travelling.
The Quota Reality
Under the Embassy track, each country has a fixed number of slots set in the annual guidelines, and some countries receive only a handful. That means you compete mainly against applicants from your own country, so a strong profile from a country with many applicants can still miss out. The University track draws from a wider pool of nationalities, which can help applicants from countries with very small embassy quotas.
Some quota slots are also reserved for specific groups, such as applicants in certain fields or graduates of partner universities. Read the quota table in the guidelines closely to see which category gives you the best odds.
GKS Timeline for 2027
The 2027 undergraduate Embassy track closed on 30 September 2026, while the graduate call has not been released yet. Based on recent cycles, the graduate programme opens around February, with deadlines in March, results around June, and arrival in Korea in late summer for the language year.
Documents for a GKS Application
NIIED provides official forms, and documents must follow its required order. Prepare these before the call opens, since apostilles and certified copies can take weeks:
- Application form and personal statement on the NIIED templates
- Study plan explaining your academic goals in Korea
- Two recommendation letters, sealed or submitted as required
- Degree certificates and transcripts, apostilled or consular-confirmed
- Passport copy and copies of parents’ citizenship documents
- Language certificates, such as TOPIK, IELTS, or TOEFL, if available
- Signed personal medical assessment on the official form
Common GKS Application Mistakes
Many GKS applications fail on technical grounds before anyone reads the personal statement. These are the errors that come up again and again:
- Applying through both tracks: Submitting to the embassy and a university in the same year can disqualify you from both.
- Missing apostilles: Degree certificates and transcripts often need apostille or consular confirmation, which takes time to arrange.
- Choosing universities without checking programmes: Some universities do not offer your field in English or under GKS.
- Ignoring the quota table: Applying in a crowded category when a reserved slot fits you better lowers your odds.
- Generic study plans: Reviewers want specific courses, research interests, and career goals connected to Korea.
Start collecting documents in December, well before the graduate call is expected. Apostilles and parents’ citizenship documents are the items that most often arrive too late.
Final Thoughts: Choose Your GKS Track Strategically
GKS rewards applicants who understand the system as well as those with strong grades. Pick the track and quota category that give you the best odds, and confirm you meet every age, GPA, and nationality rule before you start writing. Small technical errors end more GKS applications than weak personal statements do.
The graduate call for 2027 is expected around February, which leaves time now to collect apostilled documents and draft your study plan. Arriving prepared means you can focus the application window on choosing the right universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GKS age limit?
Undergraduate applicants must be under 25, and graduate applicants must be under 40. The exact birth date cut-off is set in each year’s NIIED guidelines.
What GPA do I need for GKS?
You need a cumulative GPA of at least 80%, or the equivalent such as 2.64 on a 4.0 scale. Ranking in the top 20% of your class also meets the requirement.
Can I apply to both the Embassy and University tracks?
No, you may only apply through one track per year. Applying through both usually leads to disqualification.
Do I need to speak Korean for GKS?
No, Korean is not required to apply, since scholars receive a funded language year. A TOPIK score earns bonus points and may shorten the language course.
When does the GKS 2027 graduate application open?
Based on recent cycles, the graduate call is expected around February 2027, with deadlines in March. Check NIIED’s Study in Korea website and your local Korean embassy for the official notice.
How many GKS slots does my country get?
Embassy track quotas are set per country in the annual guidelines and vary from year to year. Look for the quota table in the official guidelines once they are published.
