Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 : It is a prestigious Korean Government scholarship program designed to provide international students with the opportunity to pursue higher education in South Korea with comprehensive financial support. Also known as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) or Korean Government Scholarship, the program aims to strengthen international educational exchange and build stronger relationships between South Korea and participating countries.
Related Scholarships: Swedish Institute Scholarship for Masters Students 2023-24
Eligibility Criteria of Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before beginning their application. The GKS Undergraduate Scholarship is highly competitive, and applicants must meet the relevant academic, citizenship, age, and other requirements.
- Applicants must hold citizenship from a country designated by NIIED for the relevant GKS program. The UIC Program is open to applicants from all countries.
- Applicants and their parents or legal guardians must not hold Korean citizenship.
- Applicants with dual citizenship that includes Korean citizenship are not eligible.
- Applicants and parents who previously held Korean citizenship must provide documentation proving the renunciation of Korean citizenship, where applicable.
- Students who have graduated or are expected to graduate from high school or an associate degree program may apply for the relevant undergraduate program.
- Students who have graduated or are expected to graduate from high school can apply for an associate degree program.
- Applicants who have already completed a bachelor’s degree cannot apply for the GKS Undergraduate Scholarship.
- Applicants who already hold an associate degree may apply only for the bachelor’s degree program.
- Applicants must generally have an academic score equivalent to 80% or above.
- Applicants may also qualify by ranking within the top 20% of their class or meeting the specified accepted CGPA scales, including 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.
- Applicants must be under 25 years of age and must have been born on or after 01-Mar-2002.
- Applicants must satisfy the program’s health requirements.
- Applicants should submit English-language proficiency or relevant language certificates as required.
- Applicants must not have grounds for disqualification from overseas travel, including relevant criminal history.
- Applicants expected to graduate by 31-Dec-2026 must provide a certificate of expected graduation during the application process and submit the required graduation or degree certificate and transcript by the specified deadline if they pass the first round.
- Applicants who graduated or are expected to graduate from a Korean high school or Korean associate degree program are not eligible.
- Individuals who have previously received a Korean government scholarship for a degree program are not eligible.
- Former GKS degree-program applicants who withdrew or were disqualified after selection within the recent three years are not eligible.
- Embassy Track applicants who pass the first round cannot apply again through the University Track.
- Embassy Track applicants may apply to only one program among General, Overseas Koreans & Adoptees, or R-GKS.
- University Track applicants may apply to only one program among the UIC or Associate Degree programs and must apply to one university and one department.
Benefits of Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship
The Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded scholarship, with financial support provided across several areas of study and living expenses.
- Tuition Fee: NIIED covers tuition up to KRW 5 million per semester. The university covers the amount exceeding KRW 5 million as well as the admission fee.
- Annual Allowance: Degree-program scholars receive KRW 14.4 million per year.
- Korean Language Program Allowance: Scholars in the Korean language program receive KRW 13.56 million per year.
- Korean Language Program Fee: The scholarship covers KRW 5.2 million per year for the Korean language program.
- Airfare: Selected students receive round-trip economy-class airfare based on actual expenses.
- Settlement Allowance: Scholars receive a settlement allowance when they arrive in Korea.
- Korean Language Training: The program provides a one-year Korean language course for students who are required to complete it.
- Korean Proficiency Grant: Scholars who are exempted from the Korean language program because they already have TOPIK Level 5 or 6 may receive a Korean proficiency grant.
- TOPIK Examination Fee: The scholarship can cover the TOPIK examination fee where required.
- Medical Insurance: Selected GKS scholars receive medical insurance.
- The scholarship amount and benefits may be subject to change according to the official program guidelines.
Last Date to Apply
Last Date to Apply for Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship 2026 is 30 September 2026.
Documents Required for Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship
Applicants should prepare the required documents carefully and ensure that documents meet the requirements of the relevant application track.
- 2027 GKS-U application forms
- Proof of citizenship
- Proof of family relationship
- Study plan
- Academic transcripts for all required levels
- High school graduation certificate
- Personal statement
- One letter of recommendation
- GKS Applicant Agreement
- Personal Medical Assessment
- Proof of Overseas Korean status, where applicable
- Proof of Korean citizenship renunciation, where applicable
- Proof of Korean War Veteran’s descendant status, where applicable
- English proficiency test score report or TOPIK score report, if available
- Copies of other certificates or awards, if applicable
- Copy of passport, if applicable
Applicants should also check the documentation requirements applicable to their particular track, embassy, university, and applicant category.
Want To Remove Image Background Checkout : Remove.bg
How to apply for Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship
Applying for the Global Korea Scholarship GKS 2026 is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
- Click on the “Click Here To Apply” button provided at the end.
- Carefully review the scholarship details provided.
- Complete the application form and ensure all required information is accurately filled out.
- Attach the necessary documents as specified in the scholarship requirements.
- Finally, click the “Submit” button to submit your scholarship application.
FREE Online Courses with Certificate : Learn ChatGPT for Product Management 2023-24
Contact Details for Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship
For any queries please contact : Tel: 02)3668-1490,1491 OR Fax: 82-2-764-1327
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for Global Korea Scholarship GKS
1. Applying Through the Wrong Track
One of the major mistakes applicants can make is failing to understand the difference between the Embassy Track and University Track. These routes have different application procedures, selection stages, and deadlines.
How to avoid it: Decide which track you are eligible and interested in applying through before starting the application. Read the instructions for that specific track carefully and do not assume that the deadlines and procedures are identical.
2. Missing the Actual Deadline
The GKS application schedule can be confusing because the Embassy Track has a specified deadline while University Track deadlines vary by university.
How to avoid it: Embassy Track applicants should note the 30-Sep-2026 at 18:00 KST deadline. University Track applicants should directly verify the deadline established by their chosen university. Do not rely on a general GKS deadline when applying through the University Track.
3. Submitting Incomplete or Incorrect Documents
Missing academic transcripts, certificates, recommendation letters, citizenship documents, or other required paperwork can create problems during the application process.
How to avoid it: Prepare a document checklist before applying. Review every required document for your applicant category and track, and make sure the information across your documents is consistent.
4. Ignoring Academic Eligibility Requirements
Applicants sometimes begin preparing an application without checking whether they meet the required academic criteria. GKS has specific requirements concerning academic performance, previous degrees, age, and educational background.
How to avoid it: Check your academic percentage or CGPA, class ranking where applicable, age, previous degree status, graduation status, and citizenship requirements before investing time in the application.
5. Treating Every Application Track the Same Way
The Embassy Track and University Track have different procedures. For example, Embassy Track applicants proceed through the embassy before NIIED’s final selection, while University Track applicants apply directly to a participating university.
How to avoid it: Follow the instructions specifically provided for your chosen track. University Track applicants should communicate with their selected university, while Embassy Track applicants should follow the instructions of the relevant Korean embassy.
FAQs
Q1: Can students who already have an associate degree apply for the GKS Undergraduate Scholarship?
Students who already hold an associate degree can apply for the bachelor’s degree program under the GKS Undergraduate Scholarship, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements. However, students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree cannot apply for the GKS Undergraduate Scholarship.
Q2: Is the Korean language program compulsory for every GKS scholar?
The GKS Undergraduate program includes a one-year Korean language program for scholars who are required to complete it. Applicants who are initially exempted because they already have TOPIK Level 5 or 6 may be exempt from the language program and can receive the applicable Korean proficiency grant according to the program provisions.
Q3: Can an applicant apply through both the Embassy Track and University Track?
Applicants need to follow the restrictions associated with their application route. In particular, an Embassy Track applicant who passes the first round cannot apply again through the University Track. Applicants should therefore carefully select their route and follow the relevant application rules.
Q4: Does the GKS Undergraduate Scholarship cover tuition fees above KRW 5 million per semester?
According to the provided scholarship information, NIIED covers tuition up to KRW 5 million per semester, while the university covers the amount exceeding KRW 5 million as well as the admission fee. Applicants should still review the current official scholarship guidelines and university-specific information because scholarship provisions may be subject to change.
Q5: What should students do if they expect to graduate in 2026 but do not yet have their final certificate?
Applicants who are expected to graduate by 31-Dec-2026 can submit a certificate of expected graduation at the time of application. If they pass the first round, they must subsequently provide the required graduation or degree certificate and transcript by the specified deadline. Applicants should carefully follow the documentation instructions for their particular application track.
Get CIGMA’s Ebooks Of The Day : Master the Art of YouTube Success 2023-24
Overview of Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship
| Scholarship id | CPSA24022000408 |
| Scholarship Name | Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 |
| Scholarship Open for | Boys & Girls |
| Scholarship Offered by | Government of the Republic of Korea through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) |
| Who can Apply ? | International students under 25 with eligible citizenship, strong academic performance (80%+ or equivalent), and a high-school or associate-degree qualification can apply for undergraduate study in South Korea. |
| Location | Worldwide |
| Scholarship Amount | Financial Assistance |
| Last Date to Apply | 30 September 2026 |
