GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees 2025

The GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees 2025 aims to provide international students with opportunities to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees at prestigious Korean universities in South Korea, fostering mutual understanding and cultural exchange. In 2025, Korean government aims to invite 1,820 international students for 2025 Global Korea Scholarship program for graduate degrees. Applicants must apply either to a Korean Embassy where they hold citizenship (embassy track) or directly to one of the designated universities (university track).

The GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees offers international students the chance to pursue academic degrees at Korean universities, promoting global education exchange and strengthening friendships between Korea and participating countries. No GRE/IELTS/TOEFL is required. The application deadline varies by country, typically from February to March 2025.

University/Institutions

Funded By: Korean Government
Host Country: South Korea
Universities: All South Korean Universities
Degree Level: Masters, PhD
Number of Scholarships: 1,820
Scholarship Period
- Master’s Degree Program: 3 years (1 year of Korean language program + 2 years of degree program)
- Doctoral Degree Program: 4 years (1 year of Korean language program + 3 years of degree program)
- Research Program: 6 months or 1 year
- Global Network Program: Master’s degree within 2 year

Number of Scholarships

Embassy Track: 669
University Track:
- General: 150 scholars from 55 countries or regions/
- R-GKS: 465 scholars from 56 countries or regions
- R&D: 300 scholars from all countries around the world
- Global Network: 80 scholars from all countries around the world

Available Universities by Type

Type A (33 Institutions):

Major private and national universities, including top-ranked institutions.
Examples:
- Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, KAIST, POSTECH.
- GIST, Hanyang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ewha Womans University.
- UNIST, Konkuk University, Dongguk University, and others.

Type B (41 Institutions):

Regional universities and specialized institutions.
Examples:
- Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Jeju National University.
- Chungnam National University, Chonnam National University, Silla University.
- KOREATECH, Sun Moon University, University of Ulsan, and others.

GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees Tracks

Embassy Track:
- Apply through the Korean Embassy in your home country.
- Select universities specified by the embassy.
- Higher competition due to more applicants.
University Track:
- Apply directly to a Korean university.
- Select the GKS Scholarship in the online application.
- Less competition compared to the embassy track.

Study Areas

All academic fields offered by GKS-participating universities are eligible.
Programs such as evening classes, short-term courses, online, or distance learning are not covered.
Applicants must choose universities and departments listed in the “University Information” file on the Study in Korea website under the GKS Notice section.

The GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees offers a diverse range of study areas to cater to various academic interests and career aspirations. Some of the prominent fields include:

Engineering & Technology: Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and more.
Natural Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, etc.
Humanities: Literature, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, and related fields.
Social Sciences: Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Economics, and others.
Arts & Culture: Fine Arts, Music, Design, Korean Studies, and more.
Medical & Health Sciences: Public Health, Nursing, and related fields (varies by university).

Each university has its specific offerings, so applicants should consult the GKS university list for detailed program availability.

GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees Benefits

Full tuition coverage
Monthly stipend: KRW 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
Round-trip airfare
Korean language training fees
Medical insurance
Research support
Thesis printing costs
Settlement and completion grants
Award for Excellent Korean Language Proficiency
Completion Grant

Benefits Not Included

Costs for dependents
Personal expenses beyond the stipend
Additional travel outside the scholarship program

Eligibilities of GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees

Nationality:

Applicants must be citizens of a country designated by NIIED for the GKS program.
Dual citizenship (Korean and another country) makes the applicant ineligible.
Applicants’ parents (or legal guardians) must not be Korean citizens.

Educational Background:

For Masters Degree: Bachelor’s Degree
Doctoral Degree: Masters Degree
For Post-Doc: Doctoral Degre
Exchange Professor: Masters Degree (Must be a current academic professor)
Program for Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation Professionals: Master’s Degree

Grade Requirements for GKS Scholarship

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA):
- Must meet one of the following criteria:
  - 80% or above on a 100-point scale
  - Ranked top 20% of the class
  - CGPA must be:
    - 2.64/4.0
    - 2.80/4.3
    - 2.91/4.5
    - 3.23/5.0

Age limit:

Applicants must be under 40 years old (born after September 1, 1985).
Current academic professors from Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient countries must be under 45 years old (born after September 1, 1980).

Language Ability

Applicants completing the IRTS Korean language program by August 2025 are eligible.
Must have TOPIK or TOPIK IBT Level 3 or higher.
Accepted certificates: TOPIK (87th–100th exams) or TOPIK IBT (1st–7th exams).
Applicants without a valid TOPIK certificate at the time of application can still apply.

Restriction

Graduates (or expected graduates) from Korean high schools, international schools, or universities are ineligible.
Previous recipients of Korean government scholarships cannot apply.
Past GKS candidates from the last three years who withdrew or were disqualified before enrollment are ineligible.

Others:

If a GKS scholar withdraws within 3 months of enrollment, they must repay the full scholarship amount received.
After 3 months, partial refunds may apply if the scholarship status changes.
Tuition and Korean language training fees are not covered for:
- Research Program scholars.
- Global Network Program scholars.
- Current academic professors exempted from Korean language training in 100% English-taught programs.

To know More about Scholarship: Visit

Evaluation Preferences

Overseas Koreans.
Applicants from low-income or underprivileged backgrounds.
Applicants applying to natural science or engineering programs in regional universities (Type B).
Academic professors in natural science or engineering from ODA recipient countries (Appendix B).
Applicants with high English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS).
Postdoctoral researchers in natural science or engineering fields.

Required Documents

Application Form
Personal Statement
Study Plan
Research Proposal
Letter of Recommendation
Letter of Invitation
Korean Language Program Exemption Application
GKS Applicant Agreement
Personal Medical Assessment
Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information
Proof of Citizenship and Family Relationship Document
Bachelor’s Graduation Certificate (or Diploma)
Bachelor’s Degree Transcript
Master’s Graduation Certificate (or Diploma)
Master’s Degree Transcript
Doctoral Graduation Certificate (or Diploma)
Doctoral Degree Transcript
Certificate of Employment
Proof of Overseas Korean Document/Proof of Korean Adoptee Document
Certificate of Employment
Proof of Overseas Korean Document/Proof of Korean Adoptee Document
Proof of Korean Citizenship Renunciation Document
Proof of Korean War Veteran’s Descendant
Certificate of Employment or Certificate of Experience
Score report of valid TOPIK/TOPIK IBT (Original) or English Proficiency Test
Awards and other certificates
Applicant’s Passport

GKS-Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees Application Process

Select the university and program from the GKS guidelines.
Submit applications either through the Korean Embassy in your country or directly to the university.
Pass the document screening, interview, and final selection stages.
Await results from the National Institute for International Education (NIIED).

Tips for Successful Application

Clearly articulate your goals in the personal statement.
Tailor your study plan to align with the chosen program.
Obtain strong recommendation letters.
Highlight any achievements, research, or community work.
Prepare early and ensure all documents meet the requirements.

Living Expenses

Living costs in South Korea can vary depending on the city and lifestyle. Here’s an approximate breakdown:

Accommodation: KRW 200,000–500,000/month (university dormitories are often more affordable).
Food: KRW 300,000–500,000/month (eating out is common and affordable).
Transportation: KRW 50,000–100,000/month (subway and buses are economical).
Other expenses: KRW 100,000–200,000/month (entertainment, shopping, etc.).

The scholarship’s monthly stipend of KRW 1,000,000–1,500,000 is designed to cover these basic expenses, ensuring a comfortable lifestyle for students.

Why Choose This Opportunity?

The GKS program offers a life-changing opportunity to study in a globally recognized education system, immerse yourself in Korean culture, and build a strong international network. Additionally, its comprehensive financial support ensures you can focus on your studies without financial stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I apply for multiple universities under GKS?
Yes, but you can only submit one application through either the embassy track or the university track.

2. Is Korean language proficiency mandatory?
No, but having TOPIK scores can strengthen your application. Korean language training is provided for selected candidates.

3. Can I bring my family during the scholarship period?
The scholarship does not cover family expenses, but you may bring dependents at your own cost.

4. What happens if I fail the Korean language course?
Failure to meet the required language proficiency may result in disqualification from the program.

5. Can I switch my program or university after selection?
No, changes to the program or university are not allowed once the scholarship is awarded.

Official Link for More Details and Application

For detailed guidelines and applications, visit the official NIIED website