Global Korea Scholarship 2027 for Undergraduates

Applications are open for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) 2027, a Korean Government scholarship for international students seeking an undergraduate or associate degree in South Korea.

Around 256 new students are expected to receive the award for the 2027 intake. The scholarship provides financial support for tuition, airfare, living expenses, Korean language training, medical care, and other approved costs.

Applicants from eligible GKS partner countries can apply. IELTS is not universally required, although language documentation may be requested depending on the applicant, university, or application route.

There is no application fee.

GKS Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 – Details

Host Country: South Korea
Scholarship: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U)
Degree Level: Undergraduate and Associate Degree
Number of Awards: Approximately 256
Eligible Countries: GKS partner countries
Funding: Fully funded
Embassy Track Deadline: 30 September 2026
University Track: November 2026, according to each university’s schedule

GKS Scholarship Benefits

Successful applicants can receive:

Round-trip airfare
Full tuition coverage
Settlement allowance
Monthly living allowance
One year of Korean language training
Medical allowance
Degree completion grant
Korean proficiency grant, where applicable
Thesis or dissertation printing fee reimbursement, where applicable

The program also gives scholars the opportunity to experience Korean culture and develop their academic and professional networks.

Program Duration

The length of the award depends on the chosen qualification.

Associate Degree

1 year of Korean language training
2–3 years of degree study

Undergraduate Degree

1 year of Korean language training
4–6 years of degree study

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must generally meet the following conditions:

Be a citizen of a country participating in the GKS program.
Not hold a bachelor’s degree.
Be under 25 years old.
Meet the required academic standard.
Be in good health.
Have no criminal record.

Academic Requirement

Applicants must meet at least one of the following standards:

CGPA above 2.64/4.0
CGPA above 2.80/4.3
CGPA above 2.91/4.5
CGPA above 3.23/5.0
Or a score percentile of 80% or higher

Students whose final results are not yet available may need to submit a Certificate of Expected Graduation during the application.

Required Documents

Applicants should prepare:

Completed application form
Personal statement
Study plan
Recommendation letter
GKS applicant agreement
Personal medical assessment
Graduation certificate
Academic transcripts
Proof of citizenship for the applicant and parents
Overseas Korean documentation, if applicable
TOPIK or accepted English-language proficiency documentation, where applicable
Awards and certificates
Passport copy

The exact documents can differ depending on the applicant’s country and chosen application route.

Embassy Track vs University Track

There are two application routes.

Embassy Track: Applicants submit their documents through the Korean Embassy in their country of citizenship. The relevant embassy will provide instructions regarding submission procedures and country-specific requirements.
University Track: Applicants apply directly to a designated Korean university participating in the GKS program. University Track deadlines are set by individual institutions, so applicants should check the schedule of their preferred university.

How to Apply