Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 – Bachelor’s, Master’s & PhD in South Korea (Fully Funded)
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), run by South Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED), is one of Asia’s most generous government scholarships — funding around 1,500 international students annually across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programmes at Korean universities.
What it covers: Full tuition, a monthly living allowance (900,000 KRW for degree programmes, 1,500,000 KRW for research programmes), round-trip airfare, a one-year Korean language training course, settlement and resettlement allowances, and full medical insurance.
Deadline: GKS typically runs on two tracks — the Embassy Track opens around September and closes in February, and the University Track runs February through April. Exact 2027 dates are set by NIIED each cycle, so check the official Study in Korea notice board close to your target intake.
Detailed Eligibility Checklist
- Non-Korean citizen, from any country worldwide
- Undergraduate applicants: completed (or on track to complete) all 12 years of schooling
- Graduate applicants: hold the relevant prior degree (Bachelor’s for Master’s, Master’s for PhD) by the cycle deadline
- Academic record in the top 20% of your class — roughly 80% average or a CGPA of 2.64/4.0
- No prior degree already completed in Korea on a Korean government scholarship
Embassy Track vs University Track
The Embassy Track is run through the Korean embassy in your home country and is often the more accessible route for African applicants, since your embassy handles much of the document verification locally. The University Track means applying directly to a GKS-participating Korean university, which then nominates you — this route can offer more flexibility in programme choice but requires more direct coordination with the university itself.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Confirm which track — embassy or university — is open to applicants from your country.
- Prepare academic transcripts, degree certificates, and a study plan or personal statement.
- Submit your application online via the Study in Korea portal or directly to your chosen university.
- If selected, complete a compulsory one-year Korean language course before starting your degree (language exemptions apply for some English-taught programmes).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know Korean before applying? No — GKS includes a full year of Korean language training, though some English-taught Master’s and PhD programmes may waive this requirement.
Which track should I choose? If your country has an active Korean embassy education office, the Embassy Track is usually simpler to navigate for first-time applicants.