The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2026 (formerly known as KGSP) is one of the world's most prestigious scholarship programs, offering 2,000 fully funded slots for international students to pursue Master’s, PhD, and research degrees in South Korea. This initiative by the Korean government is designed to foster global leaders and strengthen international ties by providing world-class education at top-tier Korean universities.
With Korea being a global hub for technology, innovation, and culture, scholars gain more than just a degree; they immerse themselves in a high-tech environment while experiencing a unique blend of ancient tradition and modern lifestyle.
đź“Ś Program Details
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Program: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2026 – Graduate Degrees
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Host Agency: National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
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Location: South Korea
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Duration: Master's (3 years: 1 yr Language + 2 yrs Degree) / Doctoral (4 years: 1 yr Language + 3 yrs Degree)
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Positions: 2,000 Total (800 Embassy Track | 1,200 University Track)
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Financial Coverage: Fully funded
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Deadline: February 25, 2026 (Typical for Embassy Track; University deadlines vary until April)
đź’° Financial Benefits
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Full Tuition & Admission: 100% of registration and tuition fees covered.
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Airfare: Round-trip economy class flight tickets.
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Monthly Stipend: KRW 1,000,000 for Master's/PhD; KRW 1,500,000 for Research programs.
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Settlement Allowance: KRW 200,000 (one-time payment upon arrival).
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Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage.
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Language Training: Fully funded 1-year intensive Korean language course.
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Research & Thesis Grants: Support for research materials and dissertation printing costs (up to KRW 800,000).
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Korean Proficiency Grant: Additional KRW 100,000/month for scholars with TOPIK Level 5 or 6.
🧠Research & Study Areas
Scholars can apply for almost any academic field offered by participating universities, including:
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Engineering & Technology: Robotics, AI, Semiconductors, Biotechnology.
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Natural Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics.
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Social Sciences & Humanities: International Relations, Economics, Korean Studies.
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Medicine & Life Sciences: Global Health, Pharmacy, Nursing.
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Interdisciplinary Science: R&D tracks focused on industry-academic cooperation.
đź“ť Eligibility
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Nationality: Applicant and parents must be non-Korean citizens.
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Age: Under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1986). Professors from ODA countries can be under 45.
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Academic Record: CGPA must be above 80% on a 100-point scale or rank in the top 20% of your class.
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Degree Requirements: Bachelor’s degree for Master's applicants; Master’s degree for PhD applicants (Must graduate by July 31, 2026).
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Health: Must be physically and mentally healthy for long-term study abroad.
đź“ť Required Documents
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GKS Application Form, Personal Statement, and Study Plan.
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One Recommendation Letter (signed and sealed).
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Official Graduation Certificate and Academic Transcripts (Apostilled or Consular Confirmed).
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Proof of Citizenship (Birth certificate or Passport copies for applicant and parents).
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Optional: Valid TOPIK or English Proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) certificates.
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Note: Documents not in English or Korean must include a certified translation.
🚀 How to Apply
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Choose Your Track: Decide between the Embassy Track (apply to the Korean Embassy in your home country) or the University Track (apply directly to one designated university).
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Submit Applications: For the Embassy track, submit one set of original documents + three sets of photocopies. For the University track, submit one set to the university.
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Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview by the respective Embassy or University.
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Final Selection: NIIED conducts the second round of selection, and final results are announced in late June.
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