The Global Korea scholarship is ongoing and accepting students from anywhere in the world. The GKS Scholarship for 2025 is available for Undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. Degree Programs.
The aim of GKS is to provide international students with opportunities to undergo advanced studies in undergraduate and graduate programs at higher educational institutions in South Korea.
The Korean Government are issuing scholarships to 1,378 International Students to study Full-Time, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. Degree Programs.
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) was previously known as KGSP (Korean Government Scholarship). It is one of the most prestigious fully-funded scholarships in the world.
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Who can apply for Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)?
The Global Korea Scholarship is open to international students all over the world. The scholarship is strictly awarding candidates without a Korean citizenship. There is no application fee that needs to be paid. The interesting part is, you can apply to study in Korea without IELTS.
The GKS is awarding, Undergraduate, Masters and PhD candidates an opportunity to study any course of their choice. Once awarded, international students are required to learn the Korean language for one year before proceeding to study their desired programs.
The Global Korea Scholarship is a fully funded Scholarship, making it one of the most top and competitive programs in the world.
Requirements for GKS Scholarship 2023
Applicant must NOT be a citizen of Korea
The scholarship is strictly for non-Korean citizens. This simply means, Korean citizens and dual citizenship holders (a person with Korean citizenship and citizenship of another country) are NOT eligible for the scholarship.
Also, parents and their children (applicants) who once had a Korean citizenship must submit the documents that proves their abnegation of Korean citizenship.
However, if an overseas applicant holds a Japanese citizenship, but their parents holds a ‘Permanent Residency Permit’ within Japan while holding Korean citizenship, are eligible to apply.
Applicant must possess or must be expected to possess a Bachelor’s, Master’s or a Doctoral degree.
- Applicant for Master’s program must hold a Bachelor’s degree. If the applicant does not have a Bachelor’s degree, such applicant is expected to hold a level of education equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants for a Doctoral Program must hold a Master’s degree. In cases where such applicant does not possess a Master’s degree, he/she is required to hold a level of education equivalent to a Master’s degree.
- Applicants for Research Program must hold a degree or a level of education equivalent to or higher than a Master’s degree. Also, such an applicant must have received an invitation from one of NIIED’s designated Korean universities.
Age Requirements
Applicants must be less than 40 years of age as of the time of applying for the scholarship.
For Academic professors who are under 45 years, with citizenship of any Official Development Assistance (ODA) country, are eligible to apply.
Below are list of countries with Official Development Assistance (ODA):
Afghanistan. Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia. Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize. Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Comoros, DR Congo, Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea. Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi. Malaysia, Mauritania Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines. Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Academic Performance
All applicants must have the not less than the following Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) from their respective universities.
C.G.P.A.: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, 3.23/5.0
Each applicant must have a score percentile from 80% on a scale of 100 or be ranked within the top 20% within one’s class.
Applicants are also expected to provide a transcript of their academic results. If an applicant cannot provide a result transcript, such applicant must submit an official document issued by the applicant’s university describing the university’s grading system.
Health status
Applicants must be in a good mental and physical condition. They must be able to study in Korea for the full duration of degree or research programs.
Applicants are required to provide proof of medical status by submitting their respective Form 8. Personal Medical Assessment at the time of application.
Note: After successfully selected for the scholarship award, applicants will undergo a thorough medical checkup in Korea administered by NIIED. If any GKS scholar is found to have serious illness from the medical examination, such scholar will be withdrawn from the scholarship.
Some Medical Illnesses that would get your GKS Scholarship Revoked:
- HIV/AIDS
- An applicant with serious illness that would prevent him/her to study abroad for long period of time, including the full duration of degree or research program in Korea.
Required Documents for Global Korea Scholarship
- GKS Scholarship application form (form-1)
- Letter of Motivation
- Letter of recommendation (2 letters required)
- Study plan (form-3)
- GKS application agreement comprise
- Personal statement (form-2)
- Medical assessment form
- Academic Transcripts
- Citizenship documents (Non-Korean Citizenship)
- Proof of Korean citizenship renunciation (only for previous Korean citizenship holders)
Benefits of the Global Korea Scholarship
The Korean Government provides a variety of benefits for GKS scholars, which includes:
- Transportation cost (Aircraft fees).
- Resettlement Allowance: 200,000 KRW
- Accommodation allowance
- Undergraduate: KRW 900,000
- Graduate (Master PhD): 1,500,000 KRW
- Research : 1,500,000 KRW
- Free training of the Korean language for a year.
- Medical insurance cost: 60,000 KRW per month.
- Korean competency grants: 100,000 KRW per month.
- Completion of Degree grant: 100,000 KRW (one-time offer).
How to apply for GKS Scholarship
Interested applicants are required to visit the Official website of Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) to apply. Ensure you read the application guidelines before proceeding.
Deadline for GKS 2025
The deadline for Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2025 varies by countries. Interested applicants are required to check the deadline for application by contacting their respective embassies.
Frequently Asked Questions about GKS Scholarship
How many hours can a student work in Korea?
A student can work not more than 20 hours a week in Korea (if you have at least TOPIK I level 2). It is very important not exceed the limit.
Is TOPIK necessary for GKS?
Having a TOPIK is not necessary, although there are certain benefits attached to it.
Is GKS Scholarship hard to get?
Unfortunately, the GKS Scholarship has lots of competition. It is essential for interested applicants to start preparing at least 3 months before commencement of the scholarship program.
Conclusion
The Korean Government Scholarship has helped thousands of international students to study their desired programs in South Korea by sponsorship their tuition, accommodation, transport, medicals etc.
This is an opportunity for Undergraduates, Masters and PhD students to get a fully funded Scholarship award to study in South Korea.
Recommendation
International students should be able to write a study plan, letter of Motivation, letter of financial hardship, and an application cover letter. These are essentially as it increases the chances of winning the scholarship grant.
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