How to get scholarship to Study in South Korea

How can I get a full scholarship to study in South Korea?

1. Understand the Types of Scholarships Available

• Government Scholarships:

  • Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): Covers full tuition, airfare, monthly stipend, language training, and settlement allowance.

• University Scholarships:

  • Many universities in South Korea offer full scholarships to international students based on merit.

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Excellent academic records (GPA typically above 80% or equivalent).

• Strong recommendation letters.

• Proficiency in English or Korean (TOEFL/IELTS or TOPIK score).

• A well-written study plan and personal statement.

3. Prepare Important Documents

• Academic transcripts and certificates.

• Letters of recommendation.

• Study plan and personal statement.

• Passport copy.

• Proof of language proficiency.

• Awards or extracurricular certificates (if available).

4. Choose the Right University or Program

• Look for universities with strong programs in your field.

• Check their scholarship offerings; top universities like Seoul National University, KAIST, POSTECH, and Yonsei offer generous scholarships.

5. Application Timeline

• Most scholarship applications open between September and March (depends on the program start dates — Spring or Fall intake).

• Government scholarships like GKS have specific application windows (usually announced in February–March for Fall intake).

6. Improve Your Profile

• Maintain a high GPA.

• Participate in extracurricular activities and volunteer work.

• Gain research experience or publish papers if applying for graduate studies.

• Learn basic Korean, as it adds value even if the course is in English.

7. Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Be clear about your goals, why you chose Korea, and your future plans.

• Connect your past experiences with your future study goals.

• Show sincerity and enthusiasm.

8. Contact Professors (for graduate studies)

• If applying for a master's or Ph.D., contact potential advisors.

• Send a well-structured email with your CV, research proposal, and questions.
   

Universities in South Korea

What are the top scholarships available for international students in South Korea?

1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

• Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D.

• Coverage: Full tuition, round-trip airfare, monthly stipend, settlement allowance, medical insurance, Korean language training, research support, thesis printing fees, and completion grant.

• Selection Process: Through Korean embassies or directly through universities.

2. Korean Government Support Program for Self-Financed Students

• Level: Undergraduate and graduate students already studying in Korea without external financial support.

• Coverage: Partial tuition support and living expenses.

• Eligibility: Students with excellent academic performance and strong financial need.

3. University Scholarships (offered by top universities)

a) Seoul National University (SNU) Scholarship

• Various full and partial scholarships, including tuition and living stipends.

b) KAIST International Student Scholarship

• Covers full tuition, monthly stipend, and medical insurance for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. students.

c) POSTECH Presidential Fellowship

• Full tuition and generous living stipends for exceptional graduate students.

d) Yonsei University Underwood International College Scholarships

• Merit-based full or partial scholarships for undergraduate international students.

e) Korea University Scholarships for International Students

• Full or partial tuition fee waivers based on academic merit.

4. POSCO Asia Fellowship

• Level: Master’s and doctoral degrees.

• Coverage: Full tuition and living expenses.

• Eligibility: Students from Asian countries with leadership potential.

5. Samsung Global Hope Scholarship

• Level: Undergraduate and graduate.

• Coverage: Tuition and living expenses for students from developing countries.

6. KFAS International Scholar Exchange Fellowship (ISEF)

• Level: Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers.

• Coverage: Tuition, research allowances, and living expenses.
   

Engineering, Science & Technology in South Korea

What are the eligibility criteria for South Korean scholarships.

1. Nationality

• Must be a non-Korean citizen.

• In some cases (like GKS), both the applicant and their parents should not hold Korean citizenship.

2. Academic Background

• For undergraduate scholarships: Must have completed high school or be expected to graduate before the program starts.

• For graduate scholarships (Master’s/Ph.D.):

  • Master’s applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree.

  • Ph.D. applicants must hold a master’s degree.

• Strong academic record (generally a GPA of 80% or higher or in the top 20–30% of your class).

3. Age Limit (varies by scholarship)

• Undergraduate (GKS): Under 25 years at the time of application.

• Graduate (GKS): Under 40 years at the time of application.

• Some university scholarships have no strict age limit but prefer younger applicants for undergraduate and early-career researchers for graduate.

4. Language Proficiency

• English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) or

• Korean proficiency (TOPIK level 3 or higher preferred, but some scholarships accept students without Korean proficiency if the program is in English).

• Some scholarships require proof of either or both.

5. Health Requirements

• Must be in good physical and mental health (many scholarships require a health examination report).

6. Research Proposal or Study Plan

• Graduate-level scholarships often require a research plan or proposal.

• Undergraduate scholarships usually require a detailed study plan and motivation letter.

7. Recommendation Letters

• Usually 1–3 letters from teachers or professors who can speak to your academic performance and potential.

8. No Prior Scholarship (in some cases)

• Some scholarships are only for students who have not received other scholarships from Korean government programs.

9. Extracurricular Activities (Optional but Helpful)

• Awards, volunteer work, leadership experience, or published research papers can make your application stronger.
   

B.Eng in South Korea

How to apply for Korean Government Scholarship (GKS)?

1. Understand the GKS Programs

There are two main categories:

• GKS for Undergraduate Degrees

• GKS for Graduate Degrees (Master’s, Doctoral, Research)

Check the eligibility and requirements for the one you’re applying to.

2. Eligibility Criteria

• Non-Korean citizen.

• Below 25 years for undergraduate / below 40 years for graduate programs.

• GPA of at least 80% from your previous institution.

• In good health (medical check-up form required).

3. Application Tracks

• Embassy Track: Submit applications to the Korean embassy in your country; they recommend candidates to NIIED.

• University Track: Apply directly to a designated Korean university; the university recommends candidates to NIIED.

4. Required Documents (May vary slightly)

• Application Form

• Personal Statement

• Study Plan

• Letter(s) of Recommendation

• GKS Applicant Agreement

• Proof of Citizenship (Passport copy or birth certificate)

• Proof of education (transcripts and certificates)

• Medical check-up form

• Awards or certificates (optional)

• TOPIK (Korean proficiency test) or English proficiency test scores (if applicable)

5. How to Apply Step-by-Step

Embassy Track:

1. Find the announcement on the Korean embassy website in your country (usually around September–October for undergraduate and February–March for graduate).

2. Prepare all documents in the required format.

3. Submit to the embassy before the deadline.

4. The embassy will conduct document screening and interviews.

5. Recommended candidates are sent to NIIED for the final selection.

University Track:

1. Check designated universities and their GKS announcements on their official websites.

2. Prepare documents and submit directly to the university.

3. The university will recommend candidates to NIIED.

4. Wait for the final selection result.

6. Deadlines

• Undergraduate: Applications open around September–October.

• Graduate: Applications open around February–March.
  (Exact dates vary each year and by country/university.)
   

Which University in South Korea is best for International Students

When is the best time to apply for scholarships in South Korea?

1. Korean Government Scholarship (GKS)

• Undergraduate GKS:
  Application Period: September to October each year.
  Studies start in March of the following year.

• Graduate GKS (Master’s/Ph.D.):
  Application Period: February to March each year.
  Studies start in September of the same year.

 Pro tip: Embassy track deadlines are earlier (usually by mid-March or mid-October), so check the embassy’s website for your country in advance.

2. University Scholarships (offered by individual Korean universities)

• Spring intake (March start): Applications open between September and November of the previous year.

• Fall intake (September start): Applications open between March and May of the same year.

Each university’s exact deadline varies. Always check their official websites around those months.

3. Other Scholarships (like POSCO, Samsung Global Scholarship, KOICA)

• They typically follow a spring or fall recruitment, aligning with either university intakes or their program cycles.

• Generally announced 3–6 months before program start.

What documents are required for South Korea scholarship applications?

Common Documents Required:

1. Completed Application Form (specific to the scholarship program)

2. Personal Statement & Study Plan

3. Recommendation Letters (usually 1-3 from teachers or professors)

4. Passport Copy

5. Copies of Academic Transcripts and Certificates

   • High school diploma and transcripts (for undergraduate scholarships)

   • Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts (for graduate scholarships)

   • Master’s degree certificate and transcripts (for doctoral scholarships)

6. Proof of Language Proficiency

   • TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) certificate (if available or required)

   • English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent if the program is in English)

7. Letter of Consent & Agreement for Verification of Documents (if applicable)

8. Medical Assessment Form (especially for GKS)

9. Awards, Publications, and Extracurricular Certificates (if available)

10. Family Registry or Birth Certificate (sometimes required for proof of nationality)

11. Passport-sized Photos

12. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume

For GKS or Government Scholarships:

• All documents typically need to be apostilled or notarized.

• Some documents may need to be translated into English or Korean and notarized.