Checkout the What is the Postgraduate Korean Government Scholarship and who is eligible.....
Mar 21, 2025 02:53:23
Full tuition fee coverage
Monthly living allowance
Settlement allowance
Round-trip airfare
Korean language training
Medical insurance
Research support and thesis printing costs
Grants for excellent Korean language proficiency
The applicant and their parents must be citizens of countries other than Korea.
Korean citizens and dual citizens (who hold Korean citizenship) are not eligible.
Under 40 years old at the date of entrance.
Must have a bachelor's degree or be expected to graduate by the time of application for a master’s program.
Must have a master’s degree or be expected to graduate by the time of application for a doctoral program.
Applicants who have already obtained a master’s or doctoral degree in Korea are not eligible.
Must maintain an overall grade point average (CGPA) of at least 80% or be ranked in the top 20% of their class.
Applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically.
Embassy Track (Apply through Korean embassies in your home country)
University Track (Apply directly to Korean universities)
The application process usually starts between February and March each year, with final results around June, and programs typically start in September.
Nationality: Must be a citizen of a country other than Korea.
Age: Under 40 years as of September 1, 2025.
Education: Bachelor’s degree for master’s program applicants; master’s degree for doctoral program applicants.
GPA: Minimum CGPA of 80% or higher from the previous institution.
Health: Must be in good health, both mentally and physically.
Apply through the Korean Embassy in your country.
If selected, your documents will be forwarded to NIIED and Korean universities.
Apply directly to a designated Korean university that participates in GKS.
The university will recommend candidates to NIIED.
Application Form
Personal Statement and Study Plan
Letters of Recommendation (2)
Certificate of Graduation and Transcript (officially notarized)
Proof of citizenship and parents’ citizenship (birth certificate, family register, passport copies)
Medical Assessment Form
Certificate of English proficiency (if required by the university or embassy)
Other awards, certificates (optional but recommended)
Step |
Embassy Track |
University Track |
|---|---|---|
|
Application announcement |
February 2025 |
February–March 2025 |
|
Document submission |
February–March 2025 (as per embassy deadline) |
March–April 2025 (check university website) |
|
First round results |
April 2025 |
May 2025 |
|
NIIED final results |
June 2025 |
June 2025 |
|
Arrival in Korea |
August–September 2025 |
August–September 2025 |
Embassy track: Korean embassy in your country (check their official website for the announcement and guidelines).
University track: Apply to designated universities. Each university lists GKS guidelines on its international admissions page.
Start preparing documents early (transcript notarization and recommendations take time).
Write a strong and clear study plan and personal statement focused on future goals and contributions to your country.
Double-check document authenticity — no forged or unofficial documents are accepted.
100% tuition coverage for the entire duration of your master’s or Ph.D. program.
Tuition covered up to 5 million KRW per semester.
Master’s/Ph.D.: 1,000,000 to 1,100,000 KRW per month (around $750–$820 USD).
Research allowance: 210,000–240,000 KRW per semester (depends on major).
Round-trip economy class airfare tickets.
One arrival and one departure flight provided.
200,000 KRW given upon arrival to help with initial settling-in costs.
1-year Korean language course provided before starting your degree program.
Language course fee fully covered.
Exemption from the language course if you already have TOPIK Level 5 or 6.
Financial support for thesis printing (500,000 to 800,000 KRW depending on program).
Additional research funding during thesis work (varies by field).
100,000 KRW awarded upon successful completion and return to home country.
Monthly medical insurance of around 20,000 KRW covered.
Access to cultural experiences, field trips, and seminars organized by NIIED and Korean universities.
Opportunity to build an international academic network.
Completed GKS application form (provided in the official guidelines)
Personal statement
Study plan
Letter of Recommendation (sealed and signed by recommender)
Applicant’s passport copy
Birth certificate or family registry to prove family relationship and nationality
Parent’s passport copies or nationality proof
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree certificate (for Master’s/Ph.D. applicants)
Official transcripts (sealed by the university)
Proof of expected graduation (if currently enrolled)
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) certificate (optional but beneficial)
English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS, or TOEIC) certificate (optional, but recommended if programs are in English)
Copies of awards or other certificates (optional but strengthens the application)
Recent photos (as per the specifications mentioned in the guidelines)
Complete and submit the official medical assessment form included in the guidelines
Research proposal (especially for Ph.D. applicants)
Employment certificate (if applicable)
Other documents requested by individual universities or embassies
One of Korea’s most prestigious universities.
Known for a wide range of research areas and global collaborations.
Strong programs in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Top-tier institution for science, technology, and engineering.
World-renowned for innovation and research.
Located in Daejeon, Korea’s science and technology hub.
Leading institution in engineering, materials science, and biotech.
Focused on research and industrial collaboration.
Small, research-focused campus environment.
One of the top private universities in Korea.
Strong programs in business, economics, international relations, medical sciences, and engineering.
Attractive for international students due to its global curriculum.
Another member of Korea’s “SKY” universities (SNU, Korea, and Yonsei).
Excellent in business, law, political science, engineering, and life sciences.
Backed by Samsung.
Very strong in business, engineering, pharmacy, and IT fields.
Excellent scholarships and research opportunities.
Known for engineering, IT, and architecture.
Strong industry partnerships and global programs.
Specialized in science and engineering research.
Strong focus on industry-academia collaboration.
Graduate school only, focused on research in engineering and applied sciences.
Very research-focused with fully English-based programs.
Top women’s university with strong programs in international studies, business, and sciences.
Kyung Hee University
Sogang University
Chung-Ang University
University of Science and Technology (UST)
Inha University
Ajou University
Announcements are usually made around February–March each year on official Korean embassy websites and universities’ portals.
You can apply through:
Embassy Track (submit to the Korean embassy in your country)
University Track (apply directly to participating Korean universities)
Review of academic transcripts, certificates, SOP (Statement of Purpose), study plan, letters of recommendation, awards, and proof of extracurricular achievements.
Embassy Track: The embassy shortlists candidates after an interview and document evaluation.
University Track: Universities evaluate and shortlist applicants.
NIIED (National Institute for International Education) reviews the recommendations from embassies and universities and makes the next shortlist.
Successful candidates are recommended to their selected universities for final confirmation.
NIIED announces the final selection.
You receive an official invitation letter for visa processing.
Maintain a high GPA (above 80% or 3.5/4.0 scale is ideal).
Highlight any academic honors or awards.
Clearly state your academic goals, why Korea, and how it aligns with your future plans.
Show research on your chosen university and program.
Mention internships, research papers, or projects related to your field.
If possible, show publications or conference participation.
Get them from professors or academic supervisors who know your work well.
Ensure letters emphasize your potential and commitment.
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) or English test scores (IELTS/TOEFL) are not mandatory but greatly improve your profile.
If you have them, attach proof.
Showcase leadership roles, volunteer work, and community involvement.
You can apply via both embassy and university tracks to maximize chances (if rules permit in your country).
Apply to less competitive universities or departments where demand may be lower.
Submit all documents on time, double-check notarization, translation, and proper formatting.
Be ready to answer why you chose Korea, your research goals, and how you plan to contribute.
