GKS Scholarship Korea is the Global Korea Scholarship degree programme for international students who want to study at higher-education institutions in Korea. The programme covers undergraduate and graduate routes and provides scholarship support that includes airfare, language-training fees, tuition and a monthly allowance. Applicants can enter through Embassy Track or University Track, but eligibility, university choices, documents and deadlines depend on the applicable GKS programme and annual guideline.
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| GKS Scholarship Korea for international students studying in South Korea |
Table of Contents
- Important Notice
- What Is GKS Scholarship Korea?
- Who Can Apply for GKS Scholarship?
- GKS Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements
- GKS Program Levels and Duration
- GKS Scholarship Benefits and Costs
- GKS Scholarship Required Documents
- How to Apply for GKS Scholarship
- Embassy Track vs University Track
- GKS Application Deadlines and Status
- Common GKS Application Mistakes
- Frequently Asked Questions About GKS Scholarship Korea
Important Notice
Last Reviewed: 30 September 2026
- GKS supports international students at Korean higher-education institutions at undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Undergraduate applicants must be under 25 under the stated programme rule, while graduate applicants must generally be under 40.
- The undergraduate academic standard includes a CGPA equivalent to or higher than 80% under the official NIIED degree-program information.
- Graduate applicants must hold the required bachelor's or master's degree for their intended graduate level.
- The standard degree structure includes one year of Korean-language training before the degree programme for the levels listed by NIIED.
- The scholarship benefit categories include round-trip airfare, language-training fees, tuition and a monthly allowance.
What Is GKS Scholarship Korea?
GKS Scholarship Korea means the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), a Korean government scholarship programme for international students. It provides opportunities to study at higher-education institutions in Korea through undergraduate and graduate degree routes. The programme has separate eligibility rules, application tracks and selection stages, so applicants must follow the guideline for their specific degree level.
The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) describes GKS as a programme designed to provide international students with opportunities to study at higher-education institutions in Korea at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
GKS should therefore be treated as a programme framework rather than a single university admission scheme. A student must satisfy the scholarship conditions and also meet the admission requirements of the selected university and programme.
For a wider look at studying in the destination, see Study in South Korea: Universities, Costs & Visa.
Who Can Apply for GKS Scholarship?
GKS is designed for international applicants whose citizenship, age, previous education and academic record satisfy the applicable programme rules. Undergraduate applicants normally enter after secondary education, while graduate applicants need the degree appropriate to their intended master's or doctoral programme. The eligible-country list is determined by NIIED for the relevant programme.
Who should check their eligibility before preparing documents?
| Applicant situation | What the official rule means | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| International applicant within an invited nationality category | The applicant must hold citizenship of an NIIED-designated country invited to participate in GKS. | Check the applicable annual country list. |
| Applicant holding Korean citizenship | Korean citizens are not permitted to apply under the stated degree-program rule. | Do not proceed under that rule. |
| Applicant above the stated age threshold | The applicable degree-level age condition must be satisfied. | Check the relevant annual guideline before preparing the application. |
| Applicant whose previous qualification does not match the intended degree | The required educational qualification depends on the programme level. | Confirm the qualification rule first. |
GKS Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements
As of 30 September 2026, the official NIIED degree-program information separates undergraduate and graduate eligibility. The main checks are citizenship, age, education and academic performance. These are scholarship-level conditions; a university or department can impose additional admission requirements that must be assessed separately.
| Requirement | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must hold citizenship of an NIIED-designated invited country. | Must hold citizenship of an NIIED-designated invited country. |
| Korean citizenship | Korean citizens and Koreans holding dual citizenship are not permitted under the stated rule. | Korean citizens and Koreans holding dual citizenship are not permitted under the stated rule. |
| Age | Under 25 as of March 1 of the inviting year. | Under 40 as of September 1 of the inviting year. |
| Education | High-school completion for the undergraduate route, subject to the detailed annual guideline. | Bachelor's degree for master's study or master's degree for doctoral study. |
| Academic performance | CGPA equivalent to or higher than 80% in the previous degree programme. | The detailed annual graduate guideline determines the applicable academic-performance evidence. |
Undergraduate eligibility
For undergraduate GKS, NIIED states an age limit of under 25 as of March 1 of the inviting year. Applicants must also have completed high school by the stated deadline and must have maintained a cumulative grade-point average equivalent to or higher than 80% in the previous degree programme.
Graduate eligibility
For graduate GKS, NIIED states that applicants must be under 40 as of September 1 of the inviting year and must hold a bachelor's or master's degree by July 31 of that year. The required degree corresponds to the intended graduate level.
Scholarship requirements versus university requirements
The GKS eligibility framework does not replace university admission requirements. A department may impose additional academic, language or programme conditions, so satisfying the scholarship-level conditions should be treated as the first screening step rather than confirmation of university admission.
Before applying: IELTS is not listed as a scholarship-level requirement on the official NIIED degree-program page; verify the university and program requirements.
The official NIIED page does not state a universal application fee or one universal monthly allowance amount for every GKS degree applicant. Use the applicable annual guideline for those figures and conditions.
GKS Program Levels and Duration
As of 30 September 2026, NIIED lists associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree routes within the GKS degree programme. The standard structure combines Korean-language training with degree study, but the total period depends on the qualification being pursued.
| Degree route | Language-training period | Degree period | Total stated structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate degree | 1 year | 2–3 years | 3–4 years |
| Bachelor's degree | 1 year | 4–6 years | 5–7 years |
| Master's degree | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years |
| Doctoral degree | 1 year | 3 years | 4 years |
The total ranges above are calculated directly from the separate language-training and degree periods stated by NIIED. The actual academic path can therefore differ by degree type and programme.
Applicants should also distinguish the GKS degree programme from NIIED's separate non-degree exchange programme. The degree programme is the relevant route for applicants seeking associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral study.
GKS Scholarship Benefits and Costs
As of 30 September 2026, the official NIIED degree-program page identifies four core scholarship benefit categories: round-trip airfare, language-training fees, tuition and a monthly allowance. The official page does not provide one universal cash amount or application fee that can safely be applied to every GKS degree route.
| Benefit | Official position | What applicants should verify |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip airfare | Listed by NIIED as a GKS benefit. | Applicable airfare conditions in the annual guideline. |
| Language-training fee | Listed by NIIED as a GKS benefit. | Applicable programme structure and conditions. |
| Tuition | Listed by NIIED as a GKS benefit. | University and annual programme conditions. |
| Monthly allowance | Listed by NIIED as a GKS benefit. | The amount and applicable conditions in the annual guideline. |
Before applying: Do not treat an amount published in an older scholarship article as a guaranteed GKS payment for another cycle. Use the benefit schedule attached to the applicable official announcement.
Applicants should also separate scholarship-covered items from personal costs that may arise during preparation or study. The central NIIED degree-program page does not establish one universal application fee for all routes, so no fixed fee is quoted here.
For another scholarship opportunity with a different application framework, see MEXT Scholarship Japan: Eligibility, Stipend & How to Apply.
GKS Scholarship Required Documents
GKS documents are determined by the applicable annual application guideline, degree level and application route. The official GKS notices attach application forms, guidelines and university-information files, so applicants should build their document package from those materials rather than from an older generic checklist.
| Document area | Preparation purpose | Requirement level |
|---|---|---|
| Official application forms | Complete the forms supplied with the relevant GKS announcement. | Scholarship-level |
| Academic evidence | Demonstrate the qualification and academic record required for the intended degree level. | Scholarship- and programme-dependent |
| Citizenship evidence | Establish compliance with the applicable citizenship condition. | Scholarship-level |
| Personal application materials | Provide the written information and plans requested by the applicable forms. | Guideline-dependent |
| Additional university evidence | Meet separate admission requirements where the selected programme requests additional evidence. | University- or programme-dependent |
The official 2026 graduate notice directs applicants to its application guidelines and university-information files for detailed documents and procedures. The 2027 undergraduate notice likewise states that applicants should use its attached guideline for deadlines, required documents and other procedures.
Before submitting: Check the exact document format, authentication rules, submission route and deadline in the applicable guideline and first-round instructions.
For written application preparation, the Scholarship & University Motivation Letter Guide can be used as a separate writing resource.
How to Apply for GKS Scholarship
The GKS application process begins with choosing the correct degree level and then following the annual announcement for that route. The official NIIED selection framework uses an initial screening stage, a second NIIED selection stage and, for Embassy Track applicants, an additional university admission review before final selection.
- Choose the degree level. Confirm that your previous qualification, age and academic record fit the intended associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral route.
- Read the applicable GKS guideline. Use the official announcement and its attached application guideline before preparing forms or documents.
- Review eligible universities and departments. The official GKS notice provides university-information files identifying the participating options for the programme.
- Select the appropriate application route. Embassy Track uses the relevant Korean embassy route, while University Track involves direct application to a designated university.
- Prepare the official forms and supporting evidence. Follow the document requirements and formatting instructions contained in the applicable guideline.
- Submit through the required route. NIIED states that first-round applications are submitted either to Korean embassies or to universities designated by NIIED.
- Follow the selection stages. First-round selection is followed by NIIED's second-round selection. Embassy Track applicants who pass the second round then undergo university admission review.
- Check the final result through the official process. Final selection is announced after the applicable selection stages are completed.
The official NIIED process makes the distinction between scholarship selection and university admission especially important. Passing one stage does not remove the requirements of the later stage.
Embassy Track vs University Track
Embassy Track and University Track differ mainly in the first submission point and selection structure. Embassy Track begins through a Korean embassy and can include a later university admission review, while University Track begins with a designated university and does not use the additional Embassy Track university-review stage.
| Feature | Embassy Track | University Track |
|---|---|---|
| First submission point | A Korean embassy responsible for the relevant application route. | A university designated for GKS. |
| First-round selection | Conducted by the relevant embassy. | Conducted by the designated university. |
| NIIED selection | Candidates who pass the first round proceed to NIIED's next selection stage. | Candidates who pass the first round proceed to NIIED's next selection stage. |
| University admission stage | A later university review is required; at least one university admission is required for final selection. | The university is the first-round selecting institution. |
| Best source for route-specific instructions | Applicable GKS guideline plus the relevant embassy notice. | Applicable GKS guideline plus the selected university's instructions. |
The central GKS graduate notice confirms that applicants choose either Embassy Track or University Track and that the first-round institution handles application-submission questions and additional document instructions.
GKS Application Deadlines and Status
As of 30 September 2026, GKS application dates must be taken from the applicable official announcement rather than from a single permanent calendar. The official 2026 graduate notice was published on 2 February 2026 and directs applicants to its attached guideline for detailed application information.
| Item | Verified information | Status label | Checked on | Official page to re-check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 GKS Graduate Degrees notice | Official notice published on 2 February 2026; detailed application dates are contained in the attached guideline. | Cannot be labeled - check your own route's notice | 30 September 2026 | 2026 GKS Graduate Degrees notice |
| 2026 undergraduate GKS programme | The Ministry of Education announced an application period from 15 September to 31 October 2025 for the 2026 undergraduate programme; Embassy Track ran from 15 to 30 September 2025. | Closed / Past deadline | 30 September 2026 | Ministry of Education 2026 GKS undergraduate announcement |
Applicants seeing the post after a published deadline should treat that deadline as closed and move to the next official GKS announcement. The exact application period for a future cycle should be taken from the official notice and attached guideline for that cycle.
How to verify a GKS deadline
- Open the official GKS notice board.
- Identify the notice matching your degree level and intended cycle.
- Open the attached application guideline rather than relying only on the notice title.
- Check the application period, document deadline and selection schedule.
- Check the university-information file if using University Track.
- Save the official notice and guideline version you used for your application records.
Common GKS Application Mistakes
GKS applications can become difficult when applicants combine rules from different degree levels, cycles or universities. The safest approach is to keep scholarship requirements, university admission requirements and route-specific instructions in separate sections of your preparation checklist.
| Mistake | Problem created | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using a deadline from an older cycle | The application window may no longer apply. | Use the notice and guideline for the intended cycle. |
| Mixing undergraduate and graduate eligibility | Age, education and academic conditions differ by level. | Build the checklist from the correct degree-level guideline. |
| Treating scholarship eligibility as university admission | A university may have additional programme requirements. | Review scholarship and university requirements separately. |
| Copying an old benefit amount | Benefit conditions can change between programme guidelines. | Use the applicable official benefit schedule. |
| Choosing a university from an old list | Participating universities and departments are identified through the applicable university-information file. | Check the university-information file attached to the relevant GKS notice. |
| Submitting documents without checking route instructions | First-round institutions can provide route-specific submission instructions. | Follow the applicable GKS guideline and first-round instructions. |
A useful preparation system is to maintain three separate headings in your personal checklist: GKS eligibility, university admission and application-route instructions. This prevents a university requirement from being mistaken for a scholarship rule.
Applicants researching multiple international scholarship options can also compare the Open Doors Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits & Apply resource separately rather than combining its requirements with GKS.
Frequently Asked Questions About GKS Scholarship Korea
1. How many graduate students were planned under GKS Scholarship Korea in 2026?
The official 2026 GKS Graduate Degree notice stated that the Korean government planned to invite 2,000 international students through GKS for graduate degrees. This is a programme-specific figure for the 2026 graduate call, not a permanent annual quota.
2. How many undergraduate students were planned for GKS in 2026?
The Korean Ministry of Education's 2026 undergraduate announcement stated that 280 students from 71 invited countries were to be selected. The figure belongs to that 2026 undergraduate call and should not be treated as a permanent yearly allocation.
3. Can someone who graduated from a Korean high school apply for undergraduate GKS?
No. NIIED's degree-program information states that applicants who graduated from a Korean high school, including an international school in Korea, are not eligible for the undergraduate programme.
4. Can someone who completed a degree programme in Korea apply for graduate GKS?
No. NIIED states that applicants who have completed an undergraduate, master's or doctoral programme in Korea are not eligible for the graduate programme under the stated rule.
5. Does GKS have a separate programme for non-degree exchange students?
Yes. NIIED lists a separate GKS non-degree programme for foreign exchange students in addition to the GKS degree programme. Applicants seeking an associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral qualification should use the degree-program information instead.
Official Sources
- NIIED — GKS Degree Program
- Study in Korea — 2026 GKS Graduate Degrees Notice
- Korean Ministry of Education — 2026 GKS Undergraduate Announcement
Final Thoughts
GKS Scholarship Korea is a structured degree scholarship programme with separate undergraduate and graduate conditions, application routes and selection stages. The strongest preparation approach is to identify the correct degree level first, confirm eligibility, review the participating university information and then follow the applicable annual guideline.
Because GKS information changes between programme cycles, applicants should use the official NIIED and Study in Korea resources as the final reference for deadlines, documents, university participation and scholarship conditions.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. GKS requirements, university conditions, application periods, scholarship benefits and document rules may change. Verify important details through the relevant official GKS, NIIED, Study in Korea, Ministry of Education and university sources before applying.
Muhammad Taimur Khan is the founder and editor of MY TRKHAN, an educational platform covering scholarships, admissions, study abroad, academic opportunities, exams, and student resources. MY TRKHAN provides practical and research-based guidance to help students make informed academic decisions.