- Are you an ambitious international student dreaming of studying in Korea?
- The Global Korea Scholarship offers a fully-funded master’s degree in Korea to Nigerians and others
- TheRadar has compiled a complete guide on steps for a successful application
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), previously known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), is a prestigious initiative designed to provide opportunities for international students to pursue higher education in Korea.
It is sponsored by the South Korean government, aiming to foster international exchange and promote goodwill through the education of global leaders.
Applications are open for GKS 2025 for international students pursuing bachelor’s or associate degrees in South Korea.
The scholarship covers undergraduate, graduate, and research programs across various disciplines, providing students with full financial support throughout their studies.
Benefits of the scholarship
The GKS offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including:
1. Full tuition coverage
2. Monthly stipend
3. Airfare
4. Settlement allowance
5. Medical insurance
6. Korean language training
7. Research support
8. Completion grant
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for the GKS, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. Undergraduate programme
- Applicants must be under 25 (as of March 1 of the selection year).
- Applicants must have completed (or are scheduled to complete) elementary, middle, and high schools as of March 1 of the selection year.
2. Graduate programme
- Applicants who are expected to obtain a Bachelor's or Master's degree by July 31st of the admission year
- Applicants who shall obtain an undergraduate or master's degree as of February 28 of the selection year.
- Academic professors in one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipient countries under 45 years of age (as of September 1 of the selection year) are eligible to apply.
3. Common
- Applicants and their parents must hold citizenship from a country other than Korea.
Applicants who are dual citizenship holders (Korean citizenship and citizenship of another country) are not eligible to apply.
- All applicants must be in good mental and physical health to study in Korea for an extended period.
- Applicants must have maintained a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 80% on a 100-point scale throughout all academic years at the highest level of education completed.
- Applicants who are enrolled in or graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program in Korea are not eligible to apply.
4. Program-specific eligibility
- Language proficiency: While Korean language proficiency is not mandatory at the time of application, those with a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 3 or higher are given preference.
- Field of study: The GKS allows applicants to choose from various disciplines. However, some programs may have specific academic or language requirements.
Application process
The GKS application process is detailed and highly competitive. Below is an overview of the steps involved:
Step 1: Choose the application track
There are two tracks available for applying to the GKS:
1. Embassy track: Applicants submit their applications to the Korean Embassy in their home country. This track typically offers more scholarship slots and allows applicants to apply to up to three universities.
2. University track: Applicants submit their applications directly to a Korean university. This track allows applicants to choose one university but typically has fewer scholarship slots.
Applicants should carefully consider which track best suits their goals.
Step 2: Gather the necessary documents
Both tracks require the submission of a variety of documents. Commonly required documents include:
- GKS-U applicant form
- Personal statement
- Study plan
- TWO letters of recommendation
- GKS applicant agreement
- Personal medical assessment
- Proof of citizenship
- Certificate of graduation
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of age
- Proof of overseas Korean
- Proof of Korean citizenship renunciation document
- Awards and other certificates (Optional)
- Certificate of valid TOPIK score (Optional)
- Certificate of valid English Proficiency Test (Optional)
- Applicant’s passport copy (Optional)
- Proof of Korean War Veterans‟s Descendants (ONLY for descendants of Korean War Veterans)
Step 3: Submit the application
- For the Embassy Track, applicants submit their documents to the Korean Embassy in their country. The embassy reviews the applications and forwards selected candidates to the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) in Korea for further evaluation.
- For the University Track, applications are submitted directly to the university, which conducts the initial screening before forwarding successful candidates to the NIIED.
Application deadline
- For Embassy track criteria, candidates must take an update from the Korean embassy in their home country, as they all have different application deadlines.
- For university track criteria, candidates need to get an update from eligible universities for GKS on the official website.
The Global Korea Scholarship is an exceptional opportunity for international students to pursue higher education in South Korea.
With complete financial support, access to top-tier institutions, and the chance to immerse in Korean culture, GKS is a life-changing experience for students worldwide.
However, the application process is competitive and requires careful planning and preparation. By understanding the eligibility criteria and following the steps outlined in this guide, applicants can maximise their chances of success and embark on a fulfilling academic journey in Korea.
UK Chevening Scholarship for international students: A complete guide to applying
Earlier, TheRadar compiled a complete guide on steps to follow to successfully apply for the 2025 UK Chevening scholarship. The Chevening Scholarship is a fully-funded program that enables eligible applicants to pursue a one-year master’s degree in the UK.
It covers tuition fees, a monthly stipend, travel costs, an arrival allowance, and other expenses, providing scholars with the resources to focus entirely on their studies and network.