GKS Scholarship 2025 | Global Korea Fully Funded

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully-funded scholarship program offered to Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degrees. The scholarship offers up to 1,000,000 KRW per month. The Application process will end in April 2025.

Benefits

• Full Tuition Fee Coverage
• Monthly Stipend up to 1,000,000 KRW
• Airfare Ticket
• Settlement Allowance – KRW 200,000 (one-time allowance upon arrival)
• Free Korean Language Training
• Health Insurance
• Research Support
• Completion Grant – KRW 100,000 after successful program completion

Available Programs

GKS 2025 is open for the following degree programs:

• Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree)
• Master’s Degree
• Doctoral (Ph.D.) Degree

Program Duration

Degree	Academic Duration	Korean Language Training	Total Duration
Bachelor’s	4-5 years	1 year	5-6 years
Master’s	2 years	1 year	3 years
Ph.D.	3 years	1 year	4 years

Note: One year of Korean language training is mandatory unless the applicant already has a TOPIK Level 5 or 6 certificate.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Citizenship:
   • Applicant and both parents must be citizens of a country other than South Korea.
2. Health:
   • Applicants must be in good physical and mental health.
3. Korean Language:
   • No prior knowledge is required, but TOPIK Level 3 or higher is an advantage.

1. Undergraduate Applicants:
   • Must be under 25 years.
2. Graduate Applicants (Master’s & Ph.D.):
   • Must be under 40 years old.
3. For Bachelor’s:
   • Must have completed high school (12 years of education).
4. For Master’s:
   • Must have a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent).
5. For Ph.D.:
   • Must have a Master’s degree (or equivalent).
6. GPA Requirement:
   • Minimum 2.64 out of 4.0 (or equivalent in other grading systems).

Application Process

The application process for GKS 2025 involves two main application tracks:

1. 1. Embassy Track
   • Applicants will apply through the South Korean Embassy in their home country.
   • The embassy selects candidates and forwards them to NIIED (Korea’s Scholarship Authority).
2. 2. University Track
   • Applicants can apply directly to Korean universities.
   • Each university selects its candidates and recommends them to NIIED.

Note:

• Embassy track allows applying to 3 universities, while university track limits to 1 university.
• Selected candidates must pass two rounds:

1) Embassy/University shortlisting

2) NIIED final approval.

Required Documents

• Completed GKS Application Form
• Personal Statement & Study Plan
• Two Letters of Recommendation (from professors, employers, or mentors)
• Copy of Passport & National ID Card
• Official Academic Transcripts & Degree Certificates
• Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate/National ID) for both applicant & parents
• Medical Examination Certificate
• TOPIK or English Proficiency Certificate (if available, not mandatory)
• Published Research Papers or Awards (for Ph.D. applicants, if available)

Important:

• Documents must be certified by the issuing authority and notarized.
• Incomplete applications or missing documents will lead to disqualification.

Application Deadline:

Deadlines vary by country. The first announced deadline is in the end of April 2025.

Why Choose GKS Scholarship

• Experience top-ranked South Korean universities.
• No tuition fees, free living expenses, and airfare.
• One-year Korean language training to help with studies.
• Strong career prospects after graduation.