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Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship 2027: Fully Funded

Fully Funded Korean Government Scholarship (GKS-U)

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Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
Country: South Korea
Deadline: September 30th, 2026
Language Requirement: No IELTS/TOEFL mandatory (includes 1 year of Korean language training)

If you are an international student seeking a fully funded opportunity to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree in South Korea, the Global Korea Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 (GKS-U) is officially open.

Sponsored by the Korean Government through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), the GKS program covers full tuition, airfare, monthly stipends, and language training for 286 international students across participating Korean universities.

About the GKS Program & Its Purpose

The Global Korea Scholarship is designed to remove financial barriers for high-achieving international students who lack the resources to study abroad. By fully covering living and academic costs in South Korea, the grant gives scholars an international platform to develop their skills and build lifelong global networks.

Beyond individual student development, the GKS initiative serves as a major bridge between South Korea and participating nations, strengthening bilateral relationships and cross-cultural ties. Participating Korean universities host international candidates across bachelor’s, Master’s, doctoral, and research levels, making this South Korea’s flagship government scholarship and a key driver in promoting Korean culture, traditions, and language worldwide.

Degree Duration

  • Associate Degree: 2–3 years of degree studies + 1 year of mandatory Korean language training.
  • Undergraduate Degree: 4–6 years of degree studies + 1 year of mandatory Korean language training.

Scholarship Benefits

The GKS-U 2027 grant covers all financial aspects of living and studying in South Korea:

  • Tuition Fees: Full tuition waiver. NIIED covers up to KRW 5 million per semester; the host university covers any remaining balance plus the admission fee.
  • Living Allowance
  • Korean Language Training: Full coverage of language course fees (valued at KRW 5.2 million per year).
  • Airfare: Round-trip economy flight ticket.
  • Settlement Allowance: Single lump-sum payment upon arrival in South Korea.
  • Health Insurance: Full medical insurance coverage throughout the scholarship duration.
  • Proficiency Grants & Test Fees: TOPIK exam fee coverage and extra cash grants for scholars achieving TOPIK Level 5 or 6.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. Citizenship: Must hold citizenship of an NIIED-designated country (the UIC Program is open to all countries). Both the applicant and their parents must be non-Korean citizens. Dual citizens holding Korean nationality are ineligible.
  2. Academic Background:
  3. Academic Score: Must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) percentile of 80% or above (minimum CGPA equivalents: 2.64/4.00, 2.80/4.30, 2.91/4.50, or 3.23/5.00) OR rank within the top 20% of their class.
  4. Age Limit: Must be under 25 years old (born on or after March 1, 2002).
  5. Health: Must be in good physical and mental health.
  6. Disqualification Grounds: Candidates with a criminal record, former GKS degree holders, or those who withdrew/disqualified from a GKS program within the last 3 years cannot apply.

Required Documents

  • 2027 GKS-U Application Form
  • Proof of Citizenship and Family Relationship Documentation
  • Personal Statement & Study Plan
  • Official Academic Transcripts (all levels)
  • High School Graduation Certificate (or Expected Graduation Certificate if graduating by December 31, 2026)
  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • Signed GKS Applicant Agreement & Personal Medical Assessment
  • Optional: English Proficiency/TOPIK score reports, awards, certificates, or passport copy.

Disclaimer

FADMUS Africa is an independent educational platform providing verified scholarship updates and application guidance. FADMUS Africa is not the official donor or administering body for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). Applicants are advised to review all requirements directly on the official NIIED / Study in Korea portal before submitting their applications.

Apply Here: Study in Korea official GKS notice

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