Global Korea Scholarship 2025: Fully Funded Opportunity for International Students
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2025, formerly known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), is an initiative by the Korean government to provide exceptional international students with the opportunity to pursue higher education in South Korea’s prestigious institutions. This fully funded program aims to promote educational exchange between Korea and participating countries while fostering global connections and friendships.
Details:
- Country:Â South Korea
- Financial coverage:Â Fully Funded
- Eligible Regions:Â Anyone Can apply
As one of the most renowned and competitive government scholarship programs globally, the GKS 2025 scholarship offers graduate-level degree programs for talented individuals who aspire to study abroad. The scholarship includes two main academic tracks: a Master’s Degree Program and a Doctoral Degree Program. Both programs include a mandatory one-year Korean language course to help students integrate into Korean society.
The program accepts applications from students worldwide and supports approximately 1,300 international students annually. This includes access to almost all academic fields and majors offered by participating Korean universities. If you’re a graduate student seeking funding to pursue your dreams of studying abroad, GKS 2025 could be the perfect opportunity.
Key Highlights of GKS 2025
Program Overview
- Degree Programs Offered
- Master’s Degree
- Doctoral Degree
- Research Programs
- Program Duration
- Master’s Degree: 3 years (1 year for language training + 2 years for coursework)
- Doctoral Degree: 4 years (1 year for language training + 3 years for coursework)
- Research Programs: 6 months to 1 year
- Available Awards
- A total of 1,820 scholarships are available:
- Embassy Track: 720 awards
- University Track: 1,100 awards
- A total of 1,820 scholarships are available:
Eligibility Criteria For Global Korea Scholarship
To apply for the Global Korea Scholarship 2025, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Nationality: Must be a citizen of a country participating in the GKS program. Dual or Korean citizenship holders are ineligible.
- Educational Background:
- Applicants for Master’s programs must hold or expect to hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants for Doctoral programs must hold or expect to hold a master’s degree.
- Research program applicants must hold at least a master’s degree or equivalent.
- Graduation Status: Candidates who have not graduated yet can submit a certificate of expected graduation, provided they graduate by July 31, 2025.
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be under 40 years old.
- Academic Excellence: Applicants must have a CGPA of 2.64/4.00 or be in the top 20% of their class.
- Health: Must be in good mental and physical health.
- English/Korean Proficiency: Submission of relevant language proficiency certificates (English or Korean) is required.
- Previous Scholarship Recipients: Those who have already received a Korean government scholarship are not eligible.
Benefits of GKS 2025
This fully funded scholarship covers the following expenses:
- Tuition Fee: Full waiver.
- Resettlement Allowance: A one-time payment upon arrival in Korea.
- Living Allowance:
- Master’s and Doctoral students: KRW 15,720,000 annually.
- Research program participants: KRW 19,800,000 annually.
- Airfare: Round-trip economy tickets.
- Language Training Costs: Full coverage for the Korean language course.
- Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health coverage.
- Research Allowance: Provided to postgraduate students for their research activities.
- Dissertation Printing Costs: Financial support for printing dissertations.
- Completion Grant: Awarded after successfully completing the program.
- Korean Language Proficiency Award: Additional incentive for students with excellent language skills.
This scholarship not only provides financial support but also opens doors to cultural exchange, personal growth, and global networking opportunities.
Application Process
There are two ways to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship 2025:
- Embassy Track:
- Applicants must apply through the South Korean Embassy in their home country.
- The embassy reviews applications, nominates candidates to universities, and sends final recommendations to NIIED (National Institute for International Education).
- Final selections are made by NIIED.
- University Track:
- Applicants apply directly to one of the designated Korean universities.
- The university nominates candidates for NIIED’s final review.
Documents Required
- Proof of Citizenship and Family Relationship
- Graduation Certificate(s)
- Academic Transcript(s)
- English/Korean Proficiency Test Score Report
- Passport Copy
- Personal Statement
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- GKS Applicant Agreement
- Personal Medical Assessment
- Awards/Publications (if any)
- Other supporting documents as specified by the embassy/university
Deadlines and Additional Information For Global Korea Scholarship
There is no unified deadline for the GKS 2025 scholarship, as deadlines vary depending on the embassy or university.
- Embassy Track: Contact the South Korean Embassy in your country for specific deadlines.
- University Track: Contact the designated university for their specific deadline.
Why Choose Korea?
South Korea is globally recognized for its advanced education system, cultural richness, and technological innovation. Korean universities rank among the top globally, making the country a prime destination for international students. Additionally, Korea offers high employment opportunities for graduates, making it an attractive option for long-term career prospects.
Final Note
The Global Korea Scholarship 2025 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for international students to receive world-class education in South Korea without financial burdens. Whether you dream of pursuing a master’s, doctoral, or research degree, this fully funded scholarship offers everything you need to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Don’t miss your chance to apply—reach out to the South Korean Embassy or eligible universities to start your journey today!