Applications for the GKS Scholarship 2027, also known as the Global Korea Scholarship 2027, are open now for international students who want to pursue ther studies in South Korea for free on a fully funded scholarship by the Korean Government.
The 2027 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U) is administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). For 2027, the Korean government plans to invite international students from all over the world through the Embassy Track and University Track.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to review the guidelines thoroughly before preparing their applications.
What is GKS Scholarship 2027
The Global Korea Scholarship 2027 (GKS Scholarship 2027) is a Korean government scholarship designed to give international students an opportunity to study at higher education institutions in South Korea.
The objective of the scholarship is not only to support international students academically, but also to promote international educational exchange and strengthen friendship between Korea and participating countries.
Period of Global Korea Scholarship 2026
The duration of the GKS Scholarship 2027 Undergraduate Program depends on the degree.
Bachelor’s Degree Program, 5 to 7 Years
- 1 year Korean language program + 4 to 6 years bachelor’s degree program
Associate Degree Program, 3 to 4 Years
- 1 year Korean language program + 2 to 3 years associate degree program
Applicants who already have TOPIK Level 5 or Level 6 can be exempted from the Korean language program. Scholars who obtain TOPIK Level 5 or 6 within the first six months of Korean language training are also exempted from the remaining six months and must begin their degree program in the following semester, which would be September 2027.
Benefits of the GKS Scholarship 2027
One of the biggest reasons the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 attracts thousands of applicants is its comprehensive funding package.
Airfare: GKS scholars are provided an economy-class flight ticket, based on actual expenses.
Tuition Fee: For the GKS Scholarship 2027, NIIED provides tuition support of up to KRW 5 million, while the university covers the amount exceeding KRW 5 million as well as the admission fee.
Korean Language Training: The scholarship provides KRW 5.2 million per year for the Korean language program.
Monthly Allowance: The 2027 guidelines state the allowance as an annual all-inclusive amount:
- Korean Language Program: KRW 13,560,000 per year (this works out to approximately KRW 1,130,000 per month)
- Degree Program: KRW 14,400,000 per year (this works out to approximately KRW 1,200,000 per month.)
- Settlement Allowance – One-time allowance provided upon arrival.
- Medical Insurance – Health insurance for the duration of the scholarship.
- Completion Grant – Awarded at the end of the program to support transition after graduation.
- Korean Proficiency Grant – Scholars with advanced Korean language skills (TOPIK 5 or 6) may receive additional support.
GKS Scholarship 2027 Undergraduate Quota
A total of 286 international students are expected to be selected under the GKS Scholarship 2027 Undergraduate Program.
The seats are divided into two major application routes:
Embassy Track: 156 scholars
University Track: 130 scholars
GKS 2027 Embassy Track Quota
A total of 156 scholars from 74 countries will be selected through the Embassy Track.
The allocation is:
- General Program: 88 scholars from 74 countries
- R-GKS: 61 scholars from 52 countries
- Overseas Koreans & Adoptees: 7 scholars from 7 countries
For example, the official Global Korea Scholarship 2027 quota includes 3 Embassy Track positions for Pakistan, 4 for India, 3 for Bangladesh, 4 for Indonesia, 3 for the Philippines and varying quotas for other participating countries.
GKS 2027 University Track Quota
The University Track offers a total of 130 scholarships.
UIC Program: 100 scholars
Associate Degree Program: 30 scholars
The UIC, or University Industry Cooperation Program, is particularly important because it is open to applicants from all countries worldwide, except Korea. It focuses mainly on science and engineering programs with university-industry cooperation.
GKS Scholarship 2027 UIC Program (University Track)
The Global Korea Scholarship 2027 UIC Program (University Track) offers 100 scholarships across 13 participating institutions.
For bachelor’s degrees, participating universities include:
- Ajou University
- Daegu University
- Dong-A University
- Inje University
- Keimyung University
- Konyang University
- Kookmin University
- Korea University of Technology and Education (KOREATECH)
- Sungshin Women’s University
- Yeungnam University
Associate degree UIC programs are offered by Dong-Eui Institute of Technology, Kyungbok University and Osan University.
Programs include fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Software, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Smart Security, Big Data Science, Environmental Engineering, Food Science and Biotechnology.
The UIC Program is specifically designed around natural science and engineering, with customized curricula and practical field experience through industry-university cooperation.
GKS Scholarship 2027 Associate Program (University Track)
The Global Korea Scholarship 2027 Associate Program (University Track) offers 30 scholarships from 74 countries.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to also read the GKS Scholarship 2026 Undergraduate guidelines for last year too.
Available Universities and Fields of Study for GKS Scholarship 2027
Applicants can apply only to universities and departments officially listed in the 2027 GKS University Information file.
Programs such as evening school, short-term courses, online programs and distance-learning programs are not eligible under the Global Korea Scholarship 2027.
GKS Scholarship 2027 Embassy Track Universities
For the Embassy Track, universities are divided into Type A and Type B universities.
Type A includes major universities such as:
Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, Kyung Hee University, Chung-Ang University, POSTECH, UNIST, University of Seoul and others.
Type B includes participating regional universities such as:
Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Chungnam National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Yeungnam University, Keimyung University, Dong-A University and many others.
GKS Scholarship 2027 University Track Universities
For the University Track, universities are divided into Associate Program or UIC Program category.
Choice of University for GKS Scholarship 2027
For the General and Overseas Koreans & Adoptees Embassy Track programs, applicants can choose up to THREE universities, but at least ONE must be a Type B university.
For the R-GKS Embassy Track, applicants can choose up to TWO Type B universities.
University Track applicants can apply to only ONE university and ONE department.
Applicants should choose their universities strategically. The official guidelines warn that Embassy Track applicants who concentrate only on highly competitive universities can pass NIIED’s second round but still fail to secure admission during the university round.
Eligibility for GKS Scholarship 2027
Before applying for the Global Korea Scholarship 2027, carefully check the eligibility requirements.
Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of countries designated by NIIED for participation in the GKS program.
The applicant’s parents or legal guardians must hold citizenship other than Korean citizenship. An applicant or parent who holds Korean dual citizenship is not eligible.
Age: Applicants must be under 25 years old.
For the GKS Scholarship 2027, applicants must have been: Born after March 1, 2002.
Education Requirements: For a bachelor’s degree, applicants must have graduated or be expected to graduate from high school or an associate degree program.
For an associate degree, applicants must have graduated or be expected to graduate from high school.
Applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree cannot apply for GKS-U.
Applicants holding an associate degree may apply only for a bachelor’s degree program.
Expected graduates must graduate by December 31, 2026. Those who pass the first selection round must submit their final graduation or degree certificate and transcript by December 31, 2026.
Therefore, someone graduating from high school in March 2027 would not be eligible for GKS Scholarship 2027.
GPA Requirement: Applicants must satisfy at least one of the following academic requirements:
- 80% or higher on a 100-point scale. OR
- Ranked within the top 20% of their class. OR
- Have a CGPA of at least:
| GPA Scale | Minimum CGPA |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 2.64 |
| 4.3 | 2.80 |
| 4.5 | 2.91 |
| 5.0 | 3.23 |
Applicants whose transcripts do not show CGPA in one of the accepted scales must provide additional documentation issued by their school explaining or converting the grading system.
Health Requirements: Applicants must be in good mental and physical health to complete the full duration of their studies in Korea.
Applicants must also have no grounds for disqualification from overseas travel.
How to apply for GKS Scholarship 2027
There are two different application procedures for the GKS Scholarship 2027, depending on your track.
1. GKS Scholarship 2027 Embassy Track Application
Embassy Track applications are submitted online through the Study in Korea website.
The official application period is:
Opening: September 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM KST
Deadline: September 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM KST
Applicants must create an account on Study in Korea, complete the required sections and upload the required documents.
Apply through the official Study in Korea website
2. GKS Scholarship 2027 University Track Application
University Track applicants do not apply through the Study in Korea online application system.
Instead, applicants must apply directly according to the submission method specified by their chosen university, which could include submission by mail, in person or another method determined by the university.
The University Track application period runs generally from:
September to November 2026
However, the exact deadline differs by university.
Required Documents for GKS Scholarship 2027
Applicants should carefully prepare the required documents for the GKS Scholarship 2027.
GKS Application Forms
The required forms include:
- Application Form
- Personal Statement
- Study Plan
- Recommendation Letter
- GKS Applicant Agreement
- Personal Medical Assessment
- Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information
Required Certificates
Applicants generally need:
- Proof of citizenship of the applicant and parents
- Proof of family relationship
- High school graduation certificate or certificate of expected graduation
- High school academic transcript
- Associate degree graduation certificate, if applicable
- Associate degree academic transcript, if applicable
- Proof of Overseas Korean or Korean adoptee status, if applicable
- Proof of Korean citizenship renunciation, if applicable
- Proof of Korean War veteran descendant status, if applicable.
Other Supporting Documents
Applicants may also submit:
- Valid TOPIK score
- TOEFL or IELTS score
- Awards and achievement certificates
- Passport copy
Applicants can submit up to five documents related to activities or achievements from high school onward.
Required Documents (Embassy Track)
Required Documents (University Track)
Recommendation Letter for GKS Scholarship 2027
Applicants need one recommendation letter.
The recommendation should be written by a credible person who can evaluate the applicant’s academic ability, such as a teacher or school principal.
The recommendation letter must have been issued within one year of the application deadline.
Apostille and Document Authentication for GKS Scholarship 2027
Document authentication is one of the most important parts of the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 application.
For the first Embassy Track round, applicants upload scanned documents through the Study in Korea system. Applicants who successfully pass the first round must subsequently submit original documents required for NIIED’s second-round evaluation.
Required certificates written in English or Korean must generally be apostilled or consular confirmed.
Documents in other languages must include a certified translation, and the original document or certified translation must receive the required authentication.
Simple photocopies or ordinary notarized copies of apostilled documents are not accepted as replacements for the authenticated documents.
If an authenticated document does not state an expiration date, it will generally be accepted if submitted within two years from its authentication date.
Selection Timeline for GKS Scholarship 2027
Embassy Track Timeline
Application: September 15 to September 30, 2026
First Round Result: By October 16, 2026
Second Round Result by NIIED: November 2026
Third Round University Result: By December 23, 2026
Final University Selection by Successful Applicants: By December 29, 2026
Final GKS Scholarship 2027 Result: Expected January 7, 2027.
University Track Timeline
Applications: September to November 2026, depending on the university
First Round Result: November 2026
NIIED Second Round Result: December 2026
Final Global Korea Scholarship 2027 Result: Expected January 7, 2027.
Language Proficiency Points for GKS Scholarship 2027
Official Korean and English language scores are evaluated separately.
For Korean, GKS recognizes TOPIK.
For English, GKS recognizes TOEFL and IELTS.
The 2027 evaluation guidelines assign language proficiency points according to score ranges.
| Evaluation Level | TOPIK | TOEFL iBT, before Jan 21, 2026 | TOEFL iBT, from Jan 21, 2026 | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | Level 5 or above | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| 90% | Level 4 | 114+ | 6.0 | 8.0+ |
| 80% | Level 3 | 95+ | 5.0+ | 7.0+ |
| 70% | Level 2 | 72+ | 4.0+ | 6.0+ |
| 60% | Level 1 | 42+ | 3.0+ | 5.0+ |
| 50% | No official score |
The 2027 guidelines account for the changed TOEFL iBT scoring system for tests taken from January 21, 2026 onward. If an applicant submits multiple score reports, only the highest score is recognized.
Additional Points for Global Korea Scholarship 2027
Some applicants can receive additional points during evaluation.
TOPIK Bonus Points
Applicants holding TOPIK Level 3 or higher receive:
TOPIK Level 3: +3% of total score
TOPIK Level 4: +4%
TOPIK Level 5 or above: +5%
Science and Engineering Applicants
Applicants applying to science and engineering departments receive an additional 5% of the total allocated score.
Korean War Veterans’ Descendants
Direct descendants of Korean War veterans who participated in the Korean War as members of a foreign military receive an additional 10% of the total allocated points.
GKS Scholarship GPA Conversion Table
Final Words on GKS Scholarship 2027
The GKS Scholarship 2027, or Global Korea Scholarship 2027, is an excellent opportunity for international students who want to complete a fully funded undergraduate or associate degree in South Korea.
With 286 scholarships available, tuition support, Korean language training, airfare and a substantial monthly allowance, the program provides international students with comprehensive financial support while studying in Korea.
However, the Global Korea Scholarship 2027 is highly competitive. Applicants should pay particular attention to their university choices, academic eligibility, Personal Statement, Study Plan, recommendation letter, document authentication requirements and application deadlines.
Most importantly, do not simply copy information from previous GKS years. The GKS Scholarship 2027 includes updated quotas, financial benefits, application dates, university choices, evaluation criteria and application procedures, so applicants should prepare their documents using the official 2027 GKS-U Application Guidelines.
You can download the important documents by clicking the following links:
