The Global Korea Scholarship 2027 gives international students a fully funded route to undergraduate study in South Korea. The Korean government programme is administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Applications are available through Embassy Track and University Track routes. The current call covers bachelor’s and associate degree study.
For the 2027 undergraduate cycle, NIIED plans to select 286 scholars. Embassy Track applications run from 15 September to 30 September 2026 through the Study in Korea system. University Track applications run from September to November, with each participating university setting its own deadline. Applicants should use the current 2027 guidelines rather than older GKS forms or dates.
Global Korea Scholarship 2027 Details
The programme has 156 Embassy Track places and 130 University Track places. University Track includes UIC places focused on natural science and engineering as well as associate-degree places. The available universities and departments depend on the selected track.
Bachelor’s scholars normally complete one year of Korean language training followed by four to six years of degree study. Associate-degree scholars normally complete one language year plus two to three years of study. Applicants with qualifying advanced TOPIK results may receive language-training exemptions under the current rules.
Programme | Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U) |
|---|---|
Administrator | National Institute for International Education (NIIED) |
Host country | South Korea |
Study level | Bachelor’s and associate degree |
Total scholars | 286 |
Embassy Track | 156 places |
University Track | 130 places |
Embassy deadline | 30 September 2026, 18:00 KST |
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Global Korea Scholarship 2027 Benefits
The scholarship covers major study costs, including tuition, Korean language training and eligible international airfare. The current undergraduate guidelines provide an annual all-inclusive allowance of KRW 13,560,000 during the language year and KRW 14,400,000 during degree study.
Tuition support is provided through NIIED and participating universities under the programme rules. The scholarship package is designed to support students throughout the approved study period, but applicants should read the current guideline notes on airfare exclusions, insurance and living costs before making financial plans.
Also Check: Students comparing fully funded international study can review the Richmond Scholars Program 2027.
Related opportunity: Readers comparing this opportunity can also review the Türkiye Scholarships as a related PhD funding option.
Also explore: Readers comparing this opportunity can also review the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship as a related undergraduate scholarship.
Global Korea Scholarship 2027 Eligibility
Applicants must satisfy the citizenship rules for their chosen track and must not hold Korean citizenship. For the 2027 undergraduate cycle, the standard age rule requires applicants to be under 25, with the guideline using a birth date after 1 March 2002.
Academic performance must normally be at least 80%, within the top 20% of the applicant’s class, or meet an accepted equivalent CGPA threshold. Applicants also need the required secondary-school qualification or expected graduation status and must follow any university or department-specific conditions.
How to Apply
Embassy Track applicants should create an account on the official Study in Korea portal, select the 2027 GKS-U call and complete the online application. They should prepare the current application forms, academic records, nationality evidence and other documents required by the official guideline.
University Track applicants apply directly to one participating university using that institution’s submission method. Because university deadlines differ, candidates should check the current University Information files and the chosen university’s own GKS notice before sending documents.
Application Deadline
The Embassy Track opens at 11:00 KST on 15 September 2026 and closes at 18:00 KST on 30 September 2026. This is the central online application window stated for the current undergraduate cycle.
University Track does not use one worldwide deadline. Participating universities accept applications during September to November 2026 according to their own schedules, so applicants must confirm the exact closing date with the university they select.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants often ask whether GKS is fully funded and whether Korean proficiency is required before applying. The programme funds tuition, language training, eligible airfare and living support, while the language year helps selected scholars reach the Korean level needed for degree study.
Another common question concerns the two application routes. Embassy Track and University Track have different selection procedures, institution choices and deadlines, so applicants should choose one route carefully and follow the current rules for that route.
How many scholarships are available?
The 2027 undergraduate call plans to select 286 scholars: 156 through Embassy Track and 130 through University Track.
What is the Embassy Track deadline?
The online Embassy Track deadline is 30 September 2026 at 18:00 KST.
Conclusion
The Global Korea Scholarship 2027 is a major fully funded opportunity for international students seeking undergraduate study in South Korea. Its combination of tuition support, language training, airfare and living support makes the current call highly competitive.
Applicants should confirm their track, university choices and documents against the official 2027 files before submission. Embassy Track candidates have until 30 September 2026, while University Track candidates must follow their chosen university’s deadline.
