Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Graduate Degrees 2027 — Scholarship, Fully funded

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Graduate Degrees

National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea

Korean government scholarship for master's/doctoral study (1 year of Korean language + degree) covering airfare, tuition, language training and allowances; about 2,000 graduate scholars a year via Embassy and University tracks. Under 40, GPA 80%+. Next call expected Feb 2027.

Verified today · verified by our team · Official page

Eligibility

Who can apply

All except South Korea

Education required

Bachelors completed

Age

up to 39 (Under 40 years of age as of 1 September of the selection year)

Fields

Any field of study

Language

No mandatory Korean or English test stated; one year of Korean language training is part of the scholarship (exemption with TOPIK level 5+); some programs taught in English

Residency

Embassy Track applicants apply through the Korean Embassy responsible for their country of citizenship (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ghana for Ghanaians)

Also required

Both the applicant and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship (dual nationals with Korean citizenship ineligible)
Bachelor's or master's degree completed or expected by 1 September of the selection year
Cumulative GPA of 80% or higher from the most recent educational institution
Mentally and physically healthy for long-term study in Korea
Applicants currently enrolled in or graduated from a university in Korea are not eligible
Embassy Track: choose up to three universities, including at least one Type B university

About this opportunity

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) funds international students for master's (1 year Korean language + 2 years) or doctoral (1 + 3 years) degrees at about 80 GKS universities. Apply through the Korean Embassy in your country (Embassy Track, online via studyinkorea.go.kr, up to three universities including one Type B) or directly to a GKS university (University Track).

Eligibility: applicant and both parents hold non-Korean citizenship; under 40 as of 1 September of the selection year; bachelor's or master's completed (or expected) by 1 September; cumulative GPA of 80% or higher; healthy; not previously enrolled at a Korean university. Benefits: airfare, language training, tuition, a monthly allowance (KRW 1,000,000 at graduate level per Korea University), settlement and research allowances, medical insurance and a degree-completion grant. Call in February; results June.

Level

Master's, PhD

Where

South Korea

Duration

Master's: 3 years (1 year Korean language + 2 years degree); Doctoral: 4 years (1 + 3)

Number of awards

Approx. 1,900-2,000 graduate scholars per year worldwide (2026 plan: 800 Embassy Track, 1,200 University Track); Ghana-specific quota not verified

Difficulty

High · about 8 weeks to prepare

Funding

Fully funded

tuition

stipend

travel

health insurance

training

research costs

NIIED page: 'Airfare, language training costs, tuition, and study allowances'. Korea University's official GKS page itemises: round-trip economy airfare; settlement allowance KRW 200,000; monthly allowance KRW 1,000,000; research allowance KRW 210,000-240,000; full tuition; medical insurance; Korean language training; dissertation printing KRW 500,000-800,000; TOPIK 5-6 grant KRW 100,000/month. Monthly allowance is the amount given.

What you will need