If you are an international student seeking opportunities to pursue higher education in South Korea, applications for the 2025 Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (GKS-G) are now open. This fully-funded program offers a chance to study at leading Korean universities, enhancing global education exchange and fostering mutual friendship. This comprehensive article will guide you through your application process for this exciting opportunity.
GKS-G Scholarships 2025 Summary
Location: South Korea
Host Institutions: Various participating Korean universities
Study Level: Master’s, Doctoral, and Research Programs
Fields of Study: All disciplines offered by participating universities except evening, short-term, and online programs
Funding: Fully funded, covering tuition, allowances, airfare, and more
Duration: Up to 4 years depending on level
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by embassy/university (February to April 2025)
Start Date: Late 2025
GKS Scholarships Overview
The Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (GKS-G) program aims to foster international educational exchange and strengthen mutual friendships between South Korea and participating countries. For the 2025 intake, the program offers 1,820 scholarships for graduate-level studies (Master’s, Doctoral, or Research programs) at prestigious Korean universities. With two application tracks—Embassy Track and University Track—candidates can either apply through Korean embassies or directly to universities. GKS covers a wide range of academic disciplines, offering fully funded scholarships that include tuition fees, monthly stipends, language training, airfare, and more. The program is designed to nurture global talent and promote cultural understanding through academic excellence in South Korea.
The GKS-G offers two application tracks:
1. Embassy Track:
Quota: 669 students from 146 countries.
Applicants can choose up to three universities (at least one Type B).
2. University Track:
Quota: 1,151 students across General, R-GKS, Research, R&D, and Global Network programs.
Applicants can apply to one university and department.
What is Type A and Type B Universities?
In the the GKS-G Scholarships guidelines, Type A and Type B refer to classifications of participating universities based on funding priorities and quotas:
1. Type A Universities
These universities typically receive higher funding from National Institute for International Education (NIIED).
They are considered more competitive and prestigious institutions in South Korea.
Examples include:
Seoul National University
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Yonsei University
Korea University
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Sungkyunkwan University
Type B Universities
These universities are regional universities that aim to promote balanced education development in South Korea.
NIIED encourages applicants to include at least one Type B university in their choices (especially for Embassy Track) to promote diversity and increase acceptance chances.
Examples include:
Jeonbuk National University
Pukyong National University
University of Ulsan
Gyeongsang National University
Sunchon National University
GSK-G Scholarships Coverage and Benefits
Airfare: Round-trip economy tickets
Tuition: Fully covered (up to 5 million KRW per semester)
Korean Language Training: 800,000 KRW/month (if applicable)
Monthly Allowance: 1,500,000 KRW for (Master’s/Doctoral); 1,200,000 KRW (Korean language training)
Research Support: 210,000 - 240,000 KRW per semester (if applicable)
Settlement Allowance: 200,000 KRW upon arrival
Completion Grant: 100,000 KRW at the end of the program
Health Insurance: 130,000 KRW/month
Korean Proficiency Grants: 100,000 KRW/month for TOPIK Level 5 or 6 holders
GSK Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Citizens of NIIED-designated countries (see below)
Education: Minimum degree requirements (Bachelor’s for Master’s; Master’s for Doctoral; Post-Doc for Research)
Age: Born after September 1, 1985 (exceptions for professors in certain programs)
Grades: Minimum 80% or equivalent GPA
Language: TOPIK Level 3 or higher recommended
Health: Physically and mentally fit to study in Korea
✨ To see the list of eligible countries, download the 2025 GKS-G Application Guidelines zip file available on this webpage.
GKS Scholarships Application Procedure by Track
For Embassy Track:
1. Choose Universities:
Applicants can select up to three universities, ensuring at least one is from Type B. The remaining choices can be from Type A or B.
2. Prepare Documents:
Submit required documents to the Korean embassy in your home country. This includes:
Application form (available here)
Personal statement
Study plan
Recommendation letter(s)
Proof of citizenship
Academic certificates and transcripts
Other optional certificates (e.g., language proficiency or awards)
3. Submit to Embassy:
Adhere to the deadline set by the embassy. Some embassies may have additional requirements.
University Track
1. Choose a University:
Applicants apply directly to one university (from the General, R-GKS, Research, or Global Network programs). You can find all information regarding universities in the attached files on this webpage.
2. Prepare Documents:
Submit required documents directly to the selected university. Required documents include:
Application form
Personal statement
Study plan
Recommendation letter(s)
Proof of citizenship
Academic certificates and transcripts
Other optional certificates
3. Submit to University:
Follow the specific deadline and submission procedure of the selected university.
Evaluation and Selection
First Round of Selection: Embassies/ Universities review applications and recommend candidates to NIIED.
Second Round of Selection: NIIED evaluates university-recommended candidates.
Final Results Announcement: NIIED announces the final successful candidates in June 2025.
⚠️ Important Notes:
Applicants must submit apostilled or consular-confirmed copies of required documents during the second round of selection.
Embassy track allows multiple university choices, while the University track limits applications to one institution.
ℹ️ Additional Information
For additional information, guidelines, and application forms, visit the official website of the GKS-G Scholarships and download the attached information files.
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
✨ ALSO CHECK
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