Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): The Complete Guide (2026)

You found a full scholarship to study in Korea. It pays your tuition, your flight, and a monthly allowance. Then you open the guidelines and see two tracks, three rounds, 17 documents, apostille rules, and a GPA table. It feels like too much.

This guide makes it simple. We walk through the whole Global Korea Scholarship in plain English: what it is, who can apply, when to apply, what to prepare, and how selection really works. Each section is a short map. For the deep steps, we point you to a focused article.

GoKorea Study is not an agency. We do not place students, take commission, or sell visas. This is free information based on the 2026 GKS-U guidelines published by NIIED. GKS rules change every year, so always verify the newest notice on the official Study in Korea website: studyinkorea.go.kr.

This article is information only. It is not legal or immigration advice. For visa rules and country-specific documents, confirm with Korean immigration, your Korean embassy, your university, or the official notice for your country.

What Is the Global Korea Scholarship?

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the Korean government scholarship for international students. It is run by NIIED, the National Institute for International Education. Korea's government scholarship programs were joined under the GKS brand in 2010.

GKS pays for you to earn a full degree in Korea. It is not a short exchange or a language course. Night school, short-term, online, and distance-learning programs are not covered.

GKS has two main families:

• GKS-U (Undergraduate) — for high school graduates who want a bachelor's or associate degree. Guidelines come out around September each year.
• GKS-G (Graduate) — for degree holders who want a master's, PhD, or research program. Guidelines come out around February each year.

This guide focuses on GKS-U 2026. Most sections note the GKS-G differences, but graduate applicants should read the GKS-G guideline too.

What GKS-U Pays (2026 Figures)

The scholarship is generous. For the 2026 round, GKS-U covers:

Benefit	Amount (2026)
Tuition	NIIED pays up to KRW 5,000,000 per semester; the university waives the rest plus the admission fee
Korean language training	KRW 5,200,000 (four quarters)
Airfare	Economy ticket to Korea (actual cost). Not paid if you already live in Korea
Monthly allowance	Language year: KRW 12,840,000/year · Degree program: KRW 13,680,000/year

The monthly allowance is all-inclusive. It covers living costs, health insurance, Korean proficiency grants, the TOPIK fee, a settlement allowance, and degree completion grants.

One warning: if you withdraw within the first 3 months of university enrollment, you must return the full amount you received.

How Long Does It Take?

GKS-U includes a Korean language year before your degree.

• Bachelor's degree: 5–7 years total (1 language year + 4–6 years degree)
• Associate degree: 3–4 years total (1 language year + 2–3 years degree)

If you already hold TOPIK level 5 or 6 when you apply, you skip the language year. If you reach TOPIK 5 or 6 within the first 6 months, you skip the rest and start your degree the next semester.

Note for graduate applicants: GKS-G benefits are higher (for example, KRW 16,560,000/year in the degree program), and the age limit is under 40, not under 25.

Read more: Do You Need TOPIK for GKS?

The Two Tracks: Embassy vs University

This is the number one confusion point. Pick the wrong track and you can waste a whole year.

The one-sentence difference: In the Embassy Track you apply through the Korean embassy in your country. In the University Track you apply directly to one Korean university.

You can only be in one track per year. But the tracks have different deadlines. If you fail the Embassy Track first round, you can still try the University Track, because its deadline is later.

Here is the side-by-side for 2026 GKS-U:

	Embassy Track	University Track
Where you apply	Korean embassy in your country (online)	One Korean university (online)
2026 quota	150 (General 82 · Overseas Koreans 7 · R-GKS 61)	130 (UIC 100 · Associate 30)
Countries	71 designated countries	UIC: all countries · Associate: same 71
University choices	Up to 3 (at least 1 must be Type B)	1 university, 1 department only
Rounds	3 (embassy → NIIED → your universities)	2 (university → NIIED)
2026 deadline	Sep 30 (18:00 KST)	Oct 31 (18:00 KST)

Simple ways to choose:

• Your country has an Embassy Track quota and you want up to 3 university choices → Embassy Track.
• Your country has no quota, or you missed the September 30 deadline → University Track. The UIC program is open to all countries, with an October 31 deadline.
• You want a science or engineering program with industry ties → the UIC program (University Track).
• You want a 2–3 year associate degree → the Associate program (University Track) or Embassy Track where it applies.

One rule disqualifies people every year: apply to one track and one program only. If you apply to more than one, your application is disregarded. If it is found later, the scholarship is cancelled.

Read more: GKS Embassy Track vs University Track

Who Can Apply? Eligibility in Short

Before you spend time on documents, check that you qualify. For GKS-U 2026:

Citizenship

• You must hold citizenship of a country NIIED invited to the program. The one exception is the UIC program, which is open to any nationality except Korea.
• Both of your parents must not hold Korean citizenship. If you or a parent hold Korean citizenship (even dual), you are not eligible.
• If you or your parents once held Korean citizenship, you must submit a Korean government document proving it was renounced.

Age

• You must be under 25 years old — born after March 1, 2001 for the 2026 round.

Education

• Bachelor's program: for high school or associate degree graduates (or those expected to graduate).
• Associate program: for high school graduates (or those expected to graduate).
• If you already hold a bachelor's degree, you cannot apply to GKS-U. Look at GKS-G instead.
• Graduation cutoff: you must have graduated, or be expected to graduate, by December 31, 2025. A student graduating in early March 2026 is not eligible for the 2026 round.

Grades (CGPA) Your cumulative GPA from your whole previous program must meet one of these:

• Score percentile of 80% or above on a 100-point scale, or
• Rank in the top 20% of your class, or
• CGPA at or above: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.

If your transcript uses a different scale, your school must officially confirm your converted grade. A converter website alone is not enough.

Who cannot apply: anyone who graduated from a Korean high school or Korean associate program, anyone who already holds a bachelor's degree, and past GKS degree scholars whose scholarship was cancelled. A former exchange or IRTS language student can still apply.

Read more: GKS Eligibility and GPA

The Timeline: Key 2026 Dates

GKS moves on a fixed schedule. One missed link can cost a full year, so plan backward from the deadlines.

Here are the main 2026 GKS-U dates:

When	What happens
Sep 2025	Guidelines announced on studyinkorea.go.kr
Mon Sep 15, 11:00	Online application opens (both tracks)
Tue Sep 30, 18:00	Embassy Track deadline
Fri Oct 17	Embassy Track 1st-round results (if you failed, you can still apply University Track)
Fri Oct 31, 18:00	University Track deadline
Fri Nov 14, 18:00	University Track 1st-round results
Within December	University Track final results (mid-December)
Fri Jan 9, 2026 (expected)	Final announcement of 2026 GKS-U scholars

Three timing warnings to remember:

1. Expected graduates: you can apply with a certificate of expected graduation, but you must actually graduate, with proof, by December 31 of the application year. If you pass the first round, you must submit the final graduation certificate and transcript by that date or your acceptance is cancelled.
2. The embassy fallback window is short. Embassy results come out around October 17, and the University Track closes October 31. Prepare University Track documents in advance if you want that backup.
3. Documents take longer than the window. Apostille, consular confirmation, certified translation, and sealed recommendation letters can take weeks. Start collecting in July or August, before the September opening.

Also note: NIIED does not contact applicants individually for each round. You must check studyinkorea.go.kr and your My Page yourself.

Read more: GKS Timeline: Month-by-Month Schedule

Documents: What You Prepare

The 2026 GKS-U official list has 17 items. Items 1–6 are forms you fill out. Items 7–17 are certificates from a school, government office, or test provider.

The most important rule is simple:

Required certificates normally need apostille or consular confirmation. Plain originals, simple photocopies, and notary-only documents are not enough.

A few points to know now:

• Apostille is a government stamp accepted between Apostille Convention countries. Consular confirmation comes from a Korean embassy or consulate. You do not get to pick freely — it depends on what your country allows.
• If your document is not in English or Korean, you need a certified translation. For GKS, the apostille or consular confirmation only needs to be on one version: the original or the translation.
• You must prove the citizenship of yourself and both parents, not just family relationship.
• NIIED never returns submitted documents. Do not send your only original certificate if it cannot be reissued.
• The recommendation letter must be sealed in an envelope, with the recommender signing across the back flap. Only first-round passers submit the actual letter.

Do not guess the exact certification path. Confirm it with the official notice and your embassy.

Read more: GKS Documents Checklist

Quotas: How Many Scholars, and From Where

For 2026, GKS-U selects 280 scholars in total:

• Embassy Track — 150 scholars from 71 countries: General 82, Overseas Koreans 7, R-GKS 61.
• University Track — 130 scholars: UIC 100 (open worldwide) and Associate Degree 30 (from the same 71 countries).

Each country has its own Embassy Track quota, from 1 to 4 slots for most countries. The quota is a ceiling, not a promise. Depending on local circumstances, the Korean embassy may choose not to recommend a candidate even inside the quota.

Why some countries are not listed: quotas are based on cultural and educational agreements between Korea and each country. A country missing from the undergraduate list may still appear in the graduate (GKS-G) list. The UIC program is the one exception that is open to the whole world.

If a country's selected scholars repeatedly give up their scholarship, that country can lose its quota in future years.

Read more: GKS Country Quotas

Choosing Your University

For 2026, GKS-U lists 78 participating universities: 69 for the Embassy Track and 9 associate-degree colleges for the University Track. The 69 Embassy Track universities are grouped into two types:

• Type A — 30 universities, mostly in and around Seoul and other metro areas.
• Type B — 39 universities, mostly regional (outside the capital area).

How choice works by track:

• Embassy Track (General / Overseas Koreans): pick up to 3 universities. At least one must be Type B. You cannot list 3 different departments at the same university.
• Embassy Track (R-GKS): pick up to 2 universities, both from Type B.
• University Track: pick only 1 university and 1 department.

A common mistake: choosing three highly competitive universities. You can pass round 2 and still fail all three in the final round. Mix your choices by competition level, and use the required Type B slot wisely — regional universities are often less crowded.

Meeting the minimum GKS requirements does not guarantee every university will accept you. Some universities and departments add their own requirements, such as a minimum language score. Check the official University Information file for each target.

One more rule: once you are accepted and your final university is set, you cannot change or transfer universities under any circumstance.

Read more: GKS Embassy Track vs University Track

How Selection Really Works

GKS is not decided in one step. Each track runs several rounds.

Embassy Track — 3 rounds:

1. Your embassy screens applicants and recommends candidates.
2. NIIED reviews the recommended candidates.
3. The universities you listed review you and make the final call.

University Track — 2 rounds:

1. The university screens applicants and recommends candidates.
2. NIIED makes the final decision.

First-round results come out by October 17 (Embassy Track) and November 14 (University Track). Later results and the final list go on the GKS notice board at studyinkorea.go.kr.

Your application is scored, and some things add points:

• TOPIK level 3 or above at the time of applying adds points worth 10% of the total.
• Science or engineering applicants get +5%.
• Direct descendants of Korean War veterans who served as foreign military get +5%.

Language scores are optional to apply. If you have none, your personal statement and study plan are reviewed instead. But a TOPIK or English score can clearly help. Scores are only valid if issued within two years of the announcement date, and only your highest score counts.

Because so much rides on the personal statement, study plan, and later the interview, treat these as real work, not last-minute forms.

Read more: GKS Interview: Questions and Tips

FAQ Highlights

Can I apply to both tracks at the same time? No. One track at a time. If you fail the Embassy Track first round, you may then apply through the University Track, if you still meet that university's deadline. But if you already passed the Embassy first round, you cannot switch.

My country is not on the undergraduate list. Can I apply? You must hold citizenship of a GKS partner country, except for UIC applicants. A country missing from the GKS-U list may still be on the GKS-G list. UIC is open worldwide, but only through the University Track.

Can I submit my application directly to NIIED? No. You apply through a Korean embassy or a university using the Study in Korea system. NIIED only accepts applications forwarded by embassies or universities, never directly from an individual.

Do I need TOPIK to apply? No. Language scores are optional to apply. But TOPIK level 3 or above adds points, and some universities require a minimum level. Every scholar must reach at least TOPIK level 3 during the language year to enter the degree program.

Can I change my university after I start? No. Changing or transferring universities is not allowed under any circumstances once your final choice is set.

I live in Korea or a third country. Can I apply? Yes, you may apply while living outside your home country. But if you are selected while living in Korea, or entering from a third country, you will not receive visa support or entry airfare.

Read more: GKS Eligibility and GPA

One Last Word: Verify Everything

GKS rewards students who plan early and check the official source. Every year, applicants lose their chance because they copied last year's process, trusted a social media comment, or paid an agent without reading the notice.

Use this guide to understand how GKS fits together. Then verify the exact rule for your year, country, track, and university on studyinkorea.go.kr.

Official truth first. No commission. No visa sales. No shortcut promises.

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카드뉴스 5포인트

1. GKS is a full ride, not a small grant For 2026 GKS-U, it pays tuition, a flight, a language year, and a monthly allowance.

2. Pick the right track first Embassy Track = apply through your embassy, up to 3 universities. University Track = apply to one university directly.

3. Check eligibility before documents Under 25, born after March 1, 2001, no Korean citizenship in your family, and a CGPA that meets the threshold.

4. The calendar is strict 2026 GKS-U opens Sep 15, Embassy deadline Sep 30, University deadline Oct 31, final results around Jan 9.

5. Verify on the official site Rules change every year. Always confirm the newest notice on studyinkorea.go.kr.

Reel Script (30-45s)

Hook: A full scholarship to study in Korea — tuition, flight, and a monthly allowance. Here is how the Global Korea Scholarship actually works.

Point 1: There are two tracks. Embassy Track: you apply through the Korean embassy and pick up to 3 universities. University Track: you apply to one university directly. One track per year.

Point 2: Check eligibility first. For 2026 GKS-U you must be under 25, have no Korean citizenship in your family, and meet the CGPA threshold.

Point 3: The calendar is tight. In 2026 the application opens September 15, the embassy deadline is September 30, and the university deadline is October 31. Start your documents in summer.

Point 4: Required certificates need apostille or consular confirmation, not just a notary stamp. And every rule can change each year.

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