Global Korea Scholarship, GraduateGKS-G
Korean government's graduate scholarship for international master's and doctoral students. Fully funded with one preparatory year of Korean.
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Can I apply?
Read each line honestly. One miss and your application will be rejected at screening.
- nationalityHard stopYou and both your parents hold non-Korean citizenship.If either parent holds Korean citizenship, you are not eligible. NIIED verifies this.
- ageHard stopYou will be under 40 years old on the program start date in September 2027.
- educationHard stopFor master's: you hold or will hold a bachelor's degree by July 31, 2027. For PhD: you hold or will hold a master's degree by July 31, 2027.
- gpaHard stopYour overall academic record is in the top 20 percent of your class (roughly 80 percent or CGPA 2.64 of 4.0).NIIED uses a percentile cutoff. Borderline GPAs are reviewed against class rank.
- languageYou hold a TOPIK score, or an English certificate (TOEFL, IELTS, TEPS) that meets your target university's threshold. Either path is accepted at application.
- healthYou are in good physical and mental health.A medical check is part of the post-selection process.
- otherHard stopYou have not previously held a GKS scholarship for the same degree level.
What you get
Monthly allowance is KRW 1,200,000 during the one-year Korean language program (14,400,000 per year), KRW 1,380,000 during the master's or PhD degree program (16,560,000 per year), and KRW 1,740,000 for the Research Program (20,880,000 per year). Plus KRW 200,000 one-time settlement, round-trip economy airfare (actual expense), KRW 100,000 per month Korean Proficiency Grant for TOPIK Level 5 or 6, a monthly research allowance (KRW 210,000 for humanities and social sciences, KRW 240,000 for natural sciences and engineering), and KRW 500,000 to 800,000 reimbursement for dissertation printing.
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At a glance
Eligibility by track
- Master's trackBachelor's degree completed by July 31, 2027Age: Under 40Duration: 3 years
- PhD trackMaster's degree completed by July 31, 2027Age: Under 40Duration: 4 years
Deadlines and tracks
- Embassy trackFebruary to March 2027
- University trackMarch 2027
Frequently asked questions
What is the GKS-G monthly stipend for 2026 onwards?
The 2026 NIIED guidelines confirm the graduate monthly allowance at KRW 1,200,000 during the Korean language year and KRW 1,380,000 during the master's or PhD degree program. Research Program scholars receive KRW 1,740,000 per month. Plus tuition up to KRW 5,000,000 per semester (admission fee waived), KRW 200,000 settlement, round-trip economy airfare, a monthly research allowance (KRW 210,000 for humanities and social sciences, KRW 240,000 for natural sciences and engineering), and a KRW 500,000 to 800,000 dissertation printing reimbursement at completion.
Do I need TOPIK to apply for GKS-G?
Not at application. GKS-G accepts either a valid TOPIK Level 3 or higher, or an English certificate (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TEPS) that meets your target university's threshold. If you arrive without TOPIK Level 3, you must reach it within the included one-year Korean language program before starting your degree.
What is the age limit for GKS-G?
You must be under 40 years old as of the program start date in September of the cycle year. For the 2027 cycle, this means you must be born after September 1, 1987.
When does the 2027 GKS-G cycle open?
The embassy track typically opens in February 2027 and the university track in March 2027, with results in May to June and arrival in late August 2027. The official call publishes on Study in Korea's scholarship notice board in early February.
Can I switch from a master's track to a PhD track on GKS-G later?
Not within a single scholarship cycle. You apply for a specific degree level. If you finish your master's on GKS-G and want to continue to a PhD, you must reapply in a future GKS-G cycle as a doctoral candidate. The five-year integrated MS plus PhD track is the alternative path if you know upfront you want both.
Why this scholarship matters
GKS-G is selectable through either an embassy or a university track, and both tracks cover the same benefits. The university track typically has more seats but binds you to a single university; the embassy track lets you list up to three universities. Plan your track choice before the February window. The 2027 cycle materials publish in February 2027; the 2026 cycle forms below are the most recent published.