Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
About 2,400 places a year across undergraduate, master's and doctoral study — with Korean language training included.
Offered by Korean Government — National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
The Global Korea Scholarship is the Korean government's scholarship for international students, run by NIIED. Each year it takes roughly 500 undergraduate students and 1,900 graduate students from around the world, which makes it one of the largest single intakes of any scholarship on this site. It covers airfare, tuition, language training costs and a study allowance, and the award includes Korean language training before your degree begins — so you are not expected to arrive already speaking Korean. There are two ways in, and you must choose one. The Embassy Track means applying through the Korean Embassy in your own country. The University Track means applying directly to one of the designated GKS universities. You cannot use both, so read what each offers before deciding.
Announced by NIIED in September, with applications in September–October and results in December
GKS runs on an annual cycle: NIIED announces the programme in September, applications are submitted in September and October, review runs from October to December, and final results are announced in December. Embassy Track deadlines are set by the Korean Embassy in your own country and are often earlier than the national schedule, so contact your embassy for its date rather than relying on the general timetable.
Details checked against the official source on 13 August 2026. Rules change every year — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
TontonAfriJobs is not connected to this scholarship and never charges any fee. You can apply yourself, for free, using the steps below. Nobody needs to apply on your behalf.
Fully funded
Bachelors, Masters, Phd
Announced by NIIED in September, with applications in September–October and results in December
None required to apply — Korean language training is part of the award
Competitive
What the scholarship pays for
What you still pay for yourself
Find your country
GKS invites students from around the world, so African applicants are eligible. One rule catches people out: you AND both of your parents must hold non-Korean citizenship. Because this is Korea, applicants from Cameroon and Sudan — who cannot currently obtain UK student visas — are not affected by that restriction here.
Don't see your country? Eligibility can change each year — check the official country list.
Can I apply?
You need to be able to tick every box below. Each one links to the official page that states the rule.
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You AND both of your parents must hold non-Korean citizenship. This is checked, and it disqualifies more applicants than people expect. Official eligibility
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You have a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher in your most recent educational programme. Academic requirement
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FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDY: you must be under 25 in the year you apply, and have completed high school (or an associate degree, for a bachelor's). Undergraduate criteria
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FOR MASTER'S AND DOCTORAL STUDY: age and academic conditions are set out in that year's official Application Guidelines, which NIIED publishes each September. Read them before applying rather than assuming the undergraduate rules apply. Annual guidelines
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You must apply through ONE track only: either the Korean Embassy in your country, or directly to a designated GKS university. Application tracks
How to apply, step by step
Do these in order. Every step links to the exact official page you need — you never have to guess, and you never need an agent.
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1
Choose your track: Embassy or University
You must pick one. The Embassy Track goes through the Korean Embassy in your country; the University Track goes directly to a designated GKS university. Applying through both is not permitted.
Compare the tracks -
2
Wait for the September announcement, then download the guidelines
NIIED announces each year's programme in September and publishes the Application Guidelines and the University Information File. These contain the deadlines, documents and the list of eligible universities and departments.
GKS notices -
3
Contact your Korean Embassy for its own deadline
If you use the Embassy Track, the embassy in your country sets its own closing date, which is often earlier than the national schedule. Ask them directly rather than working from the general timetable.
Embassy Track -
4
Check the 80% GPA and the parents' nationality rule
You need a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher, and both of your parents must hold non-Korean citizenship as well as you. Confirm both before investing time in the application.
Eligibility criteria -
5
Choose your universities carefully
Undergraduate General programme applicants may apply to up to three universities and must include at least one Type B university. Type A universities are heavily oversubscribed, so a sensible Type B choice matters.
University lists -
6
Submit in September–October and wait for December results
Applications are submitted in September and October, reviewed from October to December, and NIIED announces the final results in December.
Selection process
Papers you need to prepare
Start gathering these early — some take weeks to get.
Your academic transcripts and certificates
Must show a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher in your most recent programme.
Proof of your and both parents' nationality
GKS requires that you and both parents hold non-Korean citizenship.
A personal statement and study plan
Set out in the annual Application Guidelines.
Letters of recommendation
Number and format specified in that year's guidelines.
A valid passport
Required for identity and later for your visa.
A medical assessment
GKS requires health documentation — check the year's guidelines for the exact form.
English test — which one to take
An English test proves you can study in English. You take it at a test centre (or sometimes at home), pay a fee, and receive a score. Book directly on the official website below — never pay an agent to book it for you.
No language test required to apply
Nobody. GKS includes Korean language training as part of the scholarship, so you are not required to speak Korean before you arrive.
Individual universities may still ask for evidence of English or Korean ability, so check the guidelines for the track and university you choose.
Choosing your Master's course
This is the part most people get wrong. There are two separate applications: one to Chevening for the money, and one to each university for your place. Chevening does not apply to universities for you. If you never get a university offer, the scholarship is cancelled — so start the university applications early, not after you hear from Chevening.
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1
Embassy Track: you apply through the Korean Embassy in your country of citizenship, and NIIED reviews the embassy's recommendations.
Official page -
2
University Track: you apply directly to one of the designated GKS universities, which recommends candidates to NIIED.
Official page -
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GKS universities are grouped into Type A and Type B. Undergraduate applicants on the General programme may choose up to three universities and must include at least one Type B university.
Official page -
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Courses run at over 80 GKS universities across Korea, covering humanities, social studies, natural sciences, arts and physical education.
Official page -
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The UIC specialisation — science and engineering with industry placements — is available for associate and bachelor's degrees only.
Official page
Questions people ask
When can I apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?
NIIED announces the Global Korea Scholarship each September, applications are submitted in September and October, review runs from October to December, and final results are announced in December. Embassy Track applicants should note that the Korean Embassy in their country often sets an earlier deadline than the national schedule.
What is the difference between the GKS Embassy Track and University Track?
On the Embassy Track you apply through the Korean Embassy in your country of citizenship, which reviews and recommends candidates to NIIED. On the University Track you apply directly to one of the designated GKS universities, which recommends you to NIIED instead. You must choose one track — you cannot apply through both.
Does the Global Korea Scholarship cover undergraduate degrees?
Yes. The Global Korea Scholarship takes roughly 500 undergraduate students, including associate degrees, alongside about 1,900 graduate students each year. Undergraduate applicants must be under 25 in the year they apply and must have completed high school, with a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher.
Do I need to speak Korean for the GKS scholarship?
No. Korean language training is included in the Global Korea Scholarship and takes place before your degree begins, so you are not expected to speak Korean when you apply. Individual universities may still ask for evidence of English or Korean ability, so check the guidelines for your chosen track and university.
What does the Global Korea Scholarship cover?
The Global Korea Scholarship covers airfare to Korea, full tuition fees, Korean language training costs and a monthly study allowance. The award lasts for the language training plus the degree itself: 4 to 6 years for a bachelor's, 2 years for a master's and 3 years for a doctorate.
Can African students apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?
Yes. GKS invites students from around the world, so African applicants are eligible, including from Cameroon and Sudan, whose citizens cannot currently obtain UK student visas. One requirement applies to everyone: the applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
What GPA do I need for the Global Korea Scholarship?
You need a cumulative GPA of 80% or higher in your most recent educational programme to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship. This applies to the undergraduate route; the full academic and age conditions for master's and doctoral applicants are set out in the Application Guidelines NIIED publishes each September.
Tips that genuinely improve your chances
- Decide your track early. Embassy and University tracks have different deadlines and you cannot use both.
- If you use the Embassy Track, email the Korean Embassy in your country in August, before the September announcement.
- For undergraduate applications you must include at least one Type B university among your three choices — treat that choice seriously rather than as a filler.
- The parents' nationality rule is absolute. Confirm it before you spend weeks preparing documents.
- No Korean is needed to apply, and the language year is funded — do not let language worries stop you.
Protect yourself from scams
The Global Korea Scholarship is free to apply for, through either the Korean Embassy in your country or a designated GKS university. NIIED publishes the official guidelines, forms and university lists free on studyinkorea.go.kr. No agent can recommend you, and nobody outside an embassy or a GKS university has any role in selection — if someone asks you to pay them to apply, it is a scam.
Ready to apply?
Applications are made directly on the official website — it is free, and you do it yourself.