South Korea Government Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) 2026 – A Fully Endowed Academic Gateway
The 2026 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U), often heralded as the Korean Government Scholarship Program, unfurls an unparalleled opportunity for international aspirants to embark on fully sponsored associate and bachelor’s degrees in South Korea. Spearheaded by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), this initiative is crafted to invigorate the spirit of educational diplomacy, fostering profound cultural entwinement and academic cross-pollination between Korea and its partner nations.
Details:
- Fully Funded
- South Korea Universities
- Undergraduate
- All Subjects
- International Students
- South Korea
- 2025-10-31
Degree Levels & Duration
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Bachelor’s Degree: One intensive year of Korean linguistic immersion, succeeded by 4–6 years of academic study (total commitment: 5–7 years).
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Associate Degree: One year of Korean language training, followed by 2–3 years of degree coursework (total span: 3–4 years).
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Applicants possessing TOPIK Level 5 or 6 may bypass the preliminary language year, fast-tracking their academic immersion.
Disciplines Offered
A sweeping range of disciplines are open for pursuit, encompassing all fields of study, without restriction.
Scholarship Endowments
The GKS-U 2026 ensures that scholars’ intellectual voyage is unfettered by financial hindrance, delivering:
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Complete tuition remission (up to KRW 5 million per semester)
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Coverage of Korean language instruction fees
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Round-trip airfare in economy class
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Monthly subsistence allowance for day-to-day living
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Comprehensive health insurance
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Settlement stipend upon arrival and a completion grant at program’s close
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Performance incentives for TOPIK proficiency advancement
This mosaic of benefits renders GKS-U 2026 a genuinely fully funded undergraduate fellowship in Korea.
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Why Choose GKS-U 2026?
Cloaked in prestige, the GKS-U stands as a beacon among Korean scholarships. Each year, multitudes of scholars from diverse geographies are handpicked through the Embassy Track and University Track, uniting an array of national identities and academic legacies. With its fusion of financial guardianship, linguistic cultivation, and access to Korea’s premier universities, the program is a launchpad for global careers and cultural immersion of the highest order.
Citizenship & Eligibility
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Applicants must hold citizenship of a participating nation; parental Korean citizenship renders candidates ineligible.
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The University-Industry Cooperation (UIC) Track welcomes applicants from all corners of the globe.
Criteria for Consideration
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Age: Candidates must be under 25 (born after March 1, 2001).
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Education: Completion of secondary schooling or expected graduation by December 31, 2025.
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Academic Merit: A minimum GPA of 80% or rank within the top 20% of class (or equivalent: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, 3.23/5.0).
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Health: Robust physical and mental fitness required for sustained study in Korea.
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Restrictions apply to individuals with prior enrollment in Korean institutions or recipients of past GKS degree scholarships.
Tracks & Quotas
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Embassy Track: 150 aspirants across 71 nations, inclusive of General, Overseas Korean, and R-GKS categories. Applicants may nominate up to 3 universities, mandatorily including at least one Type B institution.
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University Track:
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Associate Degree: 30 students across 9 universities.
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UIC Track: 100 students across 13 universities, primarily in science and engineering disciplines.
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Selection Milestones
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Opening of Applications: September 15, 2025
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Embassy Track Deadline: September 30, 2025
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University Track Deadline: October 31, 2025
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Announcement of Final Results: January 9, 2026
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Program Commencement: Intensive Korean language training begins in 2026, followed by degree enrollment.
The selection odyssey comprises document vetting, interviews, and embassy/university evaluations, culminating in NIIED’s definitive adjudication.
Application Methodology
Applicants must:
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Access the Study in Korea portal to submit their application.
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Upload all mandatory documents, including Application Form, Personal Statement, Study Plan, Recommendation Letter, and Medical Assessment.
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Provide authenticated academic records, graduation certificates, citizenship verification, and a passport copy.
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Successful dossiers will be relayed to NIIED by the respective embassy or university.
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Await outcome publication via the official site.
Final Reflections
The Global Korea Scholarship 2026 for Undergraduate Students is more than a financial endowment—it is a golden threshold into Korea’s academic citadel, where scholarship converges with cultural symphony. By erasing economic obstacles and curating holistic immersion—academic, linguistic, and cultural—the GKS-U 2026 becomes not merely a scholarship but a transformational odyssey. For aspirants poised to forge an intellectual stronghold in South Korea, this program is a rare and luminous gateway to triumph.
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Other Opportunities Mentioned:
- DAAD Scholarship 2026 Germany | Application Process | Fully Funded
- Flinders University AGRTP Scholarship 2026 in Australia | Fully Funded
- Vice Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship 2025 in New Zealand
- KAIST Scholarships in South Korea 2025-26 [Fully Funded]
- Salford University Scholarships in UK 2025-26
- Kent Business School UK Deans Excellence Scholarship Award 2025
- Hokkaido University Japan MEXT Scholarship 2025
- University of Winnipeg Canada President’s Scholarship 2025
- University of Exeter Scholarships in UK 2025-26
- Griffith University Australia John Willett International Scholarship 2026
- GIST Scholarships in South Korea [Fully Funded] 2026