2027 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) | Complete Guide to Study in South Korea

2027 Global Korea Scholarship: Study in South Korea with Government Funding

The 2027 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U) is the Korean Government’s official scholarship program for international students who want to pursue undergraduate-level studies in South Korea.

The 2027 GKS-U application guidelines have officially been announced by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) through the Korean Government’s Study in Korea platform. Applicants should carefully check the official guidelines, university information files, eligible departments and application deadlines before submitting their applications.

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Official 2027 GKS-U announcement and application information:

What Is the 2027 GKS Scholarship?

The Global Korea Scholarship, commonly known as GKS, is a Korean Government scholarship designed to bring international students to South Korea for higher education.

For the 2027 intake, the program is aimed at students applying for undergraduate-level opportunities. The official announcement provides the application guidelines and separate university information files containing participating universities and available departments.

The scholarship can provide financial support covering major study-related expenses, including tuition support, Korean language training, airfare and living-related allowances according to the official scholarship conditions.

Scholarship Snapshot

Host country: South Korea

Scholarship: 2027 Global Korea Scholarship – Undergraduate (GKS-U)

Sponsor: Korean Government / NIIED

Study level: Undergraduate

Application routes: Embassy Track and University Track

Language: Korean language training is incorporated into the program where applicable

Tuition: Supported under the GKS scholarship conditions

Airfare: Available according to GKS regulations

Health coverage: Included under the applicable scholarship benefits

What Does the GKS Scholarship Cover?

One of the main attractions of the Korean Government Scholarship 2027 is its broad financial support.

Depending on the applicable program and official conditions, GKS support includes:

Tuition Support

Selected students receive tuition support for their approved degree program according to the GKS funding rules.

Airfare

Eligible scholars can receive support for round-trip airfare between their home country and South Korea under the program's applicable regulations.

Korean Language Training

Students who are required to complete Korean language training receive support for the designated language-training period before beginning their degree program.

Living Allowance

GKS scholars receive a monthly allowance intended to help with living expenses during their scholarship period. The exact amount and payment conditions should be checked in the official 2027 guidelines.

Medical / Health Insurance

Scholarship recipients receive health-related insurance support according to the GKS regulations.

Other Allowances

Additional benefits may include settlement and other program-specific allowances depending on the student's track and circumstances.

Important: Scholarship amounts and conditions can change between GKS editions. Applicants should rely on the official 2027 application guidelines rather than figures published on unofficial websites.

What Can You Study?

The GKS-U program offers opportunities across numerous academic fields available at participating Korean universities.

Possible fields can include areas such as:

• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Technology
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Arts
• Biotechnology
• Agriculture
• Architecture
• Other university-approved disciplines

The available majors are not identical at every university.

For this reason, applicants should download the official 2027 University Information File and check whether their desired major is available before preparing the application. The Korean Government has specifically published university and department information alongside the 2027 guidelines.

Participating Korean Universities

The 2027 GKS-U program includes participating Korean universities and departments.

Instead of choosing a university based only on its reputation, applicants should verify:

• University eligibility
• Available department
• Degree type
• Language of instruction
• Track eligibility
• Required documents
• University-specific application instructions

The official Study in Korea announcement provides downloadable university information files for applicants.

How Long Does the Scholarship Last?

The duration depends on the academic program selected.

Associate Degree

The program generally combines:

1 year of Korean language training + the required associate degree period

Bachelor's Degree

The standard structure generally includes:

1 year of Korean language training + the required bachelor's degree period

Some degree programs may require a longer period because of their academic structure.

Students who meet the applicable Korean-language exemption conditions may have different arrangements according to the official GKS regulations.

Who Can Apply?

The GKS-U program is intended for international applicants who satisfy the nationality, age, education and academic-performance requirements established by NIIED.

Nationality

Applicants must satisfy the GKS nationality requirements, including the requirement concerning the citizenship of the applicant and parents.

Applicants should also verify whether their country is included in the 2027 participating-country list.

Age

Applicants must meet the GKS age requirement for the relevant year. The general GKS undergraduate requirement is under 25 years of age, but applicants should use the exact date calculation stated in the 2027 official guidelines.

Education

For bachelor's-level applications, applicants generally need to have completed or be expected to complete the required secondary education or eligible associate-level qualification within the specified period.

Applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree are generally not eligible for a GKS-U bachelor's application.

Academic Performance

Applicants must satisfy the required academic-performance standard.

The GKS eligibility framework recognizes qualifying academic performance such as:

• A minimum cumulative academic score
• A required CGPA equivalent
• Or placement within the required percentage/ranking of the graduating class

Applicants should convert their academic results according to the official 2027 GKS instructions.

Documents You Should Prepare

Applicants should prepare their documents well before the deadline.

Depending on the application route and individual circumstances, documents may include:

Essential Application Materials

• GKS application form
• Personal statement
• Study plan
• Academic records
• High school graduation certificate or expected-graduation document
• Proof of nationality
• Documents proving the nationality of parents
• Birth or family relationship documents where required
• Recommendation letter(s), where required
• Medical-related forms where required
• Passport or identity document where applicable

Additional Supporting Documents

You may also need:

• Language certificates
• Awards
• Certificates of extracurricular activities
• Volunteer experience certificates
• Academic achievements
• Other supporting documents requested by the selected institution

Tip: Do not prepare your documents based only on previous GKS application cycles. The 2027 guidelines should be treated as the primary reference.

How to Apply for the 2027 GKS Scholarship

Follow these steps to organize your application:

Step 1 — Read the Official Guidelines

Start by downloading the 2027 GKS-U Application Guidelines from Study in Korea.

Step 2 — Check Your Eligibility

Verify:

• Age
• Nationality
• Education
• Academic performance
• Graduation date
• Other GKS conditions

Step 3 — Select Your Application Track

Choose between:

Embassy Track

or

University Track

Do not assume that both routes have identical procedures.

Step 4 — Find Eligible Universities

Download the official university information files and identify universities offering your preferred field.

Step 5 — Prepare Your Documents

Collect and, where required, authenticate or translate your certificates according to the official instructions.

Step 6 — Complete the Application

Fill in the GKS forms carefully and make sure that the information matches your official documents.

Step 7 — Submit Before the Deadline

Embassy and university deadlines can differ.

For this reason, there is not necessarily one universal deadline for every applicant worldwide.

Step 8 — Follow the Selection Process

Applications pass through the relevant selection stages depending on the chosen track.

2027 GKS Application Timeline

The Korean Government's general GKS schedule places undergraduate recruitment in the second half of the year.

The Study in Korea scholarship information indicates:

Announcement: September

Application: Embassy Track around September; University Track generally September–November

Screening and selection: October–December

Final results: December

Exact dates can differ by track, embassy and university, so applicants should always verify the deadline applicable to their application.

Official announcement and application documents

The official announcement was published by the GKS Team on September 9, 2026.

2027 GKS Scholarship FAQs

Is the 2027 Global Korea Scholarship fully funded?

GKS provides extensive financial support covering major study-related expenses under the official scholarship conditions, including tuition support, Korean language training, airfare and allowances.

Can I apply without IELTS?

Yes, IELTS is not universally mandatory for every GKS-U applicant. However, applicants should check the language requirements of their chosen university and department.

Can high school graduates apply?

Yes. High school graduates or eligible students who meet the graduation requirements can apply for relevant undergraduate GKS programs.

Can someone who already has a bachelor's degree apply for GKS-U?

A person who already holds a bachelor's degree is generally not eligible to apply for another bachelor's degree through GKS-U.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. Applicants must satisfy the official GKS undergraduate age requirement, generally under 25, with the exact calculation determined by the 2027 guidelines.

Do all countries qualify?

No. GKS participation is based on the countries designated for the relevant program. Applicants must check the official 2027 country and quota information.

Can I choose any Korean university?

No. You must select from universities and departments participating in the relevant GKS track.

Can I apply through both the Embassy Track and University Track?

Applicants should follow the restrictions stated in the official 2027 application guidelines regarding multiple applications and tracks.

When is the 2027 GKS deadline?

There is no single deadline applicable to every applicant. Embassy deadlines and university deadlines can differ, so applicants should verify the specific deadline announced by their embassy or university.