Location: South Korea
Program: Postgraduate (Master’s and PhD Degrees)
Eligibility: All Nationalities
Duration: 2 to 3 years
Deadline: March 31, 2026
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The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) also widely known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) is one of the world’s most comprehensive and prestigious fully funded government scholarship programmes, and Kookmin University (KMU) in Seoul is one of 65 Korean universities officially designated to receive direct applications through the University Track. Administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Korean Ministry of Education, the GKS programme is designed to promote international educational exchange, deepen mutual friendship between South Korea and participating countries, and support the development of global talent across disciplines ranging from engineering, design, and computer science to business, humanities, and the arts.
Kookmin University, founded in 1946 in the heart of Seoul’s Seongbuk-gu district, is one of South Korea’s leading and most distinctive private universities celebrated for its innovative interdisciplinary curriculum, strong creative and technical programmes, and deep integration between academia, industry, and the arts. KMU is home to a wide range of undergraduate and graduate colleges covering social sciences, law, economics, engineering, design, computer science, architecture, automobile and mobility, business administration, and more making it one of the most academically diverse institutions in the Korean higher education landscape.
Benefits of the Scholarship
This scholarship will provide the following to its recipients:
- Full 100% tuition fee coverage for the entire programme duration (Master’s, PhD, or Research)
- Monthly living stipend of KRW 900,000 (approximately USD 680) for degree programme students
- One-time settlement allowance of KRW 200,000 upon arrival in South Korea
- Round-trip economy class international airfare (home country to Korea and return)
- Comprehensive health insurance coverage throughout the scholarship period
- Korean language training fees (KRW 1,300,000/quarter covered by NIIED, with additional contribution from the host university)
- Korean Language Proficiency Grant of KRW 100,000/month for TOPIK Level 3 or 4 achievement
- Enhanced Language Proficiency Grant of KRW 100,000/month for TOPIK Level 5 or 6 achievement (with option to skip remaining language training)
- Degree Completion Grant of KRW 100,000 upon final departure
- Other benefits
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Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following:
- Both the applicant and both parents must hold foreign (non-Korean) citizenship — applicants who hold Korean citizenship or dual citizenship including Korean nationality are not eligible
- Must be a citizen of a country designated by NIIED as eligible for the GKS programme
- For Master’s applicants: must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 80% or be in the top 20% of their graduating class
- For PhD applicants: must hold a Master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 80% or be in the top 20% of their class
- For Research Programme applicants: must hold a Doctoral degree and a Certificate of Employment from their institution
- Must be under 40 years of age as of September 1, 2026 for graduate applicants (born after September 1, 1986); for academic instructors from ODA countries, the age limit is extended to 45 years
- Must not have previously received a Korean Government Scholarship for higher education
- Must apply through only one track — either the Embassy Track or the University Track — applying through both in the same cycle results in automatic disqualification
- Must submit all required documents including application form
- TOPIK (Korean) and/or English language proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS) are optional but add points to the evaluation; applicants without scores are still eligible
Note: Kindly check the official webpage for full and detailed requirements
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Selection Criteria
The GKS University Track selection process at Kookmin University is conducted in two sequential stages. In the first stage, KMU’s own Selection Committee evaluates all submitted application documents against the criteria established by NIIED assessing each candidate’s academic transcripts, self-introduction letter, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, any certificates of language proficiency in Korean or English, and any published papers, awards, or other evidence of academic and professional distinction. Shortlisted candidates from this document review are then invited to participate in an interview conducted by phone or Skype, during which the KMU Selection Committee assesses the candidate’s academic readiness, research interests, motivation for choosing Kookmin University, and overall suitability for the scholarship. KMU’s recommended candidates are then submitted to NIIED by early April.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
