Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP)

National Institute for International Education (NIIED), South Korea · South Korea

✅ Fully Funded 💰 ~$20,000/yr 📅 February–March annually ⏱ 1 year Korean language + 2 years Masters or 3 years PhD

ℹ️ Data transparency: Fields marked Official are from the official scholarship body. Fields marked Estimated are estimates. Always verify with the official source.

About This ScholarshipVerified

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), also known as KGSP, is offered by the South Korean Government through NIIED to promote international exchange and mutual friendship. It provides full funding for international students to pursue undergraduate, Masters, or PhD degrees at Korean universities, including one year of Korean language training.

What It CoversEstimated

✓Full tuition

✓monthly stipend

✓round-trip airfare

✓Korean language training

✓health insurance

Key Facts

Provider / Funder	National Institute for International Education (NIIED), South KoreaVerified
Host country	South KoreaVerified
Award value	Fully funded — see coverage belowOfficial Exact amounts change annually — always verify on official source
Duration	1 year Korean language + 2 years Masters or 3 years PhDEstimated
Application deadline	February–March annuallyEstimated Deadlines change annually — always check official source
Fully funded	Yes — fully fundedEstimated
Renewable	YesEstimated Subject to satisfactory academic progress

⚠️ Eligibility criteria shown here are based on publicly available information and may not be complete or current. Always read the official eligibility requirements on the scholarship provider's website before applying.

Eligibility RequirementsEstimated

Eligible nationalities	Various countries — see studyinkorea.go.kr for eligible countriesEstimated Check the official page for the full and current list
Age limit	Under 40 (Masters/PhD)Estimated
Other requirements	Must not be a Korean citizen; good health; strong academic recordEstimated

Who This Scholarship Suits

This scholarship is aimed at high-achieving students who need full financial support to pursue postgraduate study abroad. Eligible nationalities are listed as: Various countries — see studyinkorea.go.kr for eligible countries. The scholarship supports study in South Korea.

Applicants should note that additional requirements include: Must not be a Korean citizen; good health; strong academic record. These criteria are important and should be reviewed carefully before beginning an application.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, Korean is worth applying for — but ensure your academic profile, statement, and references are competitive before submitting. Use the Admissionism Essay Generator to strengthen your scholarship statement.

⚠️ Application procedures change annually. The process described below is based on general information about this type of scholarship. Always follow instructions on the official scholarship website.

Application ProcessEstimated

Key deadline: February–March annually. Deadlines are strictly enforced — incomplete or late applications are typically not considered. We recommend starting your application at least 2–3 months before the deadline.

Applications are typically submitted through the official scholarship portal (https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/sub/gks/allnew_invite.do). You will usually need to provide: academic transcripts, a personal statement or research proposal, letters of recommendation, proof of English proficiency, and a CV or résumé.

As a fully funded award, this scholarship is highly competitive. Shortlisted candidates are often invited to interview. Your personal statement and letters of recommendation carry significant weight alongside your academic record.

Use Admissionism's Essay Generator to draft and refine your scholarship statement, and submit a Mock Application to receive AI feedback on your profile's overall strength before you apply.

Apply on Official Website ↗

Preparation Checklist

📄 Academic transcripts (official or certified copies)

✍️ Personal statement / statement of purpose

📬 2–3 letters of recommendation from academic referees

🌐 Proof of English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL/equivalent)

📋 CV / résumé (academic and professional achievements)

🏆 Evidence of awards, leadership, or extracurricular achievement

🔬 Research proposal (PhD scholarships typically require this)

💬 Be prepared for a competitive interview process if shortlisted

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this data official? ▼

Fields marked Official are sourced from the scholarship provider's published documentation. Fields marked Estimated are based on publicly available information. Always verify current requirements, deadlines, and award values on the official scholarship website before applying.

Can I use Admissionism to apply for this scholarship? ▼

No. Admissionism is a practice platform only. No application you submit here is sent to any scholarship body. Use the Essay Generator to draft your statement and Mock Apply to practise, then apply through the official scholarship portal.

What if I don't meet all the requirements? ▼

Some eligibility criteria are absolute (e.g. nationality) while others are holistic (e.g. leadership, community involvement). If you come close to meeting the criteria, it may still be worth contacting the scholarship body directly to ask about your eligibility.

How competitive is this scholarship? ▼

Fully funded international scholarships are among the most competitive awards available. Acceptance rates are typically in single digits for flagship programmes. A very strong academic record, a compelling personal statement, and excellent references are essential.

When should I start preparing? ▼

For competitive scholarships, begin at least 3–6 months before the deadline. This gives you time to request references, refine your personal statement, obtain official transcripts, and complete English proficiency tests if needed.

✅ Fully Funded

Funding details on official scholarship page

Official Application

Apply on Official Website ↗

Opens official scholarship portal

At a Glance

ProviderNational Institute for International Education (NIIED), South Korea

CountrySouth Korea

Duration1 year Korean language + 2 years Masters or 3 years PhD

DeadlineFebruary–March annually

Fully funded✅ Yes

RenewableYes

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Data accuracy note
Information shown is estimated from publicly available data and may not reflect recent changes. Always verify deadline, value, and eligibility with the official scholarship provider before applying.