Applications Open for 2026 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees

The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) has officially announced the opening of applications for the 2026 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U), one of the most prestigious fully funded opportunities for international students. This program is designed to foster academic exchange and strengthen mutual friendship between Korea and partner countries.

GKS 2026 Scholarship Program Overview

The GKS-U offers both Bachelor’s and Associate degree programs. Each program includes one year of intensive Korean language training, followed by the degree program itself — four to six years for a Bachelor’s degree and two to three years for an Associate degree. Applicants holding TOPIK level 5 or 6 may be exempted from the language training year.

GKS Scholarship Plan

Selected scholars will receive comprehensive financial support, including:

1. Full tuition coverage (up to KRW 5 million annually, with the remainder covered by universities).
2. Monthly allowance of KRW 1,084,000 to KRW 1,300,000.
3. Airfare (economy class) to and from Korea.
4. Settlement and completion grants, along with Korean proficiency incentives.
5. Health insurance and language training fees fully covered.

The total duration of support ranges from 3 to 7 years, depending on the degree program.

Application Tracks and Quotas

For 2026, the program will accept 280 students through Embassy and University Tracks:

1. Embassy Track: 150 students from 71 designated partner countries.
2. University Track: 130 students, including 30 in the Associate Degree program and 100 in the University-Industry Cooperation (UIC) program, which focuses on science and engineering major.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold citizenship from one of the designated partner countries (UIC program open worldwide).
• Be under 25 years of age (born after March 1, 2001).
• Have completed or expect to complete high school (or equivalent) by December 31, 2025.
• Possess a minimum 80% score or top 20% class ranking, or a CGPA equivalent of 2.64/4.0 or above.

GKS 2026 Scholarship Application Timeline

• Applications Open: September 15, 2025
• Embassy Track Deadline: September 30, 2025
• University Track Deadline: October 31, 2025
• 1st Round Results: October 17 (Embassy) / November 14 (University)
• Final Results Announcement: January 9, 2026, via the official Study in Korea website.

Official Call: https://www.kbu.ac.kr/eng/ajx_json/UploadMgr/downloadRun.do?qcode=Qm9hcmQsMjUzMzUsWQ==.

Apply: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/main.do.