Top Scholarships for South Korea 2026

South Korea funds international students generously. The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), also called Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), covers full tuition, a monthly allowance of ₩900,000, round-trip flights, health insurance, a settlement allowance, and Korean language training. Beyond KGSP, universities like KAIST waive tuition and pay stipends to all admitted students. Seoul National University, Yonsei, Korea University, and POSTECH offer merit scholarships covering 30–100% of tuition. Additional funding comes from the Korea Foundation, KOICA, and various bilateral agreements. This guide covers every major scholarship for international students in 2026, with amounts, deadlines, and application tips.

The Korean government has been increasing education funding steadily. The "Study Korea 300K" initiative aims to attract 300,000 international students by 2027. This means more scholarship slots, better support systems, and streamlined applications. If you plan to study in Korea, 2026 is a strong year to apply.

For a complete country overview, visit our South Korea study guide. Cost breakdowns are in our costs guide. Visa requirements are in our D-2 visa guide.

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP / GKS)

The KGSP is South Korea's flagship scholarship for international students. Administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education, it funds approximately 1,500 students per year across undergraduate and graduate tracks. The scholarship covers everything — tuition, living expenses, travel, insurance, and language training.

KGSP Undergraduate Track

Benefit	Amount	Duration
Tuition	Full coverage	4 years (+ 1 year Korean language training)
Monthly allowance	₩900,000	Entire scholarship period
Settlement allowance	₩200,000	One-time, on arrival
Language training	₩800,000/quarter	Up to 1 year at a Korean language institute
Round-trip airfare	Economy class ticket	One round trip (arrival + departure)
Health insurance	₩20,000/month (NIIED contribution)	Entire period
Completion grant	₩100,000	One-time, upon graduation

Total value over 5 years: approximately ₩70,000,000–90,000,000 ($52,000–67,000 USD).

Undergraduate applicants must be under 25 years old, have a high school GPA of at least 80% (or equivalent), and hold citizenship (not permanent residence) in one of KGSP's partner countries. The scholarship includes one year of Korean language training before the degree programme begins. If you already hold TOPIK Level 5 or higher, you can skip language training and go directly to the degree programme.

KGSP Graduate Track (Master's and PhD)

Benefit	Master's	PhD
Tuition	Full coverage	Full coverage
Monthly allowance	₩900,000	₩900,000
Duration	2 years (+ 1 year language training)	3 years (+ 1 year language training)
Research allowance	₩210,000–240,000/semester	₩210,000–240,000/semester
Dissertation printing	₩500,000–800,000	₩500,000–800,000
Settlement, airfare, insurance	Same as undergraduate	Same as undergraduate

Graduate applicants must be under 40 years old and hold the relevant prior degree (bachelor's for master's, master's for PhD). Academic records with a GPA of 80%+ are required.

KGSP Application Process

KGSP accepts applications through two tracks:

Embassy Track: Apply through the Korean embassy in your home country. The embassy conducts the first screening and nominates candidates to NIIED. This track often has less competition because fewer applicants know about it. Deadlines are usually February–April for the September intake.

University Track: Apply directly to a Korean university that participates in KGSP. The university screens applicants and recommends candidates to NIIED. About 70 universities participate. Deadlines are typically March–May.

Both tracks require:

• Completed KGSP application form
• Personal statement and study plan (1,500+ words recommended)
• Two recommendation letters
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates (apostilled)
• Proof of citizenship (you and your parents must not hold Korean citizenship)
• Language proficiency certificate (TOPIK or IELTS/TOEFL)
• Health certificate

Competition: KGSP receives approximately 10,000–15,000 applications per year for roughly 1,500 spots. The acceptance rate is about 10–15%. Strong academics, a clear study plan, and relevant experience increase your chances.

KAIST Scholarships

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) offers one of the best deals in global higher education. Virtually all admitted students — Korean and international — receive a full tuition waiver. Graduate students also receive monthly stipends.

Level	Tuition	Monthly Stipend	Notes
Undergraduate	100% waiver	Varies by department	Must maintain GPA above 2.0/4.3
Master's	100% waiver	₩350,000–600,000	Research assistantship from advisor
PhD	100% waiver	₩500,000–1,000,000	Research assistantship; increases with seniority

KAIST is located in Daejeon, where living costs are 30–40% lower than Seoul. A PhD student with a ₩700,000 stipend in Daejeon lives more comfortably than someone earning ₩1,000,000 in Seoul. The campus has affordable dormitories (₩150,000–250,000/month) and subsidized cafeterias.

All instruction at KAIST is in English for graduate programmes. The university ranks in the QS Top 50 for Engineering and Technology. Apply directly through the KAIST admissions portal.

POSTECH Scholarships

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) mirrors KAIST's model. All admitted students receive full tuition waivers. Graduate students get monthly stipends from their research labs.

Level	Tuition	Monthly Stipend
Master's	100% waiver	₩300,000–500,000
PhD	100% waiver	₩500,000–900,000

POSTECH is in Pohang, a coastal city in Gyeongsang Province. Living costs are among the lowest of any Korean university city. The university is small (about 3,500 students) but ranks among the top research universities in Asia for science and engineering fields.

Seoul National University (SNU) Scholarships

SNU, Korea's top-ranked university, offers several scholarship tracks for international students:

SNU Global Scholarship

Covers full tuition + ₩600,000/month for selected international students. Approximately 50 slots per year for graduate students. Competition is fierce — SNU receives over 3,000 international applications annually. Selection is based on academic merit, research potential, and alignment with SNU's priority fields.

SNU Development Scholarship

Partial tuition scholarship (30–100%) based on need and merit. Renewable each semester based on GPA. Available for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Department-Level Scholarships

Individual departments and research labs offer funded positions, especially at the master's and PhD levels. Contact your prospective advisor directly. Many professors fund their own students through research grants, providing tuition + ₩500,000–1,000,000/month. This is the most common funding path for graduate students at SNU.

Yonsei University Scholarships

Yonsei, a member of the "SKY" trio (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei), offers several international student scholarships:

• Yonsei International Scholarship: 50–100% tuition waiver based on admission evaluation. No separate application — all international applicants are considered.
• Underwood International College (UIC) Scholarship: Merit-based, covering 50–100% tuition for UIC applicants with strong academics and test scores.
• Graduate School Scholarship: Research assistantships from individual professors, typically covering tuition + monthly stipend. Arranged directly with your advisor.
• Global Leader Fellowship: Full tuition + monthly stipend for PhD students in selected departments.

Yonsei is located in Sinchon, Seoul — a prime student neighbourhood with affordable food, entertainment, and easy subway access.

Korea University Scholarships

Korea University, the third member of SKY, offers competitive scholarships:

• Korea University International Student Scholarship: 30–100% tuition reduction based on admission evaluation and GPA maintenance.
• Graduate Research Assistantship: Funded by professors' research grants. Covers tuition and provides ₩400,000–800,000/month. Apply directly to your department.
• KU Global Scholarship: Full tuition for top international graduate applicants in strategic fields (AI, biotechnology, materials science).

Korea Foundation Fellowships

The Korea Foundation (한국국제교류재단) supports international scholars studying Korean culture, language, history, and society. Two main programmes exist:

Korea Foundation Fellowship for Field Research

For graduate students and researchers conducting fieldwork in Korea. Provides ₩1,500,000/month for master's students and ₩1,900,000/month for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Duration: 3–12 months. Application deadline: typically May–July.

Korea Foundation Fellowship for Korean Language Training

Covers tuition at a Korean language institute + monthly allowance for students in Korean studies fields. Duration: 6–12 months.

KOICA Scholarship Program

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) funds students from developing countries pursuing master's degrees at specific Korean universities. The programme covers:

• Full tuition
• Monthly allowance of ₩900,000
• Round-trip airfare
• Health insurance
• Settlement allowance

KOICA scholarships target professionals with at least 3 years of work experience from eligible countries (mostly in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America). Programmes focus on development-relevant fields: public administration, agriculture, healthcare, and technology. Apply through the Korean embassy in your country. Deadlines vary by country but are typically March–May.

University-Wide Merit Scholarships

Beyond the top universities, many Korean institutions offer merit-based tuition reductions to attract international students. These range from 30% to 100% tuition coverage.

University	Scholarship	Coverage	Requirements
Sungkyunkwan (SKKU)	Global Leader Scholarship	50–100% tuition	High GPA; renewable by GPA
Hanyang University	HYU International Scholarship	30–100% tuition	Based on admission evaluation
Sogang University	Sogang International Scholarship	30–70% tuition	GPA-based; renewable
Kyung Hee University	Global Scholarship	50–100% tuition	Academic merit + TOPIK Level 4+
Ewha Womans University	Ewha Global Scholarship	50–100% tuition	Women applicants; merit-based
Chung-Ang University	CAU International Scholarship	50–100% tuition	Admission evaluation; GPA maintenance

Many of these scholarships renew each semester based on GPA. Maintaining a GPA of 3.0/4.5 or higher typically secures renewal. A strong first semester is critical — it determines your funding for the rest of your degree.

Bilateral and External Scholarships

Several countries maintain bilateral scholarship agreements with South Korea. These scholarships are available only to citizens of specific countries.

DAAD-KGSP Joint Programme (Germany)

German students can apply for KGSP through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The DAAD office in Bonn provides guidance on the application and pre-screens German candidates. German applicants often have slightly different documentation requirements — apostille through the Hague Convention is straightforward for German documents. Contact the DAAD Korea desk for current availability.

Fulbright Korea (USA)

American students can apply for the Fulbright Korea Graduate Study Program. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, and health insurance for master's-level study at a Korean university. The Fulbright application opens in October each year for the following academic year. Competition is high — approximately 15–20 awards per year for Korea.

CAMPUS Asia Programme

The CAMPUS Asia exchange programme links universities in Korea, Japan, and China. Students at participating universities (including SNU, Yonsei, Korea, KAIST) can study at partner institutions in Japan or China with scholarship support covering tuition and living costs. This programme targets students already enrolled at Korean universities who want a dual-degree or exchange experience.

Private Foundation Scholarships

Several Korean corporations and foundations fund international students:

• Samsung Global Scholarship: For graduate students in technology and business fields. Covers tuition + stipend at SNU, KAIST, or POSTECH. Highly competitive — fewer than 20 awards per year.
• Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation: Supports students from developing countries studying engineering or business in Korea. Full tuition + living costs.
• LG Yonam Foundation: Funds Korean studies and engineering students at select universities.
• Asan Foundation: Medical and healthcare scholarship for graduate students at Korean medical schools.

Private foundation scholarships are harder to find because they are not centrally listed. Check the scholarship office at your target university — they maintain lists of available external funding. The Study in Korea portal (studyinkorea.go.kr) also aggregates current scholarship listings.

Scholarship Stacking: Combining Multiple Funding Sources

Strategic scholarship stacking can eliminate all out-of-pocket costs. Here are common combinations:

KGSP + University dormitory subsidy: KGSP covers tuition and living expenses. Some universities provide free or discounted dormitory rooms to KGSP scholars on top of the monthly allowance. This effectively increases your disposable income.

University merit scholarship + external private scholarship: Many private scholarships allow stacking with university-provided tuition reductions. A student with a 50% tuition scholarship from Yonsei could apply for a private foundation grant to cover the remaining 50%.

Research assistantship + KGSP or university scholarship: Graduate students often combine a formal scholarship with a paid research assistantship from their advisor. The assistantship provides additional income of ₩200,000–500,000 per month on top of any scholarship stipend.

Restrictions to watch: KGSP recipients cannot hold another Korean government scholarship simultaneously. Some university scholarships reduce automatically if you receive external funding (they want the money to go to other students). Always read the fine print and ask the scholarship office before accepting multiple awards.

What Happens After Your Scholarship Ends?

Most scholarships expire upon degree completion. Understanding your post-scholarship options prevents financial surprises.

KGSP scholars receive funding for the full degree duration plus one year of language training. If you do not complete your degree on time (due to thesis delays, for example), you must self-fund the additional semesters. KGSP does not extend for late completion.

University merit scholarships renew each semester based on GPA. If your grades drop, funding disappears. Build a financial buffer during your funded semesters to cover a potential unfunded semester.

KAIST and POSTECH maintain tuition waivers as long as you are enrolled and meet minimum GPA requirements. PhD students at these institutions are funded for the full duration, though stipend amounts may change year to year based on your advisor's grant funding.

Post-graduation: No scholarship covers the D-10 job-seeking visa period after graduation. Budget ₩5,000,000–10,000,000 for the 6-month job search period, or secure a part-time job to cover living costs during the transition.

Scholarship Application Timeline

Month	Action
September–November (year before)	Research scholarships. Prepare personal statement, study plan. Take TOPIK/IELTS.
December–February	KGSP Embassy Track applications open. Apply to universities (March intake).
March–May	KGSP University Track deadline. KOICA applications. University merit scholarship deadlines (September intake).
May–July	Korea Foundation fellowship deadline. Receive scholarship decisions.
July–August	Apply for D-2 visa with scholarship letter. Prepare for departure.
September	Arrive in Korea. Begin language training (KGSP) or degree programme.

How to Write a Winning KGSP Study Plan

The study plan is the most important component of your KGSP application. Reviewers spend more time on it than on any other document. A generic plan kills your chances. A specific, well-researched plan puts you ahead of most applicants.

Structure Your Study Plan

Follow this proven structure (1,500–2,000 words total):

1. Academic background (200–300 words): Summarize your educational history. Highlight achievements that relate to your proposed field of study. Mention any research experience, publications, or relevant work.
2. Why Korea and why this university (300–400 words): Name the specific university and programme. Identify professors whose research aligns with your interests. Explain what Korea offers that your home country does not — be concrete. "Korea has strong semiconductor research" is weak. "Professor Kim at SNU's Department of Electrical Engineering published groundbreaking work on GaN power devices in 2024, and I want to contribute to that research" is strong.
3. Research/study plan (400–500 words): Describe what you will study or research. For master's and PhD applicants, outline your thesis topic or research direction. For undergraduates, describe which courses interest you and why. Include a semester-by-semester plan.
4. Post-graduation plan (300–400 words): Explain how you will use your Korean education after graduation. KGSP values applicants who plan to contribute to their home country or to Korea-home country relations. Be specific — name organizations, industries, or roles you are targeting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Generic statements. "I want to study in Korea because of its advanced technology." Every applicant says this. Name specific technologies, companies, or research groups.
• Focusing only on Korean pop culture. Mentioning K-pop or K-drama as your primary motivation signals superficial interest. It is fine as a secondary motivation, but lead with academic reasons.
• No professor or lab mentioned. Graduate applicants must name specific professors and explain why their research aligns with your goals. Contact professors before applying if possible.
• Copy-pasting from the university website. Reviewers know their own programme descriptions. Demonstrate genuine understanding of the curriculum and research environment.
• Ignoring the home country connection. KGSP is funded by Korean taxpayers as a soft power investment. Show how your education will strengthen Korea's relationship with your country.

Tips for Winning Scholarships

• Apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously. KGSP, university merit awards, and external fellowships are not mutually exclusive in the application stage. Apply broadly and accept the best offer.
• Write a specific study plan. Generic plans fail. Name the exact programme, professors you want to work with, and research topics. Show you have done your homework.
• Get strong recommendation letters. Ask professors who know your work. Brief them on the scholarship requirements. Give them at least four weeks to write the letter.
• Take TOPIK early. TOPIK Level 4+ significantly strengthens your application, even for English-taught programmes. It shows commitment to Korean culture and language.
• Highlight your country connection. KGSP and KOICA value applicants who plan to use their Korean education to contribute to their home country. Make this clear in your personal statement.
• Contact professors directly. For graduate scholarships, email potential advisors before applying. An advisor who supports your application dramatically increases your acceptance chances.
• Apply for semester-based scholarships too. Many universities offer GPA-based scholarships that renew each semester. Even if you do not get a scholarship at admission, a strong GPA in your first semester can earn you funding from the second semester onward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the KGSP/GKS scholarship and how much does it pay?

The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), also called Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), is South Korea's full-funding scholarship for international students. It covers full tuition, ₩900,000/month allowance, round-trip flights, health insurance, settlement allowance, and one year of Korean language training. The total value over a master's programme is approximately ₩45,000,000–55,000,000 ($33,000–41,000 USD). About 1,500 students receive it each year.

How competitive is the KGSP scholarship?

The acceptance rate is approximately 10–15%. KGSP receives 10,000–15,000 applications per year for roughly 1,500 spots. The Embassy Track tends to be less competitive than the University Track because fewer applicants know about it. Strong academics (GPA 80%+), a detailed study plan, and relevant experience improve your chances significantly.

Does KAIST really offer free tuition to all students?

Yes. KAIST provides a full tuition waiver for virtually all admitted students, including international students. Graduate students also receive monthly stipends of ₩350,000–1,000,000 from research assistantships. The catch: KAIST is highly selective, especially for international applicants. You must maintain a GPA above 2.0/4.3 to keep the waiver.

Can I get a scholarship without knowing Korean?

Yes. KGSP includes one year of Korean language training before your degree programme. KAIST, POSTECH, and many graduate programmes at SKY universities teach entirely in English. University merit scholarships are based on academic records and English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL), not Korean ability. However, TOPIK Level 4+ strengthens any application.

When should I start applying for KGSP?

Start preparing 8–10 months before your intended start date. For September 2026 intake, begin in November 2025. Embassy Track applications open in February–April 2026. University Track deadlines are March–May 2026. Allow time for apostille, recommendation letters, and TOPIK testing. Late applications are not accepted.

Can I receive multiple scholarships at the same time?

KGSP generally prohibits receiving another Korean government-funded scholarship simultaneously. However, you can hold a KGSP scholarship and receive a university dormitory subsidy or book allowance. University merit scholarships can sometimes stack with external private scholarships. Check each scholarship's terms — "stacking" rules vary.

What happens if my GPA drops below the scholarship requirement?

Most scholarships have a renewal GPA threshold (typically 2.0–3.0/4.5). If you fall below it, you get one warning semester. If your GPA does not recover, the scholarship is revoked. KGSP has stricter monitoring — NIIED reviews academic progress annually. Losing a KGSP scholarship means you must self-fund or return home.

Are there scholarships specifically for PhD students?

Yes. PhD funding in Korea is generally stronger than master's funding. KGSP covers PhD for up to 4 years. KAIST and POSTECH fund all PhD students automatically. SNU professors fund PhD students through research grants (tuition + ₩500,000–1,000,000/month). The Korea Foundation provides ₩1,900,000/month for PhD-level researchers. Most Korean PhD students in STEM fields are fully funded.

Do I need TOPIK to apply for scholarships?

Not always, but it helps. KGSP does not require TOPIK to apply — the scholarship includes language training. However, applicants with TOPIK Level 5+ can skip language training and start their degree immediately. University merit scholarships often prioritize applicants with TOPIK Level 4+. For English-taught programmes, IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 80+ is the standard requirement.