Global Korea Scholarship 2027 (GKS-U)
Fully Funded Bachelor’s & Associate Degree Scholarship • South Korea
The Korean Government has officially released the 2027 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees. GKS-U is administered by NIIED and supports eligible international students through Korean-language training followed by undergraduate study at designated Korean universities. Official benefits include airfare, Korean-language training costs, tuition and study allowances.
2027 GKS-U Overview
NIIED published the official 2027 GKS-U application guidelines on 9 September 2026, together with current application forms and university-information files. The programme combines Korean-language training with bachelor’s or eligible associate-degree study.
Bachelor’s routes normally include one year of Korean-language training followed by 4–6 years of degree study; eligible associate-degree routes generally run for 2–3 years after language training.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
- Airfare for eligible scholars.
- Korean-language training costs.
- Tuition support for the degree programme.
- Study allowances during the scholarship period.
Who Can Apply?
- Nationality: the applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
- Age: applicants must be under 25 under the applicable 2027 GKS rule.
- Education: bachelor’s applicants must meet the high-school or eligible associate-degree completion requirement.
- Academic performance: generally at least 80% cumulative performance, top 20% class rank, or an accepted equivalent CGPA threshold.
- Applicants must meet country-, university- and department-specific conditions in the 2027 files.
Embassy Track vs University Track
Embassy Track
Apply through the Korean Embassy responsible for your citizenship. Study in Korea states that Embassy Track applications are submitted online through the official Study in Korea system.
University Track
Apply directly to a GKS-designated university. The exact deadline, delivery method and extra department requirements are set by the individual university.
Core Application Documents
- GKS application form.
- Personal statement and study plan.
- Recommendation letter.
- Applicant agreement and personal medical assessment.
- Proof of citizenship and family relationship.
- High-school graduation or expected-graduation certificate.
- Official high-school transcript.
- Associate-degree documents where applicable.
- Any extra university or department documents required in the 2027 University Information files.
Use only the 2027 GKS-U forms and follow the current translation and document-authentication rules.
How to Apply
- Download the official 2027 GKS-U guideline, forms and University Information files.
- Confirm your citizenship, age, education and academic eligibility.
- Choose either Embassy Track or University Track.
- Select only eligible universities and departments from the 2027 files.
- Prepare the current forms and supporting certificates.
- Embassy Track applicants submit through Study in Korea during the official online window.
- University Track applicants submit directly to the selected GKS university by its own deadline.
Important Dates
- 9 September 2026: official 2027 guideline published.
- 15 September 2026, 11:00 KST: Embassy Track opens.
- 30 September 2026, 18:00 KST: Embassy Track closes.
- September–November 2026: University Track period; exact dates vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GKS-U 2027 officially announced?
Yes. NIIED published the 2027 application guideline and university-information files on 9 September 2026.
Is GKS-U fully funded?
Study in Korea lists airfare, language-training costs, tuition and study allowances among the official benefits.
Can international students apply for a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, subject to the current country, academic and university requirements.
Where do Embassy Track applicants apply?
Online through the official Study in Korea GKS application system.
Does University Track close on September 30?
No. University Track deadlines vary by participating university and can run through November.
Official Sources
Verification disclaimer: ScholarshipHubNow verified this guide on 11 September 2026 against current primary NIIED/Study in Korea sources. Applicants should recheck the current guideline, embassy and selected university before submitting.
