Scholarships for International Students in South Korea

The scholarship landscape

Funding for international students in South Korea comes from several directions: the national government, individual universities, regional or city governments, and external foundations or companies. Understanding which type you're applying for helps you target the right application and deadline.

The best-known route is the government's Global Korea Scholarship, but university tuition reductions are far more numerous and are often the most realistic source of support for many applicants.

All legitimate scholarships judge you on secular, published criteria — academic merit, chosen field, and sometimes language ability. Amounts, benefits and deadlines change each cycle, so treat any figures here as general information and verify on the official website.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), is Korea's flagship government scholarship for international students, with separate undergraduate and graduate programmes.

GKS runs through two application tracks. In the embassy track you apply via the Korean embassy in your home country; in the university track you apply directly through a participating Korean university. You generally choose one track per cycle, and each has its own timeline and quota.

GKS is well known for being comprehensive — benefits have historically included items such as tuition, a monthly living allowance and a period of Korean language training. Because the exact package is revised each year, confirm the current benefits, eligibility and deadlines on the official Study in Korea portal.

• Administered by NIIED via the Study in Korea portal
• Embassy track (apply in your home country) or university track (apply via the university)
• Separate undergraduate and graduate programmes
• Benefits and deadlines are set annually — verify officially

University scholarships and tuition reductions

Beyond government funding, most Korean universities offer their own scholarships and tuition reductions for international students. These are often merit-based (entry grades, or GPA once enrolled) and can range from a partial fee waiver to a full tuition scholarship.

Some awards are automatic based on your admission profile; others need a separate application. Korean-language ability (a TOPIK score) or strong English-test results can strengthen eligibility for certain programmes.

The authoritative source is each university's own admissions and scholarship page. Read it carefully for your specific programme, and note whether the award renews each year and on what conditions.

Regional, foundation and external scholarships

City and provincial governments, private foundations, and some companies also fund international students, sometimes tied to a particular region, field, or level of study. These are smaller in number but worth researching once you know where you'll study.

External scholarships from your home country or international bodies may also apply to study in Korea — check those alongside Korean sources.

Wherever the money comes from, confirm the eligibility and benefits on the funder's official website, and watch the deadlines, which often fall well before the academic year begins.

Making your application stronger

Scholarships are competitive, and no guide can guarantee an award. What you can do is present a complete, on-time, well-evidenced application. Meet every stated criterion, keep your academic records strong, and prepare required documents (transcripts, a statement, recommendations) early.

If a scholarship values Korean-language ability, a TOPIK result can help; for English-taught programmes, an IELTS or TOEFL score may be required. Follow the funder's document rules exactly.

Apply to more than one source where you're eligible, and track each deadline separately. Our GKS, TOPIK, statement-of-purpose and recommendation-letter guides go deeper on the pieces of a strong application.

Avoiding scholarship scams

Genuine scholarships are awarded on merit and never require a payment to 'secure' or 'guarantee' them. Any person or agency promising a guaranteed scholarship or seat in exchange for a fee should be treated as a scam.

Apply only through official channels — the Study in Korea portal, NIIED, or the university's own website — and never pay a third party for forms or applications that are free on the official sites.

If an offer looks too good to be true, verify it directly with the university or NIIED before sending money or documents. This guide is general information; the official sources are always the final word.