Scholarships for International Students in Korea
Funding can be the difference between studying in Korea and not, and there are more options than just the famous government scholarship. This is an honest overview of the main routes for international students in 2026 — the GKS, university awards, and assistantships — and how they generally work. Amounts, eligibility, and deadlines are set fresh each year by NIIED and each university, so the official announcements are always the final word.
The main types of funding
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). The government's flagship, run by NIIED. Widely described as covering tuition, a monthly allowance, airfare, insurance, and a year of Korean language training. Benefits and eligible countries are announced each year.
- University merit scholarships. Many universities offer awards that cover a portion or all of tuition, often based on academic performance.
- Tuition reductions. Some schools reduce tuition for international students or for strong applicants, separately from named scholarships.
- Graduate assistantships. In research-heavy fields, especially science and engineering, labs commonly fund students with tuition support plus a monthly stipend.
- External & country-specific awards. Foundations, governments, and exchange programs sometimes offer additional scholarships — worth checking in your home country.
How to approach scholarships, step by step
- Decide your level and track. Undergraduate, graduate, or exchange — the funding routes and GKS tracks differ.
- Check GKS first. Read the current-year announcement on the official Study in Korea site for eligibility, benefits, and deadlines.
- Read each university's scholarship page. Find out which awards exist, whether they're automatic or need a separate application, and what they cover.
- Confirm eligibility honestly. Note citizenship rules, age limits, GPA thresholds, and any language requirements before you invest time.
- Prepare strong materials. Transcripts, a study or research plan, and recommendation letters often influence merit awards.
- Mind the deadlines. Scholarship and admission deadlines can differ; missing one can disqualify you from funding even if admitted.
- Plan to maintain it. Note renewal conditions — many awards require keeping a minimum GPA.
Some scholarships and Korean-taught tracks reward Korean ability, and language training is part of GKS. You can get a head start with a 1-on-1 tutor on italki.
Get a head start on Korean with italkiFrequently asked questions
What scholarships exist for international students in Korea?
The main options are the government's Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), university merit and tuition-reduction scholarships, and graduate assistantships that can include a stipend. Some external and country-specific scholarships also exist. Availability and amounts vary by school and year.
What is the GKS scholarship?
GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) is the Korean government's flagship scholarship, administered by NIIED. It is widely described as covering tuition, a monthly living allowance, airfare, insurance, and a year of Korean language training. Exact benefits and eligibility are announced each year on the official Study in Korea site.
Do Korean universities offer their own scholarships?
Yes. Many universities offer merit-based scholarships that can cover a portion or all of tuition, and some science and engineering graduate programs are well funded, including tuition support and research stipends. Conditions differ by school, so check each university.
Do I need to apply separately for scholarships?
It depends. GKS has its own application process and tracks. Some university scholarships are awarded automatically based on your admission application, while others require a separate application. Always read each university's scholarship rules carefully.
Can I keep a scholarship throughout my studies?
Many scholarships are renewable but conditional, often requiring you to maintain a minimum GPA. Falling below the threshold may trigger a warning period or loss of the award. Check the renewal terms for each specific scholarship.
Last reviewed June 2026.