Dreaming of studying in South Korea? From its vibrant culture and world-class cities to its top-tier universities, Korea is a highly sought-after destination. However, the cost of tuition and living can be a significant barrier.
This guide is here to help. We’ve compiled the most comprehensive list of the best scholarships for international students, from the all-inclusive government scholarships to specific university and private foundation grants. Let’s find the one that’s right for you!
1. The Flagship: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
This is the big one. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), formerly known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), is the most comprehensive scholarship offered by the Korean government. It’s available for undergraduate (Bachelor’s) and graduate (Master’s, PhD) degrees.
What Does It Cover?
This is a full-ride scholarship. It is designed to cover virtually all of your expenses, including:
- Full tuition fees
- Round-trip airfare
- Resettlement allowance (one-time)
- Monthly living stipend
- Medical insurance
- A one-year Korean language course (This is a key feature!)
- Research support and thesis printing fees (for graduate students)
How to Apply
There are two main tracks to apply for GKS:
- Embassy Track: You apply through the Korean Embassy in your home country. You can typically apply to three universities under general route. Under R-GKS route, you can apply to two universities only.
- University Track: You apply directly to one of the designated Korean universities participating in the GKS program.
The application window is usually September-October for the graduate program and October-November for the undergraduate program. Always check the official notice for exact dates.
2. Top University-Specific Scholarships (SKY Universities)
Korea’s top universities, known as “SKY” (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei), offer fantastic scholarships to attract talented international students. These are often merit-based, covering tuition and sometimes more.
Seoul National University (SNU)
SNU, the top university in Korea, offers several scholarships. The most prominent is the SNU Global Scholarship, which covers full or partial tuition and, in some cases, a stipend and airfare for outstanding students, particularly from developing countries.
- Official Link: SNU Office of International Affairs – Scholarships
Korea University (KU)
KU offers a range of scholarships for new and current international students based on their academic performance (GPA). These scholarships (like Scholarship A, B, and C) typically cover 100%, 75%, or 50% of tuition fees.
- Official Link: Korea University OIA – Scholarships
Yonsei University
Yonsei’s Underwood International College (UIC) offers an extensive, merit-based scholarship program for its all-English curriculum. They also offer the Yonsei Global Scholarship (YGS) for graduate students, based on academic merit.
- Official Link: Yonsei OIA – Scholarships
3. World-Class STEM Scholarships (KAIST & POSTECH)
If you are in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM), these two universities are your top priority. They are world-renowned and offer incredible scholarship packages.
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
The KAIST International Student Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship for both undergraduate and graduate students. It is one of the most generous in Korea.
- Covers: Full tuition, living allowance (stipend), medical insurance, and research support.
- How to Apply: You are automatically considered for this scholarship when you apply for admission to KAIST. There is no separate application.
- Official Link: KAIST International Admission – Scholarships
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)
Similar to KAIST, POSTECH offers a POSTECH Scholarship for International Students. This university is heavily research-focused and provides significant financial support, especially for graduate students (Master’s and PhD) in the form of tuition waivers and research assistantships/stipends.
- Official Link: POSTECH Admission – Graduate Scholarships
4. Other Prestigious Scholarships
Beyond the ones listed above, many other universities and foundations offer excellent opportunities.
Ewha Womans University (EGEP)
The Ewha Global Excellence Project (EGEP) is a fantastic scholarship for female students in graduate programs. It covers full tuition and, in some cases, provides a stipend.
- Official Link: Ewha Admissions – Scholarships
Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) Graduate Fellowship
If your focus is on Korean studies, history, or humanities, the AKS Fellowship is one of the best in the world. It provides a full scholarship (tuition, stipend) for Master’s and PhD students at their specialized graduate school.
- Official Link: AKS Graduate School Admissions
Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) AMA Scholarship
The Art Major Asian plus (AMA+) Scholarship is for talented students from Asia and other developing countries who wish to study arts (music, dance, visual arts, drama, film) in Korea. It’s a full-ride scholarship, similar to GKS, but specifically for the arts.
- Official Link: K-Arts AMA+ Scholarship
Private Foundation Scholarships
Keep an eye on foundations like the POSCO Foundation (for students from Asia) and the Samsung Global Hope Scholarship (through specific universities). These have specific criteria but offer great support.
5. Tips for a Successful Application
Knowing the scholarships is only half the battle. Here’s how to win one.
General Application Process & Timeline
- Research (10-12 months before): Start now. Find universities and scholarships that fit your profile.
- Prepare Documents (6-8 months before): Gather transcripts, get recommendation letters, write your study plan, and take language tests (TOPIK or TOEFL/IELTS).
- Application (3-5 months before): Most applications are due in the fall (Sept-Nov) for the following spring semester or in the spring (Mar-May) for the fall semester. GKS has its own unique timeline.
- Interviews (1-2 months before): Many scholarships, especially GKS, require an interview.
Your grades get you in the door, but your Study Plan (학업계획서) or Personal Statement (자기소개서) wins the scholarship. It must be specific: Why Korea? Why this university? Why this major? What is your plan *after* you graduate?
If you are applying for a Master’s or PhD, especially at a STEM school like KAIST, contact a professor in your target lab *before* you apply. If a professor wants you in their lab, your chances of admission and funding increase dramatically.
Korean admissions are extremely strict. If the deadline is 5:00 PM KST, an application at 5:01 PM will be rejected. If they require an “Apostilled” document, a simple notarization is not enough. Read the application guidelines 3-4 times.
