Global Korea Scholarship 2025 (GKS Scholarship): Deadline & Requirements

GKS Scholarship or Global Korea Scholarship is a prestigious program intended to promote international collaboration for higher education in South Korea. South Korea has become a desirable destination among many international students because of the best universities ranked well globally, its strong focus on STEM courses and its amazing cultural experience. Students from more than 150 countries are availing the benefits of the prestigious GKS scholarship program.

This Story also Contains

1. What is GKS Scholarship?
2. GKS Scholarship Types
3. GKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students
4. Documents Required for GKS Scholarship
5. GKS Scholarship Application Process
6. GKS Scholarship Requirements
7. GKS Scholarship Application Deadline for Indian Students
8. GKS Scholarship Selection Process

Students enrolled in undergraduate or post-graduate or doctoral degree courses offered by Korean universities are eligible to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship. Generally, the GKS Scholarship is divided into two categories: the embassy track and the university track.

Embassy track means candidates send their applications to the Korean embassy located in their home country. University track means direct applications are accepted at Korean universities approved by the National Institute for International Education.

This scholarship allows Indian and international students to pursue Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs in South Korea which relieve financial pressure for eligible students by covering the expenses, tuition fees and health insurance.

Getting the GKS Scholarship 2025 is competitive because approximately 5 to 13% of applications are accepted every year. International students must have an excellent academic record, and overseas applicants must prove language proficiency and fulfil relevant requirements according to the course of their study.

For India, the reserved quota in GKS Scholarship 2025 is 78 which includes 50 University Track and 28 Embassy Track. International students planning to study in South Korea affordably can explore the complete article to learn more about the GKS Scholarship.

What is GKS Scholarship?

The South Korean government offers merit-based scholarships for overseas students, known as GKS Scholarships. Some international applicants have financial burdens while pursuing education in Korea. So, GKS scholarships assist in covering a few expenses in Korea based on the eligible candidates.

GKS Scholarship for Indian Students Highlights

Also Read: Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian students

GKS Scholarship Types

The GKS scholarship has mainly two types that include,

1. Embassy Track

2. University Track.

Embassy Track

• The applications are accepted through consulates or embassies in South Korea which accept overseas students including Indians, of official ties with South Korea.

• You can apply through the South Korean embassy near their residence. The eligible candidates are selected and sent to the GKS program.

University Track

• International applicants can send applications directly to South Korean universities approved by the desired university.

• The nominated university will process your application to the GKS program if selected.

GKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students

The important benefits of the GKS scholarship for Indian students in the 2024-25 academic year include,

Benefits of the Global Korea Scholarship

• Airfare: This covers actual flight expenses for entrance and final departure in South Korea for education.

• Settlement Allowance: While arriving in South Korea, the GKS scholarship offers Rs 12,589 (KRW 200,000).

• Monthly Allowance: This scholarship provides Rs 56,642 (KRW 900,000) per month for students.

• Korean Proficiency Grants: The GKS scholarship offers Rs 6,293 (KRW 100,000) per month.

• Degree completion Grants: In a final departure the scholarship offers Rs 6,293 (KRW 100,000).

• Health Insurance: According to NIIED, the required amount will be provided every month by the GKS Scholarship.

• Language Training Fee: Each quarterly, NIIED offers Rs 81,803 (KRW 1.3 million and the university provides over KRW 1.3 million.

• Tuition fee Benefits: Up to Rs 3.47 lakhs (KRW 5 million) in tuition fees are covered by NIIED, with an additional payment made higher than KRW 5 million by GKS Scholarship.

Also Read: Cost of living in South Korea

Documents Required for GKS Scholarship

To obtain the GKS Scholarship, international students must gather the necessary documents to satisfy their dream of studying in South Korea without financial stress. The following documents required for the Global Korea Scholarship for Indian students are given below:

• Application form

• Personal statement

• Study plan

• Research proposal (only for doctoral students)

• One letter of recommendation

• Letter for invitation (issued by the doctoral university)

• GKS applicant agreement

• Personal medical insurance

• Proof of citizenship and family relationship document

• All academic transcripts

• Copy of your passport

• Employment certificate (if required)

• English proficiency certificate or official TOPIK score

• Proof of Korean citizenship renunciation document

• Proof of Korean War veteran’s descendant

GKS Scholarship Application Process

The application process for Global Korea Scholarship is mentioned below:

• Read all the requirements and plan to apply to university or embassy track.

• Prepare the documents mentioned above, according to your qualifications.

• Fill out the application and submit it. Commonly the applications are chosen based on good academic records.

• If selected you will receive mail and the results will be published on the NIIED website.

• Be ready for the interview process (if required).

• Once you are approved for the GKS Scholarship, start the visa process to study in South Korea.

Also Read: Top Engineering Universities in South Korea

GKS Scholarship Requirements

Many students goal to study abroad, but nowadays mainly applicants are urged to study in Korea because of its advantages. The eligibility criteria for the GKS Scholarship for Indian students are given below:

Global Korean Scholarship Requirements

• Nationality: The applicant must be a citizen of India to apply for the GKS scholarship and other countries have close ties with South Korea.

• Qualifications: Must have academic transcripts from 12th grade or equivalent education for an undergraduate degree, postgraduate applicants must have a bachelor's degree certificate and doctoral students hold a master's certificate from a recognised university.

• Age: Applicants must be under 25 years of age.

• GPA Requirements: A score percentile of 80% or higher on a 100-point scale, or ranking in the top 20% of their class.

• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.

• Health: To study in Korea, international students must have good physical and mental health to get a GKS Scholarship.

Also Read: Korean Language Courses

GKS Scholarship Application Deadline for Indian Students

The application deadline for the GKS Scholarship for Indian students is the 2025 academic year given below:

GKS Scholarship 2025 Deadline

GKS Scholarship Selection Process

The selection process for GKS scholarships includes,

• A selection committee will carefully review all the submitted documents to evaluate and confirm your eligibility, including qualifications, grades, and nationality.

• You need to attend an oral interview to consider your skills.

• You will receive 10 points additionally if you have TOPIK level 3 or higher.

• Five points will be awarded if you are a direct descendant of Korean War veterans.

• You are especially evaluated if you are from a Korean background, have a high English language score, have a low financial background and more.

Also Read: Permanent Residency in South Korea