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

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

Edited By Ipshita ghosh | Updated on Nov 06, 2024 11:00 AM IST

If you are planning to study in South Korea, you must be aware of the expenses and how you can manage them effectively, scholarship programs being one of the best ways. What is GKS scholarship? GKS Scholarship or Global Korea Scholarship is a highly competitive program aimed at encouraging international collaboration in pursuit of higher studies in South Korea. International students from over 150 nations enjoy the privilege of the GKS scholarship program. Applicants studying in undergraduate or post-graduate or doctoral degree programs conducted by Korean universities are qualified for the Global Korea Scholarship. GKS Scholarship is competitive since only 5 to 13% of applications are successful annually. International students need to have a great academic record, and need to demonstrate language proficiency and meet relevant requirements based on the course of study. For India, the reserved quota in GKS Scholarship 2026 is 78 consisting of 50 University Track and 28 Embassy Track. The scholarship falls under two types of track: embassy and university. While the results of the first round of the GS scholarships embassy track 2025 is already announced, the application deadline and results for the university track is still pending. Read the article to know more about the GKS Scholarship 2025.

This Story also Contains
  1. GKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students
  2. GKS Scholarship Eligibility
  3. Types of GKS Scholarships for International Students
  4. Duration and Qualifications for GKS Scholarship for Indian Students
  5. GKS Scholarship Application Process
  6. Documents Required for GKS Scholarship
  7. GKS Scholarship Application Deadline for Indian Students
  8. GKS Scholarship Selection Process
  9. Are there any additional points for demonstrating language proficiency for GKS Scholarship?
  10. Available fields of study and universities for GKS Scholarship 2025
Global Korea Scholarship 2025 (GKS Scholarship): Deadline & Requirements
Global Korea Scholarship 2025 (GKS Scholarship): Deadline & Requirements

Read More: Cost of living in South Korea

GKS Scholarship for Indian Students: Key Highlights

Particulars

Details of GKS Scholarship

GKS Scholarship official website

gksscholarship.com

GKS Scholarship funded by

South Korea Government

GKS Scholarship known as

KGSP or Global Korea Scholarship

GKS Scholarship cost coverage

  • Tuition fees

  • Living allowance

  • Settlement compensation

  • Korean proficiency grant

  • Language training

  • Health insurance

  • Travel expenses

Types of GKS Scholarship

  • Embassy Track

  • University Track

GKS Scholarship Benefits for Indian Students

The important benefits of the GKS scholarship for Indian students in the 2025-26 academic year include,

  • 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

GKS Scholarship Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the GKS Scholarship for Indian students are given below:

  • 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.

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

  • GPA Requirements: 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.

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Also Read: Korean Language Courses

Who are not eligible to apply for GKS Scholarship?

These applicants are not eligible to apply for the GKS scholarship program:

  • A person who has graduated (or is expected to graduate) from a Korean high school (including international schools) or a Korean university
  • A person who has previously received a scholarship from the Korean government

Types of GKS Scholarships for International Students

The GKS Scholarship, in general, falls under two tracks: the embassy track and the university track. Embassy track refers to when candidates submit applications to the Korean embassy in their home country. University track refers to direct submission of applications to Korean universities authorized by the National Institute for International Education.

CriteriaEmbassy TrackUniversity Track
Apply ToKorean Embassy/ConsulateDirectly to a Korean university
Nominated ByEmbassyUniversity
University ChoicesUp to 3 universitiesOnly 1 university
Competition LevelHigh (nationwide)Moderate (university-specific)
Application TimeFeb–Mar 2025Sep–Oct 2025
ResultsJune–July 2025May–June 2026
Best ForThose applying to multiple universitiesThose targeting a specific university

Duration and Qualifications for GKS Scholarship for Indian Students

Type of Course Under GKS ScholarshipDuration
Master’s Degree3 Years
Doctoral Degree4 Years
Bachelor Degree5 to 7 Years
Associate Degree3 to 4 years

Graduate Programs

  • It is a must for the applicant be citizens of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program. This program is not for Korean citizens.
  • The age of the applicant must be below 40 on 1st September of the inviting year. Additionally, if you are an academic professor under 45 years of age, even you can apply.
  • Must have a bachelor's or master's degree on 31st July of the inviting year (Korean applicants having these degrees in Korea cannot apply).
  • It is a must to have a CGPA equal to or more than 80% in their previous study program.

Undergraduate Programs

  1. It is a must for the applicant be citizens of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program. This program is not for Korean citizens.
  2. The age of the applicant must be below 25 on 1st March of the inviting year.
  3. Must have graduated from high school as of December 31 of the inviting year (Korean applicants cannot apply).
  4. It is a must to have a CGPA equal to or more than 80% in their previous study program.

Also Read: Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian students

GKS Scholarship Application Process

The application process for Global Korea Scholarship is mentioned below:

Step 1: Read all the requirements and plan to apply to university or embassy track.

Step 2: Prepare the documents mentioned above, according to your qualifications.

Step 3: Fill out the application and submit it. Commonly the applications are chosen based on good academic records.

Step 4: If selected you will receive mail and the results will be published on the NIIED website.

Step 5: Be ready for the interview process (if required).

Step 6: 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

How to Apply to GKS Scholarship 2025?

Qualified Indian students can apply for the scholarship through the ‘Embassy Track’ and must submit their application to the Korean Embassy in New Delhi.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea
9, Chandragupta Marg,
Chanakyapuri Extension,
New Delhi-110021
Phone: 011-4200-7000

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 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

Scholarship

Application Deadline

GKS Scholarship or Global Korea Scholarship for Embassy Track

March 3

GKS Scholarship or Global Korea Scholarship for University Track

October 25

GKS Scholarship Selection Process

RoundWhat HappensTrack
1st RoundInitial screening by Embassy/UniversityBoth Tracks
2nd RoundEvaluation by NIIEDBoth Tracks
3rd RoundUniversity admission reviewEmbassy Track only
Final ResultAnnouncement of selected scholarsBoth Tracks

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

Are there any additional points for demonstrating language proficiency for GKS Scholarship?

Yes, applicants will receive additional points based on language proficiency in Korean and English.

  • Korean: Candidates with valid TOPIK certificate based on their TOPIK level will get additional points.
  • English: Candidates with valid English proficiency certificates based on their test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) will get additional points.

Available fields of study and universities for GKS Scholarship 2025

Study Fields

All the academic study fields that are established by the GKS participating universities, excluding the evening, short-term, online, and distant learning programs are not applicable for this scholarship program.

Universities

No.TypeUniversity Name
1AAjou University
2AAndong National University
3BBusan University of Foreign Studies
4BChangwon National University
5BCheongju University
6BChonnam National University
7BChosun University
8AChung-Ang University
9BChungbuk National University
10BChungnam National University
11BDaegu University
12BDaegu Catholic University
13BDaejeon University
14ADankook University
15BDong-A University
16ADongguk University
17BDongseo University
18A

Duksung Women's University

19A

Ewha Womans University

20B

Gangneung Wonju National University

21A

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

22B

Gyeongsang National University

23A

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

24B

Hannam University

25A

Hanyang University

26A

Hanyang University ERICA

28B

Hoseo University

29A

Incheon National University

30AInha University
31BInje University
32B

Jeju National University

33B

Jeonbuk National University

34AKAIST
35B

Kangwon National University (Chuncheon)

36A

KDI School of Public Policy and Management

37B

Keimyung University

38B

Kongju National University

39A

Konkuk University

40B

Konyang University

41A

Kookmin University

42A

Korea University

43BKOREATECH
44B

Kunsan National University

45A

KyungHee University (Graduate School of Pan-Pacific International Studies)

46B

Kyungsung University

47B

Kyungpook National University

48B

Mokwon University

49B

National Korea Maritime & Ocean University

50B

Pai Chai University

51APOSTECH
52B

Pukyong National University

53B

Pusan National University

54B

SEMYUNG UNIVERSITY

55A

Seokyeong University

56A

Seoul National University

57A

Seoul National University of Science and Technology

58BSilla University
59A

Sogang University (Graduate School of International Studies)

60A

Sookmyung Women's University

61B

Soonchunhyang University


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who is eligible for GKS scholarship?

To be eligible for the GKS scholarship applicant's GPA must be higher than 80%, be under 40 years old, hold one citizenship of NIIED countries, and have stable health and medical conditions.

2. Is it hard to get a GKS scholarship?

Getting a GKS scholarship to study in Korea is competitive among international students because of its numerous benefits and high popularity. Approximately 5 - 13 per cent are only accepted out of 100 applicants every year. So overseas students must have above 80% or 2.64 out of 4.0 scale to enhance their chances of a GKS Scholarship.

3. How to apply for GKS scholarship 2025?

Students can apply for GKS Scholarship 2025 in two types for submitting their application. You can apply to the Korean embassy from your home country under the embassy track. In the university track, you can directly apply to universities in Korea.

4. Can I study in Korea after 12th for free?

Getting free education in Korea after the 12th is challenging. However, applicants can apply to different scholarships such as GKS or more. Apart from this, many universities also offer scholarships to international students.

5. How many students are selected in the GKS scholarship from India?

For the 2025 year, the GKS Scholarship has 78 reserved quotes for Indian students. Of those, 28 are embassy track, and 50 are university track. These scholarships offer monthly stipends, Travel flight expenses, Korean proficiency grants, Health insurance and other benefits.

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