Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027 in South Korea (Fully Funded)
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2027, also called the Korean Government Scholarship, is a fully funded scholarship from the Government of South Korea. It helps international students complete their degrees at Korean universities and is managed by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED).
The GKS Scholarship covers tuition, airfare, Korean language training, and living costs, which makes it a popular choice for students from Pakistan and other developing countries.
In this guide, we explain the GKS Scholarship 2027 with complete details, including benefits, eligibility, required documents, deadlines, and how to apply.
Overview of GKS Scholarship 2027
- Country: South Korea
- Funded by: Government of South Korea (NIIED)
- Degree Level: Undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD
- Duration: Master’s 3 years; PhD 4 years (including 1 year of Korean language training)
- Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
- Eligibility: International Students
- Application Portal: Study in Korea (studyinkorea.go.kr)
Also see: Mext Japanese Government Scholarship 2027 without IELTS
GKS Scholarship Benefits
Depending on your program, the scholarship includes:
- Airfare
- Tuition fees
- Monthly allowance
- Settlement allowance
- Korean language training fee
- Research allowance
- Publication printing fee
- Medical insurance
Eligibility Criteria
The GKS graduate program has recently used these requirements. Confirm them in the 2027 guidelines:
- You must hold citizenship of a country designated by NIIED
- You and your parents must not hold Korean citizenship, and dual citizens are not eligible
- You must be under 40 years of age
- You need a bachelor’s degree for a master’s program, or a master’s degree for a PhD
- Your GPA must be above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0, or at least 80% or in the top 20% of your class
- You must not have graduated from a Korean high school or university, or previously received a Korean government scholarship
GKS Scholarship Without IELTS
You may still apply without a valid TOPIK certificate at the time of application, and the program includes one year of Korean language training. English test requirements depend on the university, so check the guidelines and the university’s own requirements.
Required Documents
- Application form, personal statement, and study plan
- One letter of recommendation
- GKS applicant agreement and consent form
- Medical assessment form
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Proof of citizenship and family relationship
- TOPIK score report, awards, and passport copy (optional)
Certificates must be apostilled or consular-confirmed, and documents in other languages need a certified translation.
GKS Selection Process
Graduate applicants move through three rounds. The embassy or university runs the first round, NIIED runs the second, and universities review embassy-track candidates in the third, before the final announcement.
Application Deadline
Check the GKS Notice section of the Study in Korea website for the 2027 dates. For reference, the 2026 graduate embassy track for Pakistan ran from February 12 to February 25, 2026 and offered 8 slots for Pakistan. Undergraduate applications have opened earlier in some countries, for example in September in South Africa. Dates and quotas change every year.
How to Apply
- Create an account on the Study in Korea website.
- Download the GKS guidelines and forms from the GKS Notice section.
- Choose your track and your target universities.
- Prepare your documents, including any extra university requirements.
- Submit your application online before the deadline. The system closes automatically.
Official website: Study in Korea
Also apply for: Finland Government Scholarship 2027 (Without IELTS)
