Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Economy flight, tuition (NIIED pays up to KRW 5 million, the university covers the rest), a one-year Korean language course, and an all-inclusive monthly allowance. 2026 graduate rate: KRW 14,400,000 a year in the language year, KRW 16,560,000 a year in the degree.

Fields: Any field

Open to most nationalities

• You and both of your parents must hold non-Korean citizenship, and you must apply from the country quota list, for example Nigeria had 7 General Track places in the 2026 graduate round.
• Graduate (GKS-G): under 40 years old (born after 1 September 1986 in the 2026 round), with a bachelor's degree for a master's or a master's degree for a doctorate.
• Undergraduate (GKS-U): under 25, a high school graduate or expected graduate.
• Grades: a score of 80 percent or higher, or a place in the top 20 percent of your class, or a minimum GPA such as 2.64/4.0. Graduate applicants are measured on their previous degree.
• You must be in good physical and mental health. Korean ability is not required to apply, but all scholars must reach TOPIK level 3 during the language year.

Graduate (GKS-G): announced in early February, embassy applications open for about two weeks from mid-February (2026 round: 12 to 25 February 2026). Undergraduate (GKS-U): embassy applications in the second half of September (2027 round: 15 to 30 September 2026, now closed). University Track dates vary by university. The next GKS-G call is expected February 2027.

Deadlines move a little every year and some close early. Confirm the date on the official page before you plan around it.

• Application form, personal statement and study plan
• One letter of recommendation
• Proof of citizenship for you and your parents, with family relationship documents
• Degree certificate and transcripts, apostilled or consular confirmed for the final stage
• Medical assessment, applicant agreement and consent forms
• Optional: TOPIK, TOEFL iBT or IELTS result, awards, passport copy

1. 1

   Step 1: Choose your track

   Embassy Track is applied for through the Korean embassy for your country of citizenship, and the country quota is small. University Track applications go directly to participating Korean universities. You may use only one track.
2. 2

   Step 2: Pick eligible universities and programs

   Select from the official eligible university list. Embassy Track General applicants may choose up to three universities.
3. 3

   Step 3: Apply online

   Create an account on studyinkorea.go.kr, complete the form and upload your documents. Your embassy may also ask you to email an applicant information form within 48 hours.
4. 4

   Step 4: Submit documents to the embassy

   For the Embassy Track, send or hand in the required documents by the embassy's deadline. Check the notice on your embassy's website for the exact method.
5. 5

   Step 5: Screening and interview

   The embassy screens documents and interviews shortlisted candidates, then recommends candidates to NIIED. Only shortlisted candidates are contacted.
6. 6

   Step 6: Final selection

   NIIED makes the final selection after the second round, which needs apostilled or consular confirmed documents. Selected scholars start with the Korean language year.

• You must reach TOPIK level 3 during the language year to move into your degree program, and some universities ask for level 4.
• If you withdraw within the first 3 months after enrolling you must repay the full amount received, including airfare, allowance and tuition. Later changes in status can also lead to repayment.
• Round-trip flights are not given to people who enter Korea from a country other than their country of citizenship.
• Amounts depend on budget availability and may change.

• The Embassy Track quota per country is small, so also look at University Track programs, which are decided by the universities themselves.
• Check your grade conversion early. If your transcript has no GPA scale or class rank, you must supply a converted transcript.
• Fix your apostille or consular confirmation plan before applying. Documents for the final round can take weeks to get from Nigeria and other countries.
• Prepare for the language year. A valid TOPIK 5 or 6 result can exempt you from it, but it must be submitted on time.

Winning the award does not include the visa. Plan your application with our guide for the host country.

• South Korea student visa

Checked against these official pages on 17 Oct 2026.

• 2026 GKS-G Application Guidelines (Embassy of Korea in Kenya notice, with guideline file) (opens in a new tab)
• 2027 GKS-U Embassy Track notice (Embassy of Korea in Kenya) (opens in a new tab)
• Study in Korea, GKS programme page (opens in a new tab)