This guide covers the 5 scholarships in South Korea that ScholarshipClaude lists for 2027: 5 fully funded and 0 with partial funding. For each one you will find what it pays for, who can apply and the deadline, with a link to the full page. The list was last updated on 8 October 2026.
The nearest confirmed deadline is GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea, on 8 April 2027. Scholarships with expected dates are based on the previous cycle and will be confirmed when the new call opens.
How scholarships work in South Korea
South Korea funds international students through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and through science and technology institutes such as KAIST and GIST, which fund their graduate students. Government scholars usually take a year of Korean language training first. The research institutes teach in English and link funding to work in a laboratory.
Scholarships in South Korea 2027 at a glance
| Scholarship | Level | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Korea Scholarship | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | Expected 15 March 2027 |
| KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | Expected 31 March 2027 |
| GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea | Master's & PhD | Fully funded | 8 April 2027 |
| Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea | Master's | Fully funded | Expected 15 April 2027 |
| Global Korea Scholarship | Bachelor's | Fully funded | Expected 30 September 2027 |
Fully funded scholarships in South Korea for international students
Global Korea Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), run by Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED), funds master's and PhD study at Korean universities, usually with one year of Korean language training first. You apply through either the embassy track (up to three universities) or the university track (one university). NIIED normally publishes the graduate programme guidelines in February, with application deadlines in March; the date below is an estimate for the 2027 programme.
What it covers:
- Round trip airfare
- Full tuition
- Monthly living allowance
- Settlement allowance
Who can apply:
- Under 40 years old
- Bachelor's degree (master's applicants) or master's degree (PhD applicants)
- Cumulative grades of at least 80% or equivalent
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: expected 15 March 2027. Full details and how to apply.
KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students
KAIST admits international students to its master's, integrated master's-PhD and PhD programmes, and the KAIST Scholarship gives full tuition coverage, national health insurance and a monthly stipend that depends on research involvement and varies by college. You choose the KAIST scholarship as your funding source in the admission application; there is no separate scholarship form. KAIST says the scholarship reaches 94% of its international students.
What it covers:
- Full tuition
- Monthly allowance
- Medical insurance
Who can apply:
- Non-Korean citizen
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a related field
- Strong academic record
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: expected 31 March 2027. Full details and how to apply.
GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a research-focused national institute in South Korea. Every international student admitted to a master's, PhD or integrated MS–PhD programme receives the GIST scholarship automatically, with no separate scholarship application. GIST charges an application fee, and your application is not processed until the fee is paid.
What it covers:
- Full tuition support (3,607,000 KRW per semester)
- Student allowance: 140,000 KRW a month for master's and 295,000 KRW a month for PhD students
- Meal allowance of about 100,000 KRW a month
- International student allowance of 120,000 KRW a month if your GPA is 3.0 out of 4.5 or higher
Who can apply:
- Bachelor's degree for master's or integrated programmes, or a master's degree for PhD, completed before enrolment
- Open to all nationalities; Korean dual citizens cannot use the international track
- One English test score: TOEFL iBT 80 (PBT 550), IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEIC 750 or New TEPS 285, taken within two years of the application deadline
Level: Master's & PhD. Deadline: 8 April 2027. Full details and how to apply.
Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea
Seoul National University supports international graduate students mainly through the Graduate Scholarship for Foreign Students (GSFS). You apply for admission and for the GSFS at the same time, in the online admission application, and each graduate school selects its own recipients. You must be admitted to receive it. The application fee is 90,000 won, with no waivers.
What it covers:
- Full or partial tuition
- Monthly living allowance for selected students
Who can apply:
- Non-Korean citizen
- Bachelor's degree for master's programmes
- Strong academic record
Level: Master's. Deadline: expected 15 April 2027. Full details and how to apply.
Global Korea Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U) funds international students for one year of Korean language training followed by a bachelor's degree in South Korea. For the 2027 intake there are 286 places in total, and Pakistan has 3 in the official guideline table (2 General and 1 Regional University).
What it covers:
- Round trip airfare
- Full tuition
- Monthly living allowance
- Korean language training
Who can apply:
- Citizen of an invited country; Pakistan is included
- You and your parents must not hold Korean citizenship
- Under 25 years old (born after 1 March 2002 for the 2027 intake)
Level: Bachelor's. Deadline: expected 30 September 2027. Full details and how to apply.
Scholarships in South Korea: documents and how to apply
Global Korea Scholarship
More eligibility rules:
- Good health
Documents:
- GKS application form, personal statement and study plan
- Recommendation letters
- Apostilled degree certificates and transcripts
- Passport copy and health certificate
- TOPIK, IELTS or TOEFL scores if available
Application steps:
- Read the NIIED guidelines (expected February)
- Choose the embassy track or university track
- Submit documents by the track deadline
- Pass the first round, university review and NIIED final selection
How applications are assessed:
- First round: the Korean embassy or the university screens documents and interviews shortlisted applicants
- Second round: NIIED evaluates the applicants who passed the first round
- Third round (embassy track): the universities you chose review your application
- NIIED announces the final results
Duration: Master's 2 years or PhD 3 years, plus 1 year of Korean language. Open to: Citizens of GKS partner countries (no Korean citizenship). Go to the Global Korea Scholarship page.
KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students
More eligibility rules:
- English proficiency
Documents:
- Online application
- Study plan
- Transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- English test results
Application steps:
- Apply in a KAIST international graduate admission round
- Contact potential advisers
- Scholarships are offered with admission
How applications are assessed:
- There is no separate scholarship selection: choose the KAIST scholarship option in your admission application
- Accepted candidates who are eligible are considered automatically
Duration: 2 years (master's) or 4 years (PhD). Open to: Non-Korean citizens. Go to the KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students page.
GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea
GIST has two admission rounds for 2027. The Spring 2027 round, for studies starting in March, is open from 7 September to 7 October 2026 (17:00 Korea time), with results on 4 December 2026 and an enrolment deadline of 4 January 2027. The Fall 2027 round, for studies starting in September, runs from 9 March (10:00) to 8 April 2027 (17:00 Korea time), with an enrolment deadline of 5 July 2027. The deadline shown on this page is for the Fall 2027 round.
More eligibility rules:
- Exempt from the English test: native-born citizens of Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA, and graduates of universities in those countries if GIST approves in advance
- If you cannot take a test, GIST may give conditional admission with a certificate from your last university stating that English was the medium of instruction; you must then submit an official score within six months of admission
- Strong academic record in a science or engineering field
Documents:
- Online application form
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Statement of purpose or study plan
- Recommendation letters
- English test score or exemption proof
- Passport copy
Application steps:
- Choose your department and programme: master's, PhD or integrated MS–PhD
- Contact a potential supervisor in your field before you apply
- The Spring 2027 round is closed; the next round is Fall 2027, open from 9 March (10:00) to 8 April 2027 (17:00 Korea time)
- Complete the online application and pay the application fee before the round closes (the application is not valid until the fee is paid)
- Fall 2027 results are announced on 4 June 2027, and the enrolment deadline is 5 July 2027
- Confirm the exact document list and allowance amounts in the official admission guide
How applications are assessed:
- The GIST Admissions Committee reviews each application
- GIST or the department you applied to may contact you for an interview if needed
Duration: 2 years (master's) or about 4 years (PhD). Open to: All nationalities (Korean dual citizens cannot use the international track). Go to the GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea page.
Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea
More eligibility rules:
- English or Korean proficiency
Documents:
- Online application
- Study plan
- Transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Language test results
Application steps:
- Apply to an SNU graduate programme in the international admission round
- Indicate your scholarship application
- Results are sent with admission
Duration: 2 years (master's). Open to: Non-Korean citizens. Go to the Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea page.
Global Korea Scholarship
More eligibility rules:
- Graduated, or graduating, from high school by 31 December 2026
- Grades of at least 80 out of 100, or in the top 20 percent, or a CGPA of 2.64 out of 4.0
- In good health
- Not eligible: graduates of Korean high schools and previous holders of a Korean government degree scholarship
Documents:
- Application forms 1 to 7: application, personal statement, study plan, one recommendation letter, applicant agreement, medical assessment and consent form (required)
- Proof of citizenship and of family relationship (required)
- High school graduation certificate, or expected graduation certificate (required)
- High school transcript (required)
- TOPIK or English test score (optional)
- Up to 5 award certificates (optional)
- Passport copy (optional)
- Certificates need an apostille or consular confirmation for the second round
Application steps:
- Watch your Korean embassy's website from September
- Prepare apostilled documents early
- Submit through the embassy or a participating university
- Complete the selection rounds
How applications are assessed:
- First round: the Korean embassy or the university screens documents and interviews shortlisted applicants
- Second round: NIIED evaluates the applicants who passed the first round
- Third round (embassy track): the universities you chose review your application
- NIIED announces the final results
Duration: 4 years plus 1 year of Korean language. Open to: Citizens of GKS partner countries (no Korean citizenship). Go to the Global Korea Scholarship page.
Scholarships in South Korea by study level
- Bachelor’s: Global Korea Scholarship.
- Master’s: Global Korea Scholarship, KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students, GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea, Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea.
- PhD: Global Korea Scholarship, KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students, GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea.
Application timeline
Plan your applications in deadline order:
- Expected 15 March 2027: Global Korea Scholarship
- Expected 31 March 2027: KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students
- 8 April 2027: GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea
- Expected 15 April 2027: Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea
- Expected 30 September 2027: Global Korea Scholarship
What the scholarships in South Korea ask you to submit
Across the 5 scholarships in South Korea on this page, this is how many ask for each document:
- Motivation letter, personal statement, essay or study plan: 5 of 5 (guide: statement of purpose guide and motivation letter template)
- Recommendation or reference letters: 5 of 5 (guide: how to get strong recommendation letters)
- Language test score or certificate: 5 of 5 (guide: IELTS or TOEFL: which to choose)
- Transcripts or degree certificates: 5 of 5
3 of them mention an interview in their selection process: Global Korea Scholarship, GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea, Global Korea Scholarship. Our scholarship interview tips cover how to prepare.
Frequently asked questions
Which scholarships in South Korea are fully funded?
Among the scholarships we list: Global Korea Scholarship, KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students, GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea, Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea, Global Korea Scholarship.
Which deadline comes first?
Global Korea Scholarship, expected around 15 March 2027.
See every active scholarship for this country on the scholarships page, and read how to find fully funded scholarships for more options.
Live list: every scholarship we currently cover here
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Korea Scholarship | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 15 Mar 2027 (expected) |
| KAIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea for International Master’s & PhD Students | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 31 Mar 2027 (expected) |
| GIST Scholarship 2027 in South Korea | Fully funded | Student allowance of 140,000 KRW a month (master's) or 295,000 KRW a month (PhD), plus a research assistantship that averaged 6,400,000 KRW a year (master's) and 13,740,000 KRW a year (PhD) in 2022 | 8 Apr 2027 |
| Seoul National University Global Scholarships 2027 in South Korea | Fully funded | See the scholarship page | 15 Apr 2027 (expected) |
| Global Korea Scholarship | Fully funded | All-inclusive allowance: 13,560,000 KRW a year (language year) and 14,400,000 KRW a year (degree) | 30 Sep 2027 (expected) |
This table updates itself whenever a scholarship is added or changed, so it can include newer entries than the sections above. See all scholarships.
