GKS Scholarship 2025 for Indian Students to Study in South Korea

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully funded program by the South Korean government to help international students pursue undergraduate or graduate studies at Korean universities.

It is run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and aims to improve Korea's relationships with other countries through sharing culture and working together in education.

Here are the key details about the GKS Scholarship that one should know:

• Programs Covered: It offers opportunities for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at designated Korean universities.
• Funding & Benefits: It covers tuition fees, living allowance, airfare, settlement allowance, medical insurance, and Korean language training.
• Korean Language Requirement: All recipients must complete a 1-year Korean language course unless they have a TOPIK level 5 or higher.
• Duration: For a bachelor’s degree, it is 5 to 7 years (including language training), and for an associate degree, it is 3 to 4 years (including language training).
• Scholarship Quota (2025 intake): Approximately 262 undergraduate and 1,080 graduate students from across the globe will receive awards.
• Purpose: It attracts global talent who can contribute academically and culturally to Korea while building long-term international relations.

Period of Scholarship

Sharing the noteworthy advantages of the K-scholarship, an exceptionally giving part of the GKS scholarship 2025 for the undergraduate programme, makes us very happy. The beneficiaries of this extensive scholarship are guaranteed complete coverage for a range of personal and educational expenditures. The following are the main benefits of the K-scholarship:

1. Airline Reimbursement

All travel costs are reimbursed, making travel to the Republic of Korea simple.

2. Settlement stipend

To help participants with their first transition to life in Korea, a one-time settlement stipend of 200,000 KRW is given.

3. Living Allowance

To facilitate their monthly expenditures, the recipients receive a monthly living allowance of up to 900,00 KRW.

4. Medical Insurance

All scholarship recipients are entitled to 20,00 KRW monthly for comprehensive medical insurance.

5. Full Tuition Support

The scholarship also covers tuition fees up to 5,000,0 KRW and gives the students financial freedom to accomplish their academic goals.

6. Research Grant

In the periods of intensive research, the students taking any research-oriented programme qualify for a grant of up to 240m KRW per semester.

7. Thesis Printing Coverage

To reduce the financial burden of this academic duty, a one-time coverage of up to 800,00 KRW is provided for thesis printing.

8. Completion payment

After the successful completion of the programme, scholars are paid a one-time payment amounting to KRW100,00.

Moreover, the students who are native Korean speakers also receive an additional approximately 100 thousand KRW award. This widespread support shows that K-scholarship is committed to creating a nurturing and enriching learning environment for its beneficiaries.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) 2025 has two main ways to apply: Embassy Track and University Track. Each has its own benefits and ways of choosing who gets the scholarship. It's important to know about both options to pick the right one for you. 

Here are the types of GKS Scholarship programs one should have complete information about:

Embassy Track

Applicants send their materials to the Korean embassy in their home country, where they are reviewed through a national competition. You can apply to up to three universities, but at least one must be a Type B university, giving you more choices in location. 

After the embassy selects candidates, applications go to NIIED for review and then to your chosen universities, completing the scholarship application process.

University Track

Applicants apply directly to one Korean university, making the process simpler. This track includes programs like UIC (University-Industry Cooperation), R-GKS (Regional Universities), and Associate Degree programs. Each of them is designed for different fields and interests. 

Once the university accepts you, your application is sent to NIIED for final approval, making the process easier but with fewer options.

GKS scholarship eligibility criteria rely on factors like age, nationality, academic record, and health. Let’s break down what you must meet exactly for GKS:

• Nationality: You must be a citizen of a country that NIIED invites to apply. 
• Academic Background: You must have finished high school or will graduate by your arrival in Korea. 
• No Prior GKS Degree: If you have already received a GKS degree scholarship, you cannot apply again. 
• Track Limitations: You must apply only via one track (Embassy or University) and one program. Applying to multiple results in disqualification. 
• Language Requirement: You need TOPIK level 3 to start your degree program. Some departments require level 4 or above. 
• CGPA/Grades: You must have either 80% or above on a 100-point scale, or a GPA equivalent to at least 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0. You can also qualify by being in the top 20% of your class. 
• Health: You must be physically and mentally healthy to study in Korea.

Note for Indian Students: You must hold an Indian passport and meet all the above criteria. No additional allowances are given for Indian applicants.

If one is determined to apply for prestigious Korean scholarships like UST, GKS, or KGSP, the first step is to prepare the required papers carefully. The necessary records consist of:

• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) form
• Personal Statement
• Research Proposal
• Study Plan
• Letter of Recommendation (2)
• Medical test Results
• Korean Citizenship Refutation proof (for previous Korean Citizens)
• TOPIK scores (optional)
• English Language Proficiency scores (optional)
• Letter of Motivation
• Applicant’s ID card or passport copy
• Applicant’s parents’ ID card or passport copy
• CV for Scholarships
• Copy of all the previous degrees and a high school diploma
• Transcripts of all prior degrees and a high school diploma

In the GKS Scholarship 2025 Undergraduate program, 367 students from around the world will be invited to pursue Associate and Bachelor’s degree programs. The selection process will include 87 students through the Embassy Track and 280 students through the University Track.

Check the full list in the following diagram:

For University Track

University Industry Cooperation (UIC) Program: 60 scholars

There are two ways to apply for for GKS scholarship. You can apply through either the Korean Embassy in your country or directly through a Korean university.

Option 1: Apply via Korean Embassy (Embassy Track)

1. Prepare Your Application: Collect all required documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statement, etc.).

2. Submit to Embassy: Send your complete application package to the Korean Embassy in your country.

3. Embassy Screening: The embassy will review your documents and shortlist eligible candidates.

4. Nomination: Selected applications are forwarded to the GKS Committee in Korea.

5. Final Selection: GKS Committee evaluates and announces the final list of scholarship recipients & results are shared with the embassy, who will then inform the applicants.

Option 2: Apply via Korean University (University Track)

1. Choose a University: Pick a Korean university that participates in the GKS program.

2. Prepare Your Documents: Gather and complete all required materials, just like in the embassy track.

3. Submit Directly: Send your application directly to the university (follow their specific guidelines).

4. University Review: The university evaluates applicants and sends its nominations to the GKS Committee.

5. Final Decision: The GKS Committee makes the final selections and notifies the university, who will inform you.

Choose the route (Embassy or University track) that best suits your strengths, preferences, and deadlines.

Can you Apply Through Both?

The simple answer is Yes, some students even apply through both tracks to increase their chances!

GKS Scholarship Application Form

Here is the application form for GKS Scholarship for Undergradutae:

You can fill and apply though here.

Embassy Track vs University Track

The Embassy Track allows you to apply via the Korean Embassy in your country, while the University Track lets you apply directly to a Korean university.

Here is the table for an overview of the key differences between the two types of GKS scholarship program:

You can study at several universities in South Korea under the GKS Scholarship for Undergraduates. 

Here is the table depicting the universities offering the GKS Scholarship for Undergraduates and their types in South Korea:

Please note: In the GKS Embassy Track, universities are classified as Type A or Type B. Type A means top-ranked and highly competitive universities, mostly in big cities like Seoul. Type B means universities that offer more variety in courses and locations, often outside Seoul. You must choose at least one Type B university when applying.

The application deadline for the GKS Scholarship 2025 undergraduate program has passed.

For the GKS Scholarship 2026, the undergraduate intake is expected to follow a similar timeline as previous years. Applications for undergraduate programs typically open in September 2025, while graduate program applications usually begin in February 2026.

Here’s an overview of the typical GKS Scholarship timeline:

Please note: The official dates will be published by the Korean Ministry of Education and NIIED on the Study in Korea portal and embassy websites.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) does not charge any application fee for submission through the embassy or university track. There may be some universities that may ask for a small admission or document review fee. It usually ranges between KRW 50,000 to KRW 150,000 (INR 3,000 to INR 9,200), depending on the course and institution. 

Applicants also need to cover costs for document notarisation, translation, and postage. Please check the table below for a better understanding:

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) uses a clear, multi-stage selection process for undergraduates. Let’s break it down into two parts: Selection Timeline and Evaluation Criteria: 

Selection Process

Here’s the official timeline for the GKS 2025 Undergraduate Scholarship as outlined by NIIED:

Evaluation Criteria

Here are the key criteria NIIED uses to evaluate applicants for GKS Scholarships: 

Undergraduate and graduate students across the globe have an incredible chance with the Global Korea Scholarships (GKS-U) for 2025. These scholarships are intended to promote academic achievement and international relations in Korea. Prospective candidates should carefully review the eligibility requirements and be ready to submit the necessary paperwork to Korean institutions directly or via the Korean Embassy.

Yocket, a reputable site for those studying abroad, could be a valuable resource for you for additional advice and support throughout the application process. Sign up for Yocket Premium for more information and assistance to help you on your path to earning several esteemed scholarships.