On the embassy track you submit through the Korean Embassy in Dhaka following its notice; on the university track you apply directly to your chosen Korean university. The undergraduate and graduate windows open at different times of year. Message us on WhatsApp to work out which track suits your profile.
South Korea · Fully funded
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
Formerly KGSP. Full funding at both undergraduate and graduate level, opening with a year of language training so that you settle into Korean life before the degree itself begins.
- ₩1.38m
- Graduate monthly stipend
- 1 yr
- Korean language training
- 100%
- Tuition covered
- Top 20%
- Academic requirement
Overview
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), previously known as KGSP, is Korea’s flagship international scholarship. At both undergraduate (GKS-U) and graduate (GKS-G) level it covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, return economy airfare, medical insurance and a year of Korean language training.
There are two tracks. The embassy track runs through the Korean Embassy in Dhaka against a country quota; the university track goes straight to a Korean university. The embassy track lets you name up to three universities, the university track only one — and you cannot use both tracks in the same year.
What the scholarship covers
- 100% of tuition for the whole degree, up to ₩5,000,000 per semester
- A monthly stipend of ₩900,000 for undergraduates and ₩1,380,000 for graduate scholars during the degree
- A fully funded one-year Korean language programme before the degree starts
- Return economy airfare and medical insurance
- An additional proficiency grant for reaching TOPIK level 5 or 6
Eligibility
- The applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship
- Age limits — under 25 as of 1 March of the entry year for undergraduates, under 40 as of 1 September for graduates
- An academic record in the top 20% of your class — roughly 80%, or 2.64 on a 4.0 scale
- A completed bachelor’s for master’s entry, and a completed master’s for PhD entry
How to apply
The step-by-step application process for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).
01.Choose your track
Three universities on the embassy track, one on the university track — never both in a year.
02.Documents and apostille
Authenticating transcripts and certificates takes time — this is the usual bottleneck.
03.Personal statement and study plan
Why Korea and why this subject — both documents are scored separately.
04.Selection and NIIED final approval
First-round selection sits with the embassy or university; NIIED makes the final call.
Application cycles
Each cycle has its own page with that round’s dates, figures and changes — kept in step with the official notice.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — GKS is built around a year of language training before the degree begins, and that year is part of the award. You will normally need to reach a specified TOPIK level to progress into the degree itself.
Want help winning the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)?
Our counsellors help with course selection, essays and the application. Message us on WhatsApp for free guidance.