GKS Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 – Fully Funded Korea Scholarship

Job Description

GKS Undergraduate Scholarship-Study in South Korea

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) has officially opened the 2027 Undergraduate Scholarship Program for international students who wish to pursue an Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in South Korea. The scholarship is offered by the Government of the Republic of Korea through the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and provides international students with the opportunity to study at participating Korean universities.

For applicants from Afghanistan, the 2027 Embassy Track allocation includes two places: one General Track place and one R-GKS place.

Quick Details of GKS Undergraduate Scholarship 2027

What Is the GKS Undergraduate Scholarship?

• The Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U) is a Korean government scholarship designed to provide international students with opportunities to study at Korean higher education institutions.
• The 2027 program covers both Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree programs.
• The scholarship is designed to promote international educational exchange and strengthen relationships between South Korea and participating countries.

What Does the GKS Scholarship Cover?

• GKS is a fully funded scholarship program and provides several types of financial support to selected students.

1. Korean Language Training

• Selected undergraduate scholars generally begin their scholarship with one year of Korean language training before starting their degree program.

2. Tuition Fees

• The scholarship provides support for the tuition fees of the degree program according to the GKS guidelines.

3. Airfare

• Selected scholars receive support for airfare according to the applicable scholarship regulations.

4. Monthly Allowance

• GKS provides a monthly allowance to support scholars during their studies.

5. Medical Insurance

• The scholarship also provides medical insurance support during the scholarship period.

6. Other Scholarship Benefits

• Depending on the applicable GKS regulations, scholars may also receive settlement support and a degree completion grant.
• The official Study in Korea scholarship information confirms airfare, Korean language training fees, tuition and monthly allowances as major GKS benefits.

GKS Undergraduate Study Duration

• The duration depends on the degree selected.

Bachelor’s Degree

The standard scholarship structure is:

• 1 year Korean language training + 4 years Bachelor’s degree
• Some undergraduate programs may have a longer duration depending on the field and university. The official GKS information lists Bachelor’s programs as 4–6 years, including the Korean language training period.

Associate Degree

• For Associate Degree programs, the degree period is generally 2–3 years, in addition to the one-year Korean language training period.

Eligibility Requirements for GKS 2027

• Applicants must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified in the official 2027 GKS-U guidelines.

1. Nationality

• The applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Applicants who hold Korean citizenship are not eligible under the standard GKS-U requirements.

2. Age Requirement

Applicants must be under 25 years of age as of March 1, 2027.

3. Educational Qualification

For the Bachelor’s Degree program, applicants must have completed or be expected to complete:

• High school, or
• An Associate Degree

Applicants for an Associate Degree generally need to have completed or be expected to complete high school.

4. Academic Performance

Applicants must meet the academic performance requirement.

The official GKS information indicates that applicants may qualify through criteria such as:

• A cumulative score of 80% or higher
• Ranking within the top 20% of their class
• Meeting the applicable CGPA requirement

Applicants should carefully check the 2027 guidelines for the exact method applicable to their grading system.

GKS 2027 Application Tracks

There are two main ways to apply for the GKS Undergraduate program.

Embassy Track

• Under the Embassy Track, applicants apply through the Korean diplomatic mission designated for their country.
• For the 2027 cycle, the application is submitted online through the Study in Korea website.

Applicants may apply under programs such as:

• General Track
• R-GKS Track
• Overseas Koreans & Adoptees Track, where applicable

The official GKS information lists 88 General, 61 R-GKS, and 7 Overseas Koreans & Adoptees places under the 2027 Embassy Track, for a total of 156 places.

University Track

Under the University Track, applicants apply directly to a participating GKS university.

The 2027 program includes:

• UIC: 100 places
• Associate Degree: 30 places

for a total of 130 University Track places.

GKS 2027 for Afghan Students

Afghanistan is included among the countries participating in the 2027 GKS Undergraduate Embassy Track.

For Afghanistan, the 2027 allocation is:

This means Afghan applicants have two Embassy Track places allocated for the 2027 GKS-U cycle.

The 2027 guideline identifies the Embassy of the Republic of Korea as the relevant office for Afghanistan, with the contact information listed in the official guideline.

GKS 2027 Application Deadline

For the Embassy Track, the online application period is:

• September 15, 2026 – September 30, 2026

The system closes at:

• 6:00 PM Korea Standard Time (KST)

Applicants should submit their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours. The exact first-round procedures can vary by country.

For the University Track, there is no single deadline for all universities. Each participating university sets its own application schedule within the GKS framework. Applicants must therefore check the individual university’s instructions and deadline.

GKS 2027 Selection Schedule

The general Embassy Track schedule is as follows:

The schedule is based on the 2027 GKS-U guidelines and may be subject to changes by NIIED or the relevant selection institution.

Required Documents

Applicants should carefully prepare the documents required in the official 2027 GKS-U application guidelines.

Depending on the application route and individual circumstances, documents may include:

• GKS application form
• Personal statement
• Study plan
• Recommendation letter
• Proof of citizenship
• Proof of parents’ citizenship
• Family relationship documents
• High school graduation certificate
• High school academic transcripts
• Associate Degree certificate, if applicable
• Academic records
• Awards or certificates, if applicable
• Passport or identification documents
• Other documents required by the selected university

The online application system specifically requires documents such as recommender information, proof of citizenship and family relationship, high school graduation documentation and academic transcripts.

Applicants who pass the first round may be required to submit original or certified documents according to the instructions of the relevant first-round selection institution.

Do You Need IELTS or TOPIK?

• A language certificate should not automatically be assumed to be mandatory for every GKS-U applicant.
• The GKS application system includes information related to foreign-language proficiency, but requirements can depend on the applicant and program.
• Applicants should carefully read the 2027 GKS-U guidelines and the requirements of their selected university before deciding which language documents to submit.

How to Apply for GKS Undergraduate 2027

Embassy Track

1. Visit the official Study in Korea website.
2. Create an account and access the GKS application system.
3. Check the eligibility requirements.
4. Select the appropriate GKS program.
5. Complete the online application form.
6. Upload the required documents.
7. Select eligible universities according to the rules of your track.
8. Review all information carefully.
9. Submit the application before the deadline.
10. Follow the instructions of the relevant Korean Embassy for the next selection stage.

The official Study in Korea system provides online application access for the Embassy Track.

University Track

1. Check the 2027 GKS-U participating universities.
2. Select an eligible university and program.
3. Review the university’s application requirements.
4. Prepare the required documents.
5. Submit the application directly to the university.
6. Follow the university’s selection process.
7. How Many Universities Can You Choose?

Under the General Embassy Track, applicants may generally select up to three universities, with at least one selected university from the Type B list.

For the R-GKS Track, applicants may select up to two Type B universities.

Applicants should carefully follow the university-selection rules in the 2027 guidelines because selecting universities incorrectly can affect the application.

Important Note for Afghan Applicants

Afghan applicants should pay particular attention to the first-round selection instructions and document submission requirements. The 2027 GKS-U guideline lists the Korean Embassy responsible for Afghanistan and provides its contact information. Applicants should use the official guideline and embassy instructions rather than relying on older GKS announcements. Because the Afghanistan Embassy Track has only two allocated places for 2027, applicants should make sure their application and supporting documents are complete and accurately prepared.

The Korean government has published the official 2027 GKS Undergraduate Application Guidelines and university information files on Study in Korea.

• Official Scholarship Page
• 2027 GKS-U Official Announcement
• GKS Application System

Applicants should always read the official 2027 guidelines before submitting an application.

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