South Korea Scholarships for International Students 2027

The cost of living in Korea is quite high. KAIST has tuition fees of 9,559,000 won for most of its graduate courses. There are also visa requirements asking you to have USD 16,000 in your bank account. Plus, you need to pay for rent and food!

There are two major deadlines that have already passed. One KAIST deadline is in four days. The Korean government graduate deadline has no set date.

I checked these dates in November 2026. However, they can change, so make sure to double-check the dates on the official website.

Typically, What Is Covered by a ‘Fully Funded’ Scholarship?

Tuition Fees: Both the Korean government GKS awards and the KAIST scholarship fully cover tuition.

Stipend: GKS undergraduates receive 1,200,000 won per month. Undergraduates at KAIST receive 350,000 won.

Airfare: GKS provides one economy return ticket.

Language Classes: GKS provides one year of Korean language training.

However, many scholarships in South Korea are partially funded. The KAIST undergraduate funding is low, so you should plan for this.

Scholarship Dates

KAIST International Undergraduate Admission and KAIST Scholarship – Regular: 10th November 2026 – 14th January 2027, 6:00 p.m. KST.

Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (GKS-G): No date set for 2027. The last round was 12th–25th February 2026.

Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U): Closed. The notice from the embassy stated 15th–30th September 2026.

KAIST International Graduate Admission and KAIST Scholarship: Closed. Applications for Spring 2027 closed on 1st September 2026.

Seoul National University Overseas Koreans Scholarship: Closed. Previous deadlines have been around one month in February/March.

Open/Closing Soon

1. KAIST International Undergraduate Admission and KAIST Scholarship

Undergraduate scholarship at KAIST.

Application Deadline: The regular round is from 10th November 2026 to 14th January 2027, 6:00 p.m. KST. References need to be submitted by 21st January 2027. Results will be released on 25th March 2027. Classes begin at the end of August 2027.

Funding: Fully funded tuition for eight semesters, with 350,000 won per month for living expenses. This means you will still have to pay for accommodation and food.

Notes: Make sure to tick the KAIST scholarship option in the financial resources section. You must maintain a GPA above 2.7/4.3 throughout your first year. The Early Admissions round closed on 22nd October 2026. Once you have paid your application fee, you cannot change rounds. Eligibility criteria were not listed on the KAIST website, so make sure to check the official page.

2. Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees (GKS-G)

Master’s and PhD scholarship from the Korean government.

Application Deadline: No date given for 2027. In 2026, it was 12th–25th February 2026 at one embassy. So, it will likely be in early 2027. Dates vary depending on the embassy.

Funding: From the pages available, there was no stipend, tuition, or airfare information listed for graduate students. Undergraduates receive fully funded tuition. Make sure to check the official page for graduate funding.

Notes: Apply via the Korean embassy or a Korean university. One embassy had only five spots. Shortlisted candidates will have to attend an interview with the embassy. Age and grade restrictions were not listed, so make sure to check the official page.

Closed for 2027, Plan for Next Year

3. Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U)

Four-year undergraduate scholarship from the Korean government.

Application Deadline: Closed. The notice from the embassy stated 15th–30th September 2026. Different dates apply depending on the country. Check the official page. SNU says applications are open every September.

Funding: Fully funded tuition for eight semesters, 1,200,000 won per month, one economy flight, and one year of Korean language training. The monthly stipend is for living expenses, books, insurance, and TOPIK.

Notes: You must achieve TOPIK Level 3 during the language year. Initial selection is made by the embassy. Final winners are chosen by NIIED. Criteria can change, so make sure to check the NIIED and Study in Korea pages.

4. KAIST International Graduate Admission and KAIST Scholarship

Master’s and PhD scholarship at KAIST.

Application Deadline: Closed for Spring 2027. Applications were open from 18th August to 1st September 2026. Results will be released on 18th December 2026. No dates are listed for Fall 2027. Check the official page.

Funding: Fully funded tuition for four semesters (master’s), eight semesters (PhD), or ten semesters (integrated programme). The stipend depends on the department and advisor. Health insurance is covered. There is another level of KGPS scholarship that fully funds tuition and provides 1,000,000 won per month. Only top applicants receive this.

Notes: You must have your degree by the end of February 2027. You cannot be a Korean citizen. Dual citizens cannot apply. Your parents’ citizenship and where you studied determine your eligibility. Read the official criteria. Your English test must be from 1st September 2024 onwards. You can only apply once per term.

5. Seoul National University Overseas Koreans Scholarship

Undergraduate scholarship for overseas Koreans at SNU.

Application Deadline: Closed. SNU says applications are open once a year for around one month in February/March. It will likely be in early 2027. SNU Spring undergraduate admissions closed from 6th–9th July 2026.

Funding: Up to eight semesters of tuition if conditions are met (not listed on the page), 900,000 won per month, one economy flight, six months of language fees, and private health insurance.

Notes: The page has not been updated since 2018. Check the official page. You must be an Overseas Korean. Apply via the Korean embassy and the Overseas Koreans Foundation. Funding packages can change.

Choosing the Right Scholarship for You

Check If It Fits Your Profile

Check if it fits your education level. GKS-U and the SNU scholarship are for undergraduates only. KAIST Graduate and GKS-G are for master’s and PhD students.

Check if it fits your language requirements. GKS undergraduates must pass TOPIK Level 3.

Check if it fits your grades. KAIST undergraduates must have a GPA of 2.7.

Check If It Fits Your Country

GKS applications must be submitted via your own Korean embassy. Dates and quotas will vary depending on your country.

KAIST Graduate eligibility will depend on your parents’ citizenship and where you studied.

Overseas Korean scholarships require proof of Korean background.

Check Deadlines

The KAIST Regular deadline is 14th January 2027, 6:00 p.m. KST. No late applications are accepted.

References are due one week later. Ask your teachers now!

GKS deadlines are short (around two weeks).

3 Common Mistakes

1. Relying on Old Guides

Many guides will have the same GKS dates as last year. Check the embassy page.

2. Ignoring Language Requirements

GKS provides one year of Korean language training, but you must pass TOPIK Level 3. If you fail, you will lose your place.

3. Underestimating the Low Stipend

KAIST undergraduates only receive 350,000 won per month. This is not fully funded, so plan how you will fund the rest.

Conclusion

The closest deadline is the KAIST Regular undergraduate application. Apply between 10th November 2026 and 14th January 2027, 6:00 p.m. KST. GKS-G has no date. KAIST Graduate has no date. Ask one teacher to write your KAIST reference tomorrow. Tell them it needs to be submitted by 21st January.