(GKS-U) 2026 Global Korea Scholarship | Apply Offline

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), also known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP), is one of the most prestigious and fully funded opportunities for international students who dream of studying in South Korea. For the 2026 intake, the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) has officially announced the application guidelines for undergraduate programs.

Applicants must apply offline. Send hard-copy forms and certified documents to either the Korean Embassy in your country (you can list up to 3 universities, with at least one Type B) or one Korean university (one department only). Apply now for the GKS scholarship 2026 program.

Key Note: The GKS 2026 application is offline only. You must submit documents either to a Korean Embassy or to a university in Korea. NIIED does not accept direct applications.

Key Points

• Two tracks: Embassy or University. No direct submission to NIIED.
• Embassy deadline: Oct 17, 2025. University deadline: Oct 31, 2025.
• Embassy 1st-round results: Oct 27, 2025. University 1st-round: Nov 21, 2025.
• Embassy docs reach NIIED by Nov 10, 2025; University docs by Nov 28, 2025.
• Embassy 3rd-round result Dec 26, 2025. Final list posted Jan 9, 2026.
• All forms for NIIED rounds must be signed in English or Korean. Follow apostille/consular rules for certificates.

1) What is GKS?

Goal of the program
‣ Bring top international students to Korea for degree study.
‣ Support exchange and friendship between Korea and partner countries.

2) Study Programs Offered Under GKS 2026

Degree lengths

• Associate degree: 1 year Korean language + 2–3 years degree.
• Bachelor’s degree: 1 year Korean language + 4–6 years degree.

Fields of study

• All majors listed by GKS universities are allowed.
• Evening programs, short-term programs, online or distance programs are not allowed.
• Apply only to universities and departments listed in NIIED’s “University Information” post.

Tracks and quotas (overview)

• Embassy Track total 150 scholars across 71 countries (General, Overseas Koreans, R-GKS).
• University Track: Associate (30 scholars) + UIC Program (100 scholars, open to all countries).

Embassy Track university choice rule

• You can choose up to 3 universities.
• At least one must be Type B.
• R-GKS can choose up to 2 universities from Type B.

3) Eligibility Requirements for GKS 2026

Nationality

• Must be from a NIIED-invited country.
• Dual citizens (Korean + other) cannot apply.
• If you or parents had Korean citizenship, submit proof of renunciation.
• Change of citizenship during selection may cause exclusion (not for UIC).

Education level

• Bachelor’s: high school graduate or expected to graduate.
• Associate: high school graduate or expected to graduate.
• Holders of bachelor’s cannot apply.
• If “expected to graduate” by Dec 31, 2025, submit expected certificate now and final certificate + transcript by that date.

Grades (GPA)

• Either ≥80% (100-point scale) or within top 20% of class, or
• CGPA ≥ 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, 3.23/5.0.
• If your transcript does not show CGPA in approved scales, submit official grading system info or an authenticated conversion.

Age

• Under 25 (born after March 1, 2001).

Health

Restrictions fro Applicants

• Graduates (or expected graduates) of Korean high schools or Korean associate degree programs cannot apply.
• Not for graduates of online curricula by Korean institutions.
• Not for former holders of Korean government degree scholarships or those whose GKS scholarship was canceled.
• Duplicate applying across tracks or multiple universities is not allowed.

Extra University Requirements

• Some departments require higher TOPIK (e.g., level 4).
• Check each department’s intake semester rules.

4) How to Apply for GKS 2026 (Offline Mode)

No direct submission to NIIED. You submit to embassy or university only.

Embassy Track — how it flows

• Submit full set to Embassy by Oct 17, 2025.
• Embassy runs 1st round and recommends candidates to NIIED.
• NIIED conducts 2nd and 3rd rounds for Embassy candidates.
• You pick final university after 3rd-round pass.

University Track — how it flows

• Apply to one university and one department only, by Oct 31, 2025.
• University runs 1st round and recommends to NIIED.
• NIIED/University conduct 2nd round.
• Final list published by NIIED.

5) GKS scholarship 2026 Undergraduate Deadline

At a glance (Embassy Track)

• Deadline: Oct 17, 2025
• 1st-round result: Oct 27, 2025
• Docs reach NIIED: Nov 10, 2025
• 2nd-round result: within Nov 2025
• 3rd-round result: Dec 26, 2025
• Final announcement (GKS-U list): Jan 9, 2026
• Embassy-track passers must email final university choice by Jan 2, 2026.

At a glance (University Track)

• Deadline: Oct 31, 2025
• 1st-round result: Nov 21, 2025
• Docs reach NIIED: Nov 28, 2025
• 2nd-round result: mid-Dec 2025
• Final announcement: Jan 9, 2026.

6) Required Documents for GKS 2026 Application

GKS Application Forms (1 to 6)

• (Form 1) Application Form
• (Form 2) Personal Statement
• (Form 3) Study Plan
• (Form 4) Recommender’s Info + sealed Recommendation Letter
• (Form 5) GKS Applicant Agreement
• (Form 6) Personal Medical Assessment

Certificates and Proof Documents

• Proof of citizenship (you and your parents) + proof of family relationship
• High school graduation certificate (or expected graduation)
• High school transcript
• (If relevant) Associate degree certificate + transcript
• (If relevant) Overseas Korean / Renunciation of Korean citizenship / War veteran descendant
• Optional: TOPIK or English test score, awards, passport copy.

Language and signatures

• Forms for the NIIED rounds must be in English or Korean, with your own signature.
• These forms do not need apostille/consular confirmation.

Apostille / Consular confirmation (certificates)

• Documents in English or Korean: apostille or consular confirmation.
• Other languages: attach certified translation, and get apostille/consular on the original or on the translation.

How many copies?

• Embassy Track (General, Overseas Koreans) to NIIED: 1 original + 3 simple photocopies.
• Embassy Track (R-GKS) to NIIED: 1 original + 2 photocopies.
• University Track to NIIED: 1 original.

First-round vs later rounds

• First-round (embassy/university) submission rules and number of sets can differ by institution.
• But anything sent to NIIED in later rounds must follow NIIED rules above.

Packaging and format

• Follow the “Application Checklist” order; put it as front cover of each set.
• Number and label each document at the top right.
• Your English name must match your passport.
• Use A4 or Letter size. If smaller, attach to A4. If larger, fold to A4.

Important handling notes

• NIIED will not return application documents. They keep originals for 5+ years.
• Online-issued certificates must also be apostilled / consular confirmed.
• Certified true copies issued by a Korean embassy or relevant government agency are accepted; simple photocopies of apostilled docs are not.
• Docs with authentication validity may be judged by date on the authentication.

7) Selection Process for GKS 2026 (All Rounds)

Embassy Track
‣ General / Overseas Koreans: up to 3 different universities. At least 1 Type B.
‣ R-GKS: up to 2 universities from Type B.
‣ Do not list three departments from one university.
‣ If you pick only highly competitive universities, you may pass 2nd round but fail all final admissions. Choose wisely.

University Track
‣ Fill one university and one department only.

8) Evaluation and extra points

What evaluators check
‣ Competency: documents and oral interview.
‣ Qualification: citizenship, education level, grades.

Bonus points
‣ TOPIK level 3+: extra 10%.
‣ Science and engineering: extra 5%.
‣ Direct descendants of Korean War veterans: extra 5%.

Language score table (recognition window 2 years)
‣ TOPIK (Level 1–6), TOEFL iBT, IELTS bands used for scoring. Only your highest score counts. If no test, your personal statement and study plan get reviewed more.

9) Final results and next steps

Embassy Track
‣ 3rd-round result on Dec 26, 2025.
‣ If you pass, email your final university choice to NIIED by Jan 2, 2026.
‣ You cannot change the university after final admission.
‣ NIIED places TOPIK 5–6 holders directly into degree programs; others go to a language program first.

All Tracks
‣ Final list of 2026 GKS-U Scholars on Jan 9, 2026 at Study in Korea. Monitor official notices.

10) GKS 2026 Scholarship Benefits and Allowances

Here are critical benefit notes stated in the guideline (read them before travel):

• Entry airfare is not provided if you are already in Korea at final announcement.
• No domestic travel fees and no international travel insurance are covered for the trip.
• If you withdraw within the first 3 months after enrollment, you must return all paid amounts.

11) Offical Details & Link

‣ GKS Center, NIIED — gksniied@korea.kr.
‣ Address: GKS Center, NIIED, 191 Jeongjail-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13557, Republic of Korea.

visit the GKS official website for latest announcement and details: https://www.mofa.go.kr/kh-en/brd/m_25856/view.do?seq=71