The KGSP Scholarship (KGSP) which is also known as Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for 2025 is now open for applications. It lets international students study in South Korea with full financial help. The Korean government wants to bring 1820 talented students from all over the world to top Korean universities for graduate degrees in 2025. The Korean Government Scholarship Program pays for tuition fees, airfare, living expenses, health insurance and research support. You can apply through either the Embassy Track or University Track.
Key Points:
- Full help for students
- They want 1820 students in 2025
- Pays for tuition, airfare, living costs, health insurance, and research
- Application tracks: Embassy Track and University Track
Fully Funded KGSP Scholarship Summary
| Study In | South Korea |
| Scholarship Available For | International Applicants |
| Degree Level | Undergraduate and Graduate |
| Provided By | Korean Government |
| Last Apply Date | 29 February 2025 |
Duration for the KGSP 2025 Scholarship
- Master’s Degree: 3 years total, including 1 year diving into Korean language and 2 years dedicated to coursework.
- Doctoral Degree: 4 years in total, with 1 year to master Korean and 3 years for intense studying.
- Research Program: Flexible, with options of either 6 months or 1 year.
- Global Network Program: Complete your Master’s degree in just 2 years.
KGSP Scholarship 2025 Benefits
- Tuition fees
- Airfare
- Monthly stipend
- Korean language training
- Health insurance
- Research support
- Settlement allowance
- Completion grant
KGSP Scholarship 2025 Graduate Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) or (GKS) 2025 for graduate studies, you need to meet these criteria:
- Must be a citizen of a country invited by NIIED to participate in the KGSP program.
- Education Level:
- Finished the needed degree by the deadline, or
- Expect to complete on July 31, 2025. If yes, submit a certificate of expected graduation and grades. Please submit final papers to the GKS Center at NIIED by July 31, 2025.
- Academic Requirements:
- Must have a minimum 80% GPA or higher
- Or must be in the top 20% of your class.
- Minimum CGPA needed:
- 2.64/4.0
- 2.80/4.3
- 2.91/4.5
- 3.23/5.0
- Age:
- younger than 40 (born after September 1, 1985).
- For academic instructors from ODA nations who are younger than 45 and were born after September 1, 1980.
- Health:
- In good physical and mental health for the whole scholarship time.
Important Points for KGSP 2025
Korean Language Requirement: Most scholars must go through the Korean language program.
Exemptions:
- Scholars in the Research Program and Global Network Program
- Academic professors teaching fully in English
- Achieving TOPIK Level 5 or 6
- Completing the IRTS Korean Language Program with TOPIK/TOPIK IBT Level 3 or higher
Early Degree Start: Scholars who hit TOPIK Level 5 or 6 within the first 6 months of language training can skip the rest and begin their degree in March 2026 instead of September 2026.
KGSP 2025 Available Fields of Study and Universities
Available Study Fields
- All academic fields are offered by (GKS) KGSP participating universities.
Exclusions
- Evening (night school) programs
- Short-term programs
- Online and distant-learning programs
Application Details
- Applicants can only apply to universities and departments listed in the ‘University Information’ file attached under the (GKS) KGSP Notice post.
Available Universities by Type
Available Universities by Application Track
KGSP 2025 University Track Quota
General Track:
- 150 scholars from 55 different countries or regions.
R-GKS Track:
- 465 scholars from 56 countries or regions.
Research Track:
- 5 scholars from 157 countries or regions.
- Applications are available from 157 inviting countries and regions for both embassy and university tracks.
R&D Track:
- 300 scholars from all around the globe.
Global Network Track:
- 80 scholars from countries worldwide.
KGSP 2025 Programs and Universities
| Program | Duration |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1 year of Korean language + 2 years degree |
| Doctoral Degree | 1 year of Korean language + 3 years degree |
| Research | 6 months or 1 year |
(KGSP) GKS Scholarship 2025 Quota
Embassy Track
The Global Korea Scholarship 2025 has two ways to apply: Embassy Track and University Track. You can only apply through one. Each way has its own number of spots and deadlines listed below.
- Quota: Changes for each country or embassy
- Deadline: Set by each embassy
University Track
- Quota: Changes for each university
- Deadline: Set by each university
Overseas Korean Quota:
- 11 scholars hailing from 7 different countries or regions
IRTS Quota:
- 40 scholars from Ukraine, including 1 Overseas Korean in the Embassy Track.
Documents Required for KGSP Scholarship 2025 Graduate
Below is the list of documents applicants need to submit for Master’s, Doctoral, and Research programs.
KGSP 2025 Application Tracks
| Track | Category | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| Embassy Track | Total | 720 |
| General | 669 | |
| Overseas Korean | 11 | |
| IRTS* | 40 | |
| University Track | Total | 1,100 |
| A. General | General | 150 |
| R-GKS | 465 | |
| Research | 5 | |
| B. Specialization | R&D | 300 |
| Global Network | 80 | |
| C. International Organization | International Organization | 100 |
*IRTS: International R&D Talent Support
KGSP (GKS) 2025 Selection Procedure
KGSP Scholarship (GKS) 2025 Selection Timeline
Application Guidelines Announcement (NIIED)
- Guidelines available on the Study in Korea website. (www.studyinkorea.go.kr)
1st Round Selection Schedule Announcement (Embassies, Universities)
- Each embassy or university will announce their plan and schedule.
Application Submission (Embassies, Universities)
- Deadlines set by each place. Check their websites.
1st Round Selection Results (Embassies, Universities)
- Embassy results by March 21
- University results set by each one
Recommend Candidates to NIIED (Embassies, Universities to NIIED)
- Embassy Track: Send to NIIED by April 1
- University Track: Send to NIIED by May 1
2nd Round Selection (NIIED)
- Announce successful candidates on Study in Korea website
- Embassy Track: Early May
- University Track: Early June
3rd Round Selection (Universities)
- Embassy Track applicants reviewed by three universities they applied to
- Results by June 5
Notify Choice of University (Candidates to NIIED)
- Embassy Track candidates email their final choice of university to NIIED
- Deadline by June 13
Final Announcement of 2025 GKS-G Scholars (NIIED)
- Final candidates announced on Study in Korea website
- Expected late June
- NIIED tells embassies and universities
Extra Points for KGSP Scholarship (GKS) 2025 Graduate
If you have TOPIK level 3 or higher, you will get extra points. This will be 10 percent of the total points you can earn.
If you are a direct descendant of a Korean War veteran who served as a foreign military, you will get extra points. This will be 5 percent of the total points you can earn.
Extra Points for Korean/English Language Proficiency
Applicants will get extra points for knowing Korean and English
- Korean: Points given based on valid TOPIK certificate and level
- English: Points given based on valid English test scores (like TOEFL, IELTS)
GPA Conversion Table – GKS Scholarship
Convert your CGPA to a 100-point scale using the table below. Be sure to enter the correct score on your application form.
Check the official notice on the Study in Korea website. Just follow these steps:
- Go to www.studyinkorea.go.kr,
- Find KGSP/GKS-Scholarship, then click on GKS Notice.
- For more information, download the GKS Scholarship 2025 Application Guidelines below