Is the Global Korea Scholarship Open to Indian and UAE-Based Applicants?
India is confirmed eligible, appearing explicitly as a named participating country across multiple official and program-affiliated sources, with its own dedicated country page and application track.
The UAE is not confirmed. GKS operates through a defined list of participating countries and regions, roughly 150 to 157 depending on the cycle, rather than being universally open to every country in the world. I could not confirm whether the UAE currently appears on that list. If you're a UAE national, check the current year's official participating countries list on the Study in Korea website, or contact the Korean Embassy in the UAE directly, before treating this as a confirmed option.
What Is the Global Korea Scholarship?
GKS exists to build educational exchange and long-term ties between South Korea and partner countries, funding study across all academic fields at Korean universities. Both the applicant and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship, and applicants must be under 40 years old at the time of application. The programme has two tracks with meaningfully different structures depending on your degree level: Master's programmes run three years total (one year of Korean language training plus two years of coursework), while doctoral programmes run four years total (one year of language training plus three years of study).
Who Is Eligible for the Global Korea Scholarship?
According to official NIIED and Study in Korea guidance:
- Citizenship: both the applicant and their parents must be non-Korean citizens, and hold citizenship of a participating country
- Age: under 40 years old at the time of application, with the exact cutoff date changing slightly each cycle
Academic qualification for Master's: a Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Academic qualification for Doctoral: a Master's degree or equivalent
Minimum GPA, varying by the grading scale your institution uses: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0
- Not a previous GKS recipient
Good physical and mental health, sufficient to complete the programme
For the Research Program track, an official invitation from a participating Korean university is required
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
All academic fields are offered across GKS participating universities, though applicants can only apply to the specific universities and departments listed in that cycle's official University Information document, not any Korean university broadly.
What Does the Global Korea Scholarship Cover?
- Round-trip economy class airfare to and from South Korea
- A one-time settlement allowance of approximately ₩200,000 (roughly $138) on arrival
- A monthly living allowance, approximately ₩900,000 (roughly $622) for Master's and doctoral students, or approximately ₩1,500,000 (roughly $1,038) for research programme students
- Full tuition fee coverage
- A research allowance per semester, approximately ₩210,000 for Liberal Arts and Social Science students, or ₩240,000 for Natural Science and Engineering students
One year of free Korean language training for Master's and doctoral students
Thesis printing fee reimbursement, up to ₩500,000 for Liberal Arts and Social Science majors, or up to ₩800,000 for Natural Science, Engineering, Arts, Music, and Sports majors
- Medical insurance coverage
How Do I Apply for the Global Korea Scholarship?
There are two application tracks, and you can only use one:
- Choose between the Embassy Track and the University Track. The Embassy Track means applying through the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your home country, and allows you to apply to multiple eligible universities within the allowed limit, generally considered the more competitive but flexible route. The University Track means applying directly to a single specific Korean university, suited to applicants who've already connected with a professor or have one clear target institution
- Gather your required documents, including your application form, personal statement, detailed study plan, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts and degree certificates (notarized and translated into English or Korean), and proof of citizenship for yourself and both parents
- **Submit your application online through the Study in Korea portal **(studyinkorea.go.kr) before your track's specific deadline. For the 2027 graduate cycle, Embassy Track applications have opened in mid-February with roughly a two-week window, though exact dates vary by embassy and university each year
- Progress through first-round selection, where the Korean Embassy or your chosen university reviews and scores your application, followed by an interview if shortlisted
- Receive your university placement if selected, then complete visa arrangements and prepare to arrive in South Korea for your language training program, typically beginning in September
Do I Need to Already Speak Korean?
Not at the time of application, TOPIK (the Test of Proficiency in Korean) isn't mandatory to apply, and the scholarship includes a full year of free language training. However, most scholars are required to reach a minimum TOPIK proficiency level within that year to proceed into their actual degree program, and scholars who reach TOPIK Level 5 or 6 within the first six months can skip ahead and start their degree early. Existing Korean or English proficiency can also earn extra points during the selection process itself.
FAQs About the Global Korea Scholarship
Are Indian citizens eligible for GKS?
Yes, confirmed. India is a named participating country with its own dedicated application resources.
Are UAE citizens eligible for GKS?
Unconfirmed. GKS operates through a specific list of participating countries rather than being open to the entire world, and I could not confirm the UAE's current status on that list. Check directly with the Korean Embassy in the UAE.
Is KGSP different from GKS?
No. KGSP was the old name for the same program. GKS is the current official title, and both terms are still commonly used interchangeably.
Can I apply through both the Embassy Track and University Track at the same time?
No. You must choose one track only. Applying through both can disqualify your application entirely.
Do I need a TOPIK score to apply?
No, it isn't mandatory at the application stage, though having one can strengthen your application, and you'll need to reach a required proficiency level during your funded language training year to proceed into your degree program.
Sources: Official Study in Korea portal (studyinkorea.go.kr) and National Institute for International Education (NIIED) GKS application guidelines, cross-referenced with Seoul National University's official GKS programme page.
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