Korean Government Scholarship GKS 2026 – Fully Funded Study in South Korea

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The Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) for 2026 is the “grand prize” for international students, not only because it covers every penny of your study trip, but also because South Korea has now become a global hub for technology, innovation and education.

Here’s everything you need to know about this golden opportunity for 2026, based on the latest official updates:

1. Why is 2026 an exceptional year?

The Korean government has announced a historic increase in the number of seats, with 2,000 students from all over the world to be admitted (a significant increase over previous years).

Embassy Track: 800 seats (allows you to apply to 3 universities).
University Track: 1,200 seats (apply directly to one university, with a strong emphasis on R&D disciplines)

2. Financial coverage (What will Korea offer you?)

This scholarship is fully funded in every sense of the word:

Airfare tickets: Round trip (economy class).
Tuition fees: 100% full exemption.
Monthly salary: ranging from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 Korean won (depending on academic degree).
Settlement allowance: 200,000 won upon arrival.
Health insurance: Comprehensive medical coverage.
Korean language course: A full year free to ensure your integration.
Language proficiency awards: An additional bonus if you achieve a high level on the TOPIK test.

Apply Here: UST Korea Fully Funded Scholarship 2026 with Monthly Stipend of $1600

3. Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be a strong candidate, you must meet the following:

Nationality: You and your parents must be of non-Korean nationality.
Age: Under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1986).
Grade Point Average (GPA): Your GPA must be 80% or higher , or you must be in the top 20% of your class.
Academic qualification: * For Master’s: You must hold a Bachelor’s degree (or expect to graduate by July 31, 2026).
- - For a PhD: you must hold a master’s degree

4. Schedule (Pay attention to the dates!)

Dates vary from country to country, but generally for 2026:

Application period: It usually starts on February 12, 2026 and ends in late February (for the embassy track), and continues until March or April (for the university track).
New application method: Starting this year, applications are now submitted entirely digitally through the “Study in Korea” website. Sending paper documents by mail is no longer required in the initial stage for most countries.

5. Expert tip: How to increase your chances of acceptance?

“Don’t just focus on your grades; the Korean government is looking for ‘cultural ambassadors’. In your Personal Statement, focus on how you will contribute to strengthening relations between your country and Korea after graduation.”