What does the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate 2026 cover?

GKS-U covers tuition (up to 5 million KRW via NIIED, remainder by the university), an annual all-inclusive allowance of 12,840,000–13,680,000 KRW, Korean language training fees (5.2 million KRW), and economy-class airfare.

Who is eligible for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate 2026?

Open to JC/IP students and polytechnic students who are Singapore Citizens or PRs with strong academic records.

Is there a bond for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate 2026?

There is no formal service bond; scholars are expected to apply their skills after graduation.

How do I apply for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate 2026?

Apply via the Embassy Track (through your country's Korean embassy) or the University Track (directly to a participating university) on the Study in Korea portal before the published deadline.

Is GKS scholarship fully funded?

GKS-U is described in the official guideline as covering tuition (NIIED covers up to 5 million KRW; the university covers the balance), an annual all-inclusive allowance of 12,840,000–13,680,000 KRW (covering living expenses, health insurance, TOPIK fees, and settlement/completion grants), Korean language training fees, and economy-class airfare - making it a comprehensive funding package, though specific coverage rules and exceptions (such as airfare not being provided if you are already residing in Korea) apply.

What GPA do you need for GKS scholarship?

The official guideline requires your prior programme grades to meet at least one of the following: 80% or above on a 100-point scale, top 20% of class, or a minimum GPA of 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0. If your transcript doesn't use these scales, you may need to provide additional grading-system documentation.

Can I apply for GKS without TOPIK?

A TOPIK score is not required at the time of application - GKS-U includes a one-year Korean language training programme before the degree. However, scholars must reach TOPIK level 3 (some departments require level 4 or higher) to proceed to their degree programme, and failing to meet this requirement can result in scholarship cancellation. TOPIK level 5–6 can exempt you from the language programme entirely.

GKS Scholarship 2026: Guidelines, Application Form, Deadline and Eligibility

Study guide19 Jan 2026, 00:00 ZUpdated 01 May 2026

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Q: Is the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) realistic for undergraduate study in Korea?
A: It can be - if you clear the eligibility gates early (age, nationality, grades), pick the right application track (Embassy vs University), and start your documents before you think you need to.

Fast answer for GKS Scholarship 2026 searches The official 2026 GKS-U notice on Study in Korea is the source of truth for the guideline PDF, application forms, university information files, deadlines, and submission rules. Use this page to translate those files into a working checklist: check eligibility first, choose Embassy Track or University Track, download the official application form, then confirm the exact deadline with your Korean embassy or target university.

TL;DR Read the official notice + guideline PDF first, then use this as a practical checklist.
If you do one thing this week: decide Embassy Track vs University Track, then build your document folder so you’re not scrambling for apostilles, translations, and sealed letters at the last minute.

Quick GKS-U map

Eligibility gates come before essays: Age, nationality, grades, and track rules can decide fit.
Embassy Track and University Track work differently: Your document route and shortlist strategy change.
Make a document folder before the deadline rush: Translations, apostilles, and sealed letters take time.

Concrete example: A Singapore student should decide whether to apply through the embassy or one university, then make separate folders for forms, transcripts, recommendation letters, translations, and any country-specific instructions.

Status: Last reviewed 2026-05-01. This guide is based on the Korean Government’s official Study in Korea notice + PDFs (linked below). Details can change, and submission mechanics vary by embassy/university - always follow the instructions for your country.

If you’re also comparing “study abroad” vs “stay in Singapore with funding”, you can shortlist local options here:

Singapore scholarships matcher: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/matcher

And if you want a bigger planning view (language routes, visas, daily life):

Japan vs Korea planning guide: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
Singapore guide (Embassy Track deadlines + apostille notes):

Reviewed by

Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)

GKS Scholarship 2026: Guidelines, Application Form, Deadline and Eligibility

Quick GKS-U map

Sources

Start here (official links)

What GKS-U 2026 covers (from the official PDF)

Programme structure (how many years)

Am I eligible? (quick gates to check first)

1) Age

2) Nationality rules (for you and your parents)

3) Education level

4) Grades (two ways to qualify)

5) Restrictions (common gotchas)

Embassy Track vs University Track (how to choose quickly)

Embassy Track (you apply via the Korean embassy in your country)

University Track (you apply directly to a participating university)

2026 timeline (what the guideline says)

Document + upload checklist (the part people underestimate)

A) Documents (high-level list)

B) Online application uploads (rules from the official user guide)

A realistic “do this this week” plan (parents + students)

FAQ

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