What is the GKS Scholarship (Global Korea Scholarship) for Singapore applicants?

GKS (formerly KGSP) is the Korean government scholarship for international undergraduates and graduate students; it covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, and language training.

What is the difference between the GKS Embassy Track and University Track?

The Embassy Track applies through the Korean Embassy in Singapore; the University Track applies directly to a GKS-participating Korean university - both lead to the same award but have different quotas and timelines.

What GPA is needed for GKS Scholarship from Singapore?

There is no single published GPA cutoff; competitive applicants typically have strong secondary or tertiary academic results; check the official NIIED guidelines for the current cycle.

When is the GKS Scholarship deadline for Singapore applicants?

The Embassy Track deadline is typically in September–October for the following year's intake; the University Track deadline varies by institution - confirm at the official NIIED or Embassy website.

MEXT vs GKS Scholarship: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)

TL;DR

If you want the simplest starting point: MEXT: pick your MEXT type → confirm your Singapore channel → follow the official steps.

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20 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z

Reviewed by

Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)

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Q: I’m in Singapore. If I can only seriously pursue one “main” scholarship plan - MEXT or GKS - which fits better?
A: Both can work, but planning gets easier when you pick one default plan. Use the matrix below to choose based on what you can realistically execute (timeline, language path, and uncertainty tolerance), then follow the official Singapore channel pages.

TL;DR - If you want the simplest starting point: - MEXT: pick your MEXT type → confirm your Singapore channel → follow the official steps. - GKS: pick embassy vs university track → read the guideline PDF → follow the Singapore embassy notice. - If you hate uncertainty, choose the path with the clearest steps you can do this month, not the one with the nicest outcome on paper.

Students reading and planning together on campus.

Status: Last reviewed 2026-01-20. Details change by cycle and route. Always verify your year’s rules on the official pages linked below.

If you want the broader “Japan vs Korea” planning lens first:

https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist

1) The only decision rule that actually helps: pick a “default plan”

Instead of asking “Which scholarship is better?”, ask:

Which one can I execute cleanly from Singapore, with my current timeline and language readiness?

Most students fall into one of these:

Planner type: wants clear steps, dislikes ambiguity, prefers predictable milestones.
Iterative type: tolerates uncertainty, okay with long runways, willing to adjust after results.

Neither is “better” - but they need different plans.

2) Quick decision matrix (Singapore version)

Use this matrix as a thinking tool, not a promise.

	MEXT (Japan)	GKS (Korea)
Best for	Students with a clear MEXT “type” fit (undergrad/research/etc.) and willingness to follow embassy/university rules closely.

MEXT vs GKS Scholarship: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)

1) The only decision rule that actually helps: pick a “default plan”

2) Quick decision matrix (Singapore version)

Sources

3) “Next actions” by scenario

Scenario A: You’re leaning MEXT (Japan)

Scenario B: You’re leaning GKS (Korea)

4) The shared bottleneck (Singapore): documents

5) If you also want to compare Singapore scholarships in parallel

Key Action Steps

FAQ

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