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Scholarships in South Korea for International Students

2 verified scholarships · 2 fully funded · Including KOICA Scholarship Program, Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)

South Korea is a top study destination renowned for its rapidly growing academic excellence, innovative research hubs, and unique cultural immersion. We've compiled 2 scholarship opportunities — including 2 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in South Korea in 2026.

2

Total Scholarships

2

Fully Funded

3

Degree Levels

2

Open to All Nations

All Scholarships in South Korea

Why Study in South Korea?

South Korea has rapidly emerged as a top destination for international students in Asia, hosting over 180,000 each year. The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP/GKS) is among the most generous government scholarships globally — covering tuition, monthly allowance, return airfare, settlement allowance, and a year of Korean-language training. Korean universities are research-intensive (KAIST, POSTECH, and SNU sit in global top 50–100 rankings), and the country's tech-forward economy creates strong post-study career pipelines in semiconductors, biotechnology, and AI.

Top Universities in South Korea for International Students

These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.

Seoul National University (SNU)

Seoul

Engineering, medicine, social sciences (Korea's flagship)

KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

Daejeon

Engineering, computer science, AI (national STEM elite)

POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)

Pohang

Engineering, materials science, chemistry

Yonsei University

Seoul

Medicine, business, international studies (private)

Korea University

Seoul

Law, business, international relations

Sungkyunkwan University

Seoul

Engineering, business (Samsung-affiliated)

Hanyang University

Seoul/Ansan

Engineering, technology management

Sogang University

Seoul

Communications, business, Asian studies

Tuition and Cost of Living in South Korea

Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.

Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)

Undergraduate
₩4,000,000–₩10,000,000 per semester
Master's
₩4,000,000–₩9,000,000 per semester
PhD
₩4,500,000–₩9,000,000 per semester (KGSP and KAIST/POSTECH cover full tuition for accepted students)

KAIST and POSTECH offer full-tuition scholarships to most international graduate students. KGSP covers full tuition at any participating university.

Monthly Living Budget (₩1,000,000–₩1,700,000)

Rent
₩400,000–₩900,000 (one-room officetel or goshiwon; deposit ('jeonse') often required)
Food
₩300,000–₩500,000
Transport
₩60,000–₩100,000 (student T-money pass)

Seoul is ~25% more expensive than secondary cities. KGSP stipend (₩900,000–₩1,000,000/month) is sufficient with shared housing.

Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway

Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.

D-2 Student Visa

Visa Fee
₩60,000
Processing Time
2–4 weeks after Certificate of Admission
Financial Proof Required
Proof of $18,000+/year in bank account (waived for KGSP/university-funded students)
Health Insurance
National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) enrolment mandatory after 6 months in Korea; ~₩70,000/month
Work While Studying
20 hours/week during term with permission (must have TOPIK 3+ or be enrolled 6+ months); unlimited during breaks

Post-Study Work Rights

D-10 Job-Seeking Visa for 6 months (extendable to 2 years) after graduation. Switch to E-7 work visa with a skilled job offer; F-2/F-5 long-term residence visas are available for graduates with strong Korean skills and points-based qualifications.

English Language Requirements

For English-taught programmes: IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 71–90. KAIST and POSTECH typically want IELTS 6.5+. For Korean-taught programmes: TOPIK Level 3 (most undergrad) to TOPIK Level 5+ (most grad). KGSP funds 1 year of preparatory Korean training, so applicants without TOPIK can still apply.

Application Timeline for South Korea Scholarships

Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.

  1. 1

    12–15 months before

    Take TOPIK (multiple test windows per year) and IELTS if needed.

  2. 2

    10–12 months before

    Apply for KGSP through Korean Embassy (track 1) or directly to university (track 2) — deadlines February–March for graduate, September–October for undergraduate.

  3. 3

    8–10 months before

    Submit university applications (most universities have spring/fall intakes).

  4. 4

    4–6 months before

    Receive Certificate of Admission, prepare KGSP medical exam if shortlisted.

  5. 5

    2–3 months before

    Apply for D-2 visa, secure dormitory or off-campus housing.

How to Win a Scholarship in South Korea

KGSP has two application tracks: through the Korean Embassy in your home country (typically earlier deadlines, more competitive) or through individual universities (direct university recommendation). The embassy track requires a Korean-language interview component; the university track lets the university nominate you internally. NIIED (National Institute for International Education) administers the programme — read the year-specific guidelines carefully because eligibility lists change. KAIST and POSTECH run their own full scholarships for STEM graduate applicants with very high acceptance odds for strong candidates. For undergraduates, the GKS undergraduate track is harder to win — average acceptance rate <5% — so apply with regional language bonus (TOPIK) and clear research goals.

South Korea Scholarships at a Glance

  • KGSP/GKS provides full tuition + monthly stipend + airfare + settlement allowance + 1-year language course.
  • TOPIK 5–6 holders get a bonus monthly allowance under KGSP.
  • KAIST and POSTECH offer scholarships separate from KGSP that are easier to win for STEM students.
  • Korea's D-10 visa lets graduates stay 2 years to job-search.

Scholarships in South Korea by Student Nationality

Find scholarships in South Korea tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.

🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students

Explore Other Study Destinations

Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.

🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇨🇦 Canada 🇩🇪 Germany 🇦🇺 Australia 🇫🇷 France 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇯🇵 Japan 🇨🇳 China 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇮🇹 Italy

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in South Korea

Yes, South Korea offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.

Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.

Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Some programs offer pre-sessional language courses to help you meet the requirements.

Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.

Most student visa categories in South Korea allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.

TheScholarSphere currently lists 2 scholarship programs in South Korea for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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