The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is now open for exchange students, offering a fully funded opportunity for undergraduate and master's level studies in South Korea for the 2025-2026 academic session. This scholarship covers essential expenses such as living costs, airfare, medical insurance, and a settlement allowance. In this article, we will provide an overview of the GKS, its benefits, and the application process.
About the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The Global Korea Scholarship is designed to support international exchange students who wish to pursue their academic studies in South Korea. The scholarship is available for both undergraduate and master's degree programs. It covers living expenses, airfare, medical insurance, and a settlement allowance. GKS aims to provide a meaningful experience for exchange students, immersing them in Korean culture and education while enhancing global cooperation.
Study at Seoul National University (SNU)
The SNU International Summer Institute (ISI) offers a unique opportunity for students to study at Seoul National University, Korea's top university. The ISI program is taught by distinguished faculty members and provides students with the chance to explore a variety of disciplines, from Economics and Business Management to History, Sociology, Politics, and Arts. This program allows participants to gain in-depth knowledge about Korea and East Asia while studying at one of the leading universities globally.
Scholarship Summary
- Level of Study: Undergraduate / Master's
- Institution: Partner universities of Seoul National University (SNU)
- Location: South Korea
- Program Duration: 4 to 10 months, depending on the exchange period
- Application Deadlines: September / February (annually)
Courses Offered
The Global Korea Scholarship allows students to study a wide range of disciplines across various colleges at SNU, including:
- College of Humanities: Language and Literature, Linguistics, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and more.
- College of Social Sciences: Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Psychology, and Communication.
- College of Natural Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Sciences.
- College of Business Administration: Business Management (restricted to business/economics majors).
- College of Engineering: Various engineering fields, including Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering.
For a full list of courses and detailed information, visit the official website.
Scholarship Benefits
- Living Expenses: 630,000 won per month
- Settlement Allowance: 200,000 won upon arrival
- Round-trip Airfare: Reimbursement up to a specified limit
- Medical Insurance: 20,000 won per month (covered by each university)
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the GKS Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Language Proficiency: English
- Eligibility: Open to students from all countries
- Enrollment Requirement: Applicants must be enrolled in their second semester of study at their home university or higher.
- GPA Requirements:
- Undergraduate: GPA of 2.5/4.0 (equivalent to 2.7/4.3) or a percentile rank of 83
- Master's: GPA of 3.0/4.0 (equivalent to 3.3/4.3) or a percentile rank of 89
Application Process
To apply for the Global Korea Scholarship, follow these steps:
- University Nomination: Applicants must be nominated by their home university.
- Submit Application: Nominated students will receive details from the SNU coordinator on how to apply online.
- Required Documents: Apply to the exchange program through the Online Application Form, fill in the application, and upload scanned copies of the documents mentioned below to the application system:
- Certificate of Enrollment
- Official University Transcript
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose (in English or Korean)
- Copy of Passport
- Additional documents for Fine Arts, Music, and Physical Education applicants (e.g., work samples or performance recordings)
For more details on the application, visit the official GKS website.
Important Notes
- All documents must be original or officially verified copies in Korean or English.
- If documents are in another language, they must be translated and verified by an authorized body.
- Applications must be submitted online as per the instructions provided by the SNU coordinator.
Conclusion
The Global Korea Scholarship offers an excellent opportunity for international students to study in South Korea and immerse themselves in Korean culture and education. With full funding for living expenses, airfare, and medical coverage, this scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for those interested in pursuing higher education in Korea.
For more information and to apply, visit the official website of the Global Korea Scholarship.