GKS Graduate Scholarship 2027 for Master's and PhD Applicants

Is GKS-G 2027 open?

Not officially announced yet

Are the guidelines available?

Not yet

Is the application form available?

Not yet

Is the deadline confirmed?

Not yet

Expected announcement reference

Usually around February based on previous graduate cycles

Who publishes the call?

NIIED through Study in Korea and official Korean embassy/university channels

Can applicants use the 2026 form?

No. Use only the official 2027 form once released

Last checked

July 24, 2026

GKS-G 2027 is not officially open yet. That matters because many search results and social posts will start circulating old forms, previous deadlines and copied university lists before NIIED publishes the 2027 graduate call. Use this guide to prepare, but do not submit an old form as your final gks scholarship 2027 graduate application form. The official form, quota, university information and exact gks 2027 graduate deadline must come from the new call.

Scholarship name

Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees

Abbreviation

GKS-G

Host country

South Korea

Degree levels

Master's, PhD and eligible research programmes

Funding type

Fully funded government scholarship

Administrator

NIIED

Eligible nationalities

Countries listed in the official quota

Application routes

Embassy Track and University Track

Tuition

Covered according to official limits

Living support

Monthly allowance in previous graduate cycles

Airfare

Normally included under applicable rules

Language training

Normally one year unless exempted

Application status

Awaiting the 2027 announcement

The GKS Graduate Scholarship is the graduate-degree route of South Korea's Global Korea Scholarship. It is separate from GKS-U, which is the undergraduate route. GKS-G supports postgraduate study at designated Korean universities and is administered by NIIED. Selection depends on the applicant's country quota, chosen application track, document quality, academic record, language preparation, university admission and final NIIED review.

The guide at /blog/global-korea-scholarship-2027 should remain the broader Global Korea Scholarship hub. Graduate applicants should use this separate GKS-G 2027 application guide for master's, PhD, graduate application-form and deadline information.

GKS-G full name

Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees

GKS-U full name

Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees

GKS-G degree level

Master's, PhD and research

GKS-U degree level

Associate and bachelor's

Typical GKS-G announcement

Around February based on previous cycles

Typical GKS-U announcement

Around September based on previous cycles

GKS-G prior degree

Bachelor's for master's; master's for PhD

GKS-U prior degree

High-school qualification

This distinction prevents keyword cannibalization and reader confusion. A student searching for gks scholarship 2027 masters or GKS PhD Scholarship 2027 needs graduate rules, not undergraduate admission rules. A bachelor's applicant should use the broader GKS article, while graduate applicants should stay on this page.

GKS-G is offered in South Korea at NIIED-designated Korean universities. Applicants cannot assume that every Korean university, every department or every English-taught course is available through GKS-G. Each cycle publishes university information, eligible departments, degree levels and track-specific availability. University admission remains part of the selection process, so a GKS nomination does not mean every desired department will accept the applicant.

• Host country: South Korea.
• Institutions: designated universities listed in the official cycle.
• Available departments vary by year, track and university.
• Some departments may require Korean, English, TOPIK, IELTS, TOEFL or other evidence.
• Applicants should wait for the 2027 university file before finalizing choices.

Tuition

Previous-cycle support existed; 2027 amount awaiting confirmation

Monthly allowance

Previous-cycle graduate allowance existed; 2027 amount awaiting confirmation

Airfare

Previous-cycle rule existed; 2027 status awaiting confirmation

Settlement allowance

Previous-cycle support existed; 2027 amount awaiting confirmation

Medical insurance

Previous-cycle support existed; 2027 status awaiting confirmation

Research allowance

Previous-cycle support existed for eligible scholars; 2027 amount awaiting confirmation

GKS-G is generally described as a fully funded Korean government scholarship because previous graduate cycles covered major study costs such as tuition support, living allowance, airfare under applicable rules, language training and other support categories. But the exact 2027 benefit amounts have not been released yet. Applicants should treat all benefit amounts as previous-cycle reference until NIIED publishes the 2027 graduate guidelines.

Previous GKS-G cycles provided tuition support according to official limits and university rules. Applicants should not assume that every fee, extra programme charge or nonstandard cost is automatically covered. Once the 2027 guidelines are released, check the tuition ceiling, admission-fee rule, whether universities cover costs above the ceiling and whether your chosen department has special charges.

• Check the official tuition limit in the 2027 guidelines.
• Check whether admission fees are included.
• Ask whether a chosen university has tuition above the GKS limit.
• Check whether lab, thesis, fieldwork or special programme fees are separate.

Previous GKS-G cycles included monthly living support, but the exact 2027 amount must be confirmed from the new call. Applicants should also distinguish between the Korean-language year and the degree-study years if the official rules set different amounts or conditions. A monthly allowance can make study possible, but rent, deposits, food, transport and winter clothing costs still need planning.

Previous graduate cycles normally included airfare support under applicable rules and a settlement-related benefit. The 2027 rules will confirm whether airfare is reimbursed, directly arranged, limited by route, unavailable for certain scholars or affected by arrival and completion conditions. Do not buy tickets based only on an old guide.

• Check whether airfare is one-way, round-trip or conditional.
• Check whether reimbursement requires receipts and boarding passes.
• Check whether scholars already in Korea receive different treatment.
• Check return-flight rules before assuming it is paid.

Other previous-cycle benefits may include Korean-language training, medical insurance, research allowance, thesis printing support, TOPIK-related grants and degree-completion support. Each item has conditions. Research support may differ by field or programme type. TOPIK support depends on language achievement. Thesis support may apply only at the correct stage. The safe approach is to read the 2027 benefit table line by line once it is published.

GKS-G covers graduate-level routes, not undergraduate study. The main categories are master's, doctoral and eligible research programmes. The exact 2027 degree duration, language-year rule and programme list will be confirmed in the official guidelines and university information file.

The gks scholarship 2027 for master's applicants is for students who already hold, or expect to hold, the required bachelor's qualification before the official deadline for final certificate submission. The gks scholarship 2027 masters route usually includes Korean-language training where required plus the master's degree period. Final-year undergraduate students may be able to apply with expected-graduation documents, but they must submit final proof by the official date.

• Primary search variations: gks masters scholarship 2027, gks 2027 masters and gks scholarship 2027 for master's.
• Check whether the department accepts international master's students through GKS-G.
• Check whether the programme is taught in Korean, English or both.
• Check whether the department requires IELTS, TOEFL, TOPIK or an interview.

The GKS PhD Scholarship 2027 route is for doctoral applicants who normally need a completed master's degree or expected completion evidence. PhD applicants should prepare a stronger research fit than master's applicants because departments may look closely at research plans, supervisor availability, publications, thesis background and methodological readiness. Publications may strengthen an application, but whether they are mandatory depends on the programme and department.

GKS research programmes are different from full degree study. They may be intended for applicants who already have advanced qualifications and want a research stay in Korea. Duration, eligibility and host requirements must be checked in the official graduate guidelines. Do not apply for a research programme if your real goal is a full master's or PhD degree.

The biggest academic question is simple: can you study your preferred course? The answer depends on the official 2027 university information file. Once released, serious applicants should filter by university, track, degree, department, teaching language, language-test requirement and official department link. Do not copy a previous year's university list without clearly identifying the cycle.

• Engineering and technology.
• Computer science and artificial intelligence.
• Biological sciences.
• Agriculture and food science.
• Public health.
• Medicine-related research.
• Business and economics.
• Social sciences.
• Education.
• Arts and humanities.

GKS graduate eligibility normally covers nationality, parent citizenship, academic qualification, academic grade, age, health, previous Korean study and previous GKS participation. The exact 2027 rules may change, so applicants should treat the following as a preparation checklist until the official call is released.

• Nationality: applicant and parent citizenship rules matter.
• Academic qualification: bachelor's for master's; master's for PhD.
• Academic grade: previous cycles used an 80% reference or accepted equivalent.
• Age: previous graduate cycles generally used an under-40 reference.
• Previous Korean study: some prior degrees or GKS participation may restrict eligibility.

The official 2027 GPA threshold has not yet been released. Under the latest general GKS rules, applicants normally needed at least an 80% cumulative academic result or an accepted equivalent based on GPA or class rank. Applicants should not calculate GPA informally. Use the official conversion rules, submit GPA conversion evidence where needed and remember that meeting the minimum does not guarantee selection.

• Check accepted GPA scales in the official guideline.
• Use official transcripts and conversion documents.
• Submit class-ranking evidence only if allowed.
• PhD applicants may need both undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
• Competitive applicants usually exceed the minimum and show strong programme fit.

Based on the latest graduate-cycle reference, applicants were generally required to be under 40. The exact 2027 date-of-birth cutoff must be confirmed from the new GKS-G guidelines. Do not assume military service, career breaks or special circumstances change the rule unless the official call says so. Some categories in previous cycles may have special conditions, but 2027 applicants should wait for the official wording.

This is one of the biggest GKS-G questions. GKS itself should not be treated as a universal IELTS-only scholarship, but individual universities and departments can require English or Korean evidence. An applicant may be able to apply without IELTS for some programmes, but not for others. TOPIK may not always be mandatory at application, but Korean proficiency can improve competitiveness and may affect language-year exemption or degree-entry requirements.

• Check whether your chosen department requires IELTS, TOEFL or another English test.
• Check whether medium-of-instruction evidence or exemption letters are accepted.
• Check whether TOPIK is required, preferred or optional.
• TOPIK level 5 or 6 may affect Korean-language training exemption under official rules.
• Scholars normally must meet Korean-proficiency requirements before degree entry if language training applies.

Embassy Track first submission

Korean embassy or designated mission

University Track first submission

Designated Korean university

Embassy Track choices

Multiple university choices under annual rules

University Track choices

Usually one university

Embassy Track stages

Embassy -> NIIED -> university review

University Track stages

University -> NIIED

Best suited for Embassy Track

Applicants wanting broader university choices

Best suited for University Track

Applicants with a focused department or supervisor plan

Applicants should not apply through both tracks unless the official rules allow it. Track choice affects deadline, submission location, university choices, interview format and nomination process. Embassy deadlines are country-specific, while university deadlines are institution-specific.

The official GKS Scholarship 2027 graduate application form is not available yet. NIIED is expected to publish it with the GKS-G 2027 application guidelines. Applicants should not submit the 2026 form as their final 2027 application. The form will normally be published through official Study in Korea or linked announcement materials, and embassies or universities may add local instructions.

• Wait for the official 2027 form.
• Check whether submission is online, offline or both.
• Follow embassy or university instructions for local document sets.
• Do not use an old form unless the official 2027 call says to.
• Prepare draft statements early, but transfer them into the final form later.

GKS-G documents should be organized by purpose: application forms, academic proof, citizenship proof and supporting evidence. The 2027 call will confirm which documents need originals, copies, apostille, consular authentication or certified translation.

• Application forms: application form, personal statement, study plan, research proposal where required, applicant agreement and personal medical assessment.
• Academic documents: degree certificates, transcripts, expected-graduation certificates and GPA conversion or ranking evidence.
• Citizenship documents: applicant passport or citizenship proof, parent citizenship evidence, birth certificate or family-relationship record and former citizenship records where applicable.
• Supporting documents: recommendation letters, language scores, publications, awards, employment evidence and portfolio for applicable subjects.

Document authentication is one of the easiest places to lose time. GKS-G applicants may need apostille, Korean consular authentication, certified translation or specific original/copy sets depending on country and document type. Name mismatches, unavailable parent documents, old translations and missing expected-graduation proof can create delays. Start early, especially if your country takes weeks to issue apostilles or family records.

1. Confirm master's, PhD or research eligibility.
2. Check the country quota.
3. Select Embassy Track or University Track.
4. Download the official 2027 guidelines when released.
5. Review designated universities and departments.
6. Check language and department requirements.
7. Prepare academic and citizenship documents.
8. Complete authentication and translation.
9. Write the personal statement and study plan.
10. Obtain recommendation letters.
11. Submit through the embassy or university.
12. Attend the first-round interview if required.
13. Pass NIIED review.
14. Complete university admission review.
15. Confirm the final placement.
16. Apply for the visa and prepare for arrival.

GKS-G announcement

Around February based on prior cycles; not confirmed

Embassy applications

Country-specific; not confirmed

University applications

Institution-specific; not confirmed

First-round results

Track-specific; not confirmed

NIIED review

Official schedule; not confirmed

Final university review

Official schedule; not confirmed

Final results

Official schedule; not confirmed

Arrival in Korea

Normally later in the year; not confirmed

The GKS 2027 graduate deadline has not yet been confirmed. GKS-G is normally announced earlier in the year than GKS-U, but each embassy and university may set its own submission deadline within the official schedule. This means the gks scholarship 2027 deadline for masters applicants is not one universal date that applies to every country and university.

Embassy Track usually begins with document review and a local embassy interview before NIIED and university review. University Track usually begins with university document review, department or university interview, nomination to NIIED and final confirmation. Interview format can be online or in person depending on embassy or university instructions. Some departments may ask research questions, language questions or supervisor-fit questions.

• Prepare to explain why Korea, why this university and why this programme.
• Prepare a concise research or study-plan summary.
• Check whether camera, passport ID or original documents are required.
• Do not miss the interview; missed interviews can end the application.
• Use official embassy or university notices for country-specific formats.

GKS-G is competitive because selection depends on global quota, country quota, track quota, university capacity, department fit and document quality. There is no single reliable global acceptance rate without applicant totals. Minimum GPA is not a winning threshold. Strong applicants usually combine academic performance, clear study or research fit, strong recommendations, complete documents, realistic university choices and language preparation.

• Using the GKS-U form for GKS-G.
• Using an old application form.
• Missing the embassy's local deadline.
• Choosing an unavailable programme.
• Applying through the wrong embassy.
• Applying through two tracks when prohibited.
• Incorrect GPA conversion.
• Missing apostille or legalization.
• Uncertified translations.
• Weak research fit.
• Generic study plan.
• Incomplete parent-citizenship evidence.
• Selecting a programme with an unmet language requirement.
• Confusing GKS selection with university admission.

• Study in Korea official portal: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/
• Study in Korea scholarship search: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/scholarship/Gks1NoticeList.do
• NIIED official site: https://www.niied.go.kr/
• Existing Global Korea Scholarship hub: /blog/global-korea-scholarship-2027

Scholarships in South Korea Compare this opportunity with other scholarships in South Korea before you decide.

Fully funded scholarships 2026 Use this when full cost coverage matters most and you want stronger alternatives in the same funding tier.

Scholarships still open 2026 Use this live-deadline hub when you want other routes that still look active right now.