GKS-U 2027 Guidelines: Complete & Easy Guide for Undergraduate Applicants

GKS-U 2027 Guidelines: Complete and Easy Guide for Applicants

Dreaming of studying in South Korea with a fully funded scholarship?

The 2027 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees (GKS-U 2027) has officially been announced by the Korean government.

GKS-U gives international students the opportunity to study for an undergraduate degree in South Korea with financial support from the Korean government.

The official 2027 application guidelines, forms, and university information have now been released by NIIED (National Institute for International Education).

If you are planning to apply for GKS-U 2027, this guide will help you understand the scholarship, eligibility requirements, application tracks, documents, benefits, and selection process in simple language.

Important: Always check the official 2027 GKS-U guidelines and the university information file before submitting your application because requirements and deadlines can vary depending on your application track and country

1. What is GKS-U 2027?

GKS stands for Global Korea Scholarship.

It is a scholarship program offered by the Korean government to international students who want to study in South Korea.

GKS-U means Global Korea Scholarship – Undergraduate.

The scholarship is designed for international students who want to pursue undergraduate-level studies in Korea.

For 2027, NIIED has officially released the GKS-U application guidelines along with application forms and university information files.

The scholarship can cover major expenses such as tuition, Korean language training, airfare, living support and other benefits depending on the program.

2. Degree Programs Covered Under GKS-U 2027

GKS-U 2027 includes undergraduate-level study opportunities.

2.1. Bachelor’s Degree

International students can apply for eligible Bachelor’s degree programs offered by participating Korean universities. The exact universities, departments and programs available depend on the official University Information File. Therefore, do not choose a university only because you have seen it on a random website or social media post. Always check whether the university and your desired department are included in the official 2027 university list.

2.2. Associate Degree

GKS-U also includes eligible Associate Degree programs. These programs are generally shorter than Bachelor’s programs. However, the available universities and departments depend on the official 2027 University Information File.

3. GKS-U 2027 Scholarship Duration

For a standard Bachelor’s program, the scholarship generally includes:

1 year of Korean language training + the undergraduate degree period.

This means students may first complete Korean language training before beginning their degree program. For many Bachelor’s programs, this results in a total scholarship period of approximately 5 years. The exact duration can depend on the selected program and university, so applicants should check the official university information carefully.

4. Application Tracks Explained

GKS-U applicants can apply through different application tracks.

The two main tracks are:
Embassy Track: You apply through the Korean Embassy or relevant Korean diplomatic mission in your country.
University Track: You apply directly to a university that is participating in the GKS-U program.

The universities and departments available under each track are listed in the official 2027 University Information files. NIIED has released separate university information files for Embassy Track Type A, Embassy Track Type B, and University Track.

Which track should you choose?

This depends on your country, preferred university, department and application strategy. Before applying, carefully read the official guidelines and check the university list for your track.

5. Who Can Apply? — GKS-U 2027 Eligibility Criteria

Before preparing your documents, the first thing you should do is check whether you are eligible.

5.1. Nationality

GKS-U is for international students.

Generally, the applicant and their parents must meet the nationality requirements specified by NIIED, and applicants with Korean citizenship are not eligible under the standard GKS-U nationality rules.
Because nationality rules can be important and country-specific, always check the 2027 official guidelines before applying.

5.2. Age Limit

For the 2027 undergraduate scholarship cycle, applicants must meet the age requirement specified in the official guidelines. The commonly reported cutoff for the 2027 cycle is under 25 years of age, with applicants generally required to be born after March 1, 2002.  Always check the official guideline before submitting your application, especially if your date of birth is close to the cutoff.

5.3. Educational Background

Applicants for undergraduate programs should have completed, or be expected to complete, their required high-school education within the period specified by the 2027 guidelines. Applicants who already hold a Bachelor’s degree are not eligible for the standard GKS-U undergraduate route. If you are currently in your final year of high school, you should carefully check the graduation deadline mentioned in the official guidelines.

5.4. Academic Grades

Your academic performance is one of the most important parts of your application.
The GKS-U eligibility standard is generally based on having:

• At least 80% on a 100-point scale, or
• Being within the top 20% of your class, or
• Meeting the equivalent CGPA requirement on the accepted grading scales.

However, meeting the minimum academic requirement does not guarantee selection. GKS is competitive, so applicants should try to present the strongest academic record possible.

6. Language Requirements — Do You Need Korean?

This is one of the most common questions from GKS applicants.

Do I need TOPIK to apply?

Not necessarily.

Applicants do not generally need to already know Korean to submit a GKS-U application. This is because the scholarship includes Korean language training for selected scholars. However, this does not mean Korean language skills are useless.

Having Korean proficiency can be an advantage, and TOPIK results can be relevant during the GKS process and for later progression into the degree program. The scholarship also provides an additional Korean Proficiency Grant for scholars who achieve the required high TOPIK level.

So if you are planning to apply for GKS in the future, starting Korean early is a smart decision. You don’t have to wait until you are selected to begin learning Korean.

7. GKS-U 2027 Scholarship Benefits

One of the biggest reasons students apply for GKS is its extensive financial support.

Depending on the applicable scholarship rules, GKS-U can provide:

• Round-trip airfare- Economy-class airfare between your home country and Korea is covered according to the scholarship rules.
• Tuition support- Tuition is covered within the limits specified by the GKS program.
• Korean language training- Selected scholars receive support for the Korean language training period before their degree program.
• Monthly allowance- Students receive financial support during the Korean language program and degree program.
• Settlement allowance- A one-time settlement allowance is provided when scholars arrive in Korea.
• Medical insurance-Medical insurance is also included according to the scholarship rules.
• Korean Proficiency Grant
  Scholars who achieve the required high level of Korean proficiency can receive an additional Korean Proficiency Grant.
  For the currently reported GKS-U 2027 benefits, TOPIK Level 5 or 6 is associated with an additional monthly grant.
  Because scholarship amounts and conditions can change, applicants should always confirm the final figures in the official 2027 guidelines.

Available Universities and Departments

You cannot simply choose any Korean university for GKS-U.

Only universities and departments included in the official GKS University Information files are eligible. For GKS-U 2027, NIIED has released separate files for:

• Embassy Track — Type A
• Embassy Track — Type B
• University Track

These files contain information about eligible universities and departments. link

Before choosing a university, check:

• Is the university available under your track?
• Is your desired department available?
• What language is the program taught in?
• Does the department have additional requirements?
• What documents does the university require?
• Does the university have any specific restrictions?

Never choose a university without checking the official 2027 University Information File.

9. Required Documents — Very Important

Your documents are one of the most important parts of your GKS application.

Depending on your application track and personal situation, you may need documents such as:

• GKS application form
• Personal Statement
• Study Plan
• Academic records/transcripts
• Graduation certificate or expected graduation documents
• Proof of nationality
• Family relationship documents
• Language certificates, if applicable
• Awards and certificates, if applicable
• Other supporting documents required by the guidelines
• Additional documents required by the embassy or university

Some documents may also need apostille or consular confirmation, depending on the document and application procedure. Do not wait until the last week to prepare these documents. Some official documents can take time to obtain.

10. GKS-U 2027 Application Process

The general application process looks like this:

• Step 1 — Check your eligibility: Make sure you meet the age, nationality, education and academic requirements.
• Step 2 — Choose your application track: Decide whether you will apply through the Embassy Track or University Track.
• Step 3 — Research universities: Check the official 2027 University Information File and shortlist suitable universities and departments.
• Step 4 — Prepare your documents: Start preparing your academic and personal documents early.
• Step 5 — Complete the application: Complete the GKS application according to the instructions for your selected track.
• Step 6 — Submit your application: Submit your application through the required method and before the deadline.
• Step 7 — First-round selection: Your application will first be reviewed by the relevant embassy or university, depending on your track.
• Step 8 — NIIED selection: Candidates who pass the first round proceed to the next stage of the GKS selection process.
• Step 9 — Final selection: Successful candidates are announced according to the official GKS schedule.

11. GKS-U 2027 Selection Process & Timeline

The exact application deadline is not necessarily the same for every country or university.

This is very important.

For example, Embassy Track applicants should check the announcement from the Korean Embassy responsible for their country. University Track applicants should check the participating university’s instructions.

The official NIIED announcement specifically tells applicants to refer to the attached guidelines for application deadlines, required documents, schedules and procedures.

Expected general timeline

The 2027 cycle is expected to follow a timeline around:

September–October 2026: Application period
Late 2026: First-round and subsequent screening
January 2027: Final results
February 2027: Arrival/preparation for Korea

However, do not treat these as your personal deadline.

Your embassy or university may provide a different deadline. Always follow the official announcement applicable to your application route.

12. Why Understanding the GKS-U 2027 Guidelines Matters

GKS is highly competitive. Having good grades alone does not automatically mean you will receive the scholarship.

Many applicants make mistakes because they:

• Choose an ineligible university
• Miss a deadline
• Submit an incomplete document
• Use the wrong document format
• Ignore university-specific requirements
• Write weak or unclear statements
• Do not properly explain their study goals
• Start preparing too late

This is why reading the official guidelines carefully is one of the first steps you should take.

The official GKS-U 2027 announcement provides the application guidelines, forms and university information files for applicants.

13. Where Can You Download the Official GKS-U 2027 Documents?

NIIED has officially released the following materials:

• 2027 GKS-U Application Guidelines — English
• 2027 GKS-U Application Guidelines — Korean
• 2027 GKS-U Application Forms
• University Information — Embassy Track Type A
• University Information — Embassy Track Type B
• University Information — University Track

All of these are available through the official Study in Korea GKS announcement.

Official GKS-U 2027 Announcement:
Check the official GKS-U 2027 announcement on Study in Korea

 Did you know?

You do NOT need to know Korean to apply for GKS-U. However, having Korean language skills can strengthen your profile and may give you an advantage during the selection process. So why wait? Start learning Korean now and increase your chances of achieving your Korea dream! 

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Final Reminder
The information in this article is intended to make the GKS-U 2027 guidelines easier to understand. It should not replace the official NIIED guidelines.
Before submitting your application, always check the latest official documents and the instructions provided by your embassy or selected university.
The official 2027 GKS-U announcement was released by NIIED on September 9, 2026, and includes the application guidelines, forms and university information files.

Good luck with your GKS-U 2027 journey!