Global Korea Scholarship 2027 for Undergraduates (GKS-U): What Remains After Applying and What to Prepare — Reported Dec. 29 University Choice, Jan. 7 Final Results and Timeline

Selection for the 2027 Global Korea Scholarship for undergraduates (GKS-U), the Korean government's scholarship for international students, has entered the screening stage. The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) posted the 2027 application guidelines on Study in Korea on Sept. 9 and put up a separate guide to the University Track on Sept. 23. Online applications for the Embassy Track closed in September. Application periods for the University Track vary by university, and some universities are still accepting documents in November.

As of Nov. 7, the scholarship notice board on Study in Korea had no second-round or final results notice for the 2027 GKS-U. The most recent post on the board is a GKS newsletter uploaded on Oct. 6. The remaining steps are applications and first-round screening at some University Track universities, NIIED's second-round screening, university screening (third round) and final university choice on the Embassy Track, and the final announcement. Below is the post-application schedule and what to prepare now. Amounts are given in U.S. dollars first, with Korean won in parentheses (Hana Bank base exchange rate on Nov. 3, 2026: $1 = KRW 1,341.10).

Where things stand

The 2027 GKS-U is split into two tracks: the Embassy Track, in which a Korean embassy (diplomatic mission) conducts first-round screening, and the University Track, in which participating universities conduct first-round screening.

On the University Track, each participating university draws up its own selection plan and accepts applications. Application periods and screening schedules for each university are in the university-by-university selection information file posted by NIIED, and inquiries also go directly to the university concerned. As a result, deadlines and first-round announcement dates on the University Track differ from school to school.

One university's case gives a sense of the flow. Ajou University's 2027 GKS-UIC accepts documents postmarked by Oct. 30 and will announce first-round results on Nov. 27. The NIIED final announcement is set for early January 2027 and arrival in Korea for late February, both tentative. For reference, last year (the 2026 selection), Embassy Track second-round results came out in late November 2025, and final results were scheduled to be announced in early January 2026.

Reported step-by-step schedule

The original application guidelines are available only as an attached file. Korea JoongAng Daily reported the following schedule and rules on Sept. 16, based on the 2027 guidelines.

• First-round screening. Conducted by the embassy for the Embassy Track and by the university for the University Track.
• Second-round screening. Conducted by NIIED.
• Third-round screening. Exists only on the Embassy Track. The universities chosen by the applicant conduct the screening. The University Track has no third round and proceeds to the final announcement after the second round.
• Final university choice. Third-round passers choose one university to attend on Study in Korea by 6 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2026.
• Final announcement. Results will be announced on Study in Korea on Jan. 7, 2027. The academic year begins in March.
• Language training exemption. Those with TOPIK Level 5 or 6 can skip the one-year Korean language training.
• Annual stipend. About $10,110 (KRW 13,560,000) during Korean language training and about $10,740 (KRW 14,400,000) during the degree program. Living expenses, housing, health insurance and the settlement allowance are included in these amounts.
• Early entry into the degree program during training. Those who obtain TOPIK Level 5 or higher within the first six months of training can begin the degree program from the following semester (September 2027).
• Who cannot apply. Dual citizens whose nationalities include Korean, those in the process of changing nationality (except for the UIC program), bachelor's degree holders (ineligible in principle; associate degree holders may apply for bachelor's programs only), graduates or expected graduates of Korean high schools (including international schools in Korea), graduates of Korean associate degree programs, and former GKS scholars or those who received Korean government scholarship support for a degree program. Applicants who, or whose parents, previously held Korean nationality need proof of loss of Korean nationality.
• University Track application scope. Applicants apply to only one university and one department.
• Change of major. Regardless of track, the chosen department cannot be changed after enrollment.
• Departure restrictions. Scholars cannot leave Korea for more than two weeks during the semester (exceptions for illness or family emergencies). A brief trip abroad requires approval from the head of their university at least seven days in advance.

The release dates for NIIED's second-round and third-round results could not be confirmed in this reporting. Check the schedule in the original application guidelines (attached to the Study in Korea notice) directly. Results may be communicated individually by embassies or universities in addition to Study in Korea notices, so check the email address on your application and your Study in Korea account often.

How many will be selected: 286, allocated by country

A total of 286 scholars will be selected (based on reporting on the 2027 guidelines). The standing information table on Study in Korea (no year indicated) shows the same total.

Because 'about 280' and '286' are both used even within official guidance, the final number should be confirmed in the original application guidelines.

The structure is the same as last year. Last year's support likewise centered on tuition, language training costs, airfare to and from Korea and an academic incentive allowance, with additional support for those with TOPIK speaking Level 5 or higher. On Sept. 4, 2025, the Ministry of Education announced it would select 280 undergraduate scholars for 2026 across five programs: three Embassy Track programs (General, Overseas Koreans and R-GKS) and two University Track programs (UIC and associate degree). Applications ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31, 2025, and final results were scheduled to be announced in early January 2026. Applicants had to choose either the Embassy Track or the University Track.

On the Embassy Track, selection quotas are allocated by country. That does not make it a scholarship only for nationals of particular countries. Nationals of the invited countries designated by NIIED can apply, and the University Track's UIC program is open to nationals of all countries.

Eligibility revisited

The key eligibility requirements confirmed for 2027 applications are as follows.

• Nationality. For the Embassy Track and the associate degree program, nationals of the invited countries designated by NIIED can apply; the UIC program has no nationality restriction. In every case, neither the applicant nor either parent may hold Korean nationality, and dual citizens whose nationalities include Korean cannot apply.
• Age. Under 25 years of age, born on or after March 1, 2002.
• Education. High school graduates or expected graduates who have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education. If the home country's school system is shorter than 12 years, those who have completed the full primary-through-high-school curriculum can also apply. For bachelor's programs, graduates or expected graduates of associate degree programs can also apply.
• Grades. Applicants must meet one of the following: a high school CGPA of 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or 3.23/5.0 or higher; a score of 80 or higher out of 100; or a ranking within the top 20%.

Expected graduates should check that they can obtain a graduation certificate in time and keep the originals and copies of the documents they submitted. Ajou University does not review documents without an apostille or consular legalization.

What scholars receive

Support items under Ajou University's 2027 GKS-UIC are as follows.

• Round-trip airfare (economy class)
• Monthly stipend of about $895 (KRW 1,200,000)
• Return-home allowance
• Korean language training costs
• Tuition
• Additional scholarship for strong Korean speakers (TOPIK speaking Level 5 or higher)

Calculated over a year, the monthly stipend comes to about $10,740 (KRW 14,400,000), the same as the annual stipend for the degree program. As in the reporting cited above, the Korean language training period carries a smaller amount, about $10,110 a year (KRW 13,560,000; about $843 a month on average). In both periods, housing, health insurance and the settlement allowance are paid out of this stipend. Some school websites still carry outdated guidance, so check that the information is for 2027. The full list of benefits is in the GKS scholarship benefits guide.

Study structure and university selection rules

GKS undergraduate scholars, in principle, enter their degree program after completing one year of Korean language training (TOPIK Level 5 or 6 holders are exempt from training, and those who obtain Level 5 or higher within six months of training can enter early). Degree programs last two to three years for an associate degree and four to six years for a bachelor's degree. After final acceptance, the flow is generally arrival in Korea, Korean language training and then the degree program. Ajou University's 2027 GKS-UIC guidance sets arrival for late February 2027 (tentative), and the academic year begins in March.

The University Track selects students only for departments designated by the school. For example, the major offered under Ajou University's 2027 GKS-UIC is the School of AI and Computer Engineering. Do not wait for results expecting a major different from the department you applied to.

Embassy Track applicants also face set rules for choosing universities.

• General and Overseas Koreans programs. Choose up to three universities, at least one of which must be a Type B university.
• R-GKS program. Choose up to two universities from among Type B (regional) universities.
• Type classification. Type A covers universities in the Seoul metropolitan area or institutes of science and technology; Type B covers regional universities.

University Track applicants have no such selection step and only need to check their university's first-round results, NIIED's second-round results and the final announcement. Embassy Track third-round passers, whether accepted by one university or several, must choose one final university on Study in Korea by 6 p.m. on Dec. 29. Comparing departments, regions, dormitories and living costs in advance will spare you a rush just before the deadline.

What to prepare while waiting for results

• Check your Study in Korea account and the email address on your application every week.
• If you applied through the University Track, also check the GKS notices and the first-round results date on your university's website.
• If you applied through the Embassy Track, compare the departments, regions and living costs of the universities you applied to and set criteria for your final choice.
• Make sure your passport will remain valid for long enough after arrival.
• Start studying Korean early. It will help you keep up with the one-year training.
• After final acceptance, follow your school's and NIIED's guidance on visa and entry procedures. For the general student visa process, see the guide to applying for a D-2 student visa after admission.

Other scholarships available if you are not selected for GKS can be found in the 2027 Korea study-abroad scholarship map.

--- Recruitment announcements, University Track admissions, selection numbers and study structure are based on NIIED's Study in Korea (accessed Nov. 7, 2026); eligibility and benefits on university GKS guidance; and some step-by-step dates, ineligible applicants, annual stipends and some residency rules on reporting on the 2027 guidelines. Confirm final schedules and conditions in the original application guidelines and Study in Korea notices.