Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students: Complete Details Here

South Korea, is a global leader in Technology and innovation. It’s lively culture and the best education system make it appealing to brilliant international students. Several fully funded scholarships are available to international students in South Korea, which opens doors for them to follow their academic objectives across a wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral degree programs. These Fully funded scholarships give international students a chance to learn specialised subjects and advance their jobs on a worldwide scale. From cutting-edge fields in Engineering and Data Science to well-known ones in the Arts and Social Sciences. Read on to learn more about the exciting fully funded scholarships in South Korea and find the best university to start your academic journey in South Korea.

Type of Scholarship	Fully Funded Scholarships
Scholarships For	Undergraduate, Graduate, and Ph.D. programs
Location	South Korea
Target Audience	International Students
Duration	Full-Time or Varies
Funding Amount	Full

List of Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students

Here are some of the most popular fully funded scholarships in South Korea for International Students.

1. Scholarship Name: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Types of Awards: Government-funded

Coverage: Tuition, stipend, settlement allowance, flight costs,

Study Level: Undergraduate & Graduate

2. Scholarship Name: Korean Government Scholarship Program for Foreign Exchange Students (KGSP)

Types of Awards: Government-funded

Coverage: Tuition, stipend, and accommodation

Study Level: Undergraduate

3. Scholarship Name: Graduate Student Scholarship – Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS)

Types of Awards: Research-oriented

Coverage: Tuition, stipend, research allowance, and health insurance

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Korean Studies or Korean Development)

4. Scholarship Name: Seoul National University Scholarship

Types of Awards: University-specific

Coverage: Tuition, living expenses

Study Level: Undergraduate & Graduate (varies by program)

5. Scholarship Name: KAIST Scholarship

Types of Awards: University-specific

Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, and health insurance

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Science, Engineering, Technology)

6. Scholarship Name: GIST Scholarship

Types of Awards: University-specific

Coverage: Tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Science, Engineering, Technology)

7. Scholarship Name: Yonsei University Scholarship for Undergraduate Program at Underwood International College (UIC)

Types of Awards: University-specific

Coverage: Tuition, housing, meal plan

Study Level: Undergraduate

8. Scholarship Name: Korea University Graduate School of International Studies (KU GSIS) Scholarship

Types of Awards: University-specific

Coverage: Tuition, stipend, research allowance

Study Level: Master’s (International Studies)

9. Scholarship Name: POSTECH Scholarship

Types of Awards: University-specific

Coverage: Tuition, stipend, housing

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Science, Engineering)

10. Scholarship Name: Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program

Types of Awards: Corporate-sponsored

Coverage: Tuition, living expenses

Study Level: Undergraduate & Graduate

Also Read: Seoul National University Acceptance Rate

Details of Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students

Here are details of the Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students

1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

This is a prominent scholarship program that is financed by the government and provides financial assistance to international students from all over the world who are traveling to Korea to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Master’s and PhD) as well as research programs. The scholarship will cover the costs of tuition, a monthly stipend, a settling allowance, airline expenses, and further instruction in the Korean language. Between February and April, applications are normally accepted.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Tuition fees at the designated Korean university Monthly stipend for living expenses Settlement allowance upon arrival in Korea Round-trip flight tickets (economy class) Korean language training program (optional) National health insurance coverage
Eligibility	Citizenship of a country designated by NIIED (National Institute for International Education) in South Korea. Must have graduated from high school or completed an associate degree program. Must hold a Bachelor’s degree by the application deadline and be under 40 years old.
Application Deadline	Between February and April

2. Korean Government Scholarship Program for Foreign Exchange Students (KGSP)

To provide financial assistance to exceptional undergraduate students from other countries who want to further their higher education in Korean universities, the Korean Ministry of Education has established this scholarship. The KGSP scholarship program provides financial assistance for tuition, a monthly stipend, and lodging in a dormitory or off-campus housing for the winning student. Between September and November, applications are normally accepted.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Tuition fees (up to a certain amount set by the Korean government). Monthly stipend for living expenses. Settlement allowance upon arrival in Korea. Accommodation in a dormitory or off-campus housing (depending on the university). National health insurance. Korean language training program (optional).
Eligibility	Be a citizen of a country that has diplomatic relations with South Korea. Not hold Korean citizenship or dual citizenship. Be under 25 years old as of September 1st of the application year (for undergraduate applicants). Have a high school diploma or equivalent. Possess a strong academic record, typically with a GPA above 80%. Be in good physical and mental health. Not currently enrolled in a degree program in South Korea.
Application Deadline	Between September and November

3. Graduate Student Scholarship–Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS)

International students who are pursuing Master’s and Doctoral degrees in specified fields of study that are relevant to Korean studies or Korean development are eligible to receive financial assistance via this KFAS Scholarship, which is made available by the Korean Foundation for Advanced Studies. In addition to providing health insurance, the scholarship also provides a monthly stipend, a research allowance, and tuition. Generally speaking, the application period is available from April to June.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Tuition fees Monthly stipend for living expenses Research allowance (for PhD students) Health insurance
Eligibility	Be a citizen of a country other than South Korea. Have a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree (depending on the program you’re applying to). Possess a strong academic record, typically reflected in a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Demonstrate proficiency in the Korean language (though the required level may vary by program).
Application Deadline	June

4. Seoul National University Scholarship

A variety of scholarships, including fully funded scholarships that cover both tuition and living costs, are available to overseas students who are enrolled at Seoul National University (SNU). A wide range of programs provide financial aid in the form of scholarships to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The months of March and September are normally when applications are accepted.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Full tuition fee exemption and monthly living stipend (approx. INR 38,412)
Eligibility	Being a non-Korean citizen Not being enrolled in another scholarship program at the time of application Meeting the program-specific academic requirements (GPA, standardised tests) for your chosen degree (undergraduate or graduate)
Application Deadline	January or July

5. KAIST Scholarship

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) provides international students with a variety of scholarships, some of which are fully funded scholarships that cover all of the costs associated with attending the university, including tuition, living expenses, and health insurance. In the fields of science, engineering, and technology, there are scholarships available for students pursuing master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. The months of February and August are normally when applications are accepted.

Particulars	Details
Coverage	Covers tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.
Eligibility	Not a citizen of South Korea (dual citizenship disqualifies)Graduated or will graduate from high school Hold or expect to hold a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s) or Master’s degree (PhD)Strong academic performance is expected. A minimum score on a recognised English language test (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.) is required.
Application Deadline	January and March

Also Read: How to Apply for a Student Visa for South Korea

Factors Affecting Selection For Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students

Here are some factors that can affect your chances of getting a fully funded scholarship in South Korea for International Students.

• Most scholarships prioritize applicants with excellent academic records, shown by a high GPA or strong performance in relevant subjects.
• Good scores on tests like the TOEFL, SAT, or ACT (depending on the scholarship) can strengthen your application.
• Some scholarships are restricted to students from specific countries or regions.
• Some scholarships may favor applicants with relevant academic experience or research experience in the chosen field.
• Scholarships target specific academic areas related to Korean development or industries the country prioritizes (e.g., Engineering, Technology, Korean Studies).
• Strong Personal Statement allows you to showcase your academic goals, motivation, and how the scholarship aligns with your aspirations.
• Letters of Recommendation from professors or relevant professionals can add credibility to your application.
• Some scholarships may require a minimum level of Korean language proficiency (TOPIK score) or offer language training as part of the scholarship.
• Show leadership, relevant experience, or achievements can make your application stand out.

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