For those eager to delve into Korean culture firsthand, here’s a compilation of scholarships for international students in Korea that are bound to captivate you!
Korea, renowned as a dynamic and culturally rich nation, stands out as a prime choice for international students seeking educational opportunities abroad. Providing a diverse array of master’s and doctoral programs taught in both English and Korean, the country also extends scholarships, fee waivers, and distinctive avenues for international students, fostering cross-cultural interactions.
Scholarships For International Students In Korea
The GKS Scholarship
Scholarship Funding: Covers full tuition expenses, capped at KRW 5 million.
Qualifying Degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs offered by specific Korean universities.
Regarded as the premier scholarship opportunity for international students in Korea, the GKS program was established by the Korean government with the aim of promoting global educational exchange and fostering international friendships.
This initiative will enable 220 undergraduate and 1,080 graduate students to pursue their studies at designated Korean institutions without bearing the financial burden.
The scholarship package encompasses resettlement allowance, living stipend, medical insurance, and language course fees. Additionally, a KRW 100,000 (approximately 6,628 INR) prize awaits those who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in Korean language.
Graduate students are further entitled to research support, dissertation printing expenses, and a full grant of KRW 100,000 (approximately 6,628 INR).
Applicants must be below 25 years of age (for undergraduates) or 40 years of age (for graduates) at the time of application. Moreover, a minimum GPA of 80% from their previous academic institution is mandatory.
The Samsung Global Scholarship
The Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program offers full tuition coverage for 8 semesters for undergraduate studies, 4 semesters for master’s degrees, and 6 semesters for doctoral programs (PhD).
Eligible for this scholarship are students pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees from Samsung partner universities. Candidates from countries listed on the DAC list of OCD recipients can apply. This includes least developed, low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income nations.
Selection criteria for scholars include academic excellence, proficiency in both Korean and English languages, and demonstrated financial need.
The Posco Tj Park Scholarship
Scholarship Offer: Full tuition coverage for four semesters
Eligible Programs: Master’s and Doctoral degrees
This scholarship opportunity, specifically tailored for Asian students, is exclusively designed for those seeking advanced studies in South Korea. Its primary aim is to support the development of future leaders across Asia.
In addition to covering tuition fees for the entire duration of the program, recipients will also receive a monthly living allowance of $900 (equivalent to 66,282 INR).
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from Korea or any other country to be eligible for consideration.
Although meeting this basic requirement, all applicants will undergo a two-stage selection process. The initial stage involves the evaluation of submitted documents, followed by a subsequent interview phase.
Successful candidates must secure admission to their preferred university after successfully completing both rounds of selection. Upon acceptance, recipients will be officially recognized as POSCO Asia fellows.
The Yonsei University Scholarship
Scholarship Offer: Full coverage of tuition fees for a four-year duration
Yonsei University’s UIC undergraduate programs, comprising 16 majors across five divisions, qualify for this scholarship.
Yonsei University, a premier institution in South Korea, has recently established the nation’s inaugural English-language liberal arts college known as UIC, attracting 2,500 students from 66 different countries.
The UIC scholarship stands out for its inclusive approach, automatically considering all applicants. Recipients of this esteemed scholarship in Korea are selected based on their academic performance. Once chosen, successful candidates will receive a scholarship notification alongside their admission materials.
To maintain eligibility for subsequent academic years, students must uphold a specific GPA requirement, akin to other scholarship programs.
Scholarships For International Students In Korea
Scholarship Opportunities At Korea University
Scholarship Amount: Partial to full coverage of tuition for up to 8 semesters
Degree Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree
Due to its status as a private institution, Korea University typically has higher tuition fees compared to other universities in the country.
However, many international students have had the opportunity to pursue their undergraduate studies at the university without incurring tuition costs, thanks to its generous scholarship programs.
For instance, incoming students may be awarded entrance scholarships, although these are only available to a limited number of applicants.
No separate application is required for these scholarships as recipients are selected based on their academic achievements.
Additionally, current students may qualify for Academic Excellence or Academic Improvement scholarships.
To maintain eligibility for renewal of the scholarship in the subsequent year, students must uphold a specific GPA requirement, similar to most merit-based awards.
The EGPP Scholarship
Full tuition funding for 8 semesters (for undergraduate studies), 4 semesters (for master’s programs), or 6 semesters (for PhD programs) is provided. Ewha Woman’s University (EWU), a private institution in Seoul, South Korea, offers Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees, all qualifying for this subsidy. Undergraduate semester costs commence at $3,300, while graduate semester fees stand at approximately $4,700 (equivalent to 346,143 INR).
Conversely, the EGPP (Ewha Global Partnership Program) fully covers tuition expenses for both undergraduate and graduate studies. Moreover, recipients benefit from complimentary dormitory accommodation and a living stipend, although insurance is not included.
Female candidates from economically disadvantaged nations are eligible for the EGPP. Selection criteria are based on academic merit and leadership potential. Annual verification and renewal of eligibility are required.
The CWNU Graduate Research Scholarship
Scholarship Coverage: Full tuition coverage for four semesters
An advanced degree (Master’s or Doctoral) from CWNU is mandatory.
CWNU, situated in the southeastern region of South Korea, is a public university renowned for its Graduate School, which offers full scholarships to international graduate students.
Nevertheless, the eligibility criteria for this scholarship in Korea are stringent.
For Master’s degree candidates, authorship of one article as the lead/first author, or participation as a co-author in two articles, is required. Similarly, PhD candidates must have a published paper to qualify.
In contrast, art majors can fulfill the research requirement by presenting one or more exhibits, performances, or art presentations.
To remain eligible for the scholarship, recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 throughout their tenure.
The SNU Scholarship
The scholarship covers full tuition for six semesters. To qualify, applicants must hold a doctoral degree from SNU, the country’s leading institution established in 1946. Additionally, SNU offers the prestigious SNU President Fellowship program, a highly regarded scholarship for international students pursuing PhDs while serving as faculty members in universities across Asia, South America, and Africa. Preference is given to applicants with notable achievements in public health, agriculture, medicine, engineering, developmental studies, and Korean studies.
SNU will also reimburse the cost of evening language programs during the fall and spring semesters. To maintain this benefit for three years, recipients must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.
The KAIST Scholarship
KAIST stands as a premier institution globally renowned for its excellence in science and technology education.
Less than half a century ago, it emerged as Korea’s pioneering research university. Supported by the Korean government and leading private enterprises such as Hyundai and Samsung, KAIST fosters cutting-edge research initiatives.
Irrespective of nationality, all students admitted to KAIST are awarded comprehensive scholarships, ensuring equitable access to education. With classes conducted in English, KAIST prioritizes enhanced communication and global perspectives among its student body.
Qualification For Scholarships In Korea
Prospective applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Citizenship: Applicants and their parents must be citizens of the country offering the scholarship.
- Education: By March 1st of the invitation year, applicants should have graduated from high school or be on track to graduate.
- Academic Performance: A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 80% or ranking within the top 20% of high school students is required.
- Enrollment: Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate or doctoral program within the country.
- Nationality: Both the applicant and their parents must be nationals of a different country.
- Exclusions: Applicants from Korea are ineligible for this program.
- Age Limit: Applicants must be under 40 years old as of September 1st, 2013 (born after September 1st, 1973).
- Academic Standards: A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.64 on a 4.0 scale, 2.80 on a 4.3 scale, 2.91 on a 4.5 scale, or equivalent grades from their previous institution is required.
- Number of Awards: The Korean government’s scholarship program will grant scholarships to 170 undergraduate students and 700 graduate students.
How To Seek Scholarships For International Students In Korea?
- Discover potential scholarships available to international students wishing to pursue studies in South Korea, along with a range of universities suitable for your academic journey. Evaluate the application guidelines and criteria set by each institution.
- Assess the admission competitiveness, safety, and suitability of schools based on your academic performance. Arrange your documents following relevant protocols. Note that certain universities may mandate online recommendation letters.
- You may choose to submit your application for South Korean scholarships either through email or online portals.
Conclusion
These scholarships for international students in Korea catered a guaranteed opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating culture of the nation. If you’re keen on studying in this distinctive Asian destination, simply leave a comment below, and we’ll assist you in navigating through the application process!