National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Korean Ministry of Education
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Undergraduate Degrees
The Korean Government's bachelor's scholarship for international students under 25. Thai applicants compete for a small embassy quota through the Korean Embassy in Bangkok, or apply to a GKS university directly on the University Track, which has no country quota for the UIC programme.
Application round
For 2027 entry, the Embassy Track application was online at studyinkorea.go.kr from 15 September 2026 at 11:00 KST to 30 September 2026 at 18:00 KST (16:00 in Thailand). Embassy results came by 16 October, originals reached NIIED by 30 October, universities report by 23 December, the final university choice is due 29 December 2026 at 18:00 KST, and the final list is expected on 7 January 2027. University Track applications ran September to November, each university on its own dates.
Next round
NIIED publishes the GKS-U guidelines on the Study in Korea notice board in early September each year with about two weeks to apply, so expect the 2028 Embassy Track window in mid-to-late September 2027. Request your M.6 transcript and graduation certificate in English during the summer.
The IELTS requirement
You don't need IELTS to apply: NIIED treats TOEFL iBT and IELTS as optional scores that add evaluation points, and TOPIK earns more (3%, 4% or 5% of the total for levels 3, 4 and 5+). After the Korean-language year most scholars study in Korean, so TOPIK is the test to plan for. If you pick an English-taught bachelor's track, the university's own English requirement applies, typically around IELTS 6.0, and some ask for the score with your application, so check the University Information file for your three choices.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- A monthly allowance: 13,560,000 won a year during the Korean-language year and 14,400,000 won a year on the degree (about 1.1-1.2 million won a month), which also covers housing, health insurance, settlement and degree-completion grants
- Tuition: NIIED pays up to 5 million won a semester and the university waives the rest, plus the admission fee
- The one-year Korean-language programme (waived with TOPIK level 5 or 6)
- An economy-class air ticket to Korea on arrival and home after graduation
Who can apply
- Thai citizen whose parents are both non-Korean; dual nationals holding Korean citizenship are not eligible
- Under 25: born on or after 1 March 2002
- Graduated, or graduating by 31 December 2026, from upper secondary school; applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree cannot apply
- GPAX of at least 80% or top 20% of your class, or a CGPA of 2.64/4.0 (3.23/5.0) or higher across the whole curriculum
- Not a graduate of a Korean high school, and not a previous GKS scholar
- Thailand quota in 2027: 2 embassy places (1 general, 1 regional R-GKS); the University Track UIC programme (100 places) is open to all countries
Key facts
- Provider
- National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Korean Ministry of Education
- Where you study
- South Korea
- Study level
- Bachelor's
- Funding
- Fully funded
- Application round
- Opens September 15, 2026 · Closes September 30, 2026
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We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
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