Discover the top fully funded scholarships in South Korea for 2026–2027. Covers tuition, living costs, airfare, and stipends for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students. Apply for GKS, SNU, KAIST, Yonsei, POSTECH, Korea University, Ewha, UST, and more.
Are you considering where to pursue your next degree? South Korea is one of the fastest-growing destinations for international students, offering globally recognized degrees, cutting-edge research, and vibrant cultural experiences. With fully funded scholarships for 2026–2027, you could study at some of the world’s top-ranked universities without worrying about tuition, accommodation, or even airfare.
South Korea’s education system combines affordability with excellence. Whether you want to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD, the scholarships listed here cover everything from full tuition fees to living stipends and travel allowances. In addition, you’ll gain exposure to career opportunities in one of Asia’s most advanced economies, plus the chance to immerse yourself in Korean culture, technology, and innovation.
Key Details at a Glance
| Aspect | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Funding Coverage | Most scholarships are fully funded, covering tuition, living allowance, health insurance, airfare, and sometimes dormitory costs. |
| Eligible Levels | Opportunities available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, depending on the university/program. |
| Fields of Study | Wide range, including STEM, Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Medicine, Business, and Global Affairs. |
| Application Windows | Main deadlines fall between July 2026 and April 2026 for 2026–2027 intakes. |
| Competition | Highly competitive—requires strong academic records, recommendation letters, and a clear study plan. |
| Unique Benefits | Includes language training, high research stipends (graduate level), and leadership-focused awards. |
Key Takeaways
- Fully funded options include tuition, monthly stipends, airfare, and even research allowances.
- The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the flagship, covering thousands of students each year.
- South Korea’s top universities—SNU, Yonsei, KAIST, POSTECH, Ewha, UST, Korea University—offer competitive funding packages.
- Deadlines run from July 2026 through April 2026, depending on the scholarship.
- Early preparation of documents (transcripts, study plan, recommendation letters) is essential.
List of Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea 2026-2027
1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS/KGSP) 2026–2027
The Global Korea Scholarship (formerly KGSP) is South Korea’s most prestigious government-funded program. It provides full financial coverage for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies.
What it covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Airfare (round trip)
- Health insurance
- Korean language training
Application Timeline:
- Embassy Track: September 15 – September 30, 2026
- University Track: September 15 – October 31, 2026
- Results: October–November 2026 (1st round), Final results January 2026
👉 This scholarship is highly competitive and should be a top priority for international students.
2. Seoul National University (SNU) Scholarships 2026–2027
SNU, Korea’s #1 university, offers a variety of funding opportunities:
- SNU President Fellowship (SPF): For PhD students from developing countries.
- Glo-Harmony Scholarship: For students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
🔗 Undergraduate: SNU UG Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
🔗 Postgraduate: SNU PG Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
3. Yonsei University Scholarships 2026–2027
Yonsei provides scholarships through its Underwood International College (UIC) and graduate programs.
- UIC Scholarships: For outstanding undergraduates.
- Companion Scholarships: For graduate students (often automatic upon admission).
🔗 Yonsei Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
- Undergraduate Spring 2026: Aug 25 – Oct 17, 2026
- Graduate Spring 2026: Oct 10 – Oct 15, 2026
- Undergraduate Fall 2026: (March–May 2026)
4. POSTECH Scholarships 2026–2027
POSTECH specializes in science and engineering, offering fully funded scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students.
🔗 POSTECH Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
- UG: Sept 26 – Nov 3, 2026
- Results: Jan 5, 2026
- Graduate: Early 2026 (Fall intake)
5. Korea University Global KU Scholarships 2026–2027
Korea University offers the Global KU Admission Scholarships and academic excellence awards. These range from partial to full tuition coverage.
🔗 Apply for KU Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
- Applications Open: September 2026
- Deadline: January 30, 2026
6. KAIST Scholarships 2026–2027
KAIST, Korea’s top tech-focused university, provides fully funded scholarships across STEM fields for undergraduates, master’s, and PhD applicants.
🔗 KAIST Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
- Fall 2026: September – October 2026
- Spring 2027: March – April 2026
7. Ewha Womans University Scholarships 2026–2027
As one of the world’s leading women’s universities, Ewha provides full scholarships for international female students, including tuition, dormitory costs, and stipends.
🔗 Ewha Scholarships (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
- Fall 2026: September – October 2026
- Spring 2027: March – April 2026
8. University of Science and Technology (UST) Scholarships 2026–2027
UST is unique because it integrates Korea’s national research institutes into its graduate programs. It offers some of the highest stipends among Korean scholarships.
Application Timeline:
- Spring 2026: September – October 2026
- Fall 2026: March – April 2026
9. Other Korean University Scholarships 2026–2027
In addition to the top-tier institutions, several Korean universities provide international scholarships:
- GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
- Chung-Ang University – up to 100% tuition waivers
- Sogang University – partial/full tuition scholarships
- Ajou University – global scholarships (partial/full)
- Inha University – GPA-based merit awards
- Hanyang University – fully funded graduate opportunities
Application Timeline:
- Fall 2026 intake: September – November 2026
- Spring 2027 intake: March – April 2026
10. Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS)
The Shanghai Government Scholarship supports international students pursuing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Shanghai-based universities. It offers full or partial funding, covering tuition, accommodation, living allowance, and health insurance.
🔗 Shanghai Government Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
December 2026 – April 2026
Results: June 2026
11. Schwarzman Scholars Programme (Tsinghua University, Beijing)
This prestigious master’s programme at Tsinghua University focuses on leadership, public policy, economics, and global affairs. It is modeled after the Rhodes Scholarship and is fully funded, covering tuition, room and board, travel, stipend, and cultural immersion.
🔗 Schwarzman Scholars Programme (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
April 2026 – September 2026
Results: November 2026
12. MOFCOM Scholarship (Chinese Ministry of Commerce)
The MOFCOM Scholarship is designed for international students pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees in China. It targets professionals from developing countries and covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, medical insurance, and international travel.
🔗 MOFCOM Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
January 2026 – April 2026
Results: July 2026
13. Tsinghua University CSC Scholarship (Beijing)
Tsinghua, one of China’s top universities, offers the CSC Scholarship for high-achieving international students across disciplines. It provides full tuition waiver, free accommodation or allowance, health insurance, and monthly stipends.
🔗 Tsinghua University CSC Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
Application Timeline:
November 2026 – March 2026
Results: June 2026
Final Thoughts
South Korea’s 2026–2027 fully funded scholarships are your gateway to world-class education, financial freedom, and global opportunities. From the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) to university-specific awards at SNU, KAIST, Yonsei, and POSTECH, international students can access top-tier degrees with little to no cost.
📌 Tip: Start preparing early. Get your recommendation letters, study plan, academic transcripts, and language certificates ready months before the deadlines.
If you’re serious about studying in South Korea, this is your chance. The journey begins in 2026 with applications, and by 2026, you could be walking the campus of one of Korea’s top universities.
FAQs About Scholarships in South Korea 2026-2027 for International Students
1. What is the best fully funded scholarship in Korea for 2026?
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the most comprehensive and prestigious, covering all expenses.
2. Do Korean scholarships cover living expenses?
Yes, most fully funded scholarships cover tuition, housing, stipends, and even airfare.
3. Can undergraduates apply for Korean scholarships?
Yes. Scholarships like GKS, KAIST, POSTECH, and Yonsei UIC offer undergraduate funding.
4. When do applications for 2026 scholarships open?
Most open between July–October 2026, depending on the university and scholarship type.
5. Do I need Korean language proficiency to apply?
Not always. Many programs are in English, but some require basic Korean proficiency or offer language training before your degree.