Today, we’ll briefly look at some top Scholarships in South Korea for international students. Many students dream of studying in Korea, but it can be quite expensive without scholarships. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best scholarships available in South Korea for international students. But first, let’s talk about why studying in South Korea is a great idea.
South Korea is famous for its modern facilities, top-notch professors, and amazing research opportunities, making it a popular choice for students worldwide. However, the cost of studying abroad, especially when paying tuition in a foreign currency, can be high for international students.
Thankfully, scholarships can help with this financial challenge by providing significant support to international students.
South Korea is quickly becoming one of the top destinations for studying abroad. It’s now competing with countries like Australia and the USA due to its innovative education system. One of the biggest hurdles for international students is the cost of tuition and living expenses. Luckily, South Korea offers a variety of scholarships to help reduce these costs. These scholarships are available for undergraduate, graduate, and research programs and often cover tuition fees, living expenses, airfare, and even language training.
Can I Get a Full scholarship in Korea for international students?
Yes, you can get a full scholarship in Korea as an international student. There are several scholarships available, such as the Korean Government Scholarship Program.
List of the Top 10 Scholarships In South Korean For International Students
- Korean Government Scholarship
- KAIST University Scholarship
- SUNY Korea Scholarship
- Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program
- Sejong University Graduate Scholarships in South Korea 2024
- Korea University Scholarship
- GIST Scholarships
- Yonsei University scholarships
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
- Seoul National University (SNU) President Fellowship
Brief overview of the Top Scholarships In South Korean For International Students
1. Korean Government Scholarship
The Korean Government Scholarship, also known as the Global Korea Scholarship, is a fully funded scholarship for international students. It aims to promote international educational exchange by providing foreign students with the opportunity to study at Korean higher education institutions.
Programs Offered: Available for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies across various fields.
Eligibility: Open to students from around the world. You can apply through the Korean Embassy in your country or directly to Korean universities.
Benefits:
- Full tuition support
- Monthly living allowance
- On-campus housing
- Medical coverage
- Relocation support.
2. KAIST University Scholarship
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is a prestigious national research university located in Daedeok Innopolis, Daejeon, South Korea. It was established by the Korean government in 1971 as the nation’s first public, research-oriented science and engineering institution. KAIST offers a generous scholarship program to international students.
Programs Offered: All graduate degree programs at KAIST, except for the Global Technology Innovation Program (GDI-GTIP Track).
Eligibility:
- Apply through the KAIST International Graduate Admission cycles.
- Meet eligibility requirements.
- Maintain a good academic record.
Benefits:
- Tuition grant (varies by degree level)
- Monthly living expenses
- National health insurance coverage.
3. SUNY Korea Scholarship
SUNY Korea, affiliated with Stony Brook University, offers scholarships to international undergraduate students and financial aid to eligible students.
Programs Offered: Undergraduate programs.
Eligibility:
- Submit the SUNY Korea scholarship or financial aid application.
- Maintain a good GPA and participate in college volunteer/work experience.
Benefits:
- Tuition grant
- Monthly living expenses
- National health insurance coverage.
4. Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program
The Samsung Dream Scholarship Foundation offers the Global Hope Scholarship Program to international students pursuing higher degrees in South Korea. This program aims to support academically excellent students from countries on the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List.
Programs Offered: Undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral level degree programs at partner universities in Korea.
Eligibility:
- International applicants from countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United States, and others are eligible to apply.
- Applicants must demonstrate proven academic excellence and linguistic proficiency in both Korean and English.
Benefits:
- Full tuition fee (including admission fee) for two semesters under the Global Leader Scholarship A.
- 50% tuition fee coverage for two semesters under the Global Leader Scholarship B.
5. Sejong University Graduate Scholarships in South Korea
Sejong University offers prestigious scholarships for international students. With a history of over half a century, the Graduate School at Sejong University prepares promising scholars and fosters creative minds.
Programs Offered: Master’s and doctoral programs across various fields, including Humanities & Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Arts, and Physical Education.
Eligibility:
- International students admitted to Sejong University with qualifications administered by the International Education Team.
Benefits:
- Scholarships cover tuition fees for eligible students.
6. Korea University Scholarship
Korea University provides a range of undergraduate scholarships to recognize outstanding academic performance and ensure that tuition fees do not hinder students’ passion for studying abroad.
Programs Offered: Undergraduate programs.
Eligibility:
- Newly admitted students and current students with excellent academic achievement.
Benefits:
- Full tuition fee coverage, partial tuition fee coverage, or financial assistance based on GPA and other criteria.
7. GIST Scholarships
The GIST Scholarship is offered by the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in South Korea. It aims to attract talented individuals passionate about science and technology.
Programs Offered: The scholarship covers both Master’s and Doctoral degree programs, including Master’s leading to Ph.D. programs.
Eligibility:
- Be a domestic or international student.
- Hold a bachelor’s degree.
- Meet English or Korean language requirements.
Benefits:
- Full tuition fee coverage.
- Monthly stipend for all international students.
- Research stipend for students participating in research projects.
- Housing (provided for all students).
- 60% health insurance coverage for international students.
- Annual medical checkup.
- Flight reimbursement for incoming international students.
8. Yonsei University Scholarships
Yonsei University, located in Seoul, Korea, offers various scholarships to make quality education accessible to students.
Programs Offered: Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, Korean language programs, and summer/winter schools.
Eligibility:
- Varies based on the specific scholarship type.
- Need-based, merit-based, and other options are available.
Benefits:
- Scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs.
9. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The GKS aims to provide international students with opportunities to study at Korean higher education institutions.
Programs Offered: Both undergraduate and graduate programs are covered.
Eligibility:
- Applicants and their parents must be citizens of eligible countries.
- Age limit (usually under 40, but exceptions apply).
- Hold a bachelor’s/master’s degree or expect to graduate by the specified date.
Benefits:
- Scholarship period varies (1 year for language courses + 2-3 years for degree courses).
- Full tuition coverage.
- Language courses.
- Admission to Korean universities.
10. Seoul National University (SNU) President Fellowship
The SNU President Fellowship Program is one of SNU’s most prestigious scholarship programs. It was launched to provide opportunities for faculty members from major universities in developing countries to pursue Ph.D. degrees at SNU.
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a faculty member of a major university in a developing country without a Ph.D. degree.
- Priority is given to faculty members from major universities in developing countries in Asia, Africa, South America, etc.
Benefits:
- Full tuition fee coverage for six semesters.
- A monthly stipend of KRW 1,500,000 to KRW 2,000,000 for 3 to 4 years.
- Round-trip airfare (economy class based on GTS system).
- Korean language training (evening classes during regular semesters).
- National health insurance coverage (amount varies based on the recipient’s situation).
Also Read: Top 7 Fully Funded Scholarships in Canada for International Students 2024
Conclusion
These scholarships in South Korea for international students are the easiest and cheapest ways to study in Korea and also experience the fascinating cultures in Korea. If you are interested in studying in any of these unique institutions in Korea, then you should try applying for these scholarships.
You can also check other sites for more scholarships in Korea available for international students.
