How to Apply

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1. University Scholarships

Most Korean universities offer their own scholarships for international students. These can include:

• Admission Scholarships: Awarded automatically or through application when you first enter the university, based on academic performance, Korean language ability (TOPIK score), or other criteria.

• Merit-based Scholarships: Given to current students each semester depending on GPA performance.

• Need-based Scholarships: For students who demonstrate financial need, though these are less common for foreigners.

• Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant Scholarships: Available mostly for master's and doctoral students involved in research projects.

Scholarship benefits can range from partial tuition waivers (30–70%) to full tuition coverage, plus living stipends.

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2. Government Scholarships

• Global Korea Scholarship (GKS):
  One of the most prestigious scholarships funded by the Korean government. It covers full tuition, airfare, a monthly living allowance, medical insurance, and Korean language training for selected undergraduate and graduate students.
  Selection is highly competitive and based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to promoting international cooperation.​

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3. Private and Industry Scholarships

Some Korean companies, foundations, and organizations offer scholarships to international students, especially in fields related to science, technology, and engineering. Examples include scholarships from Samsung, Hyundai, and POSCO foundations.

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4. Scholarships Based on Language Proficiency

Many universities grant additional scholarships if you have a high TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) score.

• TOPIK Level 3–4: Small tuition discounts or partial scholarships.

• TOPIK Level 5–6: Higher tuition discounts (50–100%) and sometimes even additional monthly stipends.

Some universities also recognize high English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS) scores for English-track majors with additional scholarship opportunities.

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Important Notes:

• Application Process: Some scholarships require a separate application; others are automatically considered based on your admission documents.

• Renewal: Many scholarships, especially merit-based ones, require maintaining a certain GPA to continue receiving benefits.

• Competition: Scholarships are competitive, and it's important to prepare strong academic records, recommendation letters, and language proficiency certificates to maximize your chances.

In short, if you are planning to study in Korea, there are many opportunities to reduce your educational costs through scholarships.