South Korea Scholarships 2027: Complete Guide for Indian Students — Dates, Benefits & Universities

South Korea has quietly become one of the most scholarship-rich destinations for Indian students. Between the Korean government's flagship GKS programme and generous university-level awards from institutions like SNU, KAIST, and Yonsei, it is entirely possible to complete a master's or PhD in Korea with zero tuition fees and a comfortable monthly stipend. This guide covers every major scholarship available for the 2027 intake — with real application windows, benefit figures, and the names of universities that actively recruit Indian students.

Why South Korea Is Worth Your Attention in 2027

Three things make South Korea stand out among study abroad destinations right now. First, Korean universities — especially SNU, KAIST, POSTECH, and Yonsei — consistently rank in the global top 100 for engineering, business, and technology. Second, the cost of living in cities like Daejeon and Suwon is noticeably lower than London, Sydney, or Toronto. Third, Korea's research ecosystem is heavily funded by both government and industry, meaning scholarship money is genuinely available and not just a marketing talking point.

• Six Korean universities are ranked in the QS World University Rankings Top 200 (2025).
• English-taught master's and PhD programmes have grown by over 40% since 2020.
• Post-study work options through the D-10 job-seeking visa allow up to one year to find employment after graduation.
• India and South Korea share an active MOU on educational cooperation, which increases embassy-track scholarship allocations.
• Cost of living averages KRW 600,000–900,000 per month (roughly ₹37,000–56,000), well below Western alternatives.

1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) — The Most Prestigious Government Award

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), also known as the Korean Government Scholarship Programme (KGSP), is funded directly by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the South Korean Ministry of Education. It is the single most comprehensive scholarship available to Indian students — covering virtually every cost associated with studying in Korea. For 2027, India has a dedicated embassy-track allocation, which means students apply through the South Korean Embassy in New Delhi rather than competing on a global pool.

GKS 2027 Benefits — What You Receive

• Full tuition fee waiver for the entire programme duration (no cap on tuition amount).
• Monthly living allowance: KRW 900,000 (~₹56,000) for master's and PhD students; KRW 800,000 (~₹50,000) for undergraduates.
• Round-trip airfare: economy class from Delhi or Mumbai to Korea, provided at the start and end of the programme.
• Settlement allowance: KRW 200,000 (~₹12,500) paid once upon arrival.
• Korean language training: one full year of Korean language instruction at a partner university before the degree begins — fully paid.
• Medical insurance: covered by NIIED under a group health plan throughout the scholarship period.
• Research allowance: KRW 210,000–240,000 per month (~₹13,000–15,000) for students in research-based programmes.
• Dissertation grant: KRW 500,000 (~₹31,000) for master's students and KRW 800,000 (~₹50,000) for PhD students upon thesis submission.

GKS 2027 Application Dates — Embassy Track (Recommended for Indians)

• Application window opens: September 2026.
• Application deadline (Embassy Track — Graduate): October 2026.
• Application deadline (Embassy Track — Undergraduate): October 2026.
• Embassy screening and shortlisting: November 2026.
• NIIED final selection announcement: March 2027.
• Korean language training begins: March 2027.
• Degree programme begins: September 2027.

GKS 2027 Application Dates — University Track

• Application window opens: February 2027.
• Application deadline (University Track — Graduate): March 2027.
• University screening results: April 2027.
• NIIED confirmation: May 2027.
• Degree programme begins: September 2027.
• Note: University track applicants apply directly to participating Korean universities. Each university sets its own internal deadline within this window.

2. POSCO Asia Fellowship — For Research-Focused Students

The POSCO Asia Fellowship is awarded by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation, the philanthropic arm of POSCO, one of the world's largest steel companies. This fellowship is specifically designed for Asian students pursuing graduate-level study in Korea. Unlike GKS, it does not require a government-to-government allocation — Indian students can apply directly. It is particularly competitive for students in engineering, materials science, business administration, and sustainability-related fields.

• Coverage: Full or partial tuition support, depending on the host university's agreement.
• Monthly stipend: KRW 1,000,000 (~₹62,500) for master's students; KRW 1,200,000 (~₹75,000) for PhD students.
• Research support grant: up to KRW 3,000,000 per year (~₹1,87,000) for approved research projects.
• Application window for 2027 intake: April 2027 to May 2027.
• Results announced: July 2027.
• Eligible universities: POSTECH, Yonsei, Korea University, SNU, KAIST, and select partner institutions.

3. Seoul National University (SNU) International Scholarships

Seoul National University, ranked consistently among Asia's top five universities, runs several in-house scholarship schemes for international students. Indian students admitted to a master's or PhD programme at SNU are automatically considered for the SNU International Student Scholarship — no separate application required. SNU also participates in the GKS University Track, making it one of the most scholarship-accessible Korean universities for students from India.

• SNU International Student Scholarship: 25–100% tuition waiver based on academic performance, automatically awarded upon admission.
• SNU Graduate Stipend: KRW 500,000–800,000 per month (~₹31,000–50,000) for research assistantship holders.
• BK21 Research Fellowship: KRW 700,000–1,200,000 per month for students in BK21-designated departments (engineering, science, social sciences). This is separate from admission scholarships.
• Application deadline for 2027 September intake: February 28, 2027 (first round); May 2027 (second round).
• Popular programmes for Indian students: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, International Studies.

4. KAIST International Student Scholarship

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon is one of the few universities in the world where full-time master's and PhD students are automatically exempt from tuition — not just scholarship holders, but all admitted students in science and engineering. On top of that, every admitted graduate student receives a monthly research assistantship. This makes KAIST arguably the most cost-effective high-ranked university in the world for technical programmes.

• Tuition: Free for all admitted master's and PhD students (automatically waived — no scholarship application needed).
• Monthly research assistantship: KRW 350,000–500,000 (~₹22,000–31,000) for master's students; KRW 700,000–900,000 (~₹44,000–56,000) for PhD students.
• Additional stipend from advisors: Most research advisors supplement the base stipend, bringing total monthly income to KRW 1,200,000–1,800,000 for PhD students.
• Application deadline for 2027 September intake: December 2026 (Round 1); February 2027 (Round 2).
• Strong programmes for Indian students: AI, Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Quantum Computing.
• English is the medium of instruction for all KAIST graduate programmes.

5. Korea University International Excellence Scholarship

Korea University (KU) — part of the prestigious SKY trio alongside SNU and Yonsei — awards the International Excellence Scholarship to high-achieving international applicants based on academic merit and extracurricular accomplishments. Students do not need to apply separately; KU's admissions committee assesses all international applicants automatically. The scholarship is particularly notable because it is renewable each semester provided the student maintains a GPA of 3.0 or above.

• Scholarship level: 30%, 50%, or 100% tuition waiver depending on academic profile at the time of admission.
• Monthly departmental stipend: available for graduate research students in science, engineering, and business faculties.
• KU Global Talent Scholarship: additional KRW 1,500,000 (~₹94,000) per semester for students from select partner countries including India.
• Application deadline for 2027 March intake: October 2026.
• Application deadline for 2027 September intake: March 2027.
• Popular schools for Indian applicants: School of Engineering, KU Business School, Graduate School of International Studies.

6. Yonsei University Global Scholarship

Yonsei University in Seoul offers the Global Scholarship and the International Merit Scholarship for international graduate students. Both are merit-based and competitive, but Yonsei actively prioritises applicants from South and Southeast Asia. The university also runs strong English-taught programmes in business, international studies, and social sciences — which consistently attract Indian applicants.

• Global Scholarship: 50–100% tuition waiver awarded to top international admits in each graduate programme.
• International Merit Scholarship: KRW 2,000,000 (~₹1,25,000) per semester for students with a GPA equivalent of 90%+ in their undergraduate degree.
• Yonsei also participates in GKS University Track — students can combine university admission with a GKS application.
• Application deadline for 2027 September intake: February 2027 (first round); April 2027 (second round).
• Programmes with highest scholarship award rates for Indians: International Studies, Business, Computer Science, Life Sciences.

7. Ewha Womans University International Scholarship

Ewha Womans University — ranked among Asia's top universities for women — offers dedicated international scholarships for female students from outside Korea. The scholarship covers tuition and provides a living allowance. Ewha is well-regarded for its programmes in liberal arts, education, social work, public health, and Korean language studies, making it a strong option for female Indian applicants who want both academic quality and scholarship support.

• Ewha International Scholarship: 50–100% tuition waiver for high-achieving female international applicants.
• Monthly living allowance: KRW 300,000–500,000 (~₹19,000–31,000) for full-scholarship recipients.
• Application deadline for 2027 September intake: March 2027.
• Open to: Female international students applying for undergraduate or graduate programmes.
• Strongest departments for Indian students: Korean Language and Literature, International Studies, Public Health, Social Welfare.

Top Korean Universities That Actively Welcome Indian Students

• Seoul National University (SNU) — QS 2025 Rank: #31. Strengths: Engineering, Medicine, Law, Humanities.
• KAIST — QS 2025 Rank: #65. Strengths: AI, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics.
• POSTECH — QS 2025 Rank: #83. Strengths: Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Semiconductor Research.
• Yonsei University — QS 2025 Rank: #62. Strengths: Business, Medicine, International Studies, Social Sciences.
• Korea University — QS 2025 Rank: #79. Strengths: Law, Business, Engineering, Korean Studies.
• Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) — QS 2025 Rank: #109. Partner with Samsung; strong in Electronics and Business.
• Hanyang University — Known for industry partnerships in Engineering and Architecture; multiple scholarship programmes available.
• Ewha Womans University — Top institution for female students; strong in Humanities, Health, and Education.
• Sogang University — Known for Korean language programmes and Business; popular among Indian liberal arts students.
• Konkuk University — Strong in Veterinary Science, Biotechnology, and International Trade.

Eligibility Requirements for Indian Students

• Nationality: Must hold an Indian passport. Both applicant and both parents must not be Korean nationals.
• Academic standing: Minimum GPA equivalent to 80% or above in your most recent degree (some scholarships require 85%+).
• Age: GKS Undergraduate — under 25 years old at the time of programme start; GKS Graduate — under 40 years old.
• Health: Must meet the standard health requirements; GKS requires a medical examination form certified by a licensed physician.
• Language: English or Korean. Most universities accept IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL iBT 80+ for English-medium programmes. TOPIK Level 3 or above for Korean-medium programmes.
• Previous GKS holders: Students who have previously received the GKS are not eligible to apply again.
• No active diplomatic dispute: Applicants from countries with formal diplomatic issues with Korea may face restrictions — India has no such issues.

Documents Required — Be Ready Before the Window Opens

• Completed GKS or university application form (downloaded from NIIED or university portal).
• Personal statement or study plan: 2–3 pages explaining your academic goals and reasons for choosing Korea.
• Two letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors (on official letterhead, signed and stamped).
• Official academic transcripts from all previous institutions, translated into English or Korean.
• Degree certificates or graduation letters (original or attested copies).
• Copy of valid Indian passport (must be valid at least 18 months beyond programme start date).
• IELTS, TOEFL, or TOPIK score certificate (if applying to English- or Korean-medium programmes).
• Medical examination report on the official GKS health form (for GKS applicants).
• Research proposal: required for PhD applicants (typically 1,000–2,000 words).
• Portfolio or work samples (required for art, design, and architecture programmes).

2027 Scholarship Application Timeline — Key Dates at a Glance

• August 2026: Begin SOP drafting, approach professors for recommendation letters.
• September 2026: GKS Embassy Track application window opens at the Korean Embassy in New Delhi.
• October 2026: GKS Embassy Track application deadline (Graduate and Undergraduate).
• October–November 2026: Korea University and Sogang University application deadlines (March 2027 intake).
• November 2026: Embassy screening shortlist announced; KAIST Round 1 application deadline.
• December 2026: POSTECH and Hanyang University application deadlines for 2027 intake.
• February 2027: GKS University Track window opens. SNU, Yonsei, and SKKU application deadlines for September 2027 intake.
• February 2027: KAIST Round 2 application deadline.
• March 2027: Ewha, Korea University (September intake), and most remaining university deadlines.
• March 2027: GKS University Track application deadline.
• March–April 2027: NIIED announces GKS Embassy Track final results.
• April–May 2027: POSCO Asia Fellowship application window opens.
• May 2027: GKS University Track results announced.
• September 2027: Degree programmes begin across all universities.

How IMA Faridabad Helps You Secure a South Korea Scholarship

Winning a South Korea scholarship requires more than eligibility — it requires a compelling application that speaks directly to what Korean universities and the NIIED selection committee are looking for. At IMA Faridabad, we have helped students from Delhi NCR successfully apply for GKS and university scholarships, and our process is built around one thing: making your application impossible to overlook.

• Profile evaluation: We assess your GPA, English score, and extracurricular background against GKS and university-specific benchmarks.
• University shortlisting: We identify the Korean universities where your profile is competitive for both admission and scholarship — not just admission.
• SOP and personal statement writing: We help you craft a study plan that tells a clear, credible story about why Korea and why now.
• Recommendation letter guidance: We coach your recommenders on what to highlight to maximise your scholarship score.
• Document checklist and embassy submission: We ensure your application is complete, correctly formatted, and submitted on time — a step many students get wrong.
• IELTS and TOPIK preparation: If your scores need to improve before the application window, IMA's in-house coaching brings you to the required level.
• Post-admission support: Once selected, we guide you through the visa process, pre-departure checklist, and Korean cultural orientation.

South Korea's scholarship cycle for 2027 opens in September 2026. That gives you roughly three months to build a strong application profile. The students who win are almost always the ones who started preparing early — not because the competition is impossible, but because the paperwork, recommenders, and personal statement all take more time than most people expect. If you are serious about studying in Korea on a full scholarship, the best time to start is right now.