Full Scholarship for International Students in South Korea

Recently, South Korea has become a perfect study destination for many students worldwide. Two of the major reasons are that this country is cheap and still offers world-class education. In addition to cheap and high-quality learning, South Korea is still home to scholarships for foreigners. So, in this post, you will get to know the full scholarship for international students in South Korea that you actually qualify for.

South Korea is presenting a full scholarship program designed for international students who wish to study at some of the country’s premier universities. This exceptional full scholarship opportunity for international students in South Korea encompasses tuition fees, accommodation, and living expenses. This arrangement allows students to concentrate wholly on their academic pursuits without the burden of financial concerns.

Full Scholarship for International Students in South Korea

If you really have South Korea in mind for your study destination, then you are making a great choice. Below are the scholarships you can apply for.

1. Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP)

So, first, we have the Ewha Global Partnership Program. This one provides you with full tuition subsidies for female students from developing countries pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees at Ewha Woman’s University in South Korea. This program prioritizes academic merit and leadership potential. It covers 8 semesters for undergraduates, 4 semesters for Master’s students, and 6 semesters for Doctoral candidates.

Along with tuition, the scholarship includes free dormitory housing and a living stipend. However, it does not cover insurance. Scholarship recipients are required to renew their eligibility annually.

2. Korea University Scholarships for International Students

Proudly, Korea University offers partial to full tuition scholarships for outstanding undergraduate students. Given its high tuition fees, this scholarship program is a significant opportunity for educational advancement.

The scholarships include entrance scholarships for new students, chosen based on academic achievements, and Academic Excellence or Academic Improvement scholarships for current students. Recipients must uphold a specific GPA to continue receiving the scholarship in subsequent years. This program offers a unique chance for students to get financial support and pursue their educational aspirations at one of South Korea’s top universities.

3. KAIST Scholarships for Graduate and Undergraduate Students

Another full scholarship for international students in South Korea here is by KAIST, renowned in the realms of science and technology. This program was founded nearly fifty years ago as South Korea’s foremost research institution. This 100% scholarship for international students in South Korea is backed by the Korean government and major corporations such as Hyundai and Samsung, establishing KAIST as a center for advanced research.

All students, whether domestic or international, receive a fully funded scholarship upon acceptance to KAIST.

The curriculum at KAIST is delivered in English, aiming to foster effective communication and cultivate a global outlook among students

4. Posco TJ Park Scholarship (For Asian Students in Korea)

Master’s and Doctoral students aiming to study in South Korea should apply for the POSCO Asia Fellowship scholarship. This full scholarship, exclusive to Asian students, is geared towards nurturing the next generation of leaders in the region.

You will get full tuition coverage for four semesters and also provide a monthly living stipend of $900 (approximately 66,282 INR). Applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in South Korea or another country.

The selection involves two stages: an initial document review followed by an interview. Successful candidates, after clearing both stages, must secure admission to their preferred university to be named POSCO Asia Fellows. Begin your application with the Posco TJ Park Foundation.

5. Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program

Application to the Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program is now open. Currently, this full scholarship for international students in South Korea is for students interested in engineering, science, and technology education.

This scholarship fully covers your tuition for 8 semesters (undergraduate), 4 semesters (master’s), or 6 semesters (doctoral). It’s available to students aiming for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees at Samsung partner universities.

Eligibility for this full scholarship in South Korea is for students from countries on the DAC list of Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients. Selection is based on academic performance, Korean and English language proficiency, and financial need.

6. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The Global Korea Scholarship is a coveted choice for international students aiming to pursue higher education in Korea. It covers full tuition costs up to KRW 5 million (about 325,153 INR), supporting Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs at selected Korean universities.

Created by the Korean government, the GKS program fosters international educational exchanges and friendships. Annually, 220 undergraduate and 1,080 graduate students get the chance to study at no cost in Korean institutions.

This scholarship includes a variety of expenses: a resettlement allowance, living allowance, medical insurance, and language course fees. Students proficient in Korean might receive a KRW 100,000 (6,628 INR) language proficiency award. Graduate students can also get research support, dissertation printing funding, and a full grant of KRW 100,000 (6,628 INR).

Applicants for the GKS scholarship should be under 25 years old (for undergraduates) or under 40 (for graduates) and must have maintained a minimum 80% GPA at their previous university. Begin your application here.

7. Seoul National University (SNU) President Fellowship

This prestigious fellowship offers full tuition for 6 semesters to doctoral students at SNU, a leading institution established in 1946. The SNU President Fellowship program is a prominent scholarship for international students, focusing on fields like public health, agriculture, medicine, engineering, development studies, and Korean studies.

Successful applicants receive a full-tuition scholarship for six months, a living allowance of KRW 1.5 million per year for four years, group medical insurance, and round-trip airfare. SNU also reimburses costs for evening language programs in the fall and spring semesters. You can continue receiving these benefits for three years, however, as the recipient, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

8. Changwon National University (CWNU) Graduate School Full-Time Research Scholarship

Students in the Master’s or Doctoral program in the Chungnam National University Graduate School Scholarship are eligible for full tuition for 4 semesters. Located in the southeast region of South Korea, CWNU is known for its prestigious Graduate School and comprehensive scholarship opportunities for international graduate students.

The eligibility criteria are stringent: Master’s candidates must be the lead author on at least one article or a co-author on two, while Doctoral candidates must have published a research paper. For art majors, exhibitions, performances, or art presentations can substitute for the research requirement. Make sure to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 every term to continue qualifying for this scholarship.

9. Yonsei University Underwood International College (UIC) Admissions Scholarship

Yonsei UIC, encompassing 16 majors across 5 divisions, is the first English-language liberal arts college of Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s leading universities. With students from 66 countries, totaling 2,500, UIC offers a diverse and unique educational experience. This scholarship automatically considers all applicants based on their academic merits.

Recipients will find out about their scholarship award in their admission packet. To keep the scholarship, they must maintain a minimum GPA each academic year, similar to other scholarships. This is where I applied for mine.

Requirements for South Korean Scholarship

While international students are eligible for these scholarships in South Korea, candidates must fulfill the following criteria:

1. The applicant, including their parents, must be nationals of the country offering the scholarship.
2. Both the applicant and their parents must hold citizenship in a country other than South Korea.
3. They must have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 80% or higher, or rank in the top 20% of their high school class.
4. Applicants must be enrolled in a graduate or doctoral program in their home country.
5. Under the Korean government scholarship program, 170 undergraduate and 700 graduate students will be selected.
6. South Korean citizens are not eligible for this scholarship.
7. Candidates should have completed or be on track to complete high school by March 1st of the invitation year.
8. Applicants must be under 40 years old as of September 1st, 2023 (born after September 1st, 1983).
9. They must have a minimum GPA of 2.64 on a 4.0 scale, 2.80 on a 4.3 scale, 2.91 on a 4.5 scale, or at least 80% grades/marks/scores from their previous educational institution. Not meeting these GPA criteria leads to disqualification from the program.

Conclusion

So, we have been able to look at the full scholarship for international students in South Korea. These scholarships will actually provide coverage for tuition fees, living expenses, and other essential costs, which helps students concentrate on their academic pursuits without the stress of financial burdens. Lastly, the high-quality education system and the dynamic culture of South Korea make it a highly appealing destination for students globally.

Read also: Cheapest University in Australia for International Students Without IELTS

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