Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), formerly known as KGSP, is the Korean government's flagship international scholarship. Funded by the Ministry of Education and administered by NIIED (the National Institute for International Education), it supports full undergraduate, Master's, and PhD study at partner Korean universities. Sri Lanka receives a small annual quota — typically 2-5 awards for undergraduates and a separate allocation for graduate degrees — with applications routed through the Korean Embassy in Colombo or the host university.
Korean Ministry of Education / NIIED
Government-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
Fully Funded
Duration
Full degree + 1 yr Korean language
Travel
Return Airfare + Settlement Fee
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Sri Lankan Citizen
Must be a citizen of an eligible country (Sri Lanka is on the GKS list every cycle). Korean citizens and dual nationals with Korean citizenship are not eligible.
Academic Standing
Undergraduate applicants need to be in the top 20% of their O/L or A/L cohort. Graduate applicants need a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a CGPA of at least 2.64/4.0 or 80/100 from a recognised university.
Age Limit
Under 25 for undergraduate applicants and under 40 for graduate applicants (under 45 for professors of partner universities) as of the programme start date. Health certificate confirming fitness to study is required.
No Previous Korean Degree
Applicants must not have previously obtained the same level of degree from a Korean university. TOPIK Level 5 or 6 holders are exempt from the mandatory 1-year Korean language course.
account_tree Application Process
Choose your track — Embassy or University
Apply via the Korean Embassy in Colombo (broader Korean university choice) OR directly through one of the partner universities. Sri Lankan applicants typically go via the Embassy track for the GKS-U undergraduate programme.
Submit application package
Application form, personal statement, study plan, two recommendation letters, transcripts, certificates, proof of citizenship, and a health checklist. All documents must be in English or Korean (apostille or notarisation required).
First-round selection (Embassy / University)
The Embassy or host university screens applicants and shortlists candidates for interview. Sri Lanka first-round results typically out by April for graduate / July for undergraduate cycle.
NIIED final selection
Shortlisted candidates are forwarded to NIIED in Seoul for final review and university placement matching. Final results announced approximately 2 months later; programme starts the following March (for grad) or following March/September (for undergrad).
Why GKS?
GKS has supported over 6,000 international scholars since 1967 (then KGSP). It is the most generous fully-funded route into Korean higher education and includes a mandatory 1-year Korean language course at a top university language institute.
~1,800
Awards per Year (all countries)
160+
Eligible Countries
KRW 900k-1.5M
Monthly Stipend (Degree/Research)
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
