Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Foundation Scholarship
The Chung Mong-Koo Foundation — funded by the late Hyundai Motor Group Chairman — offers one of the most generous private scholarships in Korea. It covers full tuition fees, a monthly living stipend of KRW 1.5 million, return airfares, and Korean-language tuition for international students at Korea's top universities (SNU, Yonsei, Korea, KAIST, POSTECH). Sri Lankan applicants are eligible alongside other internationals. Awards are made via the partner universities — students apply for admission first, then the university nominates strong candidates to the Foundation.
Chung Mong-Koo Foundation (tenable at Korean universities)
External Organization-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Tuition
100% covered
Stipend
KRW 1.5M / month (~USD 1,100)
Travel
Return Airfare + Settlement
Duration
Full degree (UG, Master's, or PhD)
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
International (Non-Korean) Citizen
Open to international applicants enrolled (or about to enrol) at a partner Korean university. Sri Lankan citizens are eligible — apply through the host university's international office.
Strong Academic Record
Sri Lankan undergraduate applicants need 3 A grades at A/L (or IB 36+). Master's and PhD applicants need first-class Bachelor's / distinction Master's with strong research orientation.
Financial Need or Leadership
Selection balances academic merit with financial need OR demonstrable leadership. The Foundation explicitly seeks candidates who would otherwise struggle to afford Korean tuition or who show clear leadership potential.
Korean-Language Engagement
Awardees commit to learning Korean and engaging with the Foundation's alumni and Hyundai Group cultural-exchange events. This is a soft commitment but actively monitored.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to a partner Korean university
Submit your admission application to one of the partner Korean universities (SNU, Yonsei, Korea, KAIST, POSTECH, Hanyang, Sungkyunkwan) by their international deadlines. Most close 1-2 months before the relevant intake.
Indicate scholarship interest
On the international student application, tick the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation Scholarship box and submit any required supplementary documents (financial-need declaration, leadership statement).
University nomination
The host Korean university's international office nominates a small number of strong international applicants to the Foundation each cycle. Selection is academic-merit and need / leadership weighted.
Foundation final decision + visa
The Foundation reviews nominated candidates and announces decisions about 6 weeks before the intake. Successful awardees use the offer for the D-2 student visa application via the Korean Embassy in Colombo.
About the Chung Mong-Koo Foundation
Established in 2007 by the late Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-Koo, the Foundation funds education, social welfare, and cultural exchange across Asia. The international scholarship is one of its flagship programmes and has supported students from over 25 countries.
Since 2007
Foundation Established
25+
Countries Represented
7+
Partner Korean Universities
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
Korean Ministry of Education / NIIED
Korea University International Student Scholarship
Korea University
POSTECH International Student Scholarship
POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology)