10 Outstanding Scholarships for International Students to Study For Free in Korea

While Korea is famous for its pop icons, beauty products, and some adorable Korean fine boy dramas, not a lot of international students know that it’s home to some of the best scholarships that fund students to study in the country.

That’s why in this guide, we present you with easy and possible ways to study for free in Korea.

How possible is that?

Scholarship!!!

Yes, there are many fully-funded, partially funded scholarships as other forms of financial aid in Korea for international students to study at their university of choice.

Some of these scholarships are proffered by the government, individuals, schools, and companies of repute such as Samsung.

Through this scholarship, students who want to study in Korea can study for any degree on scholarship. In a bid to help you streamline your search, we have put up this guide in answer to the question our readers ask about Korean scholarships.

Below you will find a list of the top 10 scholarships for international students in Korea which we compiled based on research.

You will find the scholarship coverage, and whether or not it’s partial or fully funded.

Also, with just a click below, you will get to make a choice of scholarship and visit the scholarship website to apply ASAP!!!

So at this point, I welcome you aboard Scholar!!!

Best Scholarships in Korea for International Students

Why You Should Study in Korea.

In Asia, Korea is one of the major study abroad destinations as well as a home to many excellent institutions. Seven Korean Universities out of a host of them are listed in the World University Rankings’ top 200.

Many love Korea because it is a financially stable country. What this means is that international students can live comfortably at a more affordable price than in other first-world nations.

More importantly, South Korean food and culture are a big allure to students from all over the globe. Like them, you too can relish your studies in South Korea.

And now, you can even get to study for free by taking advantage of any of the top Korean scholarships for international students.

Read Also: Best Countries to Study Abroad in Asia 2020

How Can I Apply For Korean Scholarships for International Students?

The first step in getting a scholarship is to want to have one. So, are you interested in getting a scholarship to study in Korea?

Korean scholarships are no different from any other education scholarships but you need to follow a guide to help you not just to find one but to secure one for yourself.

Here’s how you can get one of the best scholarships in Korea for international students;

  • Research for the available Korean scholarship.
  • Come up with a list of your suitable universities.
  • Visit the university’s website to find out about the application guidelines and selection criteria.
  • Find out if you fit the eligibility criteria as well as the admission requirements.
  • If you fit, that’s a plus. But if you don’t, make considerations about the admission acceptance and students’ safety, match, and test scores.
  • Ready your documents as stated in the application guidelines.
  • If your university of choice asks for online recommendation letters then get one.
  • You can submit your scholarship application using your email or you can apply online.

Following through these steps helps you apply for any of the Korean scholarships For International Students we will list below.

10 Best Scholarships in Korea for International Students

Here’s a list of the best Korean scholarships for international students;

#1. Yonsei University Underwood International College (UIC) Admissions Scholarship

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: Not Specified
  • Sponsored By: Yonsei UIC 
  • Eligible Degree: Yonsei UIC undergraduate programs.
  • Application Dates: Undergraduate (1st September – 12th November), Graduate (1st September – 5th November)

Yonsei University is one of the 10 Best Universities in Korea for International Students. 

In its new wing; is an English-language liberal arts college. The school offers scholarships for undergraduate programs. Why this scholarship is unique is that everyone who applies is automatically considered for acceptance. 

All awardees are chosen based on their academic credentials.  However, qualified students must keep a certain GPA to renew their eligibility for the following school year.

#2. Korea University Scholarships for International Students

  • Type: Partial/Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: Not Specified
  • Sponsored By: Korea University
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelors.
  • Application Dates: Undergraduate (11th August – 7th October, 3rd March – 31st March), Graduate (August – September, February – March)

Here’s one of the Korean scholarships offered by a private university. Normally, private establishments are more expensive. 

However, with this Korean University scholarship, international students can complete their undergraduate studies at the institution for free.

Keep in mind that this scholarship does not require any application because awardees are chosen based on their merits.

However, a preferred number of new students may be given Entrance scholarships. As with most scholarships, all recipients must keep a certain GPA to renew their grant for the following year.

Read Also: 15 Best Schools for Architecture in the World

#3. Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP)

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: undergraduate $3,300, graduate $4,700.
  • Sponsored By: Ewha Woman’s University
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

Here’s another private university scholarship on our list of best scholarships in Korea for international students.

This scholarship covers the entire cost of the students’ studies at Ewha Woman’s University (EWU). In other words, it is fully funded.

In addition to this, successful applicants can enjoy free dormitory lodging and a living stipend.  However, only females from developing countries are qualified for this scholarship.

Also, note that eligibility is subject to screening and renewal every year.

#4. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: KRW 5 million/$4,415
  • Sponsored By: Korean Government
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

If you’re looking for a scholarship on the top spot in Korea, GKS it is. It’s not out of place to say that the GKS program is arguably one of the best scholarships in Korea for international students.

This scholarship was created by the government of Korea to encourage international educational exchanges as well as reciprocal friendships with other nations.

Over the years, this scholarship project has offered possibilities to 220 undergraduate and 1,080 graduate students to study in Korea for free.

Since it’s a full tuition cost, the scholarship amount covers every student fee including research support, and dissertation printing costs for graduate students.

To qualify, you must be under 25 years (undergraduate) or 40 years (graduate) of age to apply. 

#5. Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: Not Specified
  • Sponsored By: Samsung 
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

If you’re coming from the DAC list of OCD applicants this is actually the Korean scholarship that fits you. The DAC list includes nations that are listed as least developed, low, lower-middle, and upper-middle-income earners.

However, to earn this scholarship, applicants must intend to study or get a degree at Samsung member universities. 

The Samsung Global Hope Scholarship scholars are selected based on academic intellect, language proficiency (Korean & English), and financial need. 

Also, special honours are given to international students who are most likely to return to their home countries and facilitate their development.

To apply, send your application to your Samsung member university of choice.

#6. POSCO TJ Park Scholarship for Asian Students Studying in Korea

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: Not Specified
  • Sponsored By: POSCO
  • Eligible Degree: Masters and Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

Although this is one of the best scholarships in Korea for international students, it’s specific to just Asian graduate international students.

So, if you’re an Asian citizen wishing to study in Korea, this is your best chance of getting a scholarship.

This scholarship originated to help groom the next generation of leaders from every corner of Asia. Although it’s a full-tuition scholarship, successful applicants also get awards that provide a living stipend of $900 a month.

Despite this tiniest requirement, all applicants must undergo 2 rounds of selection, the first evaluation of documents and the second interview.

Kindly note that this scholarship is not school-specific.  You can apply to any school of choice.

#7. Korea National University of the Arts – Art Major Asian Plus (AMA+) Scholarship

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: Tuition + $710 monthly allowance
  • Sponsored By: Korea National University of the Arts
  • Eligible Degree: Bachelor’s and Master’s
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

The AMA scholarship has been sponsoring 309 students from over 30 OECD DAC recipient countries. In addition to money for tuition fees, the AMA scholarship provides successful applicants with a monthly allowance, health insurance, and round-trip airfare.

To qualify, you must be from any of the OECD DAC nations.  As an art scholarship, all applicants must submit a portfolio of their works (unless otherwise stated).

Every other requirement is stated on the scholarship website.

#8. Kyungpook National University International Graduate Scholarship (KINGS)

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition 
  • Amount: Not Specified 
  • Sponsored By: Kyungpook National University
  • Eligible Degree: Masters and Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

Students who wish to study at Kyungpook National University can take advantage of this scholarship to study for free. Although Kyungpook National University offers many other scholarships, the KING’s award is the most popular.

Every year, KINGS offers 70 foreign graduate students scholarships. However, how this works is that your department will send the names of potential awards to the KING’s panel.

After processing the documents, the Admissions Committee will do the proper selection. Successful applicants will have to renew this scholarship every year while keeping a certain GPA to keep their eligibility.

#9. Changwon National University (CWNU) Graduate School Full Time Research Scholarship

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition
  • Amount: Not Specified
  • Sponsored By: Changwon National University
  • Eligible Degree: Master’s and Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Not Specified

CWNU is a public institution in South Korea that offers one of the best scholarships for international students. Just like the name signifies, it’s only open to graduate students who want to study at the university.

However, their requirements are very stringent. One of the eligibility criteria includes being the Lead/First author for 1 paper – or a co-author for 2 papers. 

However, Art majors can replace this research requirement with 1 or more exhibits, performances, or art presentations. To maintain this award, recipients must maintain a GPA of at least 3.5.

#10. Seoul National University (SNU) President Fellowship

  • Type: Full Cost Tuition for 6 months
  • Amount: Tuition + $1,352 living expenses for 4 years
  • Sponsored By: Seoul National University
  • Eligible Degree: Doctoral.
  • Application Dates: Undergraduate (9th January- 16th February, 5th June- 13th July), PhD and Masters (20th February- 30th March, 7th August to 29th August)

Seoul National University is one of the Universities in Korea with the Highest Acceptance Rate. It’s believed to be one of the most prestigious institutions in Korea.

Besides, this scholarship offers the prestigious SNU President Fellowship program, one of the best scholarships in Korea for international students. 

High priority is given to students who have exhibited outstanding achievements in the fields of public health, agriculture, medicine, engineering, developmental studies, and Korean studies.

However, to sustain this scholarship, applicants must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.

Read Also: Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship | Win up to $40,000

Summary

If Korea is your dream study destination, you have a chance to study for free.

I hope this article on the best scholarships in Korea for international students was helpful.

We wish you immense luck!!!

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