Quick Answer: The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), formerly KGSP, lets Filipinos study in South Korea for free. It covers tuition, a monthly stipend of around 900,000–1,000,000 won, return airfare, health insurance, and one full year of Korean language training. Undergraduate applicants are typically under 25, graduate applicants under 40. Apply through the Korean Embassy in Manila (embassy track) or directly via a university (university track).
Introduction
K-dramas, K-pop, and Korean tech have made South Korea a dream destination for Filipino students — and the Global Korea Scholarship makes studying there genuinely free. Run by the Korean government, GKS (you will still see it called KGSP, its old name) fully funds international students for undergraduate and graduate study at top Korean universities.
What makes GKS special is how complete it is. It does not just cover tuition. It gives you a monthly living allowance, flies you to Korea and back, pays for health insurance, and — crucially — gives you a full year of Korean language training before your degree even starts. That means you can apply without speaking Korean yet.
For Filipinos, GKS is competitive but very winnable, especially because there are two ways in: the embassy track (through the Korean Embassy in Manila) and the university track (apply directly to a Korean university). This guide covers eligibility, age limits, what is covered, the two tracks, deadlines, and how to put together a strong application.
What GKS Covers
GKS is one of the most generous fully-funded scholarships available to Filipinos:
| Benefit | What You Get |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Fully covered for your degree |
| Monthly stipend | Around 900,000–1,000,000 won per month |
| Airfare | Round-trip flights between the Philippines and Korea |
| Korean language training | One full year before your degree begins |
| Health insurance | Provided each month |
| Settlement & other grants | Arrival allowance and research/thesis support |
Figures and deadlines are approximate 2026 estimates — always verify current details on the official program/embassy website before applying.
Stipend amounts differ slightly between undergraduate and graduate scholars and are reviewed yearly, but the package is designed to let you live comfortably in Korea without outside income.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for GKS as a Filipino, you generally need to meet:
- Citizenship: Be a Filipino citizen. Your parents must not hold Korean citizenship. (For graduate tracks, applicants and their parents must not be Korean citizens.)
- Age: Undergraduate applicants are typically under 25; graduate (master's/PhD) applicants are typically under 40. Exact birthdate cutoffs are set each year.
- Education level: Undergraduate applicants need to have completed (or be completing) high school. Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree; PhD applicants need a master's.
- Grades: A solid academic record is required — many tracks ask for a minimum GPA equivalent (often around the top 20% or a set percentage/grade).
- Health: You must be physically and mentally healthy to study abroad.
- No prior GKS: Generally, you cannot have previously been a GKS scholar at the same level.
Embassy Track vs University Track
There are two ways to apply, and you usually choose one:
| Embassy Track | University Track | |
|---|---|---|
| Apply through | Korean Embassy in Manila | A Korean university directly |
| University choices | Multiple (apply to several) | One (the chosen university) |
| Competition | Among all Filipino applicants | Among that university's applicants |
| Best for | Flexibility across schools | A specific dream university |
Embassy track applicants create an account on the official Study in Korea website (studyinkorea.go.kr), submit online, and deliver documents to the Korean Embassy in Manila. University track applicants apply straight to their chosen Korean university's international office.
Most Filipino applicants go embassy track for the flexibility, but if you have one dream university that you fit perfectly, the university track can mean less overall competition. You cannot apply to both in the same cycle, so choose deliberately.
Why Study in Korea as a Filipino?
Korea is more than its pop culture. Its universities are world-class in engineering, technology, business, and design, and companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG actively recruit international graduates. The country is close to the Philippines, very safe, and has a large, welcoming international student community.
Learning Korean during your funded language year is a real career asset too. With Korean firms expanding across Southeast Asia and the Philippines, graduates who speak Korean and understand the work culture are in genuine demand. A GKS degree signals both academic strength and the discipline to thrive abroad — something Filipino employers and multinationals value highly when you come home.
How One Year of Korean Language Training Works
A standout feature of GKS is the mandatory one-year Korean language program before your degree begins. You study at a designated university language institute, and you generally need to reach a certain TOPIK level (often Level 3) to proceed to your degree. If you already arrive with a strong TOPIK score, you may be exempted and can start your degree sooner. This year is fully funded like the rest of the scholarship, so it does not cost you extra time on the package — it is built in.
The Application Timeline
Deadlines shift each year, but roughly:
- Undergraduate (GKS-U): Applications usually open around late January/February.
- Graduate (GKS-G): Applications usually open around February/March.
- Screening: Embassy screening, then a second round at the Korean government level (NIIED), then university acceptance.
- Departure: Selected scholars usually travel to Korea around August/September of the same year to begin language training.
How to Apply: Step by Step
- Choose your track. Embassy track for flexibility across universities; university track for one specific school.
- Check the official guidelines. Download the current GKS application guidelines and the university information file from studyinkorea.go.kr or the Korean Embassy in Manila announcement.
- Confirm eligibility. Citizenship, age, education level, and GPA.
- Prepare documents. Personal statement, study plan, recommendation letters, transcripts, diploma, and any required certificates — many need to be in English (or Korean) and notarized/apostilled.
- Submit online and physically. Create your Study in Korea account, submit, and deliver hard copies to the embassy by the deadline.
- Prepare for interviews. Embassy-track applicants are often interviewed.
Tips to Win GKS
- Write a standout personal statement and study plan. These carry serious weight. Be specific about why Korea, why your field, and your goals.
- Get genuine recommendation letters. From professors or supervisors who can speak to your ability concretely.
- Apply within the age limit. Under 25 for undergrad, under 40 for grad — do not waste an application if you are over.
- Show interest in Korean language and culture. Even basic Korean (TOPIK) or clear motivation helps.
- Be flawless with documents. Notarization, apostille, and English translations must be done correctly and on time.
- Pick realistic universities. Balance reach schools with strong-fit ones.
Documents You Will Need
Getting your paperwork right is half the battle with GKS. Start collecting these early, since notarization and apostille take time at the DFA and other offices:
- Application forms — the personal data sheet, personal statement, and study plan from the official guidelines.
- Academic records — official transcripts and diploma (high school for undergrad; bachelor's, and master's for PhD).
- Recommendation letters — usually two, in sealed envelopes from professors or supervisors.
- Certificate of citizenship — PSA birth certificate proving you and your parents' nationality.
- Language certificates — TOPIK or English proficiency scores if you have them (optional but helpful).
- Authentication — notarized and, where required, apostilled copies. Originals plus the right number of photocopies.
Missing or wrongly authenticated documents are one of the most common reasons applications get rejected, so double-check the checklist in the official guidelines line by line.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying over the age limit. Under 25 for undergrad, under 40 for grad — confirm the exact birthdate cutoff before you start.
- A generic study plan. GKS readers see thousands of these. Be specific about your field, your target university, and your goals.
- Skipping the document authentication. Notarization and apostille requirements are strict; do not leave them to the last week.
- Choosing only top-tier universities. Balance your choices so you do not get filtered out everywhere.
- Treating the interview lightly. Embassy-track applicants are interviewed; practice explaining your motivation clearly and confidently.
For broader prep, read how to get a scholarship, our list of fully-funded scholarships abroad for Filipinos, and the full study in Korea from the Philippines guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Korean to apply for GKS?
No. GKS includes one full year of Korean language training before your degree starts, so you can apply without prior Korean. Some English-taught programs exist too. Basic Korean (a TOPIK score) can still strengthen your application.
What is the age limit for GKS?
Undergraduate applicants are typically under 25 and graduate applicants under 40, based on a birthdate cutoff set each year. Always confirm the exact cutoff in the current official guidelines.
How much is the GKS monthly stipend?
Roughly 900,000 to 1,000,000 won per month, depending on your level (undergraduate vs graduate). Amounts are reviewed yearly. On top of the stipend, GKS covers tuition, airfare, and health insurance.
What is the difference between the embassy and university track?
The embassy track lets you apply to several universities through the Korean Embassy in Manila. The university track is applying directly to one Korean university. You generally pick one track per cycle.
Can I apply for GKS if my GPA is average?
GKS is competitive and looks for a strong academic record, but it also weighs your personal statement, study plan, and recommendations. A modest GPA backed by an excellent overall application can still succeed.
Do my parents' nationality matter?
Yes. You and (for graduate tracks) your parents must not hold Korean citizenship. You must be a Filipino citizen to apply through the Philippines.
When is the GKS deadline?
Undergraduate applications usually open around late January/February and graduate around February/March, but exact dates change yearly. Check the Korean Embassy in Manila and studyinkorea.go.kr for current deadlines.
Not ready to study abroad yet? Plenty of fully funded options exist at home too. Compare Philippine universities and tuition on SchoolFinderPH, or explore local scholarships for Filipino students.
