SNU Global Scholarship / Global Korea Scholarship at Seoul National University
Seoul National University channels most of its full international funding through Korea's national Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program, which runs on its own separate, earlier timeline from SNU's regular admissions cycle.
Quick Facts
Status
Applications OpenFunding
Fully FundedDeadline
GKS: typically February-March (embassy track) - confirm with your local Korean embassy each year. SNU admissions: separate, later window
Country
South KoreaAbout the SNU Global Scholarship / Global Korea Scholarship at Seoul National University
Seoul National University, Korea's top-ranked university, primarily funds international students through the national Global Korea Scholarship program administered by Korea's NIIED, rather than a large separate SNU-only scholarship. GKS covers tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare, Korean language training, and health insurance, but its application, typically through your home country's Korean embassy, runs on its own earlier annual timeline distinct from SNU's own admissions deadline.
GKS recipients under the standard route often complete a year of Korean language training before their degree program begins, and are expected to reach TOPIK level 3 within their first year.
Eligible Levels
Eligible Fields
Why Choose This Scholarship?
Access to Korea's top-ranked university through a well-established national scholarship channel
Comprehensive funding including language training, not just tuition and living costs
What the Scholarship Covers
Studying in South Korea
Seoul National University is consistently Korea's top-ranked institution, and the mandatory language training year, while an added time commitment, gives GKS scholars a genuine head start on daily life and coursework in Korean.
Eligibility Requirements
4 requirements
Documents Checklist
6 documents required
How to Apply - Step by Step
Apply for GKS through the Korean embassy in your home country (or via the university track, depending on the route)
Complete document screening and an interview
Undergo Korean language training if required, before beginning your SNU program
Application Timeline
February-March (confirm with embassy)
GKS Embassy Track Application
Separate from SNU's own admissions timeline
Often required first year
Korean Language Training
Before degree program begins
Insider Tips & Pro Tips
Do not confuse applying to SNU with applying for GKS - they run on separate timelines, and GKS's is generally earlier
Confirm your current year's exact GKS deadline directly with the Korean embassy in your home country, since it is not perfectly fixed year to year
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questions - click any to expand
No, they are separate processes with separate timelines. GKS is a national scholarship administered mainly through Korean embassies, which then places scholars at universities including SNU.
No, but standard GKS recipients typically complete a year of Korean language training before their degree program begins, and are expected to reach TOPIK level 3 within the first year.
Ready to Apply?
Head to the official portal and start your application today.
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