South Korea has quietly become one of the most attractive study destinations in the world — world-class universities, cutting-edge research infrastructure, a booming technology sector, and a government that actively invites the best international students to study there for free. The Global Korea Scholarship, commonly known as GKS or by its former name KGSP, is the South Korean government’s flagship fully funded scholarship for international students. Nigerian citizens are eligible to apply, no IELTS or TOEFL score is required, and the financial package covers everything from tuition and flights to accommodation and monthly living expenses. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about the GKS Scholarship and how to apply successfully as a Nigerian.
The Global Korea Scholarship is funded by the South Korean government and administered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), which operates under the Korean Ministry of Education. The programme was formerly known as the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) and was rebranded to GKS several years ago. Its goal is to attract outstanding international students to Korean universities, strengthen educational ties between South Korea and partner nations, and develop future global leaders. Each year, approximately 2,000 graduate scholarship slots are available to international students worldwide, with specific country allocations managed by NIIED. Nigeria is among the eligible countries and receives a designated annual quota.
Who Can Apply — Eligibility Requirements
The following general eligibility requirements apply to Nigerian applicants for the GKS Graduate Programme (Master’s and PhD):
- You are a Nigerian citizen — neither you nor your parents may hold Korean citizenship. Dual nationals with Korean nationality are not eligible
- You are under 40 years of age as of the scholarship start date for graduate programmes
- You hold a Bachelor’s degree for Master’s programme applicants, or a Master’s degree for doctoral programme applicants, completed before the scholarship start date
- You have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 80% on a 100-point scale, or are ranked in the top 20% of your class — or you meet the equivalent CGPA threshold on a 4.0, 4.3, 4.5, or 5.0 scale
- You are in good health, both physically and mentally — a medical certificate is required
- You have not previously received the Global Korea Scholarship
- You are applying through only one track — either the Embassy Track or the University Track, not both. Applying through both simultaneously will result in disqualification
Importantly, no IELTS, TOEFL, or GRE score is required to apply for the GKS Scholarship. However, having a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) score can strengthen your application, and scholars who achieve TOPIK Level 5 or 6 within the first six months of the one-year Korean language programme can skip the remaining language training and begin their degree programme early.
Application Tracks Available to Nigerians
Nigerian applicants can apply through one of two routes:
- Embassy Track: You apply through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria. This is the most accessible route for most Nigerian applicants and allows you to list up to three preferred Korean universities in your application. The embassy screens all applications and forwards selected candidates to NIIED for further review.
- University Track: You apply directly to a GKS-designated Korean university. This route is limited to one university choice and is best suited for applicants who already have a specific university or supervisor in mind. Starting from 2026, all GKS applications — whether Embassy or University track — are submitted through the official Study in Korea online portal.
Choose your track carefully and apply through only one. Submitting applications through both tracks simultaneously will result in automatic disqualification from the programme.
Programme Duration
The GKS Graduate Scholarship includes a mandatory one-year Korean language training programme before your main academic programme begins, unless you already hold TOPIK Level 5 or 6, in which case the language year is waived:
- Master’s Degree: 3 years total — 1 year of Korean language training followed by 2 years of the degree programme
- Doctoral Degree: 4 years total — 1 year of Korean language training followed by 3 years of the degree programme
What the Scholarship Covers
The GKS Scholarship is one of the most comprehensive fully funded awards available to Nigerian students. Here is what successful scholars receive:
- Full tuition fees — NIIED covers up to 5 million KRW per semester, and any tuition amount above this cap is waived by the host university, meaning scholars pay zero tuition regardless of which Korean university they attend
- A monthly living stipend — from 2026, the stipend for Master’s and doctoral students has been increased to 1,380,000 KRW per month (approximately $1,000 USD), a significant increase designed to reflect the current cost of living in Korea
- A settlement allowance paid as a one-time lump sum upon arrival in Korea to cover initial setup costs
- Round-trip economy class airfare between Nigeria and South Korea
- Medical insurance for the full duration of the scholarship
- A research allowance — 210,000 KRW per month for scholars in humanities and social sciences, and 240,000 KRW per month for scholars in natural and mechanical sciences, to cover academic materials and research-related expenses
- A Korean proficiency bonus of 100,000 KRW per month for scholars who achieve TOPIK Level 5 or 6 during their degree programme
How to Apply — Step by Step
Step 1: Decide your application track. Decide whether you will apply through the Embassy Track via the Korean Embassy in Nigeria or the University Track directly to a GKS-designated Korean university. Research both options carefully and choose only one — you cannot apply through both.
Step 2: Research Korean universities and programmes. Visit the Study in Korea website at studyinkorea.go.kr to browse the list of GKS-designated universities and the programmes they offer. For the University Track, identify a specific university and if possible make contact with a potential supervisor before applying, as this can significantly strengthen your application.
Step 3: Create your account on the Study in Korea portal. From 2026 onwards, all GKS applications are submitted online through the Study in Korea portal. Register your account early and familiarise yourself with the application system before the deadline approaches.
Step 4: Prepare your application documents. Standard documents required include your academic certificates and transcripts with CGPA clearly stated, a valid Nigerian passport, a completed medical examination certificate, two letters of recommendation from academic supervisors or professors, a personal statement, a study plan outlining your research goals and reasons for choosing Korea, and proof of any Korean language proficiency if applicable. Check the official GKS guidelines on the Study in Korea website for the complete and current document checklist.
Step 5: Submit your application before the deadline. Submit through your chosen track — Embassy or University — before the stated deadline. For the Embassy Track, submit to the Korean Embassy in Nigeria. For the University Track, submit directly through the university’s portal alongside your Study in Korea online application. Do not miss the deadline as no extensions are granted.
Step 6: Await screening and final selection. Embassy Track applications go through three stages — embassy screening, NIIED evaluation, and final university review. University Track applications are first reviewed by the university, then forwarded to NIIED. Successful applicants are notified and begin their Korean language training in September of the scholarship year.
Deadline Information
GKS application deadlines vary by track. For the 2026 intake, the Embassy Track required online submission by 30 September 2025, while the University Track deadline was 31 October 2025, with final announcements expected in January 2026. The 2027 intake is expected to follow a similar timeline, with Embassy Track applications opening around mid-2026. Monitor the Korean Embassy in Nigeria website and the official Study in Korea portal at studyinkorea.go.kr for the exact dates as soon as they are published.
Moreschooling will publish a full update as soon as the GKS 2027 application window opens for Nigerian applicants. Bookmark this page and begin preparing your documents now — the GKS is competitive and early preparation always pays off.