The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), still often called by its older name KGSP, is the Korean government’s fully-funded scholarship for international students. The Philippines is one of the eligible countries, and applicants can go through either the Embassy Track (via the Korean Embassy in Manila) or the University Track (applying directly to a participating Korean university). This guide covers the graduate program, applied for through the embassy.

Who it’s for

• Filipino citizens, since the Philippines is on Korea’s list of GKS-eligible countries
• Generally under 40 years old for the graduate program (born after a set cutoff date each cycle)
• A GPA at or above roughly 80% (on a 100-point scale), top 20% of your class, or an equivalent CGPA — requirements are stated precisely in each year’s guidelines
• Good general health, since you’ll need to certify you can live in Korea for an extended period without serious medical concerns
• Not a dual Korean citizen and not someone who has already completed a degree in Korea under GKS funding

What it actually covers

GKS is fully funded: round-trip airfare, full tuition, a monthly stipend, and additional allowances (settlement, medical insurance, and a Korean language course before your program starts, if you need it). Most graduate scholars spend their first year on intensive Korean language training before beginning their degree, unless they’re exempted based on existing proficiency.

How to apply

1. Decide between the Embassy Track and the University Track — for the Embassy Track, applications go through the Korean Embassy in Manila, not directly to a university.
2. Prepare your documents: transcripts, degree certificates, a study plan, a personal statement, and recommendation letters, all typically required in notarized or apostilled form.
3. Submit your application within the embassy’s announced window — watch the Embassy’s official notices for the current year’s guidelines, since requirements are reissued annually.
4. If shortlisted, sit for an interview at the Embassy.
5. Selected candidates are then matched to a Korean university and department through NIIED, Korea’s National Institute for International Education.

Deadlines to watch

GKS application windows are announced fresh each year by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines, typically opening in the first quarter for the graduate Embassy Track. Because exact dates shift from cycle to cycle, check the embassy’s current notices directly rather than relying on last year’s schedule.

The honest part

The language transition year surprises a lot of applicants — you’re not just applying for a degree, you’re signing up for a year of full-time Korean study first in most cases. If the idea of a year of language immersion before your actual coursework doesn’t appeal to you, it’s worth knowing that going in rather than after you’ve accepted the offer.