Study in South Korea from India: GKS Scholarship and Admission Guide

How to Study in South Korea from India: The Basic Route

To study in South Korea from India, the usual steps are: choose a program, check eligibility, apply to the university (or through GKS), receive admission, and apply for a D-2 visa. Korean universities usually have two intakes, spring (March) and fall (September), and application windows open several months earlier. Well-known universities include KAIST, Seoul National University, Yonsei, Korea University and POSTECH, but many others offer strong programs too.

GKS Scholarship for Indian Students

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is run by Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED). It has two main application tracks:

• Embassy track: you apply through the Korean Embassy in India, which shortlists candidates.
• University track: you apply directly to a participating Korean university.

GKS usually covers tuition, a monthly living allowance, return airfare and one year of Korean language training before the degree. There are separate rounds for undergraduate and graduate programs, normally once a year. Dates, quotas and benefits are published on the official Study in Korea website, so check the current year's guidelines.

• Embassy or university track: which suits you
• GKS documents and recommendation letters
• Backup scholarships offered by universities

South Korea University Admission Requirements

South Korea university admission for Indian students usually looks at:

• Your academic record (Class 12 for bachelor's, bachelor's degree for master's)
• A statement of purpose / study plan and recommendation letters
• Language proof: IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programs, or TOPIK for Korean-taught programs
• For some programs, a portfolio, interview or research proposal

Many universities do not need an entrance exam for international students, but competitive programs are selective.

Study in Korea in English or Korean?

You can study in Korea in English, especially in engineering, science, business and graduate programs. Korean-taught programs are more numerous, and daily life and part-time jobs are much easier with some Korean. Many students study Korean at a university language institute first; that usually needs a different visa (D-4) from degree study (D-2).

Cost of Studying in South Korea and the D-2 Visa

The cost of studying in South Korea depends on the university (public or private), the subject and the city; Seoul is the most expensive. Many universities offer tuition scholarships for international students based on grades or TOPIK level, in addition to GKS.

After admission you apply for a D-2 student visa with your admission certificate, proof of funds and other documents. Required amounts and documents are set by the Korean Embassy and can change, so follow its latest checklist. Comparing countries? Read our Japan study roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions