By Kelvin Kibet | Last updated: 30 September 2026
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the South Korean government’s programme for international students, run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). This guide covers the undergraduate (GKS-U) round for 2027 entry and what Kenyan applicants should know about it. Graduate (Master’s and PhD) rounds open separately, usually between February and March. [1] [2]
Key details
| Item | Detail (2027 undergraduate round) |
|---|---|
| Scholars selected | 286 in total: 156 through the embassy track and 130 through the university track |
| Embassy track | Online, 15 September (11:00 KST) to 30 September 2026 (18:00 KST) |
| University track | September to November 2026, deadline set by each university |
| How to apply | Online only through studyinkorea.go.kr |
| Embassy-track results | First round by 16 October 2026; final list expected in early January 2027 |
Sources: Korean Embassy notice, Korea JoongAng Daily.
How the two tracks work
Applicants choose between two routes. The embassy track is open to citizens of a list of eligible countries, and the number of places is fixed per country. Applicants may list up to three universities, and at least one must be a Type B (regional) university. The university track is applied for directly to a participating university. For 2027 it includes an industry-linked programme for science and engineering (UIC) and an associate degree programme. [1]
Before you plan around the embassy track, check the current NIIED guidelines and the Study in Korea notice board to confirm that Kenya has a place in the 2027 embassy-track quota. In earlier rounds, applicants who did not pass the first embassy-track round were allowed to apply through the university track, so a missed embassy deadline is not necessarily the end of your options. [3] Confirm whether that rule still applies in the 2027 guidelines.
Who can apply
For the previous round, applicants needed at least a high school diploma or to be on track to graduate, and both the applicant and their parents had to be foreign nationals. The maximum age was 25 on 1 March of the intake year, and holders of a bachelor’s or higher degree were not eligible. Check the 2027 guidelines for the exact cut-off dates. [4]
What the scholarship covers
Published GKS terms include a return airfare, tuition, medical insurance, a monthly living allowance and a settlement allowance, plus a Korean language year before the degree begins. The base monthly stipend has been ₩900,000 for undergraduates and ₩1,000,000 for graduate students. Amounts can change, so read the current guidelines before relying on a figure. [5]
Applications are now online, not in person
Since the 2026 round, embassy-track applications have been submitted through the Study in Korea website instead of being handed in at an embassy. Applicants create an account, choose universities and departments, and upload their documents. [6] Earlier versions of this guide described an in-person submission; that no longer reflects the process.
Preparing documents from Kenya
Kenya is not listed by several legalisation services as a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Confirm the current position on the Hague Conference status table, because this can change. In practice, Kenyan documents such as KCSE certificates and transcripts may need to pass through several authentication offices before a foreign authority accepts them. Applicants report a chain of notarisation, Ministry of Education verification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamping and then embassy authentication. Treat that as a typical pattern, not an official rule, and ask the Korean Embassy in Nairobi which authentication is required at which stage. Leave time for each office to process your documents.
Personal statement and study plan
Selectors read the personal statement and study plan for a clear reason to study in Korea and a realistic plan for the degree. Explain why the chosen field and universities fit, what you have already done in that field, and how you plan to use the degree afterwards. Support your plans with examples from school, projects or volunteering. Explain what attracts you to the course, rather than offering general praise for Korea.
Scam warning: The GKS application has no fee. Do not pay an agent for a guaranteed award or for “priority” processing, and apply only through the Study in Korea website or a university’s own admissions page.
JobScholarship.com is an independent informational publisher. It is not affiliated with NIIED, the Korean government or any university, and it does not accept applications or influence selection. Related reading: how to write a scholarship essay and how to spot scholarship scams. To report a correction, use the Contact page.
References
[1] Embassy of the Republic of Korea, 2027 GKS for Undergraduate Degrees notice
[2] Korea JoongAng Daily, 2027 GKS applications
[3] 2026 GKS Undergraduate Application Guidelines (prior round)
[4] Korea.net, 2026 GKS application period
[5] SeoulStart, GKS scholarship guide
[6] Korean Embassy, 2026 GKS-U embassy track notice
Source check: 30 September 2026. Confirm all dates, quotas and amounts on Study in Korea before applying.