South Korea to Boost Government Scholarships (GKS) for International Engineering Students
South Korea is opening its doors wider to global talent, especially in the fields of Science and Engineering. According to recent government announcements, the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program will see a significant expansion in the number of recipients and a strategic shift toward STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
1. Increased Quota for Graduate Students The South Korean government aims to host 300,000 international students by 2027. As part of this "Study Korea 300K Project," the GKS program—which provides full tuition, airfare, and living expenses—is steadily increasing its selection pool. For 2026, the government expects to select around 1,900 new scholars, with a vast majority (approx. 1,580) allocated for graduate studies (Master's and PhD).
2. Focus on Science & Engineering (STEM) To strengthen national competitiveness in high-tech industries like AI, semiconductors, and robotics, the Ministry of Education is prioritizing STEM applicants.
- 2026 Goal: 43% of graduate GKS scholars will be from Science and Engineering backgrounds.
- 2027 Goal: This figure is planned to rise to 45%.
- This is a significant increase from 2025 (40.9%), making it a golden opportunity for tech-savvy international students.
3. Faster Path to Permanent Residency (F-5 Visa) For those studying AI or other advanced technologies at government-designated universities, the period required to obtain permanent residency will be shortened from 6 years to 3 years.
4. Strategic Support for Regional Universities The government is also expanding the "R-GKS" (Regional GKS) track, which encourages students to study at top-tier universities outside the Seoul metropolitan area, such as KAIST, UNIST, and GIST, to foster balanced regional growth.
Why Does This Matter for You?
If you are an engineering major, your chances of winning the GKS scholarship are higher than ever. Not only is the quota increasing, but the Korean government is also introducing new visa tracks (like the K-STAR visa) to help you stay and work in Korea after graduation.