Study in South Korea – Scholarship Overview
South Korea has become a very popular study destination for Bangladeshi students because of its advanced technology, affordable education, and strong scholarship opportunities. Compared to many Western countries, South Korea offers more fully funded scholarships, especially through government programs and top universities. Many universities also offer tuition reductions based on academic performance.
Types of Scholarships in South Korea
1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) – Fully Funded
The Global Korea Scholarship is the main government scholarship of South Korea for international students. This is one of the best fully funded scholarships in Asia and is available for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, and Research programs.
Coverage:
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly living stipend:
- Undergraduate: approx. 900,000 KRW/month
- Graduate (Master’s/PhD): approx. 1,000,000 KRW/month
- Round-trip airfare
- Health insurance
- Korean language training support
Eligible Majors: Engineering, IT, Business, Science, Arts, Social Science (almost all majors)
Apply here: Study in Korea – GKS Official Website
2. University Scholarships (Partial / Merit-Based)
Most Korean universities offer scholarships for international students based on GPA or language proficiency. These are the most common scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
Coverage:
- Tuition fee reduction:
- 30%
- 50%
- 70%
- 100%
- Some universities provide:
- Small monthly stipend (limited cases)
Usually based on:
- GPA
- IELTS/TOPIK score
Eligible Majors: Engineering, IT, Business, Media, Science, Arts (almost all majors)
3. Korean Government Research Scholarships
Some Korean universities and research institutes offer funding for research students. These are mainly for graduate and research-based programs.
Coverage:
- Full tuition fee
- Monthly stipend: approx. 800,000 – 1,500,000 KRW/month
- Research/lab support
Eligible Majors: AI, Computer Science, Engineering, Biotechnology, Science
Who Can Apply (Eligibility & Qualification)
South Korean scholarships are mainly based on academic performance and sometimes Korean or English language proficiency. Students can apply through the Korean Embassy or directly through universities. Proper academic documents, study plans, recommendation letters, and language proficiency are important for both scholarship and visa approval. Strong GPA and a good personal statement increase the chance of getting funded.
Eligibility & Qualification:
- Must be a non-Korean citizen
- Strong academic result (usually 75–85%+)
- HSC for Bachelor / Bachelor for Master’s / Master’s for PhD
- IELTS or TOPIK may be required
- Good health condition required for GKS
Required Documents (University + Scholarship)
Documents:
- Academic certificates & transcripts
- Passport copy
- IELTS / TOPIK (if required)
- Study plan / SOP
- Recommendation letters
- CV / Resume
- Medical/self-health assessment
- Passport-size photos
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Steps:
- Choose university and program
- Apply through:
- Korean Embassy
- University website
- Submit required documents
- Attend interview (if required)
- Receive admission and scholarship result
- Confirm enrollment
Visa Required Documents (Student Visa – D-2)
Visa Documents:
- Valid passport
- Admission letter
- Scholarship confirmation (if available)
- Financial proof
- Visa application form
- Passport-size photos
Visa Application Process (Step-by-Step)
Steps:
- Receive admission documents
- Prepare visa documents
- Apply at Korean Embassy/Visa Center
- Attend interview (if required)
- Wait for visa decision
- Receive visa and travel
Cost Overview 2026
South Korea is more affordable than many Western countries and scholarships can reduce costs significantly.
Total Estimated Cost (First Year):
- Tuition: 4M – 12M KRW/year
- Living: 8M – 15M KRW/year
- Other costs: 1M – 3M KRW
Total: approx. 13M – 30M KRW/year
With Partial Scholarship
- Tuition fees reduce significantly
- Living expenses usually student responsibility
With Full Scholarship (GKS)
- Tuition fully covered
- Monthly stipend provided
- Airfare included