[Published: 28 October 2026 | Last updated: 28 October 2026]
TL;DR
- The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a fully funded Korean government scholarship for master's and PhD study, run by NIIED (National Institute for International Education).
- In the 2026 round, Bangladesh had 7 Embassy Track seats and 20 University Track seats for graduate degrees (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026).
- Applicants must be under 40 and have a CGPA of at least 2.64 out of 4.0, or 80% (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Trinidad and Tobago, 2026).
- The 2026 Bangladesh Embassy Track application window ran from 12 to 25 February 2026, so expect the 2027 round around February 2027.
- Start now: Bangladeshi applicants must upload certificates with an e-Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which takes time to arrange.
What Is the GKS Scholarship?
The GKS scholarship is a fully funded Korean government programme that pays for international students to complete a master's or PhD in South Korea. It was earlier called KGSP (Korean Government Scholarship Program), and NIIED, under Korea's Ministry of Education, runs it.
For the 2026 intake, GKS planned to select 2,000 graduate students worldwide: 800 through the Embassy Track and 1,200 through the University Track (GKS Scholarship, 2026). A master's scholarship lasts 3 years, including 1 year of Korean language study, and a PhD scholarship lasts 4 years (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026).
What Does the GKS Scholarship Cover?
The GKS scholarship covers tuition, flights, living costs and Korean language training. For the 2026 round, the graduate monthly allowance rose to 1,380,000 KRW (Korean won), up from 1,000,000 KRW in 2025 (Seoul Start, 2026).
| Benefit | What GKS pays (2026 guidelines) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Full tuition, up to 5,000,000 KRW per semester, with the university covering any extra (Seoul Start, 2026) |
| Monthly allowance | 1,380,000 KRW for graduate students (Seoul Start, 2026) |
| Airfare | Round-trip economy ticket |
| Settlement allowance | 200,000 KRW once after arrival (Seoul Start, 2026) |
| Korean language course | 1 year, fully paid |
| Research allowance | 210,000 KRW (humanities) or 240,000 KRW (sciences) per month (Seoul Start, 2026) |
| Medical insurance | 20,000 KRW per month (Seoul Start, 2026) |
Check the official guideline PDF for your year on the Study in Korea website before you apply, because amounts can change between rounds.
How Many GKS Seats Does Bangladesh Get?
In the 2026 graduate round, Bangladesh had 7 Embassy Track seats and 20 University Track seats (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026). The University Track seats were split into 3 general seats and 17 R-GKS seats, which are for regional universities outside Seoul.
Those are small numbers for a country of Bangladesh's size, so competition is strong. Applicants rejected at the Embassy Track's first round can still apply through the University Track in the same year (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026).
Embassy Track vs University Track: Which Should You Choose?
The Embassy Track sends your application through the Korean Embassy in Dhaka, while the University Track sends it directly to one Korean university. You can choose up to 3 universities on the Embassy Track but only 1 university on the University Track (Learn Korean in India, 2026).
| Feature | Embassy Track | University Track |
|---|---|---|
| Apply to | Korean Embassy in Dhaka | One Korean university directly |
| Bangladesh seats (2026) | 7 | 20 (3 general + 17 R-GKS) |
| University choices | Up to 3 | 1 |
| Best for | Strong all-round applicants | Applicants with a clear target university or professor |
Pick the University Track if you already know which university and department you want. Pick the Embassy Track if you want to keep several universities open.
Who Is Eligible for the GKS Scholarship?
You are eligible if you are under 40, hold (or will soon hold) the required degree, and meet the minimum grades. The 2026 guidelines set the age limit as under 40, born after 1 September 1986 (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Trinidad and Tobago, 2026).
Your CGPA must be at least 2.64 out of 4.0, or 80% on a percentage scale, or you must be in the top 20% of your class (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Trinidad and Tobago, 2026). Neither you nor your parents can hold Korean citizenship.
Korean language skill is not required to apply. However, applicants with TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) scores may be given preference (Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, 2026). English test scores such as IELTS also strengthen your application.
GKS Timeline: What Happened in 2026
The 2026 Bangladesh Embassy Track ran from February to June. Use it as a guide for the 2027 round:
| Stage | 2026 date (Bangladesh Embassy Track) |
|---|---|
| Online application | 12 to 25 February 2026 |
| Interview shortlist | 2 to 3 March 2026 (expected) |
| Embassy interviews | 8 to 10 March 2026 (expected) |
| NIIED second-round results | Early May 2026 |
| University selection | 5 June 2026 |
| Final results | End of June 2026 |
| Visa application | Early August 2026 |
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh (2026).
The Embassy says early submissions can be seen as a sign that you are well prepared, so do not wait for the last day (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026).
Documents Bangladeshi Applicants Must Prepare
Bangladeshi applicants must upload documents such as birth certificates, family relation certificates and educational certificates with an e-Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026). An apostille is an official stamp that confirms a document is genuine for use abroad.
Follow these rules from the Embassy notice:
- Scan the e-Apostille cover and the certificate together. Uploading only the cover means your documents will not be evaluated.
- Attestation by the Korean Embassy is not needed, but if you already have it, you can submit it.
- Submit final degree certificates, because Korea does not accept provisional certificates as final graduation certificates.
Source: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh (2026).
How to Write a Strong GKS Study Plan
Your study plan is where most Bangladeshi applicants win or lose. The Embassy does not give guidance on study plans (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026), so you need to prepare it yourself.
A strong study plan names the Korean university, the department and, if possible, the professor or lab you want to join. It explains what you will research, why Korea is the right place, and how you will use the degree in Bangladesh or your career. Keep the English clear and specific, with no vague promises.
For help with the writing, use the AI writing tools on EnglishPreps to check grammar and clarity before you submit.
Common Mistakes Bangladeshi GKS Applicants Make
The most common mistake is starting the paperwork too late. Avoid these errors:
- Leaving the e-Apostille to the last week. Arrange it as soon as the guidelines are published.
- Applying with provisional certificates. Korea does not accept them as final graduation certificates.
- Writing a generic study plan. Name the university, department and research topic.
- Applying to both tracks in a way the guidelines do not allow. Read the duplicate application rules in the official guidelines carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions About the GKS Scholarship
What is the GKS scholarship?
The GKS scholarship is a fully funded Korean government scholarship for international students to complete a master's or PhD in South Korea. It covers tuition, airfare, a monthly allowance and one year of Korean language training.
How many GKS seats does Bangladesh get?
In the 2026 graduate round, Bangladesh had 7 Embassy Track seats and 20 University Track seats (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026). Quotas can change each year.
Is IELTS required for the GKS scholarship?
IELTS is not always required to apply, but English test scores strengthen your application, and some universities and departments ask for them. Check the requirements of each university you choose.
When is the GKS 2027 application deadline for Bangladesh?
The 2027 dates are not yet published. In 2026, the Bangladesh Embassy Track application window ran from 12 to 25 February (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh, 2026), so expect a similar window in February 2027.
What is the age limit for the GKS scholarship?
Graduate applicants must be under 40. For the 2026 round, applicants had to be born after 1 September 1986 (Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Trinidad and Tobago, 2026).
What is the GKS monthly allowance?
For the 2026 round, the graduate monthly allowance is 1,380,000 KRW, up from 1,000,000 KRW in 2025 (Seoul Start, 2026). Research allowances are paid on top.
What to Remember Before You Apply
- Bangladesh had only 7 Embassy Track seats in 2026, so prepare a strong application early.
- Get your certificates e-Apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs well before February.
- Use final degree certificates, not provisional ones.
- Name your target university, department and research topic in the study plan.