Scholarships for Ph.D. Studies in South Korea

Introduction

Pursuing a Ph.D. can be financially challenging, with tuition fees often being a significant hurdle. To address this, South Korea has developed various scholarship opportunities for both domestic and international students. These scholarships aim to foster future leaders and broaden educational opportunities. The eligibility criteria and selection processes vary depending on the funding institutions.

Types of Scholarships

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Program is awarded by the Korean Government to provide opportunities for international students to study at South Korean Higher Education Institutions. Key points include:

• Administered by the Ministry of Education and the National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
• Annual selection process
• Applications open in September for undergraduate level and February for postgraduate level
• Three-round selection process: document screening, overall review, and university admission confirmation
• Benefits include airfare, full tuition fees, living expenses, and medical insurance
• One-year Korean language course required (exemption for TOPIK level 6 holders)
• Applicants must not hold Korean citizenship

For more information, visit: - GKS Notice - Study in Korea

University Scholarships

Many universities offer merit-based scholarships for qualified students, including international applicants:

1. TA/RA (Assistantship)
2. Common for postgraduate students
3. Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) positions

4. Covers tuition fees and health insurance

5. Academic Excellence Scholarship

6. Based on high GPA from previous studies
7. Available for new and continuing students

8. Renewal often requires maintaining a minimum GPA

9. Language Proficiency Scholarship

10. Awarded for achieving certain levels in Korean (TOPIK) or English proficiency tests

11. Examples:

    • Sogang University: 80% tuition fee coverage for TOPIK level 5 or TOEFL iBT 80
    • Soongsil University: Full tuition for doctoral students with TOPIK level 4 or 5

12. Field-Specific Scholarships

13. Example: Seoul National University's Silk-road scholarship for Korean studies graduate students

External Scholarships

Various public entities and private foundations offer additional opportunities:

• Art Major Asian Scholarship (Korean National University of Arts)
• POSCO Asia Fellowship (POSCO TJ Park Foundation)
• Woongtoring School (Daewoong Foundation)

Conclusion

South Korea offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities for Ph.D. students, both through government programs and individual universities. Prospective students should research and apply for scholarships that align with their academic goals and qualifications.