GKS Scholarship Nepal (2026) Complete Guide for Nepali Students (Bachelor’s, Masters, PhD)

Last Updated: 31 May ,2026

GKS Scholarship is a fully funded government scholarship from South Korea that covers tuition fees, monthly living allowance, return airfare, health insurance, and one full year of free Korean language training. For Nepali students, it is one of the most complete study abroad opportunities available today. Everything is paid. You do not spend a single rupee on tuition or language preparation. The Korean government funds all of it through an official body called NIIED, which stands for National Institute for International Education.

The full form of GKS is Global Korea Scholarship. Before 2010 it was called KGSP, short for Korean Government Scholarship Program. Some embassies and older documents still use the name KGSP but both names refer to the same scholarship with the same benefits and rules.

Nepal is an officially eligible country under the GKS program. Nepali students can apply every year. The process goes through either the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu or directly through a Korean university, depending on which application route you choose.

This guide covers everything a Nepali student needs to know about GKS scholarship for 2026 and 2027. That includes eligibility, benefits, how to apply, what documents you need, which universities are part of the program, when deadlines fall, and how the interview and selection process actually works.

For our complete guide on studying in Korea from Nepal covering visa, costs, universities, and all degree levels, read our guide on Study in Korea from Nepal (2026), Complete Guide for Nepali Students.

After checking your grades, use our NEB GPA calculator to calculate your exact GPA from your (+2) class 12 or bachelor’s subjects before planning your GKS application.

What GKS Scholarship Is and How It Works

GKS is run entirely by the South Korean government. The Ministry of Education of South Korea funds the program. NIIED manages the administration, reviews applications from around the world, sets the eligibility rules, and coordinates the final selection of scholars every year.

The program works in a simple sequence. First you apply, either through the Korean Embassy in your country or directly to a Korean university. After passing the selection process, you fly to Korea and spend one full year in an intensive Korean language training program. This year is fully funded. You receive a monthly stipend during this period just like you would during your actual degree. After the language year, you join your degree program at your chosen Korean university and complete your bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD depending on what you applied for.

Around 2,000 graduate students and 280 bachelor’s students receive GKS scholarships each year from over 150 countries. Nepal has been part of this program for many years and Nepali students have successfully completed degrees under GKS at Korean universities.

The reason so many Nepali students target GKS is straightforward. Korean universities are globally ranked, the degree is internationally recognized, and the financial package is complete. You do not need to arrange tuition money, housing deposits, or language course fees. The scholarship handles all of it.

GKS Scholarship Eligibility 2026

The eligibility rules for GKS are strict and non-negotiable. Missing even one condition results in immediate rejection during document screening, regardless of how strong everything else in your application is.

Nepali students must hold Nepali citizenship to apply. Neither you nor your parents can hold Korean citizenship or dual citizenship that includes Korea. If you previously held Korean citizenship, you must provide proof that you officially renounced it. This rule is absolute.

The age limit for bachelor’s programs is under 25 years old. For the 2026 cycle, applicants had to be born after March 1, 2001. For graduate programs covering Masters and PhD, the age limit is under 40 years old.

Minimum GPA Requirement (80% Equivalent)

Depending on your institution’s grading scale, the minimum CGPA required is:

• 4.0 scale → 2.64
• 4.3 scale → 2.80
• 4.5 scale → 2.91
• 5.0 scale → 3.23

For Nepali students (NEB 4.0 scale) The 80% requirement is generally equivalent to a GPA of around 3.2 or higher.

The academic grade requirement is one of the most important eligibility conditions. GKS requires either a cumulative GPA of 80 percent or above, or proof that you finished in the top 20 percent of your graduating class. On the official NIIED grading scale, this translates to a minimum CGPA of 2.64 out of 4.0, or 2.80 out of 4.3, or 2.91 out of 4.5, or 3.23 out of 5.0 depending on which scale your institution uses. For Nepali students on the NEB 4.0 scale, reaching the 80 percent equivalent generally means a GPA around 3.2 or above. The top 20 percent route is an alternative for students whose school grades might not hit the 80 percent mark directly. A school-issued certificate confirming your class rank is required if you use that route.

Students who have already received a GKS degree scholarship before are not eligible to apply again. The program is intended to be used once.

You must also be physically and mentally healthy. A medical examination is part of the process and a health certificate must be submitted with your documents.

Getting GKS is genuinely competitive. The overall acceptance rate across all countries is roughly 5 to 13 percent per year. For Nepal’s Embassy Track bachelor’s applications, only 2 seats were available in the 2026 cycle. That number alone shows how selective the process is at the national level.

To understand the requirements in detail, read our complete guide, How Much GPA Is Required to Study in Korea from Nepal in 2026.

GKS Scholarship After Class 12, Class 11, and Class 10

A lot of Nepali students are unsure about when they can apply, so this deserves a clear explanation for each study level.

Students who have completed Class 12 or (+2) class 12 in Nepal are the main bachelor’s applicants for GKS. This is the correct entry point for the bachelor’s scholarship. You need your NEB transcript, (+2) class 12 marksheet, and all supporting documents from your (+2) class 12 level. Students who are expected to graduate by December 31 of the application year can also apply with a certificate of expected graduation, but they must then submit the final graduation documents by that same deadline once results are out.

Students currently in Class 11 are not yet eligible. Class 11 is not a completed secondary education. The GKS bachelor’s program requires that you have fully finished secondary school. Class 11 students should use this time to focus on finishing Class 12 with strong grades and then apply in the cycle that follows their graduation.

Students who have only completed Class 10 or SEE are also not eligible for bachelor’s GKS. SEE marks the end of secondary school in Nepal but it is not the full completion of school education in the way Korean university admissions define it. (+2) class 12 completion is required. There is no GKS track that takes students directly from SEE level.

For Masters applicants, a completed bachelor’s degree is required. For PhD applicants, a completed master’s degree is required. Nepali students holding degrees from recognized institutions like Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, or Pokhara University are eligible to apply for the graduate programs.

Language Requirements for GKS Scholarship

TOPIK is not a requirement at the time of application. This surprises many Nepali students who assume they need to learn Korean before applying. The GKS program includes a mandatory one full year of Korean language training precisely because most international applicants are not fluent in Korean when they first arrive. You enroll in this language program immediately after being selected and before your degree starts.

IELTS is also not required for GKS. You do not need any English language test score to submit your GKS application. The scholarship program operates in Korean and the language training handles readiness for study.

Having a TOPIK score does help your application even though it is not required. A TOPIK Level 3 or above certificate shows genuine interest in Korea and adds credibility to your application documents. Reaching TOPIK Level 5 or 6 during your actual studies earns you an additional 100,000 KRW per month on top of your regular stipend, which is a meaningful bonus for students who put serious effort into Korean language development.

For specific programs taught in English at Korean universities, individual departments may have their own English proficiency requirements. This is separate from the GKS application requirements. Always check the specific program page at your target university to see if English language scores are expected for that particular department.

GKS Scholarship Benefits and Monthly Stipend

GKS covers everything. Tuition is paid in full. NIIED provides up to 5 million KRW per semester for tuition. If a private university’s tuition exceeds that amount, the host university covers the difference. You pay nothing from your own pocket.

The monthly living stipend for bachelor’s students is approximately 900,000 KRW per month. In Nepali rupees, this converts to roughly NPR 90,000 to 95,000 depending on current exchange rates. This amount covers rent, food, transportation, and daily living costs comfortably, especially if you live in a university dormitory. For graduate students on Masters and PhD programs, the monthly stipend is higher. Starting in 2026, the graduate stipend increased to approximately 1,380,000 KRW per month following adjustments for inflation and student living costs in Korea.

Round trip economy class airfare is included. You receive one ticket from Nepal to Korea when your program begins and one return ticket after you finish your degree. The settlement allowance is a one-time payment you receive when you first arrive in Korea to help you cover initial setup costs like a local SIM card, basic household supplies, and first-week expenses before your regular stipend starts arriving.

The Korean language training year is fully funded. NIIED provides 5,200,000 KRW for the language program. You continue receiving your monthly stipend during this year as well. Health insurance covers you throughout the entire scholarship period. You do not pay insurance premiums. The TOPIK exam fee is also covered so you can take the test during your studies without any out of pocket cost.

Graduate students additionally receive a research allowance on top of the monthly stipend. A degree completion allowance is paid as a one-time grant when you successfully finish your program. A repatriation allowance is given when you return home after completing your studies.

Adding up tuition, monthly stipend across all years, airfare, language training, insurance, and all allowances, the total value of a five year GKS bachelor’s scholarship easily exceeds 50 million KRW over the full program period.

GKS Scholarship for bachelor’s, Masters, and PhD

The bachelor’s GKS program, officially called GKS-U, is for students applying for a bachelor’s degree. The 2026 bachelor’s cycle selected 280 students in total. Of those, 150 came through the Embassy Track and 130 came through the University Track. For Nepal through the Embassy Track, 2 seats were available in 2026, one under the General program and one under the R-GKS program.

The full bachelor’s scholarship period is five to six years. This includes one year of Korean language training followed by four years of study for a standard bachelor’s degree. Programs that require five years such as architecture or pharmacy extend the total to six years.

There is no subject restriction for bachelor’s GKS. You can apply to any department available at GKS partner universities. Science, Engineering, Business, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, all are eligible. STEM fields do receive bonus points in the scoring system which gives science and engineering applicants a slight advantage in the competitive ranking.

The graduate GKS program, officially called GKS-G, is much larger. In 2026, 2,000 graduate seats were available. Masters scholarship duration is three years total, covering one year of language training and two years of degree study. PhD scholarship duration is four years, covering one year of language training and three years of research and study. Graduate students must complete their prior degree before the scholarship start date. Masters applicants need a completed bachelor’s degree. PhD applicants need a completed master’s degree.

One question that comes up often from Nepali students is whether GKS covers MBBS or medical degrees. It does not. Medical education in Korea follows a separate and restricted pathway for international students and is not part of the GKS eligible programs. Nepali students interested in medical studies need to explore different scholarship options.

GKS Scholarship University List

Over 60 Korean universities participate in the GKS program. They are divided into two categories called Type A and Type B. Understanding this division matters a lot for how you build your application strategy.

Type A universities

Type A universities are mostly located in or near Seoul. They are generally more competitive and more well-known internationally.

The Type A list for GKS bachelor’s includes:

• Seoul National University,
• Yonsei University,
• Korea University,
• Hanyang University,
• Sungkyunkwan University,
• Ewha Womans University,
• Sogang University,
• Chung-Ang University,
• Kyung Hee University,
• Konkuk University,
• Kookmin University,
• Hongik University,
• Inha University,
• Incheon National University,
• POSTECH,
• UNIST,
• Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

Seoul National University is the highest ranked university in Korea and consistently ranks among the top universities in Asia. Yonsei University is one of Korea’s most prestigious institutions and part of the SKY group alongside SNU and Korea University. Hanyang University is particularly strong in Engineering and Technology fields and is a realistic target for GKS applicants interested in STEM programs.

Type B universities

Type B universities are regional institutions located outside Seoul. The Embassy Track rules require that you include at least one Type B university in your list of choices. Type B institutions include:

• Pusan National University,
• Kyungpook National University,
• Chonnam National University,
• Chungnam National University,
• Jeju National University,
• Kangwon National University,
• Jeonbuk National University,
• Gyeongsang National University.

Regional universities are not a lesser option. They offer excellent education, lower living costs outside Seoul, and in many cases stronger admission chances for students competing from Nepal with the available scholarship quota. For field-specific programs, some regional universities have stronger departments than their Seoul counterparts in areas like agriculture, marine science, environmental studies, and regional development.

The full official university list with all participating institutions and eligible departments is published each year on studyinkorea.go.kr under the GKS Notice section. The list can change slightly year to year so always verify against the current year’s official document.

Embassy Track and University Track

There are two ways to apply for GKS scholarship and you must choose only one. Applying through both tracks at the same time results in disqualification from both.

The Embassy Track means you apply through the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu. The embassy handles the first round of screening and may call shortlisted candidates for an interview. Candidates who pass the embassy round are recommended to NIIED for the second round of evaluation. Through the Embassy Track you can choose up to three different universities from the official list and at least one of them must be a Type B university.

The University Track means you apply directly to a specific Korean university that participates in GKS. That university conducts its own first-round review and then forwards recommended candidates to NIIED. Through the University Track you can only apply to one university at a time. The benefit is that you have a direct relationship with the university from the start of the process.

For Nepali bachelor’s students, the Embassy Track is the most common starting point. The quota for Nepal is small and competition is intense. The University Track has no fixed country quota in the same strict way, which can sometimes create an advantage for applicants who research the right universities and departments carefully. Both tracks ultimately go through NIIED for the final evaluation and both lead to the same scholarship benefits.

How to Apply for GKS Scholarship Step by Step

Starting from 2026, all GKS applications go through the Study in Korea online portal at studyinkorea.go.kr. There are no more paper-only submissions. You create an account on the portal and submit your application digitally. Some embassies may still require physical document submission alongside the online form so always confirm the specific requirements directly with the Korean Embassy in Nepal for the current cycle.

The first thing to do before anything else is verify that you meet every eligibility condition. Age, nationality, grade requirement, health status. All must be confirmed before spending time on documents.

After confirming eligibility, decide which track you are applying through. Then start preparing your documents. This takes the most time. Your NEB transcript needs to be collected from the NEB office at Sinamangal, Kathmandu and then attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal before you can submit it to the embassy. This process alone can take several weeks depending on the time of year you apply.

Fill the official GKS application form completely. Download it from the Study in Korea website or the Korean Embassy in Nepal’s website. Every field must be accurate. Your name must match your official documents exactly as written.

Submit your application during the official window. For Embassy Track in Nepal, submission goes to the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu at Panipokhari. Contact details and the specific deadline for each year are published on the embassy website at npl.mofa.go.kr.

After document screening, shortlisted candidates are called for an interview at the embassy. Following the interview, the embassy recommends its top candidates to NIIED. NIIED conducts the second round evaluation and announces final results through the Study in Korea portal.

For Embassy Track applicants, selected candidates are then forwarded to the universities they listed in their application. Each university reviews and confirms admission. The candidate must receive admission from at least one of their three chosen universities for the scholarship to finalize.

GKS Scholarship Required Documents

Getting the document list right is critical. Missing or incorrectly prepared documents cause immediate rejection regardless of academic strength.

The GKS application form itself must be fully signed and completed. Alongside it comes the Personal Statement, which is around 1,000 words explaining who you are, why you want to study in Korea, what you plan to study, and how GKS fits into your long-term goals. The Study Plan is a separate 1,000-word document covering your specific academic and research plans in Korea. These two documents must be distinct from each other and genuinely detailed, not generic.

A strong Study Plan names the specific field you want to enter, explains your academic interest in that area, identifies the department and ideally specific professors or research groups at your chosen university who work on topics you are interested in, and closes with a clear picture of what you plan to do after graduating. Generic study plans that describe Korea as a great country without connecting to specific academic goals are among the most common reasons applications fail.

Two recommendation letters are required from teachers, professors, or employers who can speak specifically about your academic ability and intellectual character. Each letter must be signed and sealed. Letters that only describe your personality without addressing your academic performance and potential add very little to your application.

Academic transcripts are required for the level at which you are applying. Bachelor’s applicants need their (+2) class 12 transcript and marksheet, and also the SEE marksheet. Graduate applicants need their bachelor’s degree transcript for Masters or their master’s degree transcript for PhD. Along with transcripts, the graduation certificate or diploma proving you completed the required education level must be included.

Proof of nationality is required for both you and your parents. Your Nepali citizenship certificate or passport confirms your nationality. Passports or citizenship documents of both parents are needed to confirm neither parent holds Korean citizenship.

A health certificate from a recognized hospital confirms physical and mental fitness. The specific format is usually provided in the official GKS application guidelines each year.

All documents submitted to the Korean Embassy in Nepal must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal. Documents written in any language other than English or Korean must include certified translations.

Optional but useful additions include TOPIK certificates, IELTS or TOEFL scores if available, and any academic awards or recognized achievements that strengthen the overall profile.

GKS Scholarship Deadlines and Timeline

The GKS bachelor’s and graduate programs run on different annual cycles and the deadlines vary between Embassy Track and University Track.

For bachelor’s applications through the Embassy Track, the window typically opens in September each year and embassy deadlines fall in October. The 2026 bachelor’s cycle opened in September 2025 with an October 2025 deadline. For Nepal specifically in 2026, the deadline was adjusted slightly to account for Tihar and Chhath public holidays that fell during the standard submission window.

After the embassy deadline, the first round of screening and interviews happens in October and November. The embassy forwards recommended candidates to NIIED by late November. NIIED completes its second round evaluation through December and January. Final results are announced in February or March. University admission confirmation follows in March and April. Korean language training typically begins in July.

For graduate applications, the cycle runs earlier in the calendar year. The 2026 graduate cycle notice was published in early 2026 with embassy deadlines falling in February and March of that year. Graduate results are announced around June.

For the 2027 bachelor’s cycle, watch for the official notice in September 2026 on both the Korean Embassy in Nepal website and the Study in Korea portal. Set a reminder and check both sites from early September onwards.

Preparation should begin at least three to four months before the expected deadline. Getting your NEB transcript attested by MoFA, writing your personal statement and study plan, collecting recommendation letters, and getting your NOC from Nepal’s Ministry of Education all take time. Starting late makes everything rushed and increases the chance of errors.

Selection Process and Interview

The selection process runs in multiple stages before anyone receives the scholarship.

At the first stage, the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu reviews all submitted documents for eligibility and overall profile strength. Shortlisted candidates are called for a face-to-face interview at the embassy. The interview is personal and based entirely on your application documents, your stated reasons for applying, and your study plan. Interviewers want to understand whether you are genuinely prepared for academic study in Korea and whether your goals are realistic and clearly thought through.

The second stage happens at NIIED after the embassy forwards its recommended candidates. NIIED applies a scoring system that weighs academic grades, the quality of personal statement and study plan, recommendation letters, TOPIK score if available, and bonus points for STEM field applicants. This stage is not visible to the applicant but the weight placed on each component means that a strong study plan and high grades together are more powerful than grades alone.

For Embassy Track applicants who pass the NIIED round, the third stage involves the universities you listed. Each university reviews the candidates forwarded to them and makes admission decisions. A candidate must receive admission from at least one of their three chosen universities to complete the selection. If all three universities reject the candidate at this stage, the scholarship cannot proceed even if NIIED had selected them.

The overall acceptance rate across all countries is 5 to 13 percent annually. For Nepal’s Embassy Track bachelor’s program with 2 seats, the national competition is extremely tight.

Interview preparation should focus on three areas. Knowing exactly why you want to study your chosen field in Korea, not just why Korea generally appeals to you. Understanding the specific department and program you listed in your application, including what topics you want to explore during your studies. Having a clear and honest answer for what you plan to do after your degree, with a genuine connection back to your goals in Nepal or your broader career.

Common themes in GKS interviews include motivation for studying in Korea, academic background and strengths, the contents of the study plan, knowledge of Korean universities and the program being applied to, and future contribution to Nepal-Korea academic relations. There is no formal syllabus or question paper for GKS. The conversation is shaped by your own documents and what the interviewers find relevant in your application.

GKS Scholarship 2027 Preparation for Nepali Students

The 2026 bachelor’s cycle for Nepal has already closed. Students who are currently in Class 11 or who recently completed Class 12 in 2026 should be preparing for the 2027 cycle now.

The 2027 bachelor’s applications are expected to open in September 2026. Embassy deadlines will likely fall in October 2026. Final results should be announced in early 2027. This gives current Class 11 students who finish (+2) class 12 in 2026 enough time to prepare a strong application if they start early.

Using this waiting period productively makes a significant difference. Starting Korean language study now, even casually, shows genuine commitment and makes the mandatory language year much less challenging. Developing a specific academic interest in your intended field gives you real material for a detailed study plan rather than a generic one. Connecting with Nepali students who have already been through GKS provides honest insight into the process that no official guide can fully replicate.

Keeping an eye on the Korean Embassy in Nepal website at npl.mofa.go.kr and the Study in Korea portal at studyinkorea.go.kr from August 2026 onwards ensures you do not miss the official announcement for the 2027 cycle.

Tips for Nepali Students Applying for GKS

Getting your NEB transcript well before the application deadline is essential. The NEB office at Sinamangal, Kathmandu processes transcripts in a minimum of seven working days but during peak season after result publications, it can take two to four weeks. Then you need MoFA attestation on top of that. Starting this process early removes one of the most common last-minute stresses in GKS applications.

Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology requires a No Objection Certificate, called NOC, before any Nepali student can formally study abroad. This application goes through noc.moest.gov.np. The NOC takes roughly 10 to 15 working days to process. Getting it early alongside your other document preparation is the right approach.

University selection strategy matters more than most applicants realize. Including one strong Type B regional university in your Embassy Track list is not just a rule to comply with. It is also a genuinely smart move because Type B universities often have lower competition for specific programs while still offering excellent education. A regional university placement with GKS benefits is far more valuable than no placement at all.

The personal statement and study plan are where most applications either become strong or fall apart. Generic writing that says you want to experience Korean culture or that Korea has great technology does not work. Specific writing that names your exact academic field, identifies real research questions or topics you want to explore, and connects your degree goals to a clear future plan is what stands out to reviewers.

Recommendation letters carry real weight in the GKS scoring. A letter from a teacher who genuinely knows your academic thinking and can describe specific examples of your intellectual ability is worth far more than a letter from a more senior person who barely knows your work.

Learning basic Korean before applying, even at a conversational level, demonstrates commitment. It also makes the first year of mandatory language training less overwhelming.

Frequently Asked Questions About GKS Scholarship Nepal