How to Get a Scholarship to Study in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul has quietly become one of the world's most exciting cities for international students. World-ranked universities, a thriving tech scene, rich culture, and surprisingly affordable living costs - all in one place. And the best part? There are real, fully funded scholarship programs designed specifically for students from the US, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. You just need to know where to look.

Why Seoul Is Worth Considering

South Korea's capital is home to some of Asia's top universities - Seoul National University (SNU), Yonsei, and Korea University are consistently ranked among the best globally. Beyond academics, Seoul offers a unique blend of ancient history and cutting-edge innovation. Students regularly describe the experience as life-changing - both personally and professionally.

The cost of living, while not cheap, is significantly lower than cities like London, Sydney, or New York. And with multiple scholarship programs covering tuition, housing, flights, and even a monthly stipend, studying in Seoul can cost less than staying home.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) - The Flagship Option

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), funded by the Korean government, is the most comprehensive award available to international students - and it's fully open to citizens from the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

What it covers:

1. Full tuition for the entire degree
2. Monthly living stipend (approximately 1,000,000 KRW)
3. Round-trip airfare
4. Medical insurance
5. One year of intensive Korean language training (paid)
6. Settlement allowance upon arrival

It's available for undergraduate, Master's, doctoral, and research-level study. Applications are submitted either through the Korean Embassy in your home country (Embassy Track) or directly through a participating Korean university (University Track).

US Students: The Fulbright Korea Program

American students have an additional powerful option - the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for South Korea. Fulbright awards are among the most prestigious scholarships in the world, and the Korea track offers grants for English Teaching Assistantships, independent research, and full graduate degree study.

It's highly competitive, but for academically strong US applicants, it's one of the best-funded and most respected pathways to studying in Seoul.

Australian Students: The New Colombo Plan

Australian undergraduates have access to the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Scholarship - a government-backed program that funds study and internships across the Indo-Pacific, including South Korea. Awards can reach up to $69,000 AUD, covering tuition, travel, and a monthly living stipend. Nominations are made through your home university, so the first step is contacting your study abroad office.

European Students: The ASEM-DUO (DUO-Korea) Fellowship

European students enrolled at a university with a Korean exchange partnership can apply for the ASEM-DUO Fellowship. This program funds paired exchanges between European and Korean students, offering approximately €4,000 per exchange semester. It's a great entry point for students who want to experience Seoul for a semester without committing to a full degree abroad.

University-Level Scholarships in Seoul

Beyond national programs, Seoul's top universities offer their own merit-based scholarships for international students. These are often assessed automatically as part of the admissions process:

1. Seoul National University (SNU): Glo-Harmony Scholarship - full tuition and living expenses for top graduate students
2. Yonsei University: Global Leader Fellowship - full tuition plus stipend for graduate students
3. Korea University: Global KU Scholarship - merit-based tuition waivers of 60% or 100%
4. Hanyang University: International Excellence Scholarship - 30%-70% tuition reduction based on GPA and language scores
5. Kyung Hee University: Admission Scholarship - full or partial tuition waiver for the first semester

These awards don't require a separate application in most cases - your admission file is reviewed for scholarship eligibility automatically.

STEM Students: The Seoul Tech Scholarship

For Master's students in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics, the Seoul Tech Scholarship is a fully funded option covering tuition, a monthly stipend, and return airfare. It's open to international students under 40, including those from developed nations, and covers study at top-tier Seoul universities including SNU, Yonsei, Hanyang, and Korea University.

What Makes a Strong Scholarship Application?

Whether you're applying for GKS, Fulbright, or a university award, a few factors consistently stand out in successful applications:

1. Academic record: A strong GPA is the baseline - most competitive scholarships expect a 3.0 or higher
2. Language scores: TOEFL or IELTS for English proficiency; TOPIK (Korean) scores are a bonus
3. Statement of purpose: A focused, genuine essay about why Korea and why this field of study
4. Letters of recommendation: Academic references carry significant weight
5. Research or work experience: Especially important for graduate-level applications

Finding the Right Scholarship for Your Situation

The scholarship landscape for studying in Seoul is broader than most people realize - but the right option depends heavily on your nationality, degree level, field of study, and timeline. A US undergraduate planning a semester exchange has very different options compared to a European student applying for a PhD program.

The best way to find the most relevant, up-to-date programs for your specific profile is to search directly. Programs open and close on different cycles, and some have country-specific quotas that change annually. Searching for terms like "Global Korea Scholarship for [your country]", "Seoul university scholarships for international students", or "study in Korea fully funded [your degree level]" will surface the most current options and official application portals.

The Bottom Line

Studying in Seoul is far more accessible than most Western students assume. Between the Korean government's flagship GKS program, country-specific awards like Fulbright and the New Colombo Plan, and university-level merit scholarships, there are genuine pathways for students from all backgrounds. The key is knowing which programs match your profile - and starting your research early enough to meet the application windows.

Seoul is waiting. The funding might already be there for you.