Global Korea Scholarship for Ghanaian students (2026-27)
Yes, Ghanaians can apply for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for undergraduates. Korea's 2027 guidelines give Ghana three embassy-track places, applied for online through the Embassy of Korea in Accra, plus open university-track programmes. The scholarship pays tuition, a year of Korean, a flight and a monthly allowance. You must have finished secondary school by 31 December of the year you apply, so most SHS 3 students apply the September after their WASSCE.
What is the Global Korea Scholarship?
It is the Korean government's full scholarship for international students, run by NIIED, the National Institute for International Education. The undergraduate award pays for one year of Korean language study and then a four to six year bachelor's degree at a Korean university.
For 2027 entry, NIIED plans to select 286 undergraduate scholars worldwide. You apply on the Study in Korea website, through one of two tracks: the embassy track, where the Korean embassy in your country makes the first selection, or the university track, where a Korean university does.
Our overview of foreign government scholarships for Ghanaian undergraduates sets GKS beside the other schemes. This page goes into the detail.
Who can apply from Ghana?
A Ghanaian citizen whose parents are also not Korean citizens, who meets NIIED's age, education and grade rules. Ghana is on the 2027 embassy-track list with three places: two in the General programme and one in R-GKS, the programme for regional universities outside Seoul.
For the 2027 cycle, NIIED asked for:
- Age: under 25, which for 2027 meant born after 1 March 2002.
- Education: secondary school completed, or due to be completed, by 31 December 2026. You cannot already hold a bachelor's degree.
- Grades: an overall average of 80% or more, a place in the top 20% of your class, or a GPA of at least 2.64 out of 4.0.
- Health: fit to study in Korea for the whole programme.
WASSCE grades do not come as a percentage or a GPA. NIIED says that when your grades use another scale, you must send an official document from your school explaining its grading system, and a converted grade the school confirms. If your average falls below 80%, a letter from your school saying you are in the top 20% of your class also meets the rule.
Ghanaians can also apply through the university track. Its industry programme (UIC), in science and engineering fields, is open to every country.
What does it cover?
Almost everything, for up to seven years. For 2027 scholars, NIIED lists:
- Tuition: NIIED pays up to KRW 5 million a year, and the university covers anything above that, plus the admission fee.
- Korean language programme: KRW 5.2 million a year, paid to the language institute.
- Flight: an economy ticket to Korea at the start.
- Monthly allowance: KRW 13,560,000 a year during the language year, and KRW 14,400,000 a year during the degree.
The allowance has to stretch. NIIED says it covers living costs, accommodation, health insurance, the TOPIK fee and settling-in costs, so there is no separate housing payment. Travel inside Ghana and travel insurance for the trip are not covered.
When are the deadlines?
For entry in 2027, the embassy track has already closed. These were NIIED's dates for the 2027 cycle, in Korea time:
- 15 to 30 September 2026
Embassy-track online applications on the Study in Korea website.
- September to November 2026
University-track applications, on each university's own schedule.
- By 16 October 2026
The embassy announces who passed its first round.
- November 2026
NIIED announces its second-round results.
- By 23 December 2026
Universities announce embassy-track candidates they accept.
- By 31 December 2026
First-round winners send their graduation certificate and transcript.
- About 7 January 2027
NIIED announces the final 2027 scholars.
If you finished SHS in 2026 and have your WASSCE results, the university track may still be open this autumn. Check each university's own notice. If you are in SHS 3 now, plan for the embassy track that is expected to open in September 2027, for entry in 2028.
How do I apply?
Through the Study in Korea website, then on paper if you pass the first round. For the embassy track:
- Choose your universities. Pick up to three from NIIED's University Information file, with at least one from the regional Type B list. R-GKS applicants choose up to two Type B universities.
- Register on Study in Korea (studyinkorea.go.kr) and complete the application form, personal statement and study plan online.
- Upload your documents. These include a recommendation letter, your graduation certificate, transcript, proof of citizenship for you and your parents, and a medical self-assessment.
- Get your certificates authenticated. NIIED wants the required certificates apostilled or consular confirmed. The Accra embassy's 2026 notice also told applicants that documents must be notarised by the embassy. Read the embassy's current notice before you start.
- If you pass the embassy round, hand in the signed originals. The embassy forwards them so they reach NIIED by 30 October.
The application form must be in English. The personal statement and study plan can be in English or Korean.
How does selection work?
In three rounds for the embassy track. The Korean embassy in Accra screens and recommends candidates. NIIED then reviews every recommended candidate, and finally each university you chose decides whether to accept you.
NIIED says it looks at academic performance, language ability, activities, contributions to society, potential and the completeness and authenticity of your documents. Science and engineering applicants get 5% extra points, and a TOPIK level 3 or above adds 3% to 5%. Candidates from low-income backgrounds are given preference.
With three embassy places for Ghana, the odds are long. Treat GKS as one application on a wider list.
What happens after I win?
You spend a year learning Korean, unless you already hold TOPIK level 5 or 6. Every scholar must reach at least TOPIK level 3 during that year to start the degree, and some departments ask for level 4.
You cannot change your field of study after selection. If you withdraw within three months of starting your degree, NIIED asks you to repay the whole scholarship.
Should I apply alongside US universities?
Yes, if you would genuinely take a place in Korea. The timing rarely clashes: GKS applications open the September after your WASSCE, while US universities expect you to apply during SHS 3. A student who applies to the US in SHS 3 and misses out can still apply for GKS that September. Our guide to a gap year after the WASSCE covers how to use that year.
What should I do first?
Ask your school for two letters now: one explaining its grading system and one confirming your class rank. Then bookmark the Embassy of Korea in Ghana and the Study in Korea GKS notice page, which publishes new guidelines each September.
If you would like help weighing GKS against your other options, you can book a call with us.
Questions people ask
Can a Ghanaian apply for the Global Korea Scholarship for a first degree?
Yes. Ghana is one of the 74 countries invited to the GKS undergraduate embassy track for 2027, with two General places and one R-GKS place. Ghanaians can also apply to the university track's industry programme, which is open to every country.
When is the GKS undergraduate deadline for Ghanaians?
For 2027 entry, the embassy track closed at 6pm Korea time on 30 September 2026. University-track deadlines run from September to November 2026 and differ by university. The next embassy-track window, for 2028 entry, is expected in September 2027.
Can I apply for GKS before my WASSCE results?
Not for the cycle that starts the year you finish SHS. NIIED requires applicants to have graduated, or to graduate, by 31 December of the application year. A student sitting the WASSCE in 2027 applies in September 2027 for entry in 2028.
Do I need to speak Korean to apply for GKS?
No. A Korean or English test score is optional. Scholars without TOPIK level 5 take a one-year Korean course first and must reach at least TOPIK level 3 before starting the degree.
What does the Global Korea Scholarship cover?
Tuition, the Korean language programme fee, an economy flight to Korea and a monthly allowance. For 2027 the allowance is KRW 13,560,000 a year during the language year and KRW 14,400,000 a year during the degree, covering living costs, housing and health insurance.