Empowering global talent with financial support to excel in one of South Korea’s top universities. Korea University (KU) is renowned for academic excellence, cultural vibrancy, and global engagement.
To help ease the financial burden of studying abroad, KU offers a wide range of undergraduate scholarships tailored for international students.
These scholarships not only recognise academic merit but also support students facing financial hardship, ensuring that talented individuals from around the world have the opportunity to succeed.
Korea University 2025 Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students: Quick Summary
| Section | Highlights |
| Scholarship Types | Global Leader, Challenge, Bright Futures, Excellence, High Achievers |
| Target Students | Newly admitted & current international undergraduate students |
| Benefits | Up to 100% tuition coverage, cash awards (₩300,000–₩1,000,000) |
| Eligibility | Based on GPA, language proficiency (TOPIK), financial need, and academic performance |
| Application Method | Automatic or online via KU portal (KUPID) |
| Application Period | January (Spring), July (Fall) |
| Results Notification | Recipients are notified via email; awards are applied to the next semester’s tuition invoice |
Types of Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
For Newly Admitted Students
| Scholarship | Evaluation Criteria | Benefit | Notes |
| Global Leader Scholarship A | Admission Evaluation | 100% Tuition for 2 semesters | GPA ≥ 3.5 in 1st semester to continue benefit |
| Global Leader Scholarship B | Admission Evaluation | 50% Tuition for 2 semesters | GPA ≥ 3.0 in 1st semester to continue benefit |
| Challenge Scholarship C | TOPIK Level 5–6 after Korean Program | ₩300,000–₩500,000 | One-time reward |
| Bright Futures Scholarship B | Admission Evaluation (non-Government funded) | ₩1,000,000 over 2 semesters | GPA ≥ 3.0 in 1st semester to continue benefit |
For Current Students
| Scholarship | Evaluation Criteria | Benefit | Notes |
| Excellence Scholarship A | GPA of previous semester | 100% Tuition for next semester | Automatic eligibility |
| Excellence Scholarship B | GPA of previous semester | 65% Tuition for next semester | Automatic eligibility |
| High Achievers Scholarship | GPA over last 2 consecutive semesters | 50% Tuition for next semester | Automatic eligibility |
| Challenge Scholarship A | GPA improvement over 2 semesters (via KUPID) | 30% Tuition for next semester | Requires online application |
| Challenge Scholarship B | TOPIK Level 6 after KU admission | ₩300,000 | One-time reward |
| Bright Futures Scholarship A | Financial need + GPA ≥ 2.75 | 50% Tuition for next semester | Requires documents; apply via KUPID |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for these scholarships, applicants must:
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International students (non-Korean nationals) must gain admission under KU’s international student policies.
- For current student scholarships, you must have completed at least one semester (or two for some scholarships like High Achievers).
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Students must earn a minimum of 12 credits in the semester being evaluated.
- Have no academic warnings or disciplinary violations.
Note: Students who gain Korean citizenship after admission may lose eligibility.
Application Timeline
| Semester | Application Period |
| Spring Semester | January |
| Fall Semester | 31 Jul 2025 |
How to Apply for Korea University 2025 Undergraduate Scholarships for International Students
Automatic Consideration
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The university automatically evaluates scholarships such as Global Leader, Excellence A/B, and High Achievers based on academic records.
Online Application via KUPID Portal
- Go to http://portal.korea.ac.kr
- Select “Scholarship Application”
- Choose the appropriate scholarship (e.g., Challenge or Bright Futures)
- Upload required documents (especially for Bright Futures)
- Apply during the announced period
Only selected recipients will be notified by email from the Global Services Center (GSC).
For more details, visit the official portal here.
Important Notes
- Scholarships are awarded within KU’s available budget—eligibility does not guarantee selection.
- Maintaining a required minimum GPA is crucial for the continuation of multi-semester scholarships.
- Always check the KUPID portal announcements for detailed instructions and deadlines.
FAQs
What happens if my GPA drops below the required level?
You may lose your scholarship in the next semester if you don’t meet the GPA threshold.
Are the scholarships renewable?
Yes, but continuation depends on your GPA performance and available funding.
I’m a transfer student. Am I eligible?
Yes, provided you meet the GPA and credit completion criteria after at least one semester at KU.
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