Global Korea Scholarship for Pakistanis: Embassy and University Tracks

The 2027 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for bachelor's degrees gave Pakistan 3 embassy track seats, and that online window closes today, 30 September 2026, at 6 pm Korea time, which is 2 pm in Pakistan. If you have not submitted yet, you have until then. The university track is still open, with each university taking applications between September and November 2026. The next master's and PhD round has not been announced, but last year it opened in February.

We read NIIED's 2027 GKS undergraduate guidelines, dated September 2026, and its 2026 graduate guidelines on the Study in Korea website on 29 September 2026. NIIED is Korea's National Institute for International Education, the government body that runs GKS.

The hard part for Pakistanis is choosing the right track, because the two tracks have different seats, dates and rules.

The embassy track and the university track work differently

On the embassy track, you apply online through Study in Korea and the Korean Embassy in Islamabad screens you first. On the university track, you apply directly to one Korean university, which screens you first. NIIED then reviews both.

"Type A" universities are mostly in and around Seoul, and "Type B" are regional universities. R-GKS is a regional strand that sends students only to Type B universities, and its applicants may pick up to two of them.

The two tracks are not a free double chance. You cannot apply to both at once. But the guidelines say an applicant who fails the embassy track's first round may then apply through the university track, and NIIED moved the university dates later this year for exactly that reason.

GKS 2027 bachelor's timeline for Pakistani students

Embassy track results for the first round come by 16 October 2026, and final GKS scholars are expected on 7 January 2027. University track applications close by November, with NIIED's own results due by mid-December 2026.

The university track has two parts. The UIC programme, short for University Industry Cooperation, offers 100 seats at 13 institutions in science and engineering, open to every country. The associate degree programme offers 30 seats. NIIED posted each university's own dates on 23 September 2026.

NIIED does not tell applicants their results one by one, so check the Study in Korea notices yourself.

Who can apply for GKS from Pakistan

Bachelor's applicants must be under 25, born on or after 1 March 2002, with at least 80% marks or a top 20% class rank. Master's and PhD applicants in the 2026 round had to be under 40, with at least 80% in their last degree.

• Citizenship: you and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Bachelor's grades: 80% or above, top 20% of your class, or at least 2.64 out of 4.0.
• Timing: if you are still finishing school, your final certificate and transcript must reach them by 31 December 2026.
• Not allowed: anyone who already holds a bachelor's degree applying for another bachelor's, or anyone who had a Korean government degree scholarship before.

For intermediate or A Level results, an IBCC equivalence certificate helps show your marks against the 80% line. Korea also asks for key documents with an apostille or consular confirmation, so start early.

English or Korean test scores are not required to apply, but they earn points. A TOPIK Korean level 3 or above also gives extra points. So an IELTS score is worth having before you apply, even though it is not a condition.

What GKS pays, and when the graduate round opens

GKS pays your flight, tuition up to KRW 5 million a semester, a year of Korean classes and a monthly allowance. For bachelor's scholars the allowance is KRW 14.4 million a year during the degree, which works out to KRW 1.2 million a month.

The monthly figures are our own division of NIIED's yearly amounts. NIIED says the allowance is all-inclusive, so it also has to cover housing and health insurance. It also warns that anyone who quits within three months of starting must repay the full amount received.

The graduate round is separate. In 2026, NIIED published the guidelines on 2 February and the embassy track took applications from 12 to 25 February. Pakistan had 8 embassy seats and 17 university track seats. The 2027 graduate round has not been announced yet. Graduate applicants can use the wait well, because HEC degree attestation comes before the apostille Korea asks for.

How to apply for GKS from Pakistan

Download the guidelines and university file from the GKS notices on Study in Korea, pick your track, prepare your documents, and apply by the deadline. For the university track, follow the chosen university's own method and dates.

1. Open the GKS notices on Study in Korea and download the guidelines and the University Information file.
2. Choose a track. For the university track, pick one university and one department from the list.
3. Check that university's dates in NIIED's university track notice of 23 September 2026.
4. Prepare the application form, personal statement, study plan, recommendation letter, medical form and certificates.
5. Submit by the university's deadline, then watch the Study in Korea notices for each result.

Pick your subject with care. NIIED says selected scholars cannot change their field later. It also warns that embassy track applicants who crowd into the same few universities may fail at the final round, even after passing NIIED.

No agent can get you a GKS seat. Applications go through the embassy, NIIED or the university. If someone asks for a fee to secure one, run the checks you would on any study abroad agent. You can write to the Korean Embassy in Pakistan at pakistan@mofa.go.kr, the address NIIED lists.

Common questions

What is the GKS 2027 deadline for Pakistan?

The bachelor's embassy track closes at 2 pm PKT on 30 September 2026. The university track runs to November 2026, and each university sets its own date.

How many GKS seats does Pakistan get?

For 2027 bachelor's, 3 embassy track seats. In the 2026 graduate round, 8 embassy seats and 17 university track seats.

When will GKS 2027 for master's open?

It has not been announced. The 2026 graduate guidelines came out on 2 February 2026.

What is the GKS age limit?

Under 25 for bachelor's, born on or after 1 March 2002. Under 40 for master's and PhD in the 2026 round.

Is IELTS required for GKS?

Not to apply, but English and Korean test scores earn points in the evaluation, and some universities require them.

Can I apply to both tracks?

Not at the same time. If you fail the embassy track's first round, you may then apply through the university track.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 29 September 2026. The embassy and university track rules, Pakistan's 3 bachelor's seats, the 15 to 30 September 2026 window, the round by round dates, eligibility, benefits, the three month repayment rule and the embassy's contact details are read in NIIED's "2027 Global Korea Scholarship Application Guidelines for Undergraduate Degrees", posted on Study in Korea on 9 September 2026. The university track schedule notice is NIIED's post of 23 September 2026. The 2026 graduate dates, Pakistan's 8 and 17 seats, the age limit and graduate allowance are read in NIIED's "2026 GKS-G Application Guidelines". The general GKS overview is Study in Korea's scholarship page. Monthly figures are our division.