Global KU Scholarship 2026 at Korea University

If you are an international student dreaming of studying in South Korea, the Global KU Scholarship 2026 at Korea University offers a fantastic opportunity. Established in celebration of Korea University’s centennial in 2005, this scholarship is tailored for exchange and visiting students who are nominated through a University Level Agreement. It aims to help reduce financial barriers and support aspiring global leaders from all over the world. Here's everything you need to know.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

• Location: Seoul, South Korea (Korea University)

• Host Institution: Korea University, via its Global Services Center (International / Exchange & Visiting Student Offices)

• Study Level: Exchange or Visiting student positions (i.e. non-degree students from partner universities under University Level Agreement)

• Target Group:

  • New exchange students nominated by their home university under a University Level Agreement;

  • Continuing exchange students / visiting students (for the second semester merit scholarship) who are doing a one-year program under that agreement.

• Fields of Focus: All fields, as far as the exchange or visiting student program allows. There’s no restriction by major indicated.

• Value & Coverage:

  • First Semester / New Exchange Students:

    • Admission Scholarship: KRW 100,000 up to KRW 1,600,000

    • Travel Scholarship: KRW 100,000 up to KRW 1,500,000

  • Second Semester / Continuing Exchange or Visiting Students:

    • Merit Scholarship: KRW 1,200,000

• Duration: One semester for first-year/exchange newcomers; the merit scholarship for the second semester (when participating in a one-year program)

• Application Deadline:

  • Semester 1 (Spring): January 30 (2026)

  • Semester 2 (Fall): July 30

• Start Date: For Spring 2026, the

• Eligible To: Students at partner universities under University Level Agreement; exchange or visiting students; must apply via those channels and meet academic criteria.

🌐 Scholarship Overview

The Global KU Scholarship is structured in tiers depending on when you join (first semester vs second semester) and whether you are a new exchange student or a continuing/visiting student. Key aspects:

• First Semester (New Exchange Students):

  
  

  You may receive two types of support: Admission Scholarship (which helps with general living or tuition-adjacent costs) and Travel Scholarship (to assist with costs of travel to Korea). The amounts depend on your academic merit (from home institution) and possibly other institutional quotas.

• Second Semester (Continuing Exchange / Visiting Students):

  
  

  If you’ve participated in a one‐year program and performed well academically (first semester at KU), you may be eligible for a Merit Scholarship. This is a flat amount (KRW 1,200,000) for that second semester.

• Academic and Institutional Assessment:

  
  

  For travel/admission scholarships, your grades from your home university are considered. For the merit scholarship, your performance in your first semester at Korea University is used. The Awards Committee also considers “geographic and strategic factors” to ensure fair representation among applicants.

🎁 Benefits

• Significant financial assistance for tuition-adjacent and travel costs, which can reduce the expense of studying abroad or visiting.

• Merit recognition: your academic performance both before arrival (home institution) and during your stay matters.

• Opportunity to study at a top Korean university (KU) under an exchange/visiting setting, gaining international exposure.

• Exposure to a multicultural learning environment; access to Korea University’s international student services.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• You must be nominated by your home university under an existing University Level Agreement with Korea University.

• Be admitted successfully to the Exchange / Visiting Student program at Korea University.

• For the first semester awards: academic merit at home institution will be evaluated.

• For the merit scholarship (second semester): you must have completed required credits in your first semester at Korea University (minimum 12 credits for undergraduates; graduate students need at least one graduate course if taking fewer credits) and achieved a given GPA threshold.

• Language: Documents (and presumably communication) must be in English or accompanied by certified English translations if in another language.

📝 Application Procedure

• Documents Required:

  1. Completed Global KU Scholarship Application Form 

  2. One passport-sized photograph (to attach to the application)

  3. Letter of recommendation from someone who can attest to your academic performance. Importantly, the letter must be sent directly by the referee to the email address: studyabroad@korea.ac.kr (if applying as a continuing exchange / visiting student).

• How to Apply:

  • If you are a new exchange student, your Global KU scholarship application is to be uploaded with the rest of your Exchange Program application in the online portal („Exchange Program Application account, part 7 — Supporting Documents“).

  • If you are a continuing exchange student or a visiting student, the application is submitted via email to studyabroad@korea.ac.kr.

• Deadlines: As noted above, January 30 for Spring semester, and July 30 for Fall semester.

• Important Notices:

  • All documents must be in, or translated into, English.

  • Submitted documents will not be returned.

  • Recommendation letters must come from referees directly; you must not send them yourself (this is to ensure authenticity).

  • The Awards Committee’s decisions are final.

ℹ️ Extra Information

• The term “University Level Agreement” refers to a formal partnership between Korea University and your home university. If your university is not a partner, you may not be eligible. It’s important to check with your international office whether your institution has such an agreement with KU.

• There may be quotas by country / institution, meaning that even if you are eligible and strong, competition matters.

• For the merit scholarship, you need to have completed the required credit load during the first semester; falling short may make you ineligible.

• Keep track of arrival and course start dates, visa requirements, housing (KU provides on-campus accommodation options for international students) etc., because acceptance into the exchange/visiting program does not automatically cover all logistical issues. While the scholarship helps with financial support, you’ll still need to budget for living costs, health insurance, visa, etc. (though KU has support services)

🔗 Official Link

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