South Korea has become one of the top study destinations for Nepali students because of its world-class universities, safe environment, and excellent job opportunities after graduation. One of the biggest advantages is the availability of generous scholarships for international students, including students from Nepal. These scholarships help reduce tuition fees, living expenses, and sometimes even cover full study costs.
If you are planning to study in Korea, here are the top scholarships Nepali students can apply for and how to qualify for them.
1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The GKS Scholarship, provided by the Korean government, is the most prestigious scholarship for international students. Every year, Nepali students successfully receive this scholarship for undergraduate, graduate, and research programs.
What GKS Covers:
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Full tuition fees
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Monthly allowance (KRW 900,000–1,000,000)
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Settlement allowance
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One-year Korean language training
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Air tickets (one-way and return)
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Medical insurance
Eligibility:
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Strong academic performance
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Good health
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Completed 12 years of education (for undergraduate) or bachelor’s degree (for graduate)
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Must pass the Korean or university screening process
GKS is highly competitive, so early preparation, a strong SOP, and recommendation letters are essential.
2. University-Specific Scholarships
Many top universities offer partial or full scholarships based on academic merit. These include:
a. Seoul National University (SNU) Scholarships
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SNU President Fellowship
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SNU Global Scholarship
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Offers full tuition + living stipend for excellent students.
b. KAIST Scholarship
Popular for engineering and technology programs.
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Full tuition fee
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Monthly living allowance
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Health insurance
c. Yonsei University & Korea University Scholarships
These SKY universities offer:
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Tuition reduction (30%–100%)
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Dormitory fee support
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Research assistantships
Most university scholarships are automatically considered during admission. High GPA, strong extracurriculars, and English/Korean proficiency help significantly.
3. Korean Language Institute Scholarships
Students applying for Korean Language Programs (D-4 visa) can also receive scholarships after completing their first semester.
Benefits include:
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30%–50% tuition discount
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Attendance-based stipend
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Top student award scholarships
This is a great option if you plan to study the language before applying for a university degree.
4. Research Assistant (RA) & Teaching Assistant (TA) Scholarships
Graduate and postgraduate students can work as RA or TA under professors. These assistantships often cover:
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Full tuition fees
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Monthly allowance
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Research project funding
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On-campus employment opportunities
Students in fields like computer science, engineering, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence have high chances of getting RA/TA positions.
5. Private Organization Scholarships
Several Korean organizations and foundations also provide scholarships:
a. POSCO Asia Fellowship
Supports students from Asian countries for master’s programs.
b. Samsung Global Scholarship Program
Provides full support for engineering and technology students.
c. Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-Koo Global Scholarship
Covers tuition and living expenses for outstanding students.
These scholarships often require strong academic backgrounds and sometimes interviews.
6. Seoul Metropolitan Government Scholarship
This scholarship targets international students studying in Seoul universities.
Benefits:
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Monthly allowance
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Tuition support
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Settlement assistance
Students studying engineering, technology, business, and social sciences can apply.
7. Embassy and Local Government Scholarships
Some Korean cities and provinces also offer scholarships specifically to foreign students living and studying in their region.
Examples:
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Gwangju Institute scholarships
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Busan Global Scholarship
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Ulsan city scholarships
These are less competitive compared to national scholarships.
Key Tips to Increase Your Scholarship Chances
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Maintain good academic records (GPA 3.0+ recommended)
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Prepare a strong SOP/Personal Statement
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Improve English (IELTS/TOEFL) or Korean (TOPIK) scores
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Apply early before deadlines
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Participate in extracurricular activities
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Get strong recommendation letters
Conclusion
South Korea opens a world of opportunities for Nepali students through numerous scholarship programs. Whether you are applying for a language course, bachelor’s degree, master’s program, or PhD, there is always a scholarship available to support your education. With proper guidance and preparation, you can study in Korea with reduced financial burden and build a successful future.
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