Why Korea?
- Top universities in engineering, IT, semiconductors, business and natural sciences
- Many graduate programmes and labs work in English
- The GKS covers tuition, flights, a monthly allowance and a year of Korean language study
- Part-time work is possible with permission from immigration and your university
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for graduate degrees
GKS is run by Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Bangladeshi students can apply through two tracks:
- Embassy track: apply through the Korean Embassy in Bangladesh. For 2026 there were 7 places for Bangladesh.
- University track: apply directly to a participating Korean university. For 2026 Bangladesh had 20 places in total on this track (3 general and 17 R-GKS). Applicants who fail the Embassy’s first round can still try the university track.
| GKS benefit (graduate) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly living allowance | KRW 1,000,000 |
| Settlement allowance | KRW 200,000 on arrival |
| Tuition | Covered |
| Korean language course | One year, covered |
| Airfare | Round-trip economy ticket |
| Research allowance | KRW 210,000 (humanities and social sciences) or KRW 240,000 (sciences and engineering) |
Master’s scholarships run for 3 years and doctoral for 4 years, each including one year of Korean language study.
GKS timeline (based on the 2026 round)
- September to January: NIIED and the Embassy publish the guidelines. Prepare your documents and get them e-Apostilled.
- February: online application (2026: 12 to 25 February, Bangladesh time) on studyinkorea.go.kr.
- Early March: first-round shortlist and interviews at the Embassy.
- Mid-March: first-round results; NIIED and university reviews follow.
- End of June: final results.
Document rule that catches many applicants: birth, family relation and education certificates must be uploaded with the e-Apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. Uploading only the Apostille cover page means your documents are not evaluated. Provisional certificates are not accepted as final graduation certificates.
Self-funded study: the D-2 student visa
- Admission: get your certificate of admission from a Korean university.
- Funds: prepare a bank balance certificate. The Korean Embassy in Dhaka commonly asks for about KRW 20 million (around USD 15,000); some universities outside Seoul accept less. Language programme (D-4) students often show about USD 10,000.
- Apply: at the Korean Embassy in Dhaka with your documents.
- Arrive: register for your alien registration card after arrival.
Documents
- Valid passport and photo
- Certificate of admission
- Bank balance certificate in your name or a parent’s name (with a family relation certificate), or a scholarship certificate
- Apostilled or verified academic documents
- TOPIK or English score and a study plan
How EA Consultancy helps
- Choosing between the Embassy and university tracks
- Study plan, personal statement and recommendation letter guidance
- Document e-Apostille checklist so nothing is rejected on technicalities
- GKS interview and D-2 visa interview practice
Frequently asked questions
How much is the GKS scholarship per month?
For graduate students, NIIED pays KRW 1,000,000 a month, plus tuition, airfare, a settlement allowance, a research allowance and one year of Korean language study.
How many GKS places are there for Bangladesh?
For 2026 the Embassy track had 7 places for Bangladesh, and the university track had 20 places in total (3 general and 17 R-GKS). Numbers can change each year.
When does GKS open for Bangladeshi students?
In the 2026 round, online applications ran from 12 to 25 February 2026 (Bangladesh time), with interviews in early March and final results at the end of June.
How much bank balance do I need for a Korean student visa?
The Korean Embassy in Dhaka commonly asks for about KRW 20 million (around USD 15,000) for degree students. Confirm the current amount before you apply.
Talk to a counsellor, free
Tell us your results, budget and goal. We reply within one working day with an honest plan, and every fee in writing.
Call or WhatsApp: +880 1618-274549
Official sources we checked
- Korean Embassy in Bangladesh – 2026 GKS for Graduate Degrees notice
- Study in Korea (NIIED) – official GKS portal
- Korea University – GKS graduate benefits (2026)
This is a general guide written for students from Bangladesh. Fees, funds and rules change often and each embassy or scholarship body makes the final decision. We confirm the latest requirements with you before you apply.