KOICA Scholarship Program 2027
The KOICA Scholarship Program funds Master’s and doctoral study in South Korea for people from developing countries.
This guide uses the 2027 application guideline, which is a KOICA document hosted on a third-party website.
Who it is for
KOICA is for government officials with an official nomination from their government You can’t apply on your own. The programme covers 96 designated countries across Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East, CIS and Eastern Europe. The list changes every year, so check your country each time.
Also See: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027: How to Apply and Deadlines
Also read: Best 50 Scholarship Opportunities for International Students 2027 (Verified Dates and How to Apply)
Eligibility
- You must be nominated by your government.
- For a Master’s, you need a Bachelor’s degree by 31 July 2026. For a doctorate, a Master’s degree by the same date.
- The guideline prefers applicants under 40, with 2 years of experience in the field (Master’s) or 3 years after the Master’s (doctoral).
- You need strong English speaking and writing skills. KOICA doesn’t ask for an official English test, but some universities may.
- You need good physical and mental health. People with disabilities may apply.
- Previous recipients of Korean government degree scholarships are generally not eligible, with some exceptions.
What it covers
- Full tuition, paid to the university
- Economy airfare for your first arrival and final departure only
- A monthly allowance of KRW 1,200,000
- A one-time settlement allowance: KRW 600,000 (Master’s) or KRW 1,200,000 (doctoral)
- A completion grant: KRW 300,000 (Master’s) or KRW 600,000 (doctoral)
- University dormitory (conditions vary), national health insurance and private medical insurance
It does not cover visa fees, stopover costs, local transport or miscellaneous costs.
Programmes and universities for 2027
The guideline lists 15 programmes at 9 universities, with quotas of 3 to 20 each. You can apply to only one programme. Master’s programmes include:
- e-Government and Public Management (Handong Global University and Sungkyunkwan University)
- Climate Change and Environment Capacity Building (Incheon National University)
- Economic Development Policy (KDI School)
- Health Policy and Financing (Yonsei University)
- High Value-added Agriculture (Kyungpook National University)
- Global Fisheries Development (Pukyong National University)
- AI Digital Innovation (University of Seoul)
- Control of Infectious Disease, Digital Health and Social Economy (Yonsei University)
Doctoral options are available in Agriculture, Fisheries, AI Digital Innovation and Infectious Disease Control. Quotas may change.
How the process works
- Get your government’s nomination.
- Send the KOICA application package by email to your local KOICA office or Korean Embassy. The 2027 deadline was July 2026 and varied by office.
- Attend a KOICA interview.
- If you pass, submit your university application documents.
- Go through university screening, a medical check-up, and a university interview. Some programmes also have an essay test.
- Receive admission notification (around November 2026).
- Arrive in Korea in February 2027 for orientation.
Passing the KOICA interview doesn’t guarantee final acceptance.
Also read: Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programs List 2027: Full Catalogue Guide, Deadlines and How to Apply
Read More: Stop Sending Your CV via Email Until You Read This: How to Get a Reply
Documents for the KOICA round
- KOICA forms Parts 1 to 4, typed in English with a handwritten signature
- Government recommendation letter with an official seal
- Scanned passport valid at least 6 months beyond your expected return date
Academic documents need to be apostilled or consular-confirmed, with a certified translation if they aren’t in English.
FAQs
Can I apply for the KOICA scholarship by myself?
No. You need a government nomination.
Is the 2027 round still open?
No. The guideline’s deadline was July 2026, though it varied by office.
Also read: MEXT Scholarships 2027: Eligibility, Benefits and How to Apply
How much is the monthly allowance?
KRW 1,200,000.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No official test is needed at the KOICA round, but some universities may ask for one.
Can I choose more than one programme?
No. You can apply to only one programme.
Does KOICA cover my visa fee?
No. It doesn’t cover visa fees or application costs