Kyungpook National University Is Offering Full Tuition Scholarships to Graduate Students Worldwide. There is no separate scholarship application.
Once you are admitted to an eligible Master’s or PhD program at Kyungpook National University, you are automatically considered for the KNU International Graduate Scholarship. No extra form. No separate portal. Enrollment itself puts you in the running.
For international students navigating multiple simultaneous applications that simplicity is genuinely useful. The deadline for the 2027 intake is 30 October 2026.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Kyungpook National University KNU South Korea |
| Location | Daegu South Korea |
| Degree level | Master’s and PhD |
| Program duration | Master’s 2 years / Combined Master’s-PhD 4 years |
| Scholarship coverage | 100% tuition fee |
| Living costs covered | Not included |
| Eligible nationalities | All nationalities |
| Scholarship review | Every semester continuation not guaranteed |
| Application deadline | 30 October 2026 |
Scholarship Coverage
Full tuition. That is what the KNU International Graduate Scholarship provides.
It is worth being specific about this because the phrase “fully funded” circulates widely on social media in connection with this scholarship. KNU’s award covers 100% of tuition fees for the duration of the graduate program. It does not include a monthly living stipend, accommodation, flights or other living expenses.
Students need to plan separately for living costs in Daegu. By South Korean standards, Daegu is considerably more affordable than Seoul or Busan which makes the tuition scholarship stretch further in real terms. But it does not eliminate the need for personal savings or an additional funding source to cover rent, food and daily expenses.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility is broad. A few points to confirm before applying:
- Open to all nationalities, no country restrictions stated
- Applicants must be international students
- Must hold or be expecting an offer of admission to an eligible Master’s or PhD program at KNU
- Programs eligible include standard Master’s programs 2 years and combined Master’s-PhD programs 4 years
- The scholarship sits at the graduate level only. Undergraduate applicants are not eligible for this award.
Documents You’ll Need
Preparing these in advance will save significant time once the admissions portal opens. Requirements include:
- Completed KNU application form
- Statement of Purpose and Study Plan
- Recommendation letter submitted directly by the professor or in a sealed envelope
- Degree certificate or certificate of expected graduation from all previously attended universities
- Official academic transcripts
- Language proficiency test results TOPIK IELTS TOEFL iBT or equivalent
- Certificate of enrollment and transcript from a Korean Language Institute if applicable
- Copy of Alien Registration Card front and back for applicants already in Korea
- Copy of passport
- Birth certificate or Family Census Register
- Portfolio required for Fine Art or Design applicants only
Two documents on this list catch applicants off guard most often.
The recommendation letter must come directly from the recommending professor either submitted by them personally through the portal or sealed and signed in an envelope. An unsealed letter handed to the applicant and uploaded independently may not be accepted.
The language proficiency requirement is genuine. TOPIK the Korean language proficiency test, is listed first, which suggests Korean-medium programs expect Korean proficiency. For English-medium graduate programs, IELTS or TOEFL iBT results are accepted. Confirm the language of instruction for your specific program before deciding which test results to prepare.
How to Apply?
There is no standalone scholarship application. The process works like this:
- Research available Master’s or PhD programs at KNU and identify one that matches your academic background
- Prepare all required documents listed above
- Submit your graduate admissions application through KNU’s official online portal before 30 October 2026
- Scholarship consideration happens automatically as part of the admissions process
The simplicity is genuine. But automatic consideration does not mean automatic award. Scholarship recipients are selected from admitted students so the quality of your admissions application your academic record and your research alignment with the program all matter.
Confirm all current requirements on KNU’s official admissions page before submitting. Program-specific requirements occasionally differ from the general guidelines listed in the call.
