South Korea offers fully funded PhDs through the Global Korea Scholarship and research-intensive universities such as KAIST.
PhD opportunities in South Korea
Why do a PhD in South Korea?
- GKS covers tuition, stipend and language training
- Strong engineering and technology research
- Many funded lab positions
Universities in South Korea
Well-known research universities and institutes for PhD study in South Korea include:
- Seoul National University
- KAIST
- POSTECH
- Yonsei University
- Korea University
Choose a university by your supervisor and research group, not the overall ranking — fit with the group decides most PhD outcomes.
PhD structure
Programmes include coursework, a qualifying exam and a dissertation defence.
Fees and funding
Fees: Tuition is often covered by labs or scholarships.
Main funded routes: GKS, university research assistantships, institute-funded PhD positions.
Official starting points: Study in Korea
See PhD funding by country to compare routes across 46 countries, or estimate your budget with the study cost calculator.
Applying for a PhD in South Korea
Contact professors; apply to GKS (embassy or university track) or university admissions.
Language: Korean (TOPIK) helps and is required for some scholarships after the language year.
Your application checklist
- CV with research experience and any publications
- Research proposal or statement written for the project or supervisor — see our research proposal guide
- Master's (and undergraduate) transcripts and degree certificates; for Pakistanis, HEC-attested copies
- Two or three academic references — see our recommendation letter guide
- English test score or proof of English-medium study, if required
- Interview preparation — see our interview guide
Student visas and work
Visa: Students need a D-2 visa.
Working during your PhD: Part-time work with permission, limited by TOPIK level.
After your PhD
Graduates can apply for a D-10 job-seeking visa.
Open PhD opportunities in South Korea
KAIST Graduate Scholarships for International Students (South Korea)
KAIST
South Korea
- Fully funded, Stipend, Tuition waiver
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: Master's, PhD
- Master's 2 years; PhD up to 4 years
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
National Institute for International Education (NIIED), Korea
South Korea
- Fully funded
- Eligible countries: check official page
- Study level: Undergraduate, Master's, PhD
- Degree program plus Korean language training
This guide gives an overview for international applicants. Rules on fees, funding and visas change — always confirm the details on the university, funder and embassy websites before you apply.
You may also like
PhD Study in SpainSpain combines a growing research system with salaried predoctoral contracts that make a PhD a job rather than a cost.Read more →
PhD Study in BelgiumBelgium offers well-paid PhD fellowships through its regional research councils and a dense network of research universities.Read more →
PhD Study in FranceFrance funds most PhDs through three-year PhD contracts within PhD schools, with strong national research organisations such as CNRS and Inria.Read more →
PhD Study in NetherlandsIn the Netherlands most PhD candidates are university employees with a salary, pension and benefits.Read more →
PhD Study in DenmarkDanish PhDs are short, well paid and closely integrated with research groups and industry.Read more →
PhD Study in SwedenSwedish PhD students are employed on a salary set by collective agreements, usually for four years of research.Read more →Thank you — your feedback helps us improve this page.