Yonsei University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Seoul, South Korea
Location
36,500
Population
8
Number of Scholarships

Students considering Yonsei University can explore scholarships that range from fully funded support to partial awards. This shortlist highlights higher coverage options first.

For institution funded support at Yonsei University, these scholarships are frequently highlighted when prioritizing higher coverage. With Global Leader Fellowship, students may receive fully funded support, and coverage frequently includes full entrance fees, full tuition fees, and monthly stipend. Mirae(Wonju) Campus Outstanding Foreign Student Scholarship is a full tuition award, and the listed benefits often include dormitory fee waiver, entrance fee and 50% tuition waivers for Master's students, and entrance fee and full tuition waivers for Ph.D. students. Underwood International College Admissions Scholarship is usually considered full tuition, and typical coverage can include 100% of tuition fees. A strong option is Full-time Graduate Student Scholarship at the Graduate School of Medicine which is full tuition and often covers full entrance fee and tuition fees for 4 semesters, 12% of tuition fees for the 5th and 6th semester for Doctoral students, and living stipend for Doctoral students with a TOEIC 830 score or higher and or the equivalent in other proficiency tests.

Outside the university’s own funding routes, Yonsei University students may be eligible for external programs that can offer substantial support. Here are a few to consider. A strong option is Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) which is fully funded and often covers tuition fees, airplane tickets, and living stipend. Samsung Global Hope Scholarships is fully funded, and coverage often includes undergraduate level : KRW 3,900,000 per semester and Master's and PhD level : KRW 3,500,000 or KRW 5,000,000 per semester. POSCO Asia Fellowships is full tuition and typically covers full tuition, living expense stipend of 1,000,000 KRW per month, and national health insurance.

This is only a shortlist. Additional scholarships and funding options appear further down on this page.

Yonsei University Scholarships for International Students

The scholarships at Yonsei University can help fund your study expenses. There are currently 8 scholarships being offered to international students at the Yonsei University, all with varying requirements, benefits, and application processes. We have compiled them in this list to help you find the scholarship that best fits you.

What Scholarship Recipients Say:

"I am currently studying in Korea under a full scholarship of the 2023 Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees from the Korean government."

Global Korea Scholarship – GKS (Graduate Degrees) Master’s – International Trade, Finance & Management

Rizka

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"to first focus on completing the essential requirements, such as standardized test scores, IELTS/TOEFL, portfolio, and other core materials."

Admissions Scholarship – Underwood International College BSc – Creative Technology Management

Minh Le

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"I decided to go to Yonsei University and take the Radiation Convergence Engineering major, as this major's curriculum and laboratory really suit my interests."

Global Korea Scholarship – GKS (Graduate) Master’s – Radiation Convergence Engineering

Bella Naufal Wafa Nabila A

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"UIC office runs in English, and they will support international students with an ARC (Alien Registration Card), health insurance, etc."

Underwood Scholarship for Excellent International Students BSc – Information & Interaction Design

Dzung

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"At Yonsei, I have been able to explore these fields through specialized courses, tailoring my studies to align with my interests."

Global Korea Scholarship – GKS (University Track) Undergraduate – Business Administration

Sara Nuruddin Panjawani

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"Among these, I was accepted to Yonsei University, whose reputation for innovation in medical research and its global collaborations made it my ideal choice."

Global Korea Scholarship – GKS Master’s – Medical Science (Molecular, Cellular & Cancer Biology)

Desy Simamora

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Yonsei University Scholarship Recipients

Desy Simamora profile image

Desy Simamora

Master’s in Medical Science Majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Cancer Biology
Indonesia
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Desy Simamora, from Indonesia, is a Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) recipient pursuing a Master’s in Medical Science at Yonsei University, South Korea. With a background in Industrial Biotechnology, her research on Indonesian medicinal plants for drug development fueled her passion for non-communicable disease research, leading her to seek international study opportunities.

She applied for multiple scholarships, including GKS, Stipendium Hungaricum, MEXT, and Fulbright, ultimately choosing GKS for its strong research support and career benefits. Her GKS Embassy Track application allowed her to select three universities, and she secured admission to Yonsei University, renowned for its medical research excellence.

Read Desy’s story and learn how she secured a fully funded GKS scholarship!

Bella Naufal Wafa Nabila A profile image

Bella Naufal Wafa Nabila A

Master’s in Radiation Convergence Engineering
Indonesia
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Bella Naufal Wafa Nabila A from Indonesia is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Radiation Convergence Engineering at Yonsei University, South Korea, through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). With a background in Physics from Diponegoro University and a strong interest in medical physics, Bella chose Yonsei for its alignment with her academic goals. The GKS program not only supports her studies financially but also included a year of Korean language training, essential for academic success in Korea’s predominantly Korean-taught programs.

Read Bella’s story to learn how determination, strategic preparation—including both IELTS and TOPIK certifications—and a deeply reflective application essay helped her secure the prestigious GKS.

Minh Le profile image

Minh Le

Bachelor of Science in Creative Technology Management
Vietnam
Admissions Scholarship

Minh Le from Vietnam earned a Bachelor of Science in Creative Technology Management at Underwood International College, Yonsei University, funded by the Admissions Scholarship, which covered full tuition for four years. The program’s mix of technology and management matched his curiosity for tech without requiring a heavy coding background.

He prepared through strong academics, SAT scores, extracurriculars, and essays that told a consistent story. His journey shows how focus, research, and authenticity can help secure top scholarships like Yonsei’s Admissions Scholarship.

Yonsei University FAQ

Are there any scholarships at Yonsei University that are for online courses?

Most Yonsei scholarships are designed for students who are formally admitted and enrolled in on-campus degree or approved non-degree programs (undergraduate, graduate, Korean language programs, summer/winter schools).

Are courses taught at Yonsei University in English or in Korean?

Both exist, but it depends heavily on the college/program. Yonsei’s regular “Korean program” (many majors across the Seoul campus) generally expects Korean ability, while several flagship tracks are explicitly English-taught.

  • English-taught examples: Underwood International College (UIC) is explicitly English-instruction. Recipient Dzung studied at Yonsei UIC and highlights how a “foreign language specialized” background helped them “communicate & write confidently in English.”
  • English-taught graduate example: Yonsei’s Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) is widely marketed as English-taught; recipient Rizka attended Yonsei GSIS and describes being “forced to speak in English and Korean” during earlier Korea experiences, then targeting strong English scores for graduate study.

Is there an age limit to get scholarships at Yonsei University?

Yonsei’s internal scholarships typically focus on enrollment status, academic performance, and eligibility rules (program/department-based) rather than age. However, some external scholarships that Yonsei students commonly use can include age preferences or limits.

For example, KOICA-funded programs can be age-sensitive: Madalitso Aline-Mary Mwenemurupa notes KOICA eligibility can “preferably be under 40 years old.” Also, KOICA often targets public-sector professionals; Santiago Bravo and Charmaine Distor both describe KOICA as closely tied to professional background and nomination-style processes. Also, GKS has age limitations as well.

For which subjects does Yonsei University offer scholarships for?

Generally: scholarships at Yonsei span a wide range of subjects because many are university-wide (international student scholarships, departmental awards, external funding like GKS/KOICA, and program-specific scholarships).

For which nationalities does Yonsei University offer scholarships for?

Yonsei’s international-student scholarships are broadly intended for international applicants (program rules may define “international” by citizenship/parent nationality). In practice, recipients in Yonsei-related scholarship stories span many nationalities: Pakistan, Vietnam, Iran, Uzbekistan, Ecuador, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malawi.

That said, external scholarships can narrow nationality: KOICA is for partner countries and often requires government nomination; GKS has nationality restrictions as well.

Is having a language proficiency test necessary (IELTS, TOEFL, TOPIK, etc.) for Yonsei University? If not, is it necessary for scholarships, and can I get scholarships with it?

It depends on the track, but language proof is commonly required in some form. For example, Yonsei’s international undergraduate guide requires applicants to submit documents proving Korean or English proficiency (you can often choose from test scores OR other official proof like schooling conducted in Korean/English, depending on the guideline). For scholarships, language scores can directly strengthen eligibility—some scholarship guidelines list minimum scores for TOEFL/TOEIC/IELTS/TOPIK.

Recipients frequently used IELTS as a practical path: Dzung reports “IELTS… 7.5”; Sohani Sahar notes “IELTS (band score 7)”; Shokhrukh Avazov took IELTS and reports “6.5.” Even when waivers exist, a strong score can help your scholarship competitiveness and reduce uncertainty in document review.

Is there a minimum grade for acceptance at Yonsei University?

Many Yonsei tracks do not publish a single universal “minimum GPA for acceptance” because admissions decisions are based on document review (transcripts, rigor, fit, language proof, and sometimes interviews/portfolio depending on the program). Instead of a single cutoff, think “competitive profile.”

What “competitive” looked like for recipients: Dzung reports “GPA: about 9.3 – 9.5/10”; Rizka graduated “Cum Laude, GPA 3.58/4.00” and also had a “perfect 4.0/4.0” exchange term; Shokhrukh Avazov reports a Yonsei doctoral GPA of “4.15 out of 4.5.”

For maintaining certain scholarships after enrollment, GPA cutoffs are more explicit (e.g., some scholarships require keeping a minimum term GPA to continue).

What is a good academic background to get a scholarship at Yonsei University?

A strong background can be built in more than one way, depending on the scholarship type:

  • High academics + strong writing: Dzung pairs high grades with intensive essay work, saying, “I poured lots of effort into this essay,” and also secured 3 recommendation letters.
  • Honors + clear specialization: Shokhrukh Avazov highlights an interdisciplinary pathway (law → development policy → public administration) and shows strong GPAs across degrees.
  • Career alignment (especially for external funding): KOICA is very career-driven; Santiago Bravo emphasizes leadership in public health roles, and Charmaine Distor notes KOICA targets public servants and requires agency coordination (including nomination-style documents).

What documents do I need to apply for Yonsei University?

Documents vary by program, but here’s a practical “Yonsei-style” checklist you’ll see repeatedly across official guides and recipient experiences:

  • Core admissions set (common): application form, personal statement (or statement of purpose), and academic records (transcripts + graduation certificate/diploma). Some tracks require authentication (apostille/consular legalization) depending on country and document type.
  • Language proof: IELTS/TOEFL/TOPIK score report or accepted alternative proof (such as “medium of instruction” documentation) depending on your track.
  • Recommendations: many programs require recommendation letters; for example, Dzung got “3 recommendation letters,” and GSIS-style programs commonly require two.
  • Identity/family documents (common in international admissions): passport copies and documents proving family relationship/nationality may be required for some international tracks.
  • Scholarship-specific additions (when you apply for scholarships alongside admission): scholarship application form, evidence of awards/Dean’s List/honors, CV, and certificates of employment/career if you’re applying under a “relevant career” category.

What courses are available at Yonsei University?

Yonsei is comprehensive: the main undergraduate “Korean program” spans many colleges/majors (humanities, social sciences, business/economics, engineering and broader STEM fields, and more). There are also distinct international tracks like UIC (liberal arts, interdisciplinary majors taught in English) and professional/graduate schools like GSIS (international studies fields).

Examples tied to recipients: Civil & Environmental Engineering (Aliza Khan), Information & Interaction Design (Dzung), International Trade/Finance/Management (Rizka), Public Health (Santiago Bravo), e-Government/Public Management (Charmaine Distor), Industrial Engineering (Sohani Sahar), and Public Administration (Shokhrukh Avazov).

Is there an application fee at Yonsei University?

Yes, application fees exist and depend on the unit you apply to. For example, Yonsei’s international undergraduate guide lists an application fee of “150,000 KRW” for the international student track, while GSIS-style online applications commonly list “100,000 won” via the application system used. Because fees can differ by college/program, check with the latest guidelines for updated information.

Every Scholarship in Yonsei University - Scholarships for International Students

Yonsei University Admissions

Here are the official admission pages for Yonsei University:

Yonsei University Application Deadlines

Degree Admission Deadline
Bachelor's (Fall)April 4, 2025
Bachelor's (Spring)September 12, 2025
Master's (Fall)April 16, 2025
Master's (Spring)October 15, 2025

Tuition Fees at Yonsei University for International Students

Degree Tuition Fee Range
Bachelor's Tuition 8,074,000 - 16,388,000 KRW
Master's Tuition 10,338,000 - 14,550,000 KRW

Please note that tuition fees can vary based on the specific program you choose. To get accurate tuition fee information, be sure to consult the official tuition fee pages.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun Lee profile photo
Hi! I am Hyun, and I am the founder at Global Scholarships. I've received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College and a $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for my undergraduate degree and was offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. You can read more about my scholarship journey here. If you are interested, you can follow me on Linkedin where I regularly write about scholarships.

38 Comments

  1. Muzaffar Hussain September 1, 2023 at 5:07 am - Reply

    I need information about physics Ph.D scholarships. Please help in my field.

    • Hyun Lee September 3, 2023 at 4:40 pm - Reply

      Hello, Korean Universities in general including Yonsei University, for Ph.D. admissions, you need to contact the professors. Graduate admissions in Korea are operated on lab-basis, which means that professors have a big say in who gets admitted or not. So, visit the Yonsei University Physics Faculty page and contact the professors directly through email. Once you do get in, you do get a stipend and tuition waiver most likely, especially in STEM field.

      • Rashmi September 7, 2024 at 2:19 am - Reply

        Are there no scholarships for the students of business background in Master’s?

        • Hyun Lee September 8, 2024 at 4:53 pm - Reply

          There are. It’s just the scholarships in STEM fields are much more prevalent. You can apply for Global Leader Fellowship, which includes Master’s in business

  2. Obinel Wilson October 13, 2023 at 1:08 pm - Reply

    Please I wish to ask if there’s no program in the university that are online as most of us in this region finds it very difficult to raise money to travel abroad for further studies.

  3. Jamolkhon Ismonjanov December 26, 2023 at 7:09 am - Reply

    “holding language proficiency scores of at least TOPIK Level 4, IELTS 6.0, TOEIC 850, TOEFL iBT 85, TOEFL CBT 210, or TOEFL PBT 600”

    Does this mean one this certificates or all of them. I have an IETLS certificate but no Topik. Am I still eligible?

    • Hyun Lee March 11, 2024 at 6:40 pm - Reply

      It’s just one of them, so you are eligible if you hold IELTS certificate

  4. Insaf January 5, 2024 at 4:37 pm - Reply

    When will the scholarship of Yonsei university will open up in 2024?

    • Hyun Lee February 20, 2024 at 3:44 pm - Reply

      Hello, you can find more information in the deadline section of Yonsei University.

  5. Olivia January 9, 2024 at 1:38 pm - Reply

    Please provide information about scholarships and grants in journalism department at Yonsei University

    • Hyun Lee March 12, 2024 at 8:18 am - Reply

      Hello, most scholarships at Yonsei at not subject related, so journalism will also apply unless stated otherwise.

  6. ameya January 31, 2024 at 2:13 am - Reply

    Hi this was very informational! but, as a high school student abroad who’s looking to do an undergraduate program in film, how exactly can it work out?

    • Hyun Lee February 14, 2024 at 11:11 am - Reply

      Hi, I don’t see any film majors for undergraduates at Yonsei University unfortunately according to their Degree Programs Page. I think you should find some universities that do offer an undergraduate degree in Film, and if you do, the application procedure should be the same as other degrees.

  7. Anonymous February 27, 2024 at 12:08 pm - Reply

    Hello. Please tell me that scholarships for Ph.D. students are available in SK? If so, then what is the criteria?

    • Hyun Lee February 28, 2024 at 12:11 pm - Reply

      Hello, there are numerous scholarships that are available in South Korea for Ph.D. students including these scholarships at Yonsei University. You can find more in our scholarship database. For criteria, it differs by scholarships, so you would need to check each scholarships’ criteria.

  8. Tasmeena Tahir March 6, 2024 at 3:39 pm - Reply

    Hey is there any fully funded Ph.D. in Economics fields especially in Environmental or Labour related economics?

    • Hyun Lee March 6, 2024 at 6:57 pm - Reply

      Hello, Yonsei University does have Ph.D. in Economics, and yes, you can receive full funding, either from your professor, scholarships, or government scholarships like the GKS.

  9. Togbah W. Flomo May 2, 2024 at 3:10 pm - Reply

    Hey, I need information about MBA Programs scholarships. Please help me in the process. I also want to know the language or languages these courses are taught in. Thanks

    • Hyun Lee May 4, 2024 at 8:50 pm - Reply

      Hello the Global Leader Fellowship at Yonsei is for Master’s program. I’m not sure though if it applies for MBA since that is a professional degree. Regarding language, there are English MBA available called Global MBA.

  10. Abdoulaye May 12, 2024 at 4:14 am - Reply

    Hi sir, is there a PhD major in international development and cooperation?
    Can I also apply for a PhD in a major other than my master’s major?
    And lastly, do I need to contact any professor before I submit my application to KGS ?

    • Hyun Lee May 12, 2024 at 2:06 pm - Reply

      Hello, there is a Ph.D. degree in International Cooperation, which you can see it on this page at Yonsei University site. Yes, you can apply for Ph.D. other than your Master’s, but you need to show that you are ready for it, either through coursework, research experience, and other things in that particular field you are trying to pursue your Ph.D. in. Regarding KGS, I don’t think you have to contact any professors when submitting your application.

  11. Thet Mon Han June 6, 2024 at 8:16 pm - Reply

    Hello Mr.Hyun Lee. I have a question about Duolingo English Test Requirement of Yonsei University for Undergraduate Admission. What is the minimum score of Duolingo English Test for Undergraduate Admission under UIC.

    • Hyun Lee June 15, 2024 at 6:24 pm - Reply

      Hello, Yonsei University does not state the minimum score. Duolingo test is supplementary and not a required part of the application.

  12. Ayesha June 15, 2024 at 12:15 am - Reply

    Hello, is the full time graduate student scholarship for the graduate school of medicine for studying MBBS at Younsei? If yes, then is it fully funded for the whole program?

  13. Jesse December 19, 2024 at 3:47 am - Reply

    Hello, I want to study as bachelor student south korea, but also make exchange semesters (Japan,…). Do you know if this is possible? I would like the information about Yonsei university, but information to other universities is good too! Thank you, your site is really helpful.

    • Hyun Lee December 22, 2024 at 4:29 pm - Reply

      Hello, yes, that is entirely possible with Yonsei University. I’ve seen many Yonsei University students go to exchange programs to USA and UK, and I’m sure that there are exchange students to Japan as well. I think if you study at any of the universities in Seoul, you shouldn’t have any problems doing an exchange student for a semester or for a year:)

  14. Ayesha January 9, 2025 at 9:27 pm - Reply

    Hello, is there any fully funded scholarship available for international students for the Bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery MBBS at Younsei university. Moreover , is MBBS (medicine) in English available?

    • Hyun Lee January 25, 2025 at 2:06 pm - Reply

      No, there’s no scholarship for MBBS students, and MBBS in Korea, including Yonsei University, is taught in Korean.

  15. vismitha March 7, 2025 at 7:49 pm - Reply

    Hello I want to study cosmetic science/cosmetology courses in the university? Also, what is percentage of international students getting scholarships.

    • Hyun Lee March 10, 2025 at 2:12 pm - Reply

      Hi, there are no cosmetic science degree at Yonsei. I don’t think there are many institutions in Korea that offer that course, but there are 2 year technical colleges that offer that course. Regarding percentage of international students getting scholarships, I think around 50%?

  16. Vivian March 13, 2025 at 2:46 am - Reply

    Are there law degree at yonsei

    • Hyun Lee March 13, 2025 at 5:05 pm - Reply

      Yes there is, but they are all taught in Korean, and I’m not sure if they accept international students.

  17. varmen May 10, 2025 at 3:20 am - Reply

    Hello, I am from Egypt, I am 14 years old, in the third year of middle school. Can I enter Yonsel University after I finish high school?

    • Hyun Lee May 16, 2025 at 7:40 pm - Reply

      Definitely!

  18. Vera June 14, 2025 at 7:25 pm - Reply

    Hello,I want to study medicine in yonsei university but can I apply for scholarship in August or October in 2025

    • Hyun Lee June 28, 2025 at 2:14 pm - Reply

      Hello, I think it’s too late to apply for scholarships in August or October. The earliest time is probably Spring 2026. For medicine, they do have degrees for international students in their medical department, but if you are looking for MBBS, it’s extremely difficult for international students.

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