Is IELTS Required for GKS Scholarship? The Graduate Rules

No. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for master's and PhD study doesn't require IELTS, TOEFL or the Korean test TOPIK to apply. A valid score is optional, but it earns extra points in the evaluation, so a good IELTS or TOPIK result can make a real difference to a Pakistani application.

That is what the 2026 GKS-G Application Guidelines from NIIED, the Korean government body that runs GKS, say. We read them on 29 October 2026 in the copy hosted by Italy's foreign ministry, alongside the Korean Embassy in Pakistan's notice for the 2026 graduate round (dated 2 February 2026). The 2027 guidelines are not out yet, so check them when they appear.

What the guidelines say about English tests

The language certificate is item 20 on the document list for both the Embassy Track and the University Track: a valid TOPIK score report, or a copy of an English test score report. It is not marked as compulsory. Applicants who don't yet have a TOPIK certificate may still apply, the guidelines say.

What a score does is add points. The guidelines give a share of the language points for each result:

These are scoring bands, not minimum scores. Two things stand out. First, the top band is only open to TOPIK: even IELTS 8.0 gets 90%, while TOPIK Level 5 gets 100%. Second, TOPIK Level 3 or above also earns separate extra points, worth 10% of the total, which English scores don't. For the 2026 round, only certificates still valid on 28 February 2026 counted, and if you sent several reports only the highest was used.

Which English tests count?

The guidelines name only TOEFL iBT and IELTS. They don't mention TOEFL ITP, PTE, Duolingo or a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter from your Pakistani university, so don't assume any of these earns points. If you want to use one, ask the GKS Center at NIIED first. Our English test guide compares the tests and where to take them in Pakistan.

Do I need TOPIK for GKS?

Not to apply. But Korean matters once you win. GKS degree programmes start with one year of Korean language training, followed by two years for a master's or three for a PhD. The guidelines say all GKS scholars must reach TOPIK Level 3 to move on to their degree, and some university departments ask for more, such as Level 4. Scholars who reach TOPIK Level 5 or 6 within the first six months can skip the rest of the language year. So even if you apply without TOPIK, plan to study Korean seriously.

Can my university in Korea still ask for IELTS?

Possibly. The GKS guidelines don't set an English rule, but they say departments may have extra requirements for enrolment, and you apply to universities as part of the process. An English-taught programme may list its own English requirement. Check the admission page of each university and department you choose, and contact them if it isn't clear.

Other GKS rules Pakistani applicants ask about

From the same 2026 guidelines:

• Age: under 40 (born after 1 September 1986 for the 2026 round).
• Grades: at least 80% on a 100-point scale, or top 20% of your class, or a CGPA of at least 2.64 out of 4.0 (or the listed equivalents on other scales). Our grade converter helps you check yours.
• Places for Pakistan: 8 through the Embassy Track and 17 through the University Track in 2026.
• Documents: certificates must be apostilled or consular confirmed. In Pakistan that starts with HEC attestation of your degree, which our HEC attestation guide explains.
• Dates: the 2026 Embassy Track ran from 12 to 25 February 2026, online at Study in Korea. The next round is expected around the same time in 2027, but the new dates are not out yet.

What to do now

If you have time before the next round, an IELTS or TOEFL iBT score still valid at the 2027 cut-off date is worth having, because it adds points. TOPIK earns more, and helps you later, so start Korean early if you can. Read our GKS graduate scholarship page and the Study in South Korea guide, and use our document checklist to start your attestation. GKS is free to apply for, and you never need an agent. When the 2027 GKS-G guidelines are published on Study in Korea, they are the final word.