Applicants can apply through two tracks. One is via the Korean embassy in their home country, where candidates may list up to three preferred universities. The other is by applying directly to a chosen university in South Korea.

This year's intake is the largest to date. Of the 2,000 scholarships, 800 are allocated to the embassy track, up 80 from last year, while 1,200 are reserved for the university track, an increase of 100.

Vietnam and Indonesia see the biggest boost under the embassy track, each receiving three additional slots, bringing the total to 33 scholarships per country. This is the highest allocation among 143 countries and territories.

Changes are also notable under the university track. A total of 403 of the 1,200 scholarships are now reserved for research and development fields, up from 300 last year. All of these programs fall within STEM disciplines, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Outside the R&D group, Vietnamese students will have access to 22 scholarships across other fields.

Applicants and their parents must be foreign nationals and must not hold Korean citizenship. Candidates must be under 40 years old and have achieved a minimum grade point average of 80% or higher in their most recent degree. Master's applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or be expected to graduate by July 31, while doctoral applicants must hold a master's degree or complete it by the same date.

Applications via the embassy track will be accepted on the Study in Korea website from Feb. 12 to 25. For those applying directly to universities, deadlines vary by institution but typically run through April.

South Korea has become one of Asia's most attractive study destinations, having reached its target of enrolling 300,000 international students two years ahead of schedule. Vietnamese students make up the largest group, with nearly 108,000 currently studying in the country.

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License number: 71/GP-CBC, Ministry of Information andCommunications, September 22, 2021

Editor-in-Chief: Pham Van Hieu

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