Guideline for Professor-Funded Scholarships in South Korea for Bangladeshi Students Pursuing Graduate (Master's) or PhD Degrees

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Guideline for Professor-Funded Scholarships in South Korea for Bangladeshi Students Pursuing Graduate (Master's) or PhD Degrees

Professor-funded scholarships (also known as lab scholarships, project-based funding, or research assistantships) in South Korea are a common way for international graduate and PhD students to study tuition-free or with financial support. Unlike government scholarships like the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) or KOICA, these are funded directly by university professors through their research grants, often from sources like the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) or industry projects. They are particularly prevalent in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) but available in other areas like social sciences and humanities depending on the professor's funding.

These scholarships allow Bangladeshi students to pursue Master's, integrated MS-PhD, or PhD programs while working in a professor's lab as a research assistant (RA). Funding typically covers full or partial tuition, a monthly stipend (around KRW 800,000–2,000,000, or about BDT 70,000–170,000), health insurance, and sometimes accommodation or research expenses. However, they are competitive and require direct professor approval before university application.

As of January 2026, applications for fall 2026 intakes are ongoing or upcoming at many universities. Bangladeshi students are fully eligible as international applicants, with no specific nationality restrictions for professor-funded positions (though some universities prioritize developing countries like Bangladesh for diversity).

Key Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality and Age: Must be a Bangladeshi citizen (non-Korean). No strict age limit, but most applicants are under 40 for Master's/PhD.
  • Academic Background:
    • For Master's: Bachelor's degree with a strong GPA (typically 3.0/4.0 or 80% equivalent).
    • For PhD: Master's degree with research experience; integrated MS-PhD programs accept Bachelor's holders.
    • Relevant field alignment with the professor's research (e.g., engineering, biotech, AI).
  • Language Proficiency: English (TOEFL/IELTS) or Korean (TOPIK Level 3+). Many labs use English, especially in top universities.
  • Other Requirements: Good health, no criminal record. Prior research experience (publications, projects) boosts chances. No IELTS/TOEFL needed if the professor waives it.
  • Visa: Upon acceptance, apply for D-2 student visa; funding letter from professor helps.

Bangladeshi students from public universities (e.g., BUET, DU) often succeed due to strong STEM foundations.

Step-by-Step Application Process

  1. Research Universities and Professors (1-3 Months Preparation):
    • Focus on top universities offering professor-funded positions: Seoul National University (SNU), KAIST, POSTECH, Korea University, Yonsei University, Hanyang University, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), UNIST, or Chungnam National University.
    • Visit university websites (use Google Translate for Korean pages). Go to department pages (e.g., "Electrical Engineering" at KAIST) and find faculty lists.
    • Search for professors: Use keywords like your field + "lab" + university name on Google Scholar or ResearchGate. Check their publications, funding sources (e.g., NRF projects), and lab websites for openings.
    • Target 50-200 professors; aim for those with active grants and international students in their labs.
  2. Prepare Application Documents:
    • CV/Resume: Highlight academics, research, skills (1-2 pages).
    • Statement of Purpose (SOP)/Cover Letter: Explain why their lab, your fit, and research interests (customize for each professor).
    • Transcripts and Diplomas: Certified copies from your Bangladeshi university.
    • Research Proposal: 1-2 pages outlining a project aligned with the professor's work (for PhD).
    • Recommendation Letters: 2-3 from previous supervisors (optional initially).
    • Proof of Language Proficiency.
    • Scan all in PDF; keep files under 2MB.
  3. Contact Professors (Ongoing, Start 6-12 Months Before Intake):
    • Email professors politely: Subject line like "Interest in PhD Position in [Your Field] - Bangladeshi Applicant".
    • Body: Introduce yourself, explain research match, attach documents. Mention "seeking professor-funded scholarship for [Master's/PhD]".
    • Follow up after 1-2 weeks if no reply. Persistence is key—many students send 100+ emails.
    • If interested, they may interview via Zoom/Skype. Discuss funding details (e.g., stipend from their project).
    • Secure a "pre-acceptance" or funding commitment letter from the professor.
  4. Apply to the University (Deadlines: March for Fall, September for Spring):
    • Once a professor agrees, apply through the university's international admissions portal (e.g., SNU's online system).
    • Submit professor's recommendation or lab affiliation in the application.
    • Pay application fee (KRW 70,000–150,000, or about BDT 6,000–13,000; some waive for funded applicants).
    • For 2026 fall intake, deadlines are typically March-May 2026; check university sites.
  5. Await Decision and Visa (2-4 Months):
    • University reviews; professor's support often guarantees admission.
    • Receive offer letter with funding details.
    • Apply for D-2 visa at Korean Embassy in Dhaka: Submit funding proof, admission letter, financial docs (if partial funding).
    • Arrive in Korea; complete registration and start lab work.
  6. Post-Arrival:
    • Attend orientation; apply for alien registration.
    • Funding starts upon enrollment; renew based on performance (e.g., GPA 3.0+).

Key Benefits

  • Financial Coverage: Full tuition waiver (up to KRW 10-20 million/year), monthly stipend for living (covers rent, food in dorms/apartments), health insurance, sometimes airfare or settlement allowance.
  • Research Opportunities: Work on cutting-edge projects, publish papers, network globally.
  • Career Boost: Korean PhDs lead to jobs in academia, industry (e.g., Samsung, Hyundai), or back in Bangladesh.
  • Cultural Perks: Free Korean language classes in many programs; vibrant student life.

Tips for Success as a Bangladeshi Student

  • Start Early: For 2026 intakes, begin contacting professors now (January 2026).
  • Tailor Emails: Avoid generic messages; reference the professor's recent paper.
  • Build Profile: Gain research experience via internships or theses in Bangladesh.
  • Network: Join Facebook groups like "Study in South Korea with Professor Fund for Bangladeshi Students" or "GKS Scholarship" for tips and professor lists.
  • Alternative Funding: If professor funding falls through, apply for GKS (embassy track for Bangladesh) or university scholarships simultaneously.
  • Common Challenges: High competition; language barriers—improve English/Korean. Budget for initial costs (visa, travel: BDT 100,000–200,000).
  • Resources:
    • Study in Korea Portal: www.studyinkorea.go.kr (search scholarships).
    • University Sites: e.g., en.snu.ac.kr, kaist.ac.kr.
    • Bangladeshi Embassy in Seoul or Korean Embassy in Dhaka for advice.
    • YouTube Channels: Search "Professor funded scholarship Korea" for video guides.

This pathway has helped many Bangladeshi students study in Korea tuition-free. Success depends on research alignment and communication—good luck!

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