Chung-Ang University (CAU) is one of South Korea’s leading private universities, and it offers several scholarship tracks that international students can use to cover part or all of their tuition. This guide breaks down every major CAU scholarship who qualifies, how much it covers, and how to apply along with where the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) fits in.
About Chung-Ang University
Chung-Ang University is located in Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 1918 as the Chung-Ang Kindergarten Normal School and has since grown into a comprehensive research university with 10 undergraduate colleges and 16 graduate schools.
CAU enrolls more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students from around the world and has been designated a “Brain Korea 21” institution by South Korea’s Ministry of Education, a mark of research excellence. The university offers programs across business, engineering, law, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, and maintains exchange partnerships with universities worldwide.
Chung-Ang University Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship | Who it’s for | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| International Student Scholarship (Graduate) | New and continuing international graduate students | 50%–100% tuition waiver, based on test scores/GPA |
| CAYSS (Young Scientist Scholarship) | Science, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, medicine graduate students | Full tuition (4 terms) + monthly stipend (min. 500,000 KRW) |
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | Undergraduate & graduate applicants government-wide | Tuition, airfare, living stipend (via Korean government, not CAU directly) |
International Student Scholarship (Graduate School)
CAU’s Graduate School awards this scholarship based on admission scores and academic performance. It’s renewed each semester as long as students meet the GPA requirement.
1st semester (based on language proficiency or admission score):
- 100% tuition waiver — TOPIK Level 6, TOEFL iBT 91+, TOEIC 780+, or IELTS 6.5+
- 70% tuition waiver — TOPIK Level 5
- 50% tuition waiver — CAU admission evaluation score of 80/100 or higher
- 100% tuition waiver — selected students with an admission score of 70/100 or higher
2nd semester:
- 100% tuition waiver for students with a GPA of 3.3 or higher (otherwise, see 3rd–4th semester tier)
3rd–4th semester:
- 50% tuition waiver — previous-semester GPA of 4.3 or higher
- 30% tuition waiver — previous-semester GPA between 3.3 and 4.3
To keep the scholarship, students must:
- Complete at least 6 credits per semester
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3
Note: if combined scholarships exceed total tuition cost, CAU reduces the award accordingly — it will not pay out the difference as cash. Students who miss the 1st-semester scholarship can be considered again for 2nd–4th semester funding through a separate selection round.
Chung-Ang University Young Scientist Scholarship (CAYSS)
CAYSS is CAU’s flagship scholarship for high-achieving international graduate students in Natural Science, Engineering, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Medicine.
Benefits:
- Full tuition waiver for four semesters
- Application and admission fees covered
- Monthly stipend from your academic advisor (minimum 500,000 KRW)
Eligibility:
- You must have a bachelor’s degree (or bachelor’s + master’s) from an accredited institution
- You need the written consent and recommendation of a full-time CAU faculty member willing to serve as your academic advisor
- Duration: 4 semesters (Master’s or PhD) or 8 semesters (combined Master’s–PhD track)
Conditions to keep the scholarship:
- Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher each semester
- Get your advisor’s approval signature every semester
- PhD candidates must register for research across two semesters (a separate fee — 10% of full tuition — applies and is not covered by CAYSS)
- Publish in a JCR-indexed journal before graduating:
- Master’s: as any author, within one year of graduation, separate from your thesis defense
- PhD / combined Master’s–PhD: as first or corresponding author, separate from your thesis defense
How to apply:
- Identify CAU faculty members working in your field.
- Email them directly to ask about joining their lab as a prospective advisee.
- If a faculty member agrees to accept you, they’ll send a recommendation letter to CAU’s Office of International Affairs.
- Submit your formal application through the CAU International Admissions portal.
If you withdraw after the semester begins, you’ll be required to repay a prorated portion of your tuition based on the date of withdrawal.
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and Chung-Ang University
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) — sometimes still referred to by its older name, the Korean Government Scholarship — is run by the South Korean government, not by CAU itself, but CAU is one of the partner universities students can select. GKS covers tuition, airfare, a monthly living stipend, and Korean language training, and applications are generally accepted once a year, around February–March, through either the embassy track or the university track (check the current year’s GKS notice for exact dates, since they shift slightly year to year).
Typical eligibility markers for GKS include:
- A cumulative GPA of roughly 80% (or top 20% of your graduating class, for undergraduate applicants)
- Neither the applicant nor their parents hold South Korean nationality
- Meeting the age and degree requirements for your intended program (undergraduate vs. graduate)
Exact criteria vary by year and program level, so always confirm against the current GKS notice before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a scholarship to Chung-Ang University? Review the eligibility requirements for both the specific CAU program you’re applying to and, if relevant, the GKS guidelines, before you submit anything. Confirm you meet the language-proficiency or GPA thresholds listed above ahead of your application deadline.
Does Chung-Ang University accept international students? Yes. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution can apply to CAU’s Master’s programs. Applicants with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree can apply to PhD programs, provided they meet program-specific eligibility rules.
Can international students get a full scholarship in Korea? Yes. Between CAU’s own tuition-waiver tiers (up to 100%) and the government-run GKS program (tuition + living costs + airfare), international students can secure fully funded study in Korea, including in engineering, medicine, and technical fields.
What GPA or test score do I need for a full scholarship? For CAU’s graduate scholarship, you’ll generally need TOPIK Level 6, TOEFL iBT 91+, TOEIC 780+, or IELTS 6.5+ in your first semester, and a GPA of 3.3+ (ideally 4.3+) to maximize renewal amounts in later semesters. For GKS, aim for a cumulative GPA around 80% or higher.
For more information visit here for Chung-Ang University scholarships, Official Site.
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