KOICA-SNU Doctoral Degree Program in Public Management and Administrative Reform

Benefits & funding

• Full university tuition.
• Round-trip economy airfare by the shortest route.
• University accommodation during the funded stay; utilities and personal services are not covered.
• Monthly allowance of KRW 999,000 while in Korea, adjusted by day in the first and last months.
• Doctoral settlement allowance of KRW 1,200,000 and completion grant of KRW 600,000.
• National and private health-insurance support subject to program rules, coverage limits, and deductibles.
• KOICA funding is limited to 36 months; the SNU page asks applicants to provide a financial plan for any additional time needed to finish the doctorate.

Eligibility

• Must satisfy the KOICA Scholarship Program requirements and be officially nominated through the relevant government route.
• Must hold a master’s degree earned through a KOICA master’s degree program.
• Must be in good physical and mental health and have English fluency sufficient for study without translation.
• Neither the applicant nor the applicant’s parents may be Korean citizens; former Korean citizens must complete official renunciation by the application deadline.
• Previous KOICA doctoral fellows whose scholarship was cancelled and applicants who have already received foreign scholarship support for a doctorate are ineligible.
• The preferred age is under 40, but KOICA states this as a preference rather than a hard limit.
• Eligibility is limited to citizens of countries designated by KOICA for the applicable cycle; the official page directs applicants to the relevant KOICA overseas office or Korean Embassy for the current list.

Application process

1. 1
   Obtain government nomination and submit the KOICA Scholarship Program documents to the relevant KOICA overseas office or Korean Embassy by its local deadline.
2. 2
   Pass the KOICA first-round screening and interview.
3. 3
   Submit the SNU application documents, including the required financial plan and detailed study plan.
4. 4
   Complete SNU document screening, the local medical check-up, original-document submission, and the university interview or any additional assessment.
5. 5
   Await final notification through the KOICA overseas office or Korean Embassy and complete visa, vaccination, and entry requirements if selected.

Program timeline

1. KOICA overseas-office or Korean-Embassy application round; exact deadlines varied by country.

   March 2024

2. University screening, medical check-up, original-document submission, and interview period.

   April–June 2024

3. Admission notification under the published KOICA schedule.

   July 2024

4. Funded stay in South Korea begins.

   Aug 16, 2024

5. Academic program begins.

   Sep 1, 2024

6. Funded stay ends.

   Jul 31, 2027

7. August 2027

   Diploma may be issued if all doctoral requirements are met.