The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is offering Master’s and Doctoral degree scholarships to government officials from KOICA partner countries, including South Africa. These scholarships are part of KOICA’s Capacity Improvement and Advancement for Tomorrow (CIAT) initiative, which aims to support sustainable development through human resource capacity building.
CIAT seeks to plant seeds of hope and change across developing nations through high-quality academic and technical training in Korea. The programme is implemented in collaboration with a wide range of Korean public organisations, research institutes, and universities to deliver world-class training and education.
The CIAT Scholarship Programme provides funding for selected government officials from partner countries to pursue Master’s or Doctoral degrees in South Korea. Participants benefit from academic excellence, cultural exchange, and career development opportunities. Upon their return, participants are expected to contribute to national development and help strengthen bilateral relations between Korea and their home countries.
For full details, visit the CIAT website: https://www.koica.go.kr/ciat/7792/subview.do
Degree levels and Duration
| Programme | Degree Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | Master’s | 17 months |
| Doctoral Degree | PhD | 36 months |
Application Deadline
30 June 2025
Who can apply?
Applicants must:
- Be a citizen of a country on the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients, including South Africa;
- Be a government official nominated by their national government;
- Be under 40 years of age (born on or after 1 January 1985);
- Be in good mental and physical health;
- Preferably have 2 years of relevant work experience (Master’s) or 3 years post-Master’s (Doctoral);
- Have a strong command of English (spoken and written);
- Meet the educational and other requirements of the selected university;
- Not have previously completed a KOICA-funded Master’s programme (for Master’s applicants);
- Have successfully completed a KOICA Master’s (if applying for Doctoral);
- Be employed in the public sector during and after the programme in a relevant field.
Note: Specific eligibility requirements may vary by university. Refer to individual programme guidelines.
Fields of Study
Please refer to the CIAT website for detailed information on the institution.
| No | University | Programme | Degree | Quota | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KDI School of Public Policy and Management | Economic Development Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth | Master’s | 20 | |
| 2 | KDI School of Public Policy and Management | Economic Development Policy for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth | Doctoral | 3 | |
| 3 | Handong Global University | e-Government and Public Management | Master’s | 20 | |
| 4 | Handong Global University | e-Government and Public Management | Doctoral | 3 | |
| 5 | Yonsei University | Health Policy and Financing Capacity Building | Master’s | 20 | |
| 6 | Yonsei University | Health Policy and Financing Capacity Building | Doctoral | 3 | |
| 7 | Sungkyunkwan University | e-Government and Public Management (2) | Master’s | 20 | |
| 8 | Incheon National University | Capacity Building for Climate Change and Environment | Master’s | 20 |
Applicants must apply to only one programme among the course above.
What the scholarship offers
| Category | Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare | Economy-class (round trip) | Additional costs for changes borne by participant |
| Settlement Allowance | KRW 600,000 (Master’s), KRW 1,200,000 (Doctoral) | One-time |
| Monthly Living Allowance | KRW 1,200,000 | Monthly |
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage | Paid directly to university |
| Accommodation | University dormitory | Conditions vary |
| Extracurricular Activities | Study tours, Korean classes, workshops | Partial coverage |
| Completion Grant | KRW 300,000 (Master’s), KRW 600,000 (Doctoral) | One-time, before departure |
| National Health Insurance | Approx. KRW 81,000/month | Covered |
| Private Medical Insurance | For emergencies | Details vary |
Application process
Step 1: Submit KOICA Application Documents
Send completed applications by 30 June 2025 to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea via email
Required Documents:
-
KOICA Application Forms (Part 1–4)
(Ensure your English name matches your passport exactly.) -
Official Government Nomination Letter
-
Scanned copy of valid passport
(Valid for at least 6 months after return date)
Step 2: University Application (for shortlisted candidates)
-
Submit university-specific application documents via online system or email as instructed by the university.
-
Submit original documents to KOICA or Embassy by November (details will be communicated).
Application Checklist will be provided by the university. Ensure correct order and labelling.
Contact
General Scholarship Inquiries:
Documents and links
Announcement of KOICA Fellowship Programme CIAT
KOICA Scholarship Programme Guideline
KOICA Scholarship Programme Application Form (Part1-4)
KOICA Scholarship Programme Poster
Note
Please note that this opportunity is not offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Applicants are required to undertake their own research into programmes and institutions and are responsible for ensuring that the qualifications will be recognised in South Africa by contacting the South African Qualifications Authority and the relevant professional bodies. If there are any discrepancies in the details provided, the information given by the sponsor supersedes the details provided above. No additional financial support will be provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
