global korea scholarship personal statement

Personal Statement SOP Sample for Global Korea Scholarship (GKS / KGSP) 2024

by Contentholic | Mar 5, 2024 | Personal Statement , SOP For Scholarship , SOP Samples , SOP Writing , Statement of Purpose , Study Plan | 11 comments

GKS Scholarships, also known as KGSP Scholarship is a very famous Korean Scholarship Program in South Korea funded by its Government to invite global talent to the country. Applying to GKS requires a Personal Statement to be submitted along with the GKS application and the academic documents of the candidate. SOP for GKS Scholarship or Personal Statement for GKS plays a very important role in the final grant of the scholarships to the candidates as it is a fully funded scholarship to the candidates and they are selected based on the GKS Study Plan they submit. We have created a comprehensive blog to give you clarity on – What is GKS, how to apply for GKS, and how to write an SOP / Essay / Personal Statement for GKS in 2024. Please read the article to the end as we have also added the GKS Personal Statement Sample and Frequently Asked Questions for the GKS or KGSP – 2024. 

Content of the article

• What is the GKS Scholarship?

Are the GKS Scholarship and KGSP Scholarship the same?

• Personal Statement Sample for GKS Scholarship
• Importance of GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• Guidelines for Writing GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• Tips for Writing GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• How to Write GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• FAQs Related to GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement

What is the GKS Scholarship? 

GKS which stands for Global Korean Scholarship is also known as The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP). This is an academic scholarship program funded by the Korean Government for International Students and this is managed by the NIIED – National Institute of International Education which is under the Ministry of Education in South Korea. This program was designed for non-Korean scholars and Overseas Korean People to invite them to study in South Korea through a fully funded scholarship program at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, after completing one year of Korean language studies. This was started a long time back in 1967 to bring overseas talents to South Korea and introduce them to the Korean languages, culture, and environment. Undergraduate students are entitled to receive 800,000 KRW per month and postgraduate students are entitled to 1,000,000 KRW per month apart from other expenses like airfares, tuition, and other allowances.

How to apply for the GKS Scholarship in 2024?

The basic objective of the GKS or KGSP Scholarship program is to invite international talent in Korea and let them study in Korea and their talent can contribute towards growth and development in the country.  While applying for the scholarship, the candidate has to decide on a study program for which they are applying to any of the Korean universities that are entitled to GKS. The chosen program can not be changed later if the candidate wishes to change the program after studying Korean Language for the first year. For undergraduate degree programs at Korean Universities, it requires studying for 4 years, for master’s programs the duration is two years and doctoral studies require a minimum of 3 years. 

Sample SOP / Personal Statement for GKS Scholarship

Below is the sample personal statement for global korea scholarship south korea.

The National Liberation Day of South Korea and the Independence Day of India are a common tie between the two emerging nations as they celebrate these two events on the 15th of August. No wonder Rabindranath Tagore had called South Korea, the ‘Lamp of the East’, showcasing its noteworthy advancement in technology as the rest of the world is enlightened using products of the companies based in South Korea. This is profound in most Indian households. I remember clearly how each time I saw an advertisement for LG refrigerators and Samsung mobile phones, I jumped as these were the products that we used at home. As a child’s curiosity would have it upon finding similarities, I was always excited. In 9th grade, this excitement transformed into curiosity when my teacher informed me how South Korea is the core where reliable technology and ergonomic products are manufactured. My teacher also informed me about how South Korea invests in education so its citizens remain at the forefront of advanced technology. After listening to this, I could connect the dots, and it wasn’t a wonder that such wonderful easy-to-use products are made in South Korea. Not just expensive products, even trivial daily use products have their origin designed in South Korea, reflecting how people are scrupulous in designing. From here, my quest to perceive the exponential growth taking place in South Korea began.   

In New Delhi, the capital of India, I visited the Korean Cultural Centre which displayed the beautiful culture, language, and clothes of the people of South Korea. Immediately post this visit, I started looking for opportunities to learn more about South Korea and I embarked on this learning path by beginning to learn the language. While learning the language at SEJONG HAKDANG (KCCI) I received a 100% scholarship for the Intermediate semester for being in the top 10% of students in the beginner semester, which encouraged me more towards this stream.I started participating in essays and quiz competitions organized by the Korean Embassy in India. I also participated in Korea-India 2021 quiz competition where I qualified at the school level and participated in the state prelims quiz (KIFQ-DEL-226). Such platforms helped me learn about South Korea’s clothing and fashion, food, housing, festivals and celebrations, culture and arts, history, and the country’s remarkable growth at an exponential rate through its strong education system. During my participation in the quiz, I also encouraged my fellow students to participate as it gives me pleasure to share knowledge with my friends and also elevate my level of education. My participation naturally made me focus on South Korea’s accomplishments, development, and high-ranking universities. This motivated me to opt for my higher studies in South Korea. 

The efficacy of education was invariably known to me and my deep-rooted interest in the same stems from observing my mother. A public school teacher, my mother taught Maths, and I under her umbrella, not only gained dexterity in the subject, but also admiration for logical thinking. My family plays an important role in bringing me to this juncture where I can apply for my Bachelor’s in Computer Science Engineering. Witnessing my elder sister’s dedication who acquired a merit-based scholarship at a renowned University in the US and my father’s diligence to bring his children to a platform where they can choose their path, has been extremely stimulating and inspiring. The current student loan that my sister has taken for her further education will be able to help her secure a good position post the MS course and I want to follow the same path so I can help my father who works at a stationery shop be at ease. Owing to my family’s financial condition, my parents have constantly provided the luxury of a good education and that is the only thing I have to fall back on.  Hence, during my school, I was a vigilant student who scored well throughout her schooling, while also learning beyond the scope of my syllabi. I have been a consistent holder of merit certificates for academic achievements since 7th grade and secured 1st position in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade while also scoring highest in Computer Science and Math in my entire batch. I often enjoyed reading my sister’s computer Science books as I felt hinged to logical and analytical thinking. My first learning of Computer Science was in grade 9th when I learned HTML. Along with this I also learned ways to create a website where I optimally used my creative abilities, especially in coding.   In class 11th, I unraveled topics like data types and operators, conditional statements, data structures like lists, tuples, strings, and dictionaries, sorting algorithms, functions, libraries, data file handling, error and exception handling, data visualization using pylot, data representation, and boolean logic. I also learned Database concepts and Structured Query Language, along with interface Python with SQL and cyber safety. Python-SQL connectivity became the target concept for my A+ grade year-end project ”result analysis” where I created tables in SQL and modules in Python. 

I also made an Art Integrated Learning Project, to find hotels that suit the tourists’ requirements using the concepts of Data Structures and functions. Alongside these, I have opted to learn through online mediums and have attained relevant learning of various computer science-related subjects.  To enhance my personality, I participated in activities like Inter and intra-school Debate, art, and quiz competitions that evoked competitiveness in me. I have also exercised my leadership skills as I was the Executive of the student council where I  maintained the decorum of the school and also partook in activities like organizing quizzes and managing cultural and sports events. I have also been a member of the interact club where I have practiced and learned the importance of community service. Sports have also been a cardinal part of me and I have enjoyed playing badminton and basketball in which I won 1st position at the zonal level competition which enhanced my focus and made me humble as a person. 

The various exposures that I have attained so far have empowered me to choose GKS for my future studies. It ranks at the top of OECD countries for scholastic achievement and educational competitiveness while also ranking 1st for  ICT (Information and Communications Technologies).  It will be a great step to be a part of GKS and understand more about South Korea in terms of culture and of course the emphasis it lays on education. I will be able to perform well as a student and will make my country proud as moving there for education is a reflection of the friendship between my country and South Korea . 

Download PDF of Sample Personal Statement for GKS South Korea

The Global Korean Scholarship Track Qouta 2024 

Embassy Track (800) + University Track (1400) = Total (2,200) 

The GKS Scholarship for this year 2024 has been announced by the Korean Government and they have invited 2200 International Students, for which students can apply through two tracks – Embassy Track and University Track, for which you need to read the whole to understand the same in detail.

The Global Korean Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships in Asia and the most sought-after South Korean Scholarship among international students which can be applied through two tracks – Embassy Track and University Track, where the difference lies in the application process. The Embassy Track has three steps – you have to apply through the Korean Embassy where the application is selected and then forwarded to NIIED for further selection and then finally it reaches the university for final vetting of the applicants. You can select three universities from the Embassy track which is a better option overall and the quota allotted to the embassy track is 800. 

Embassy Track = 3-Step Process, 

Embassy Selection > NIIED Selection > University Selection

Options to choose 3 universities 

University Track, on the other hand, is quite simple, and once the university selects the candidates it sends the application to NIIED for final selection, which is a simple two-step process. The total quota allotted to University Track is 1400 which is quite higher than the Embassy Track.

University Track = 2 Step Process

University Selection > NIIED Selection

South Korean Universities Available for GKS 2024 Programs 

The South Korean Universities for GKS are divided into two major categories – Type A and Type B and each candidate can choose up to 3 Universities from A and B types but must select at least one of the universities from the Type B list as well. 

Type A Universities for GKS 2024 Graduate

Type B Universities for GKS 2024 Graduate

Importance, Tips, Guidelines for GKS / KGSP Scholarship Program – 2024 

The Global Korean Scholarship Program or Korean Government Scholarship Program for 2024 has been announced recently and thus we are updating our blog to add more tips and guidelines for creating a stellar personal statement for GKS Scholarship 2024. It is very important to focus on the personal statement because it holds a significant value in your application. Here are the tips to help you draft a convincing SOP for the GKS Scholarship in South Korea. One should focus on the story demonstrating what made him/her plan to study in Korea as they wish to admit those candidates who are genuinely interested in Korean Culture and lifestyle. Opening the GKS Essays with a strong introduction about the inclination towards Korea can be an impressive move. Highlight some unique abilities, skills, and qualities you have that can make you stand out from the crowd. GKS Program of South Korea is majorly focused on cultural exchange, so you should also show your interest and awareness in such topics and share some important things you like about Korea and its culture. Drafting an impressive, well-written, and insightful personal statement or SOP increases your chances of being selected for the GKS / KGSP Scholarship in 2024.

FAQs Related to GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement – 2024

What are the eligibility criteria for gks scholarship in 2024.

Eligibility varies depending on the application track you choose:

• University Track: Open to applicants who are citizens of countries designated by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and recommended by a Korean university.
• Embassy Track: Open to citizens of countries designated by NIIED who are not recommended by a Korean university and apply through their home country’s Korean embassy or consulate.

Is there an age limit for the GKS scholarship?

How to apply for the gks scholarship.

You can apply for the GKS Scholarship Program through two different tracks – The University Track or the Embassy Track. Both of these tracks have their application process and deadlines which can be found on the official GKS website.

What documents do I need to submit for the GKS application?

Required documents typically include:

• Application form
• Academic transcripts
• Letter of recommendation
• Certificate of health
• Personal Statement or SOP 
• Proof of language proficiency (optional, but recommended)

Different Korean Universities may ask for more documents individually as per the program level or subject.

What are the benefits of the GKS scholarship?

The GKS Scholarship Programs 2024  covers a wide range of expenses, including:

• Tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance
• Settlement allowance
• Korean language training
• National health insurance
• Airfare and travel expenses

Do I need to maintain a specific GPA to keep receiving the scholarship?

Yes, for being eligible for the scholarship the minimum GPA is required to pass for each year or semester to remain eligible for the scholarship funding.

When can I apply for the GKS scholarship in 2024?

Application periods typically open in March or April and close in May or June.

Where can I find more information about the GKS scholarship?

What is the difference between gks and kgsp.

GKS which is the Global Korean Scholarship and KGSP – Korean Government Scholarship Program is the same, thus the program was introduced in 1967 and since then its name has been changed but both these scholarships are the same and serve the same purpose.

What is the Study Plan for the GKS Scholarship?

Study Plan refers to your objective of studying in Korea and what you plan to do after you complete your study in Korea. The study plan is demonstrated through the statement of purpose or personal statement asked for by the GKS Program.

What are the scholarship benefits for GKS graduate programs?

The benefits offered by the Korean Government in 2024 for undergraduate programs are 

• Round trip airfare 
• Settlement allowance to relocate to Korea 
• Monthly allowance at the beginning of each month 
• Language Training Fee per month 
• Tuition Fee Waiver 
• Medical Insurance Fee 
• Research Support Fee 
• Thesis Printing Fee 
• Degree Completion Grants 
• Korean Proficiency Grants – 100,000 KRW per month

What are the scholarship benefits for GKS undergraduate programs?

11 comments.

Hello sir, I found this very helpful can you perhaps help me with my personal statement and study plan am applying this year in September.

Hi Bukola, Our Personal Statement Writers have written many PS and study plan for the GKS scholarship. We have your email id from this comment. Our team will get in touch with you for further information.

I loved the sample I also want to apply for GKS Scholarship this year. I will need some assistance with my personal statement and study plan.

Hi Deborah, Thanks for liking our work. We can surely help you in creating a convincing Personal Statement and Study Plan for the Global Korean Scholarship Program – GKS 2024. Feel free to call me anytime.

Hello I find this very helpful and I would like you to help me on how to write my sop personal statement and study plan thank you as I want to apply soon

Yes, We can help you with the Personal Statement and Study Plan for GKS. Please, get in touch with our team at https://wa.me/919811040414 or email at [email protected] .

I wanna apply for u_gks this year will uh plz help me with the ps and study plan .

Hiii I want to apply for gks-u program can you help me to write my sop and study plan.

Hello, I like this sample and I was wondering if you could help me with the Personal Statement and Study Plan for GKS. I am planning to apply soon.

Hi Victor, Yes, We can help you with the Personal Statement and Study Plan for GKS. Please, get in touch with our team on +91-9811040414 or email at [email protected] .

Hello! Hello I find this very helpful and I would like you to help me on how to write my sop personal statement and study plan thank you as I want to apply soon

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2024 Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees(GKS-G) in the USA

< 2024 Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate Degrees(GKS-G) in the USA >

1. Program Objectives

    Global Korea Scholarship is designed to provide international students with opportunities to study at higher educational institutions in Korea at graduate-level degrees, which will enhance international education exchange and deepen mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries.

2. Total Number of Grantees in the USA: 21 candidates including 4 for Overseas Korean

3. Available Universities: 65 universities in Korea designated by NIIED

4. Available Degree Program: Doctoral Degree, Master's Degree, Research Program

5. Eligibility

  o Nationality: Applicants and their parents must not hold Korean Citizenship.

  o Age: Applicants must be under 40 years of age(born after September 1, 1984).

  o Degree Requirements: Applicants must hold or must be expecting to hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree by February 29, 2024.

  o Grades: An applicant must maintain the overall grade point of average(CGPA) equivalent to or higher than any ONE of the following;

   [2.64 on a 4.0 scale, 2.80 on a 4.3 scale, 2.91 on a 4.5 scale, 3.23 on a 5.0 scale, or score percentile(80% or above)]

  o Health: An applicant must be in a good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.

6. Required Documents

  o Applicant Form (Form 1)

  o Personal Statement (Form 2)

  o Study Plan (Form 3)

  o Research Proposal (Form 4) ONLY applicable for Research Program applicants

  o One letter of Recommendation (Form 5)

  o Letter of Invitation (Form 6) ( Issued by the research program university)

  o GKS Applicant Agreement (Form 7)

  o Personal Medical Assessment (Form 8)

  o Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information (Form 9)

  o Bachelor's/Master's Diploma or Certificate of Degree or graduation certificate

  o Bachelor's/Master's degree Transcript

  o Applicant's Proof of Citizenship

  o Parents' Proof of Citizenship

  * Please refer to the attached application guidelines for some other documents for relevant applicants to submit. 

  **  All certificates can be submitted without an Apostilled, regardless of the GKS-G guidelines.  However, successful candidates will be obligated to obtain and present Apostilled Certificates after the interview results have been declared by the Embassy of the United States on March 18th.

  *** Applicants must submit 1 set of original application documents and 3 sets of photocopies, identical to the original set. 

  **** Applicants in the USA should submit the required application documents to the Korean Education Center or Korean Consulate General while referring to the contact information in the USA below.

      (Current students refer to the states according to enrolled college/university, and others to the states of residence.)

7. Contact Information in the USA

  o  Korean Education Center in Washington DC: 202.939.5681, [email protected]

     2320 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Washington DC, 20008

     (VA, MD, WV, Washington DC)

  o Korean Education Center in New York: 646.674.6051/6047/6022, [email protected]

     (NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE)

  o Korean Consulate General in Los Angeles: 213.385.9300(ext.202), 213.736.6527, [email protected]

    3243 Wilshire Blvd #204 Los Angeles CA 90010

    (South CA, NV, AZ, NM)

  o Korean Education Center in Chicago: 847.777.8832/8831/8832, [email protected]

    (IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MI, NE, ND, SD, OH, WI)

  o Korean Education Center in Houston: 713.961.4104, [email protected]

    (TX, OK, AR, LA, MS)

  o Korean Education Center in San Francisco: 415.590.4058/4057, [email protected]

     (North CA, UT, CO, WY)

  o Korean Education Center in Atlanta: 770.686.3949, [email protected]

     (GA, FL, AL, NC, SC, TN)

  o Consulate General of the Republic of Korea(Boston): 617.641.2830, [email protected]

    (MA, NH, RI, ME, VT)

 o Consulate General of the Republic of Korea(Seattle): 206.441.1011~4, [email protected]

    (WA, OR, AK, ID, MT)

 o Consulate General of the Republic of Korea(Honolulu):  808.595.6109, [email protected]

    (HI)

8. Timeline of Application Procedure

 o Application Submission(DC, VA, MD, WV) : till February 29th, 2024

9. Please refer to the attached guidelines for detailed information.

    * Application deadlines for some offices may be different, so please check the notice of each Korean Education Center or Korean Consulate General.

1. Guidelines

   2024 GKS-G Application Guidelines (English)..pdf

2. Application Form

   2024 GKS-G Application Forms.pdf

   2024 GKS-G Application Forms.docx

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How to write your personal statement and SOP for GKS-Graduate Scholarship. Tips for interview!!  

  January 21, 2024

By   Smriti Ekka

Writing an effective Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement is a frequently asked question among the students who apply for a GKS Scholarship for the first time. The main purpose of this article is to help you write such a statement.

So today I have mentioned some points that I have broken down into small segments which will be easy for you to understand how to write your own personal statement and statement of purpose. ALSO some tips for the interview that will make you sound more promising while applying for the GKS 2022 scholarship for Masters and PhD in Korea.

To check the GKS Field of study and guidelines click HERE !!

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Like the word suggests. The student should write his/her experiences, achievements, values. The reasons to study abroad and apply for the scholarship might not be so unique, thus, the way it is written should be impactful.

The following key question can be formed and written in a way that would sound promising and you can include the following questions like :

• Why did you decide to go to graduate school ?
• Why you chose Korea and what you can do in Korea after your graduation ?
• How GKS benefit in your field of study ?

Things should be mentioned in detail. Analysis on all those parts can further be broken down into small segments for easy evaluation and understanding. 

• The first part can be very idealistic.
• Second part should be practical.
• Third part can include all the summary of what you have mentioned above.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A real Statement of Purpose shows that you have thought through why you are doing the course, rather than exclaiming a wish to be one day employed. Even if you have fully considered your reasons for undertaking further study, it is not uncommon to feel a certain self-consciousness about writing about them.

Statement of purpose definitely contains your goal of study. Statement of purpose definitely contains your goal of study.

• The first part could be started with a quote. That's done by most of the people. Followed by explaining what you'll do in " that " specific University !! 

The answer shouldn't be like " You wish to study with that professor." Those types of answers are always along the line. But  your answer should be more promising like, how you will be generating more knowledge together. With the help of such a good facility how will you be able to contribute and take advantage of such opportunities given to you.

You can explain how being able to get such knowledge you can help others and expand your field of study and contribute much more. 

• The second part of it can include the research interest. How is it going to help you in your field of interest?

Since Korea is among the top 5 OECD countries that spend most on research & development studies constituting 4.46 percent of South Korea's GDP. Hence a lot of the students around the globe are interested to study in Korea because of the facilities/benefits provided which includes

• Monthly allowance
• Two way air fare
• Monthly allowance which will be enough for you to survive in Korea.

See Also : Things to prepare for GKS Scholarship 2021

With all these facilities they want you to focus solely on the research and provide the best result afterwards. Your focus should be to fully invest your time in the research and make use of the guidance by being under the professor of your department. 

• The third part could be the research topic. After the research topic you need to explain about the research topic
• You can include why you have the necessary aptitude to succeed in GKS ?

Things that will ultimately make you stand out from the rest of the students after you have completed your graduation. You have to convince and prove your worth and give that commitment to the professors in writing what you will ultimately be providing them in the end. 

 To stand out from the rest of the students if you have already done some studies in your field or have published some papers already or doing some work in some specific areas. Chances are that your worth could be easily measured looking at those results. 

In the future plan. You can break it down into two parts:- 

• Long term goals and short term goals. 

In long term goals you can write keeping in mind about the next five years and short term could be what you can achieve in the coming few months maybe.

For the short term you can mention how KGSP will help you in achieving those dreams. It shouldn't include what you want to do after kgsp BUT how can KGSP help you to achieve those goals of yours !!

There's a difference between the two and mentioning the latter can increase your chance immensely !! You can also list down the goals down below which should be closely linked to your graduate studies.

For the long term goals you can also mention in detail about how long you'll be staying in Korea and what will be your field of study after graduation and then probably going back to your country, you will continue working in the field of yours. 

Eventually you have to mention how the KGSP is going to help you to achieve those long-term goals of yours.

You can easily write about your long term goals by adjusting what you have already mentioned in the short term goals and try to add two or three points in it to make it sound appropriate . It shouldn't be lengthy. Just explaining two or three points would be enough.

It is actually mentioned that you have to score TOPIK 3 and above to give you an extra 10 points while selection. BUT as long as you have something that makes you stand out from the rest of the students that would be enough for you to get into any university. For example fluency in Korean, research skill or entrepreneur skills.

Tips for the Interview !!

Mainly the interview is very nerve wracking and people are very nervous before giving the interview keeping in mind that it's for the research and professors may ask you questions regarding your field of knowledge and you should be thoroughly prepared for it.

• Questions linked to your major.
• Questions related to the documents that you have provided.
• Question can also be a close link to why you have chosen that particular University auditor field of study and why Korea was your destination for studies.

Confidence is the key and how you articulate your thinking well enough for the professors and teachers to pick you from the crowd.

The key point would be to emphasize on the things that you are actually good at and make it your key point.

The best suggestion I will give you is to prepare something in Korean even if you don't speak it properly.

Having some knowledge of Korean will always give you that " extra edge" even if you are preparing to go to Korea in general.  Not to mention it is highly appreciated if you're doing any kind of studies in Korea.

They might ask you to introduce yourself in Korean so prepare small sentences that you would be confident in.

Since you are applying to learn and improve your abilities, it is important to make that goal clear in the statement of purpose.

Those were the few points that would be helpful in writing your personal statement and statement of purpose. Hope you found this article helpful. Please write your doubts below if you have any.

Thank you !!

Smriti Ekka

Smriti Ekka graduated in Commerce and Library science, and currently she is working as a content writer at TOPIK Guide website. She is a Korean language and culture enthusiast and has been working across multiple disciplines which broadly addresses narratives of similarities between Korean and Indian culture. Apart from being a content writer at TOPIK Guide she manages Annyeong India website and has had her pieces published in Learn Korean in India website as well. In her other life, she is a singer, rising entrepreneur, life enthusiast and a learner.

related posts:

2025 GKS Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degree – For Indian Students

‘ㄹ ’ 불규칙 (irregular conjugation), ‘-’ 불규칙 (irregular conjugation).

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Thankyou !!!

I hope i make it to scholarship KGSP2021

Good luck . Fighting

May I know how many copies of transcript I need to send for embassy trekking .

Just one , the original copy or with along 3 photo copies . A total of 4 copies ??

Hello, I want to know that is it ok if you are a double graduate and want to apply for GSK by using your first graduation degree. As i did my graduation with english honourse in 2015 and after that i persued law and completed my law degree in 2019. And now i want to apply for GSK by using english honourse degree because i want to do my masters in english litrature.

Thank you so much for such a beneficial information! But it is only a format on how to write a SOP! , Can you also post an article showing a written SOP so that the readers reading your article who might be getting confused! N it can also help clearing the confusion! Can you? Please!?

Will gks accept the students who are willing to choose the dance course which is under the entertainment and sports division?

Hi Aswini, Actually AMA+ K-arts scholarship accept the students who want to learn dance. It is same as GKS scholarship (I would say only the name differs.). This scholarship is for them who want to learn any kind of art at Korea national university of arts(K-arts). And the rest you can check by on their website. I am also applying there for Animation, that's how I know about it. Hope this will help.

What transcript do we need is it only senior secondary school year and can we submitted photocopies of document apostilled

Will writing sop and study plans in korean language give an extra benifit? Should it be my own handwriting?

Can I apply for GKS GRADUATE 2024 if I am an expected graduate I will graduate in June . And if yes what certificate should I have instead graduation certificate

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GKS Scholarship (KGSP)

Collegedunia Team

Content Curator | Updated on - Sep 2, 2024

The Global Korea Scholarship (KGSP) 2024, offered by the Korean Ministry of Education, provides international students with opportunities to pursue academic degrees in Korea. This merit-based scholarship aims to enhance educational exchange and foster mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries. Students from all fields of study offered by GKS participating universities are eligible to apply. The minimum academic requirements are 80% and the age limits are 25 years (undergraduate) and 40 years (master's degree).

GKS Scholarship 2024: Benefits for Students

These are the benefits of the GKS Scholarship:

• Airfare Settlement: Economy class flight ticket (actual expense).
• Settlement Allowance: 200,000 KRW (12,680 INR).
• Monthly Allowance: 900,000 KRW/month (57,000 INR).
• Korean Proficiency Grants: 100,000 KRW/month (6,300 INR).
• Degree Completion Grants (UG Students): 100,000 KRW (6,300 INR) standard amount set by NIIED.
• Medical Insurance: Amount set by NIIED
• Language Training Fee: 1 million KRW (63,400 INR) by NIIED, additional amount by the university if it exceeds 1 million KRW.
• Tuition Benefits: Up to 5 million KRW (3.17 lakhs INR) by NIIED, additional amount by the university if it exceeds 5 million KRW.

Eligibility Criteria

Gks scholarship 2024: undergraduate.

The students can apply for undergraduate programs under the Global Korea Scholarship for fully funded education in the top ranked universities in Korea. The application deadlines for the scholarship was on October 4, 2023.

GKS Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must hold citizenship of NIIED designated countries invited to participate in the GKS program.
• The program is open to applicants who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) from high school or an associate degree program.
• Applicants should have a score percentile of 80% or above on a 100-point scale or rank within the top 20% within their class.
• Applicants must be under 25 years of age, born after March 1, 1998.
• All applicants must have no grounds for disqualification, such as a criminal history, for overseas travel.
• All applicants must be in good mental and physical health to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.

Documents Required

• Application, Personal statement, Study plan, Letter of Recommendation , Application agreement, Personal medical assessment (form 1~6)
• Certificate of (expected) graduation, academic transcript, proof of citizenship, proof of Overseas Koreans, etc.

GKS Scholarship 2024: Postgraduate

The Global Korea Scholarship (KGSP) offers admission to universities for postgraduate programs like Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Architecture, Social Sciences, Mathematics, Business Administration, and International Relations. The application begins in February for postgraduate courses.

• All applicants holding citizenship of NIIED designated countries can apply to the GKS program.
• Master's Degree Program: Bachelor's Degree
• Doctoral Degree Program: Master's Degree
• Research Program: Postdoc Doctoral Degree
• Exchange Professor Program: Master's Degree
• Score percentile should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked in the top 20% of one's class or CGPA must be equal to or above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.
• Must be under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1983). For academic professors in one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients, the age limit is under 45 years of age (born after September 1, 1978).
• All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.

The number of documents to submit may vary and is set by each embassy or university.:

• Application, Personal Statement, Study Plan, Research Proposal (for research program applicants), Letter of Recommendation, Letter of Invitation (if applicable), Applicant Agreement, Personal Medical Assessment (form 1~9), Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information (form 1~9)
• Required Certificates: Graduation Certificate, Academic Transcript, Proof of Citizenship, Proof of Overseas Koreans (if applicable), Other relevant certificates as required by the specific scholarship program or university.

Application Process

The applicants may visit the official website of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) India to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship (KGSP). The candidate must send the hard copy of the application with the required documents to MHRD by post. The Seoul National University will send the confirmation mail to the applicant, and the results will get issued on the NIIED website. Guidelines for GKS Scholarship Application are announced on "Study in Korea" ( www.studyinkorea.go.kr )

• Fill out the Global Korea Scholarship application in the Sakshat Portal of MHRD.
• Apply with the required documents.
• Visit the website of study in Korea and fill out the application.
• Send the application MHRD by post to the given address- Ms. Cho Sunghee, Third Secretary, Political Affairs Department, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, 9, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri Extension, New Delhi-110021. Phone: 011-4200-7000.

Selection Process

• The selection committee will conduct a thorough examination of documents to verify an applicant's qualifications, including citizenship, level of education, and academic grades, among other criteria.
• Applicants will be evaluated based on their competency, which includes document examination and an oral interview.
• Applicants holding a TOPIK level 3 or above will receive additional points, constituting 10% of the total allocated points.
• Direct descendants of Korean War veterans who participated as foreign military will be granted extra points, amounting to 5% of the total allocated points.
• Applicants with overseas Korean backgrounds.
• Applicants from Low-Income Families or Underprivileged Backgrounds
• Applicants with exceptional scores in English proficiency tests (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS) will be favored.
• Applicants applying to natural science and engineering departments in regional universities.
• Technical Skills Competition Winners (for associate degree applicants)

The GKS Scholarship allows students to gain academic excellence in Korea with the advantages of fully funded tuition fees and accommodation. The students get to experience the diverse and rich Korean culture. The programs offered under the scholarship are fine arts, music, agriculture, engineering, medicine, literature, languages, law, environmental studies, public health, and dentistry. The applications are released annually, and almost sixty Korean universities participate in the Global Korea Scholarship (KGSP). The scholarship gives the students intensive training in the Korean language to broaden their probability of getting jobs in Korea.

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How to write a personal statement for gks/kgsp scholarship | how to write gks undergraduate/graduate scholarship personal statement.

One of the important part of GKS/KGSP scholarship application is writing your personal statement which should be well written as it makes a clear difference between students who want to apply for the GKS scholarship. Personal statement plays an important role in the selection procedure for the student as it present your purpose for applying for the scholarship program. GKS/KSGP personal statement indicates why you are the good candidate for this scholarship so its mean it should be written good enough to make your scholarship application strong.

GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement Writing Guidelines:

Many of the students who want to apply for the GKS scholarship write their personal statement without following the proper guidelines regarding how the personal statement for the GKS scholarship should be written. So make sure if you are planning to apply for the GKS/KGSP scholarship you should follow these guidelines to make your personal statement good:

·          GKS/KGSP scholarship program personal statement can be written in Korean or English language. Means you can either write your personal statement in Korean language or in English language it depends on you.

·          Also make sure your GKS scholarship personal statement should be of good length means it should not be too lengthy or too short that it’s meaning is not clear. The ideal personal statement for the GKS scholarship should not be more than two pages. So you should present your personal statement within the length of two pages.

GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement Important Tips To Follow:

Before you start writing your personal statement for the GKS/KGSP scholarship make sure that:

·          You know what the GKS scholarship personal statement actually should include.

·      Follow the guidelines that are provided by the GKS scholarship to write the personal statement.

·      You should focus on the main points that need to be discuss to make your personal statement good.

·        Your personal statement should be unique to differentiate you from others candidate for the scholarship.

·          Don’t add something in personal statement that you think is not valuable as you only have two pages to write down your personal statement.

Check: GKS Scholarship Embassy/University Track Interview Questions

How To Write GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement:

To write the GKS/KGSP scholarship personal statement you have to follow the certain things that are mentioned in the GKS scholarship personal statement form. You have to make sure that your personal statement for the GKS/KGSP scholarship should include the following things:

1. Your motivations With Which You Want To Apply For This Program:

This is the first thing or point that your personal statement should include. You have to explain your motivation that why you have chosen to apply for this scholarship program what is your main motivation behind choosing this scholarship program.   There are number of things that you can actually include here to show your motivation for this program such as:

·          Which course program you want to study under this scholarship program and why?

·          Why you want to study under this scholarship program?

·          How you can be the good candidate for this scholarship program.

·          Why you are motivated for this program?

·          If you are applying for this program then what is your purpose?

·          How you can make contribution to the community if you are selected for this scholarship program?

2. Your Family Background And Education Background:

This is another point that you should discuss in your personal statement to make it good. You have to discuss here your education background and provide some information regarding your family background. Things you should focus on here include:

·          Provide a concise information regarding your academic record.

·          Discuss your academic achievements which you have achieve.

·          What course program you have studied previously?

·          Provide a brief information of your family.

3. Any Experience You Have, Your Achievements, Person Or Event Which Influence You:

To make your personal statement unique you have to write about your achievements, experience and person or event which influence you. These things will provide information related to how you deal with challenges and what you have achieve in your life so far. Discuss your experience which might be related to the work you have done or the things you have achieved in your life. You can also explain about any person or event which influence you in your life as well. These things if discuss well can make your personal statement good. So write about:

·          Any work experience you have.

·          Achievements you have.

·          Any person or event who influence you in your life.

4. Write About The Extracurricular Activities Or Work Experience:

The extracurricular activities or work experience can be a good thing if written in your GKS/KGSP scholarship personal statement can make it unique from others. So write about:

·          Your extracurricular activities you have performed.

·          The work experience you have.

·          Any activity you have performed for the community.

·          What you learned by doing the extracurricular activities.

·          What is the reason behind performing such extracurricular activities?

Check: GKS Scholarship 2023 Application Form Guidelines

5. Write About Your Awards, Publications Or Skills Which You Have:

If you have received awards, written some publications or have some skills than you should discuss them as well in your GKS/KGSP scholarship personal statement to make it more unique from other candidates. So write about:

·          What awards you have received?

·          How you received that awards?

·          What publications you have done?

·          Why you have written that publications?

·          What are the skills that you have?

·          How these skills can be good for you?

GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement Importance:

The GKS/KGSP scholarship personal statement is one the important documents that can actually make your selection for this scholarship program. The personal statement for the scholarship should be written good enough to make a clear difference and to make yourself a different candidate from others for the scholarship. These are the somethings that your personal statement for the GKS/KGSP scholarship should include you can also include some other things in your personal statement which you think can make you a good candidate for this scholarship program.

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• October 29, 2022
• Education/Study

A personal statement is one of the important parts of the GKS/KGSP scholarship application. It must be well written to show your uniqueness among other students who want to apply for the GKS scholarship. It also aids the selection procedure for the students as it presents their different purpose for applying for the scholarship program.

If you are reading this, I suppose you are interested in the GKS scholarship and would like to know how to write a personal statement for the GKS scholarship. Good thing is, this post has the answers to your searches. So let’s begin!

Table of Contents

What is a Personal Statement?

A personal statement sometimes called a statement of purpose is a document that provides the overview of a student profile to the scholarship selection team. It provides students with information related to their goals, interest, objectives, and some other aspects. A personal statement for the GKS scholarship is one of the most important documents that can make your chance of selection higher for the scholarship.

What is GKS Scholarship?

The GKS Scholarship fully called the “ Global Korea Scholarship Program ”, is an academic scholarship funded and managed by the National Institute for International Education, a branch of the Ministry of Education in the Republic of Korea. Its purpose is to provide international students with the opportunity to advance their studies at higher educational institutes in the Republic of Korea. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D., and research programs to deserving candidates worldwide. In addition, the scholarship program allows students worldwide to study and complete undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in the Republic of Korea.

Is GKS Scholarship the Same as KGSP Scholarship?

Yes, they are the same. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is a South Korean government initiative that provides students with scholarships. Before this, they referred to it as KGSP (Korean Government Scholarship Program). The scholarship program allows students worldwide to study in South Korea.

Now that you understand the concept of the GKS Scholarship and the meaning of the Personal Statement, let’s move further to how you can write a personal statement for GKS Scholarship.

Importance of GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement

The GKS/KGSP scholarship personal statement is one of the important documents that can get you selected for the scholarship program. The personal statement for the scholarship should be written well enough to make a clear difference and to make yourself a unique candidate.

Guidelines for GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement Writing

Many of the students who want to apply for the GKS scholarship write their personal statements without following the proper guidelines. So, to make sure you do, we have provided the following guidelines for your GKS statement writing:

• GKS/KGSP scholarship program personal statement can be written in either Korean or English language. It depends on you.
• Make sure your GKS scholarship personal statement is of good length. It should not be more than two pages.
• Make sure to discuss your achievements, skills, experiences, and the goals that you want to achieve during your study program.

Tips for GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement

Before you start writing your personal statement for the GKS/KGSP scholarship make sure that you know what the GKS scholarship personal statement must align with these.

• Follow the guidelines that are provided by the GKS scholarship for writing a personal statement.
• You should focus on the main points that need to be discussed to make your personal statement good.
• Your personal statement should be unique to differentiate you from other candidates applying for the scholarship.
• Avoid unnecessary stories as you only have two pages to write down your personal statement. 

How To Write GKS/KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement:

To write the GKS/KGSP scholarship personal statement you must follow all the things that are mentioned in the GKS scholarship personal statement form. Then follow these steps to make sure that your personal statement for the GKS/KGSP scholarship is well-written:

• Write about Your Motivation for The Program:

This is the first thing or points that your personal statement should include. You must explain your motivation and why you have chosen to apply for this scholarship program. Let them know your main motive behind choosing the scholarship program. Here are several things that you can include here to show your motivation for this program:

• Which course program do you want to study under this scholarship program and why?
• If you are applying for this program, then what is your purpose?
• How would you contribute to the community if you are selected for this scholarship program?
• How can you be a good candidate for this scholarship program?
• Why are you motivated by this program?
• Your Family Background and Education Background:

This is another point that you should discuss in your personal statement to make it good. Talk about your educational background and provide some information regarding your family background. Things you should focus on include:

• Provide concise information regarding your academic record.
• Discuss your academic achievements which you have achieved.
• What course program you have studied previously?
• Provide brief information about your family.

Have You Seen: Seoul National University Personal Statement Sample

• Any Experience You Have, Your Achievements, Person or Event Which Influence You:

To make your personal statement unique you must write about your achievements, experience, and person or event which influence you. These things will provide information related to how you deal with challenges and what you have achieved in your life so far. Discuss your experience which might be related to the work you have done or the things you have achieved in your life. You can also explain about any person or event which influences you in your life as well. These things, if discuss well can make your personal statement good. So, write about:

• Any work experience you have.
• Achievements you have.
• Any person or event who influences you in your life.
• Write About the Extracurricular Activities or Work Experience:

Your extracurricular activities or work experience can be a good thing written in your personal statement. This will make it unique from others. You can include:

• The extracurricular activities you have performed.
• The work experience you have.
• Any activity you have performed for the community.
• What you learned by doing the extracurricular activities.
• What is the reason behind performing such extracurricular activities? 
• Write About Your Awards, Publications, Or Skills You Have:

If you have received awards, written some publications, or have some skills then you should discuss them as well in your personal statement to make it more unique from other candidates. So, write about:

• What awards you have received?
• How did you receive those awards?
• What publications you have done?
• Why have you written those publications?
• What are the skills that you have?
• How these skills can be good for you?

I hope this article has helped your GKS/KGSP Personal Statement Writing . Nevertheless, if you need assistance writing and presenting an outstanding personal statement for your study, Contact us immediately!

Frequently Asked Questions 

• Is the GKS scholarship hard to get?

The GKS/KGSP is extremely competitive. To gain a scholarship In Korea, you need to prepare in advance with an excellent GPA, have an outstanding portfolio, and if possible, have certifications and awards. Also, depending on the University and program, you would need a good level of English proficiency. It has been stated that applicants need a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of or higher than: 2.64/4.0 or 2.80/4.3 or 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0. That is, on a 100-point scale, one should score 80%.

• What are the requirements to get accepted into the GKS scholarship program

To be eligible for the Korean Government Scholarship, you must meet the following requirement:

• Citizenship: Candidates and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship.
• Age: KGSP-G: under 40,
• Health: Candidates must be physically and mentally healthy for their studies in Korea.
• Degree Requirements: KGSP-G: Bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• Grades: The cumulative grade point average (CGPA) must be 80% or higher; or The CGPA must be 2.64/ 4.0, 2.80/ 4.3, 2.91/ 4.5, or 3.23/ 5.0 or higher.
• Number of Scholarships: KGSP Graduate: around 700 grantees will be awarded annually

Related Articles

• How to Write a Personal Statement for Korean University
• How to Write a Personal Statement for Seoul National University
• Seoul National University Personal Statement Sample
• How to Write a Study Plan for Korea University 
• How to Write College Essay for International Students
• Best Korean Recruitment Agencies That Recruit Foreign Workers

What are the requirements to get accepted into GKS scholarship?

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2024-2025 Global Korea Scholarship for Graduate

• July 1, 2024

112 Comments

Do you want to study for free in South Korea? Who wouldn’t? The great news is that you can apply for the fully funded Global Korea Scholarship program. How? You will find everything about GKS graduate (GKS-G) 2024-2025!

To attract more international students to Korea, the government plans to increase foreign admissions to 200,000 by 2032. As a result, they will offer more scholarships to international students.

If you wish to study at the forefront of global pop culture, consider applying for the Global Korea Scholarship. There are plenty of top-ranked universities and courses to choose from.

There are many good reasons to study in Korea . Korean universities open up many opportunities in an ever-growing and competitive job market, like today.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The objective of the gks, benefits of gks korean scholarship, role of korean training and topik in gks-g, total seats for embassy track, total seats for university track, available fields of study, nationality, degree requirements, grade required, gks scholars reapplying to the gks-g program, korean language teaching professionals, restrictions, documents for 2024-2025 gks-g, pointers on filling out the application forms, pointers about required documents, instructions on ‘certificates’, scholarship value and benefits, embassy track, university track, first round, second round, third round, personal statement, research proposal or statement of purpose, recommendation letters, language test certificate (english or korean), various other factors, evaluation preference, medical assessment, when and how to submit, 2024-2025 gks graduate faqs, what is the global korea scholarship.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program is a yearly initiative of the government of the Republic of Korea. Before, the name was KGSP, which stands for the Korean Government Scholarship Program.

The GKS offers academic scholarships to deserving students from different countries who wish to study in Korea.

The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) administers GKS. They manage on behalf of the Ministry of Education in Korea.

The program gives students a once-in-a-lifetime chance to earn their undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. degrees in Korea.

GKS is an excellent opportunity for scholars across the globe. It enables them to pursue higher studies at educational institutions in Korea.

This motivates students to get admission to South Korea’s prestigious and best universities.

Many Korean universities take part in GKS graduate. And offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctorate, and research studies to aspiring candidates. This makes GKS the most popular and extensive Korean scholarship program globally.

GKS boosts international exchange in education. Besides, this fosters “mutual friendship” between South Korea and other participating countries.

Through GKS, the Korean government promotes Korean culture, brand value, and the Korean language. It gives many great reasons to study Korean , take TOPIK, and explore various aspects of Korea to boost their chances of getting GKS.

Korea is a famous study-abroad destination for students worldwide for many reasons.

First, it is a fantastic place to explore. It is renowned for its technological advancements and courses at the top-ranked universities.

With this program, you’ll be able to study at well-known universities.

Since this is a 100% government-backed scholarship, it’s totally free.

There is no cost associated with the scholarship program. This means the selected students will not have to worry about living expenses. That’s right!

While we’re talking about benefits, it’s important to mention that a scholarship like this can significantly boost your CV.

On top of all this, the Global Korea Scholarship can help you learn Korean. Getting TOPIK level 3 is a condition before enrolling in a degree program.

You will improve your Korean language skills through immersion and practice with locals. This will sweeten your chances of finding Korean-speaking jobs .

About Universities, Courses, Seats, and Tracks

Let’s find out everything about courses, their duration, and how to apply for them.

What is the GKS Graduate Scholarship period?

• Master’s: The duration is three years. This includes 1-year of Korean language classes and 2-years of degree coursework.
• Doctoral: Ph.D. takes four years. It comprises one year of Korean language study followed by three years of Ph.D. study.
• Research Program: It is usually a one-year or six-month scholarship program.

Students must take a one-year Korean training course at an allotted center.

Those who have completed TOPIK 5 or 6 can skip the Korean language course. Instead, you can enroll directly in a degree program.

The TOPIK certificate is valid for 2 years. Thus, you must have passed the previous year, and its validity should not expire. NIIED updates the deadline to submit and the last test they consider.

GKS scholars who receive TOPIK level 5 or 6 within the first six months of the Korean program. They don’t need to finish the remaining 6 months of language training. As a result, they can start their degree program in the following semester (March 2024).

Upon completing a 1-year compulsory Korean learning, all GKS scholars must achieve at least TOPIK level 3 . If not, they cannot continue with the degree program.

Number of seats for GKS Graduate

A total of 1278 scholarships are available for GKS masters, doctorate, and research programs for 2024-2025.

The embassy track and the university track are two different types. There are 663 available through the embassy, and the remaining 615 are from the universities.

Candidates will receive 100% funded scholarships. This covers all costs regardless of the channel they apply through.

Of all the 1278 GKS seats, 663 are available for the embassy track.

This includes 603 General + 20 Overseas Koreans + 30 Korean Language Teaching Professionals.

In the general category, they chose 603 candidates from 145 countries.

They have reserved 20 quotas for overseas Koreans from 13 nations and 30 seats for Korean language teachers from 24 countries.

They also select 10 candidates for the research programs. So there are five quotas from five countries (Armenia, India, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Turkey). And they pick the remaining 5 from 145 participating nations as mentioned in the list.

Korean language instructors cover school teachers and professors at universities. Also, they should teach Korean at a government-approved institution.

The government-authorized education institution does not include for-profit after-school academies, institutions, or organizations.

Five seats on the university track are not subject to a country’s quotas. Thus, any applicant from 76 NIIED-designated nations can apply.

See the quota for General Program and Science & Engineering majors of the Regional University Program below.

Available Universities and Courses

Partner Universities

The R&D program is a new addition to the University Track. This course provides R&D-focused training and hands-on experience in research institutes and industries. In addition, the program aims to attract students to the field. Talented scholars in high-tech strategic sectors can be nurtured to benefit their future careers.

Applicants interested in Science and Engineering majors in the Regional University program should select a Type B university. Also, candidates should choose a Type A or Type B to apply to other university track programs (general and research programs).

Candidates applying for the Embassy track must select THREE different universities. And the major should be from the 59 universities listed above. Besides, it must include at least one university of Type B.

• Applicants must select their majors (fields of study) listed in the ‘2024 GKS graduate Available Universities & Fields of Study’ file.
• As for the application Guidelines, visit www.studyinkorea.go.kr and check the GKS noticeboard for details and updates.
• Candidates should check with the respective university about the languages used to teach in each class. Applicants must read and review all the information on individual majors before applying. (You can refer to Appendix C. contact information of Korean universities)
• The short-term seasonal (evenings or night school), online, and distant courses are unavailable. And hence, they do not permit admission.

Eligibility Criteria For GKS Postgraduate

GKS graduate programs have many requirements that candidates must meet. NIIED has set the following eligibility criteria for the GKS graduate scholarship.

• The applicants and their parents must not be citizens of South Korea.
• Dual citizens who are also citizens of the Republic of Korea are not eligible.
• All applicants must hold citizenship from one of the invited nations selected by the NIIED. Yet, the parent (s) may be nationals of countries that do not participate in the GKS graduate program.
• There is an exception in the embassy track for overseas Koreans with Japanese citizenship. If their parents have a “Permanent Residency Permit” in Japan and have Korean citizenship, they can apply.
• They need documentation proving the renunciation of Korean citizenship for all applicants. This is also for their parents, who earlier held Korean citizenship.

For postgraduate GKS scholarship , applicants must be under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1982).

Academic professors born after September 1, 1979, and under 45 years of age as of September 1, 2024, are also eligible to apply. They also must be citizens of one of the 107 countries designated as official development assistance (ODA) recipients.

For a Master’s program, one requires a bachelor’s degree or education similar to or higher than a UG degree.

For a doctoral program, one needs a master’s degree or education or equivalent or higher than a UG degree.

For the research program, you need to receive an invitation from one of the partner universities and must meet the criteria below:

• Postdoctoral Research Program: To be eligible, one requires a doctoral degree by February 28, 2024.
• Professor Exchange Program: One needs a Master’s degree or higher and must teach at a university as a professor.
• Program for Education, Science, Culture, and International Cooperation Professionals. One needs a Master’s degree or higher and must be a professional in the same (E.S.C.I.) Field.

Notes for appearing candidates / those whose results are awaited

You can also apply if you expect to graduate by August 31, 2024. In that case, you need first to submit a certificate of expected graduation. If you get the GKS graduate, you must submit the final academic transcript to NIIED before or by August 31, 2024.

From their respective universities, applicants must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of or higher than any one of the following:

• The CGPA: 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0
• The score percentile must be 80% or above on a 100 point scale. You are also eligible if you rank within the top 20% of your class at the last educational institution you attended.

If an applicant holds a transcript without information on grade point average or cannot convert grades into one of the GPA criteria mentioned above. In that scenario, one must submit an official document issued by the applicant’s university describing the university’s grading system.

• To complete the duration of their degree in Korea, an applicant must be in good mental and physical health.
• They may disqualify an applicant who fails a drug test or suffers from a serious illness. If such a thing prevents them from studying in Korea for a long time during the final selection round.

All applicants must submit a “Form 8 Personal Medical Assessment” as part of the application process. Also, all candidates who pass the 2nd round of selection must undergo a comprehensive medical examination. Then, they need to submit an official medical test conducted by a licensed doctor or hospital.

Upon arrival in Korea, all GKS graduate scholars will undergo a medical examination administered by the NIIED. Upon arrival in Korea, they will disqualify GKS scholars from scholarship if they suffer from a severe illness after the medical test.

The former or current GKS scholars (earlier known as KGSP) who meet the added criteria below are eligible to apply for GKS for the Master’s program:

• The applicant needs a grade point average of at least 90% or more on a 100-point scale. Or one ranks within the top 10% of one’s class.
• The applicant must hold a TOPIK level of 5 or 6. This should be a valid certificate within the 2-year expiry period.

Former or current GKS scholars can only reapply once for a higher degree program.

• Bachelor’s → Masters,
• Master’s → Doctoral or Research (Professor Exchange Program, Program for E.S.C.I. Professionals),
• Doctoral → Research.

They prefer applicants with natural science and engineering majors in the Ph.D. research program.

All current and previous GKS scholars re-selected as GKS scholars in 2024 do not need to take Korean language courses.

Applicants can apply to the program if they meet the following additional criteria:

• Applicants must be elementary and secondary school teachers, university lecturers, or professors who teach Korean at a government-approved educational institution. They don’t consider for-profit after-school academies, institutions, and organizations as they are not government-authorized educational institutions.
• The applicants need at least two years of teaching experience as of February 28, 2024.
• You require level 4 of TOPIK or higher (They accept certificates earned after January 1, 2021). Check the TOPIK test schedule .
• Candidates must have a major in the Korean language and should choose the same while picking their major/field of study.

Applicants may opt out of the Korean language program if they want.

Students who have graduated from a Korean high school or university are ineligible to apply. Overseas Korean adoptees and former GKS Scholars are exceptions.

Students who have earlier studied at a Korean university on an exchange or as visiting students can apply.

Previous GKS (KGSP) selected applicants who have withdrawn from the scholarship cannot apply. It includes those who did not come to Korea after being picked as GKS scholars and resigning from their studies. Or disqualified during their scholarship period.

There is an exception for former GKS scholars who lost their scholarships because of failing to pass TOPIK level 3 or above. After completing the Korean course, they can reapply if they have passed TOPIK level 5.

Candidates can only select and apply for only one track.

Applicants have to pick one of these 4 options for the embassy track. — General, overseas Korean adoptees, Korean language teaching professionals, or research programs.

For the university track: applicants have to decide on one of 3 choices. — General, research programs, or science and engineering majors at a regional university.

Before applying, let’s find all the relevant documents and things you need to remember.

Mandatory documents for (Masters, Ph.D., and Research Program)

• Complete Application Form (Form 1)
• Personal Statement (Form 2)
• Two Letters of Recommendation (Form 5)
• GKS Applicant Agreement (Form 7)
• Personal Medical Assessment (Form 8)
• Applicant’s Proof of Citizenship Document (Original)
• Applicant’s Parent’s Proof of Citizenship Document (Original)

Optional documents for (Masters, Ph.D., and Research Program)

• Certificate of valid Korean test , only TOPIK score.
• Certificate of valid English Ability exam (TOEIC, IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) 
• Published books & research papers, etc.
• Awards and other certificates
• Applicant’s passport copy

Documents according to the programs and candidates

• Statement of Purpose (Form 3) — For masters and doctoral programs.
• Document for Bachelor’s degree and its transcript — For masters and doctoral programs.
• Document for Master’s degree and its transcript — For doctoral and research program.
• Documents for Overseas Korean, Korean Citizenship Renunciation, Korean Adoptee (Original and Optional). This only applies to relevant applicants.
• Certificate of Employment (teaching subject) and certification of a teaching career (years taught). (Original and Optional). This is only for Korean teaching professionals for UG bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Documents only for research programs

• Research Proposal (Form 4)
• University’s Official Letter of Invitation (Form 6)
• Original documents for the doctoral degree and its transcript. This only applies to postdoctoral research programs.
• Certificate of Employment (Original)

The second round of successful applicants also needs to give the results of the complete medical examination.

Instructions and points to remember

You need to keep these vital things in mind while applying and sending documents.

• All documents must be in either Korean or English.
• The applicant’s English name must match the name on their passport.
• Applicants must submit 2 letters of recommendation from two different recommenders. They should be the ones who can assess the applicant’s academic abilities. Seal it in an envelope and then send it to the embassy or university that conducts the first selection round.
• Examples of preferred recommenders should be academic advisors or the dean (department head). Or a professional in one’s field of study. If a research program applicant is currently working at a research institute. Then, applicants must submit letters from the organization’s head (or research institute).
• Document requirements may vary. It depends on which embassy or university conducts the first-round selection. Thus, applicants should check the university or embassy website regarding document submission requirements.
• Candidates must submit 1 set of original documents and 3 sets of photocopied documents for the Embassy track.
• They disqualify those documents that are fraudulent or incomplete. They also lose scholarships, even for the selected applicant.
• If the university requests supplementary documentation beyond NIIED’s requirements. Then, the applicant should submit those documents directly to the university.
• You may submit photocopies of published books, research papers, awards, or other relevant documents.
• The application documents should all be originals. Let’s say an applicant submitted photocopies. Then, one needs to apostilled or do consular confirmation. Afterward, one can submit these certified documents. From 2022, they won’t accept notarized ones.
• If applicants feel they won’t get their academic documents reissued in the future. Then, they submit apostle or consular-confirmed educational documents. This is in place of the original ones. They may not return all the submitted papers to the applicants.
• The notary public must notarize the translation of documents other than Korean or English.
• For proof of citizenship, each applicant must submit a copy of their family register or birth certificate. Also, applicants and their parents should submit non-notarized passport copies if their citizenship is not on their documents.
• Korean Language Teaching Professionals need “Certificates for Employment” and “Certificate for Teaching Careers.” They should mention teaching subjects and must include the Korean language.

Below is a complete breakdown of the scholarship value:

• As long as you purchase economy class tickets, they will provide you with the actual airfare.
• You will receive a one-time KRW 200,000 as a resettlement allowance when you arrive in Korea.
• Postgraduate students receive a monthly living allowance of KRW 100,000 (masters and doctoral) and 1,500,000 (research program).
• All candidates receive free national health insurance worth 20,000 KRW. They provide it twice a year at the start of each semester.
• They cover the total cost of language courses, up to a maximum of 800,000 KRW a quarter.
• You will get reimbursement for the actual tuition fee costs (no more than KRW 5 million per semester).
• Students with valid TOPIK levels 5 or 6 receive a reward of KRW 100,000 per month. That’s one of the advantages of TOPIK .
• As a research support fee, you get 210,000 KRW for L.S. (Liberal Arts and Social Science majors) and 240,000 KRW for N.S. & E (Natural Science & Engineering majors).
• Applicants also get a one-time thesis actual printing expense of 500,000~800,000 KRW.
• After completing the degree at the time of final departure, the student receives KRW 100,000.

How to Apply?

The application period is usually February-March for GKS graduate programs (Masters, Doctorate, and Research). In contrast, GKS for undergraduates takes place in September.

Visit the official Korean government website for all relevant information. You can also access the application forms.

Those who wish to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship Program can do so in two ways. We know these as ‘the embassy track’ and ‘the university track.’

Choosing one or the other track depends primarily on the applicant and their country of origin.

This is because countries receive different quotas and channels. It depends on what place you are from. You may pick either the embassy or university track or both.

Let’s take a closer look at both tracks in detail.

The Selection Processes

There are two ways.

The most significant difference between both tracks is applying to 3 different universities through the embassy track.

On this track, the applicant must apply to the Korean embassy in their country. 

They award scholarships to students if one of three universities accepts their applications. There are three rounds on this track.

This route requires applicants to submit their applications directly to the Korean university they wish to attend.

The applicant becomes a GKS scholar once the university accepts their application. Unlike the embassy track, which comprises three stages (Embassy * NIIED * University), the university track is just two stages (University → NIIED).

The selection process is simple. However, depending on your chosen track, you may encounter diverse rounds during the selection process.

The NIIED first invites its Korean embassies and domestic universities to recommend candidates. Students can then send their applications to the preferred Korean college or their home country’s embassy.

After reviewing the applications, the embassies and universities recommend candidates to NIIED.

After the first round is over, the NIIED evaluates applicants who passed. They selected the university track applicants as GKS grantees at the end of the evaluation process.

Candidates who go with the embassy track will advance to the third round.

The universities review the applicants in the third round. At least one university must admit the candidate to pass this round.

As soon as a university accepts the candidate as a student, they become GKS scholars.

Selection Criteria

During the selection process, a committee evaluates each applicant.

The selection criteria and committees can vary from round to round. Still, some factors can contribute to an applicant’s selection.

In this statement, applicants must describe their motivation to apply for the GKS graduate scholarship.

Besides, the candidate can discuss their interests or background.

Applicants must outline their goals and study plans. Applicants may also address their future goals.

Let’s say the applicant is applying for a research program. They must state their research plan and goals in this case.

Candidates may submit letters of recommendation. The importance of these letters varies from university to university.

Certificates of language ability may also affect your evaluation. For example, they give preference to candidates who already know Korean well.

Other factors are publications, awards, academic transcripts, extra-curriculum activities, achievements, interview performance, etc.

Certain factors can help you get some extra points and enhance your prospects. 

TOPIK level 3 or above can fetch you extra points, 10% of total allocated points. Plus, they give preference if you submit scores of English language tests like TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS.

They give preference to Ph.D. degree holders in Natural Science and Engineering for research programs. You get an edge for majors in the same field if they have to pick on the same marks as other candidates.

Professors are currently teaching and belong to one of 104 ODA countries. Then, they get preference when they decide on the same marks.

They also give preference and extra points to descendants of Korean War veterans (5% of the total points), low-income and underprivileged families, third-generation overseas Koreans, and majors under the industrial, professional training project.

Each country has its own deadline for submitting applications. It may vary between 3 and 4 weeks. This is because the embassy of the country in question sets these deadlines.

The rules and guidelines also differ across universities and embassies. So, check with concerned embassies for updates and accurate information.

An unsuccessful candidate for an embassy track can reapply to a university track. But this is not possible if the candidate has cleared the first round.

The applicants from China and the Czech Republic must apply directly to the CSC under the Ministry of Education in China and the Czech Ministry of Education. This is because of the bilateral agreement.

Depending on which program you choose, the deadline will also vary. You can find all about the Global Korea Scholarship program on the official website.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 82-2-3668-1364
• Address: 191, Jeongjail-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do (13557), South Korea.
• Websites: studyinkorea.go.kr (official site), ( mofa.go.kr – Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Korea.net (Korean Portal), sejonghakdang.org (learning Korean), academyinfo.go.kr (for Higher Education in South Korea), and immigration.go.kr and hikorea.go.kr (Immigration and Visa).

You can find GKS updates, announcements, and guidelines on the GKS noticeboard section of the site.

Q1. I am currently studying at a Korean university pursuing a Master’s degree. Can I apply for the Master’s program under GKS?

A1. Yes, you can if you are not a Korean high school or university graduate. The GKS-G is also open to previous exchange or visiting students who have not received a certificate or diploma. Once selected, you drop out of your current university. Then, you apply to GKS as a first-year student. Your prior credits are not transferable.

Q2. I’m in the last semester of a Korean university’s UG or PG course. I will get my degree soon. Can I apply for the GKS Master’s or Doctoral program?

A2. No. You are ineligible to apply if you expect to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Korea. Overseas Korean adoptees and previous GKS scholars who expect or have completed a degree in Korea can apply. But previous GKS scholars can reapply only once for a higher degree.

Q3. Can I apply for a Master’s or Doctoral program if I expect to complete my Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in August 2024?

A3. You may apply if you have an official certificate of expected graduation. Or a provisional degree certificate from the university. But you must submit your last degree and academic transcript to NIIED by August 31, 2024. Otherwise, they will cancel the scholarship.

Q4. My parents and I hold different citizenship. Am I eligible for this program?

A4. Yes. You can only apply if you are a citizen of an invited NIIED designated country and your parents are not Korean citizens.

Q5. I meet all the requirements listed in GKS-G’s application guidelines. Can I apply to all GKS-G partner universities?

A5. No. These are the minimum and specific requirements for the GKS-G application guidelines. Universities and departments may need specific language abilities, other qualifications, and research experience. First, check the “University Information” file in the guidelines section. There you will find extra requirements. Then, send it directly to the university if they ask for it.

Q6. Is it possible to apply directly to NIIED for the program?

A6. No. You can apply at a Korean Embassy where you hold citizenship or directly via a partner university. For questions, refer to the guidelines. Or contact the embassies and universities where the first selection round will occur. This is because university requirements may vary. You must send all applicants’ documents to the Korean embassy where you hold citizenship, whether you live in Korea or another nation.

Q7. When is the application deadline?

A7. Both the university and the Korean embassy decide when to conduct the first selection round. Contact the embassy of Korea in your country or the university of your choice to find out the deadline.

Q8. Where do I send my application? Can I submit it online?

A8. No, the online application is not possible. In the first selection round, submit hard copies of the required documents to Korean embassies or universities. Check the guidelines and noticeboard on the site www.studyinkorea.go.kr.

Q9. Do I need English or Korean proficiency certificates when applying for GKS?

A9. You may apply without a certificate of English (TOEIC, TOEFL, or IELTS) or Korean (TOPIK). But if you are from a highly competitive country. Then, the Korean embassy or university may ask for a certain level of language proficiency. You will get extra points if you have a TOPIK level 3 or above. Plus, if you submit an English ability document, you may earn even more points.

Q10. What should I put in the GPA section of the application?

A10. Put your GPA or percentile for each semester, regardless of semesters and years of UG. Fill out your GPA or score before the slash (/) and the total one after (/). E.g., if your GPA is 3.5 out of 4.5 and your percentage is 85 out of 100, write 3.5/4.5 and 85/100.

Q11. How many letters of recommendation should I submit? Embassy track applicants must submit one original and three copies. How can we make copies of the sealed recommendation letters?

A11. A NIIED applicant must get the recommendation letters of two different recommenders. Embassy track applicants cannot open recommendation letters. Thus, ask each of your recommenders to write an original one. 3 identical copies of each recommender’s letter of recommendation are required. Seal each envelope and sign it across the flap. So, every recommender submits four similar letters in a sealed envelope. For university track applicants, collect one original letter per recommendation.

Q12. I want to apply for the 2024 GKS Graduate. I received a recommendation letter from my university’s professor in March 2022. Could I submit this?

A12. The recommendation letter date must be within one year after the last date of the application deadline. If it is over a year, you can’t submit it.

Q13. Is it necessary to include a detailed research proposal in the Statement of Purpose?

A13. Yes. You should describe your study plans’ general goals and general outline, if not in detail. Also, explain your study objectives in Korea and your goals during and after the degree program.

Q14. I plan on applying through the embassy. Per the guidelines, I should submit 4 application documents: 1 original copy and 3 photocopies. How do I send my certificates, like transcripts, graduation certificates, or recommendation letters?

A14. You must present all certificates in their original form. For instance, get four sets of transcripts and four sets of diplomas from your university. Submit photocopies because they cannot reissue the original record. In that case, submit notarized, apostle, or consular-confirmed documents in place of originals. Also, make three additional copies of the certified documents. For a recommendation letter, please refer to Q&A 11 in this FAQ.

Q15. How do I submit my documents in languages other than Korean or English?

A15. The notary public must notarize a complete translation of a document written in a language other than Korean or English.

Q16. I am an Indian citizen living in Singapore. Can I apply for the program through the Korean Embassy in Singapore?

A16. No. If you choose the embassy track, apply to the Korean Embassy in India. Candidates via the Embassy Track must apply to the Korean embassy in their home country. You can also not participate if you belong to a nation not invited to GKS-G.

Q17. I am a citizen of China. Chinese nationals only get a quota on the embassy track as per the applicable rules. Am I required to apply to the Korean Embassy in China?

A17.Chinese citizens don’t need to submit applications to the Korean embassy in China. Instead, a bilateral agreement between Korea and China enables the China Scholarship Council (CSC) to take applications. Likewise, Czech citizens must apply to the Czech Ministry of Education under the agreement between the Korean and Czech governments.

Q18. I am an American living in Los Angeles, USA. I will apply through the Embassy of Korea. Is it necessary to apply to the Embassy in Washington, D.C.?

A18. You can apply to the Korean Consulate near you, L.A., in your case. The Korean embassy in Washington and Korean consulates in the USA collaborate during the selection process.

Q19. Can I pursue a Master’s degree or a Doctoral degree in any field of study?

A19. You can only apply to majors and programs listed in the “2022 GKS-G University Information” uploaded to studyinkorea.go.kr. NIIED advises contacting the university to learn about the program you are considering.

Q20. How many universities and majors am I able to apply to?

A20. For the university track, you can select ONLY ONE university and one major subject for GKS. The embassy track allows you to apply to 3 universities under Type A and B, including at least one of the three choices from a Type B university. You can pick the same major at all 3 universities. But, you cannot choose 3 distinct programs from a single university. Check application guidelines.

Q21. I plan to apply via the university track. Is it possible to major in liberal arts and social science at one of the regional universities?

A21. Yes if the university you choose offers GKS scholars a degree program and major. Check out the entire list of study fields on studyinkorea.go.kr in “2022 GKS-PG University Information.” Applicants can select from regional or non-regional partner universities and major in liberal arts or social science. There is a country quota on the university track. They also reserve part of the quota for students applying to regional universities. For more details, refer to the application guidelines.

Q22. If I apply via the embassy track, I can pick up to 3 universities and departments/courses. Any guidance for selecting universities and majors?

A22. As an embassy track applicant, passing the 2nd round of selection does not guarantee admission to their preferred university. It is possible to get rejected by all 3 universities because of a big competition. Each Korean university offers different subjects and has unique strengths. Thus, conduct your research before deciding which university is best in the stream and fields you wish to pursue.

Q23. My application is on the embassy track. I understand I must select at least one university from Type B. Can I pick only one university from Type B?

A23. No. You need to select at least one university from Type B. You can also choose all 3 from Type B, but not all from Type-A.

Q24. Is it compulsory for all GKS scholars to pass at least TOPIK level 3 after one year of Korean language studies?

A24. Yes. Every GKS scholar must get a minimum of TOPIK level 3 within a one-year Korean program to start their degree program. NIIED assigns Korean learning centers to each GKS scholar based on various factors. You cannot change the institute. Plus, one has to live on-campus and cannot accompany family members.

Q25. Can I be exempt from the Korean language program?

A25. If you have achieved TOPIK level 5 or 6 before applying for GKS-PG, you don’t need to attend Korean classes. You can start the degree program in September 2022. But, before, submit a valid TOPIK certificate to NIIED by June 10, 2022. If you achieve level 5 or 6 in the first 6 months of the Korean course, you can skip the remaining 6 months. Then, you can start your degree program next semester (March 2023).

Q26. Can I change my final choice of a university for a PG course during my required Korean language course?

A26. No. You cannot change to another university or field of study. They allow if there is a structural change in the department. Before applying, it would be best to know details about the course and college.

Q27. What if I don’t complete my degree within the scholarship period? Will they extend my scholarship until I graduate?

A27. After the scholarship period ends, you no longer get any scholarship benefits, whether you earned a degree. You cannot extend your scholarship either.

Vikash Gupta

I’m a linguist, lifelong learner, blogger, and fun-loving guy. I write at studyfrenchspanish.com, languagenext.com, joyofkorean.com, joyofchinese.com, and joyofjapanese.com.

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1) Can we submit a passport copy as proof of citizenship? 2) Do we need to apostille our passports? 3) Regarding my parents’ proof, My mother died 9 months ago! so is a Death certificate enough for my mother’s proof? 4) Can we submit an Aadhar card as proof for my parents? (In India Aadhar is government-issued proof.)

It would be better to check Indian government guidelines for Indians once they publish in about a month. It will provide all the necessary details.

I want to apply for South Korea scholarship.

You can apply when the application process starts. For example, GKS-G begins in Feb every year.

Greetings! Dear Sir/madam I am from Ethiopia and I have a master Degree in Aquatic Ecosystem Management. I have an interest in learning for a PhD at your University. So, can you please help me to get the universities website related to my profession? thank you.

Hello please, I graduated froma university with thirs class. Can I still apply for this scholarship?

How did u apply for the graduates, I still cant find the application form

Check your country-specific site as forms and deadlines vary.

Hello, I scored less than 50% on my Bachelor’s degree. Can I still apply for this Scholarship? Am I eligible for this?

Unfortunately, no. One needs a minimum of 80% or rank within 20% of the class of the concerned institutions to apply.

When does the programme start for GKS-S? Is it in September or August?

For GKS-UG, its usually in September and GKS-G, it is in February.

Hi, I have a master’s degree and would like to apply for the GKS-Graduate program (it means I’d like to have a second master’s degree). Would this be possible?

Or can I apply for GKS-G using my bachelor’s degree only? Thank you so much in advance!

Yes, you can try for GKS-Graduate based on your bachelor’s degree. Your existing master’s degree won’t matter much.

Any other scholarship opportunities that we can try for other than gks? If yes please post more information on that! Thank you!

There are few, but not many seats and choices like GKS.

Hi Sir, since I’m not sure of my result being out by August 2023, I will have to apply next year in February/March, thereby joining the academic year of 2025 right?

Yes, you will apply next year for the academic session 2024-25.

I have completed my Masters in advertising and media. But I wish to do a second Masters – MBA from South Korea. Can I use my Masters marks to apply to GKS scholarship for MBA or just use my graduation Marks?

You only need graduation for a Master’s.

I want to know the postgraduate application deadline.

The dates vary depending on the country, though usually it is between Feb end to mid March. Check with the local embassy or the arrangement is done by NIIED.

Hello, I have scored 79% on my Bachelor’s Degree, is that okay for pursuing a master’s degree?

A minimum of 80% is required to apply for GKS-G.

Hello, I have got 71% in my final exm can I apply for master’s degree?

You need a minimum of 80% or need to rank within the top 20% of your previous class.

I’m interested to hear how I can enroll Korean university from Bangladesh?

Search colleges, shortlist based on your target course, budget, and eligibility criteria, and apply. Or contact any consultant dealing with higher education in Korea.

Hello Sir, are there any master’s courses available for international students pursuing BSc Agriculture UG? If yes, can I get it through gks scholarship? Especially in SNU. Hope you will reply ☺️

Maybe, but I do not track individual courses as there are hundreds of them. If available, you can apply for GKS if you fit their requirement.

I need this scholarship.

Hello! I recently heard someone that the GKS Scholarship is not applicable for Korean language course, say from SNU LEI. Is this true? Thank you in advance!

Possible since they teach Korean to all selected candidates who haven’t passed TOPIK level 3. Plus, a master’s in Korean requires one to be advanced level in the language which is not the case with GKS as anyone can apply for any course.

I want to apply but am in Nigeria and am 17yrsold no international passport pls I need help

Then not possible. Check the requirement for the same.

Sir. How many subjects in master?

Sorry, I didn’t get you.

Hi, my name is Princy. I am from India. I have already emailed my professor at the Korean university, do I have to wait for his reply, or do I have to submit my document to Embassy first? What should I do next??

You can only apply for GKS-G in Feb/March as per available courses/universties.

I am currently studying at university, but I haven’t graduated yet. So can I apply immediately after I graduate? Thank you!

Yes, as long as you fulfill the eligibility criteria.

Hi I’m expecting to finish my higher national diploma in banking and finance by 2024 so can i apply for gks or can I apply with the national diploma and study business administration? If yes, what can I do sir thanks.

I am not sure about that. You can check if MBA related courses are available, and if you fit the requirement, you can apply accordingly.

Hello sir!! I wanted to ask you that can I get this scholarship if I scored below 80% in 10th but above 80% in 12th?

Yes, but overall academic track record matters.

I think u can’t 🤔

Good morning sir, I’m a student in the final year, my undergraduate program, and it will end in December 2022, but the graduation ceremony can take place in May 2023, is it possible to apply for master’s degree unless I have a certificate?

You can apply as an appearing student. But you do have to submit final degree before departure if in case you are selected.

Respected Teacher I am currently studying in the 5th semester (last year) of my graduation. And I will graduate in July 2023 cause our university’s rule is this. Can I apply for a GKS scholarship in 2023 for my master’s study?

Yes, if you expect to get your results by Aug/Sept 2023.

My civil engineering (bachelor’s) has finished, so can I choose architecture for my Master’s?

You can choose if your preferred course is available and you are eligible. But getting selected depends on many factors, including your previous academic background.

Hi, if you can do good research about universities, can you please check the Artificial Intelligence or Robotics Course too? I’m a Computer Engineering Graduate (bachelor).

I want to study AI or robotics Engineering. I did conduct research but couldn’t find much. My preferred university is SNU. Korea University, KAIST, and Seoul Tech are also good. Any University is acceptable as long as I can study AI or Robotics. So, can you please help with that? 😅

I haven’t checked the latest colleges an courses. You can check, and if it’s not available, you have to look for other ways beyond GKS.

can you please help me out,

1: What is the deadline for postgraduate for Pakistan? 2: we need 80% for this scholarship or a 2.7 CGPA (it’s weird that a 2.7 CGPA is not even 60% of marks) I got a 3.2 CGPA. Is it ok to apply? 3: I did my master’s in journalism and production, and I want to apply for another master’s in film studies now. is GKS also covering the media and film field? 4: Can I have your email id?

1. For that, you have to check the Pakistani Government site that deals with scholarships to foreign countries. There you will find all the details, though usually the process starts in February. 2. You need 80% or more and as per mentioned CGPA. You can also try a few website that helps convert into such CGPA and percentile. 3. You have to check the available courses in their list. 4. You can submit the form, or ask in the comment section.

I am Bella from Nigeria I have gotten my Higher national diploma (HND) with a total GPA of 2.96 I graduated in 2022, and I studied Banking and finance with the result which I acquire can I apply for a master’s degree in Gks?

Yes, if you are elgibile for the requirements.

I want to apply for a bachelor’s degree I have more than 80% in high school. In the university track, how can we send documents to the university?

Directly to the Korean university. It has just two stages (University — NIIED).

This explained everything from minor details to the big things. This was such a good article. But I’m still afraid of applying 😞. I don’t know why, even though I am eligible to apply.

Can you please tell me (1) What is a notarized document and what is a consular verified document? (2) How do we get to do this? I am from Pakistan. Aap Roman, Urdu, Hindi mein likh dain Sir, shyd smjh aa jaye. 😞

If you are eligible and wish to get scholarship to study there, you should apply with a positive frame of mind.

Notarized is a document certified by the notary public. On the other hand, consular or apostille authentication serves the purpose of making public documents legally recognized in foreign countries.

Hi there, thanks for such a thorough and informative post. I was wondering, do the letters of recommendation have to come from an academic institution? I’ve been out of school for a few years (I received my bachelor’s degree in December 2020), so I’m not sure I’d be able to get a recommendation from a professor that is dated within 1 year of the application since I haven’t been a student in several years.

Is there a way around this? Can I use professional recommendations from a job or volunteer program? or would perhaps going back to school to take a course or two be beneficial to try to secure an academic recommendation? Thanks in advance for any advice you can share.

The recommendation letter is required from the educational institutions where you pursued the course should be within one year. You can still get from college and school with the current date that will benefit you. There is no mentioned of professional ones, so not sure if it be of any use.

I want to do a PhD.

Hey sir I jus graduated from high school can I apply for this GKSG, or will I have to wait for the normal gks form to come out.. and please, when will the form for the 2024 GKS com out coz I think 2023 form come out last year. I’m kind of confused sir 🥺💔 please

If you have completed 12th or equivalent, you can apply for GKS in Sept or Oct 2023 for the academic term 2024. Yes, last year for 2023.

I have a question regarding the recommendation letter for the embassy track. I thought only one was required, but you wrote that we need two? Also, I‘m confused about submitting original certificates. It says they cannot be returned, so do I need to ask my previous university to mail me another original?

Thanks, Karen

2 recommendation letters are required from two recommender as stated in the original document. You need to submit the original copies. All details are there.

Could you tell me what is mean by embassy track and university track? I’m applying for an abroad scholarship for first time, so.

There are two different ways to apply for GKS. All details are mentioned in this article.

Hey sir can international student apply GKS with low high school transcript grade

A minimum of 80% or equivalent, or being in the top 10% is the requirement for all candidates, regardless of country.

Hello sir. I have graduated last year I studied banking and finance with a total GPA of 2.96 and I want to go for master’s degree can I apply for the Gks scholarship?

If your GPA fits the criteria, surely you can apply.

Can we do masters in nursing under gks scholarship?

If such program is available, then, yes.

Where can I get the application form? And where to submit?

On the official site studyinkorea.go.kr. All details are there in this article.

Dear admission committee: Please could you extend the deadline for the application? I am from Ethiopia, Tigray regional state due to the war that happened in the past 2 years internet connection was not opened but is now open. I am trying to finish my application process as can as possible. Submitting documents to the embassy takes at least 3 or 4 days. Please consider my interest if it is possible. I am very interested in studying in Korea.

Dear admission committee: Please could you extend the deadline for the application? I am from Ethiopia, Tigray regional state due to the war that happened in the past 2 years internet connection was not opened but it is now open. I am trying to finish my application process as can as possible. Submitting documents to the embassy takes at least 3 or 4 days. Please consider my interest if it is possible. I am very interested to study in Korea.

Hello, I have a few inquiries about the GKS scholarship.

1. Can I change my master’s major from what I studied for my undergrad degree? 2. Does GKS offer scholarships to students that apply in the spring? 3. May I apply simultaneously for the embassy and university tracks?

1. Yes 2. No 3. Yes, but you can apply only one university and do follow all the procedure.

Hello Vikash Gupta,

I have applied via Embassy track (to Korean Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ) using DHL Post and delivered, but no response yet as to at what stage the evaluation and or screening is. Can you please brief me about this?

Check with the Embassy in your country.

Can you please tell me the starting date of gks and the valid link?

For GKS-UG, September-October, and GKS-G in Feb-March. Website → studyinkorea.go.kr/en

Hello sir! Recently I have completed my graduation and I got two recommendation letters from different recommenders, but these were not sealed in envelop. I am confused as you mentioned above that we are supposed to submit sealed recommendation letters so what should I do?

Recommendation letters need to be sealed as per GKS guidelines. They may reject if it does not follows the instructions.

Hello sir, I have some questions it is better if you answer all of them:)

1. I’m about to finish my bachelor degree (this year). But before finishing, the time of applying to the GKS may come. What should I do if I can’t get diploma or GPA result? Can I provide the copies or not 2. Now I’m in Uzbekistan. I just checked the dates of applying; they told me it will be upcoming February is it real? 3. If I get this scholarship before entering any universities in Korea, it may provide me some choices to apply any universities that I want?

Thank you in advance!

1. You need final result along with apostille documents as appearing students can’t apply. 2. Yes 3. No, you can’t choose any other university. You get a particular one that you pick during application.

Hi, I have a question regarding the requirements, hope you can solve it! 🙂

I studied veterinary medicine (5-year degree instead of 4) and in my country. I can already do a PhD with no Master’s (due to the longer degree). Do you know if that possibility exists in Korea? Because it is said that “For a doctoral program, one needs a master’s degree or education or *equivalent*” But it also asks to attach the master’s results. Is there any official contact email I can use for this kind of question?

Thank you so much! ^^

If they ask for masters which is the normal case in most places, you require Master’s degree. I am not aware if there is such contact detail. Try on the official site.

Hello, Sir my name is Baljinder Kaur. I just completed my senior secondary education and I got 80%. Can I apply for gks in 2024 (Feb and March) please reply. Thanks

Yes, depending on other criterias.

Hi am currently working person. I am going to apply for my masters through GKS Scholarship. Since i graduate its been 2 years. Can i get my recommendation letter from my office manager insted of any professors or teacher?? Can i get recommendation letter from manager or CEO or HR is ok??

I guess no as recommendation letter is based on your educational performance and done by teacher at existing acdemic centers.

Hii wanna ask can they accept 3 years or 2 years study gap?if i have a master degree of 3 years ago can i apply after 3 years in PHD?

I guess, yes they do accept. Do check the exact age limitation and minimum year of passing in the official document.

I have a bachelor’s degree in social work but I want to apply for a master’s degree in international relations. Is it possible?

Possible, but continuation may boost some chances.

Hi! I’m preparing for my GKS-G application right now, and this blog has been real helpful. I just have a question: For the Personal Health Assessment, I might need to declare a certain condition I was diagnosed with in 2020. But I’m taking oral medication for managing it. Technically, I have been living healthily and working normally since my diagnosis.

So far in my preparations, the personal health assessment is what I have been dreading the most, because I’m concerned that if they see my condition, my application would be fully disregarded right from the start 🙁 Would it be alright to add a medical certificate on the Other Documents section, even if not yet required? Since my treatment doctor gave me one which states I am fit to study and work overseas, and that I’m taking continuous medicine to manage it.

I’ve been dreaming about GKS back when it was still KGSP in 2018, so I’m looking for assurance that there’s still a chance for me. Thank you so much in advance!

Well, you must disclose all your medical situation, regardless of whether they accept or decline.

I’m having bachelor’s degree in business administration in HR stream if can any possible to apply for a master’s degree in information technology field ? and my graduation is still running (last sem-6) so where we can apply for master’s on after completion of before ?

It would be challenging as it’s pretty competitive and has many prerequisites.

Hello, Actually I have just completed my class 12th now (2023-2024 batch), now I plan to take a drop and apply for GKS in Sept. 2024. Will me being a dropper affect my chances of getting selected or am I eligible for applying if I am a dropper?

No, it won’t matter. You can drop and try GKS. However, considering there are only a few seats, I’d suggest have plan B and get enrolled for bachelors’s degree elsewhere too.

Hello Sir, As an Indian college going student currently I am doing my bachelors and you know the graduation usually happen in the mid of July and August but the GKS-G application form comes on Feb then how can I show my Degree?? And what if my result wasn’t declared by August 31st? Then what am I supposed to do?? Because as a middle class belonging child I cannot waste that much time.

You cannot apply as an appearing students since you need final degree. Yes, one would waste one year, but this is the way it is. As an alternative, you can take admission in any course as plan B.

What if after getting this scholarship we start our college understand course along with the one year long mandatory korean language program , then get the scholarship amount from 2 nd semester?? Is this possible?

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CHICAGO KOREAN EDUCATION CENTER

Consulate general of republic of korea, gks-g (global korea scholarship for graduate degrees).

1. Program Objectives

    Global Korea Scholarship is designed to provide international students with opportunities to study at higher educational institutions in Korea at graduate-level degrees, which will enhance international education exchange and deepen mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries.

2. Period of Scholarship

◦ Master’s: 1 yr. of Korean language + 2 yrs of a degree program

◦ Doctoral: 1 yr. of Korean language + 3 yrs of a regular degree program

3.  Eligibility

  o Nationality: Applicants and their parents must not hold Korean Citizenship.

  o Age: Applicants must be under 40 years of age.

  o Degree Requirements: Applicants must hold or must be expecting to hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree 

  o Grades: An applicant must maintain the overall grade point of average(CGPA) equivalent to or higher than any ONE of the following;

   [2.64 on a 4.0 scale, 2.80 on a 4.3 scale, 2.91 on a 4.5 scale, 3.23 on a 5.0 scale, or score percentile(80% or above)]

  o Health: An applicant must be in a good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.

  o Preferences

 - An applicant who has attained certified scores in TOPIK for their proficiency in Korean may be given preference.

 - Descendents of Korean War veterans will receive an additional 5% of the total marks during the selection reviews.

 - Applicants who apply for the majors in the field of Natural Science and Engineering may be given preference.

4. Required Documents

  o Applicant Form (Form 1)

  o Personal Statement (Form 2)

  o Study Plan (Form 3)

  o Research Proposal (Form 4) ONLY applicable for Research Program applicants

  o One letter of Recommendation (Form 5)

  o Letter of Invitation (Form 6) ONLY applicable for Research Program applicants

  o GKS Applicant Agreement (Form 7)

  o Personal Medical Assessment (Form 8)

  o Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information (Form 9)

  o Bachelor's/Master's Diploma or Certificate of Degree

  o Bachelor's/Master's degree Transcript

  o Applicant's Proof of Citizenship

  o Parents' Proof of Citizenship

5. Place of Submission for the Midwest USA applicants: The Chicago Korean Education Center,  9810 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090

6. GKS-G official website: www.studyinkorea.go.kr -> Scholarships -> GKS Notice

A Journey to KGSP/GKS: Personal Statement

Finally, here is my third post on A Journey to KGSP/GKS Series. Previously, I wrote about my experience in preparing for the KGSP/GKS application back in 2016 and just before this post I wrote about how to fill in the KGSP/GKS Application Forms . This time, I’ll be sharing my two cents on how to write a Personal Statement, one of the essays of the GKS Application. When I prepared my application, it took me around 3 months to finish writing both essays. I remember starting to write as soon as I decided to apply for the scholarship in November, putting it off for a month or so, coming back and forth for the revisions, and finishing it a few days before the application closing date.

The GKS application forms have included the essay template with instructions and points to include which I found very helpful. I always enjoy writing, but writing an essay in English for studies back then was especially hard because English isn’t my first language and I never learned writing academic English properly. Here are some tips that I did and I wish I had known when writing my essays for the GKS Application.  

Personal Statement template (2021 GKS Application)

First, find your application’s identity. “Why do I want to study in Korea and apply for this program? Why should the reviewer choose me among hundreds of applicants?” These questions are the ones that I kept coming back when writing my Personal Statement. As I kept digging the reasons, I somehow found the identity of my application, a statement that will clearly describe me and hopefully will leave an impression for the reviewers.

I see Personal Statement as a stage to promote myself. It tells a story about me, my personal values, and significant events that happened in my life which lead me to aspire to study in Korea and apply for the GKS. The goal is to convey my story in the most impactful way possible that no matter how ordinary it is, the reviewer will still remember me after reading other hundreds of similar or even better stories. To do this, I don’t think I can merely rely on a list of achievements and experiences I have because they probably aren’t so outstanding among other applicants. That is why I need to put an identity into my application, to make my story stronger than my own name.  

In my case, “an applicant majoring in Family Studies” is the identity that I highlighted. Given that Family Studies is not a common field of study especially in Indonesia, regardless of how important it is for our society (don’t get me started into Family Sciences 101. Lol.), I guess it was the strongest point of my application that granted me a seat for an interview in the Korean Embassy. I could be wrong, but the interviewers asked about it during the whole interview session.  

Second, make your essay hook. If you put yourself in the reviewer’s shoes who has to deal with a hundred applications, how will you sort it out? There are sure other considering points such as grades that are quite easy to determine. But, when it comes to essays, how will you rate it and choose from a pool of applicants? Just like its name, a Personal Statement should be personal yet interesting. Personal; it tells who the applicant is, his/her experiences, achievements, values. Interesting; no matter how different every applicant’s life story is, the reasons to study abroad and apply for the scholarship might not be so unique, thus, the way it is written should be fascinating and impactful. That is how an essay hook will make your application stand out and assure the reviewers that you deserve one seat until the final round.

There are many ways to write an essay hook; quotation, question, strong statement, metaphor, etc. You may try many different ways before finding the one that matches the big picture of your essay. An essay hook is aimed to attract the reader since the beginning of your essay. This is also related to the whole picture of the essay and the information in the next paragraphs. As I decided to emphasize my major in Family Studies, I open my essay with the story about my own family and what values I was grown up with. I also wrote about how people used to ask what my major is about and whether it really is necessary to learn about family sciences at university. I keep this point as the whole idea of my essay which helped me to explain why I had to go to a Korean university.

Third, be reflective. Reflecting is such a habit to me. You know, that tendency to lay awake in your bed and replaying what has happened that day in your head and what you could’ve done to make it better, or at least, to make yourself feel better. Well, I learn that doing it isn’t always good. But, when it comes to reflecting on your past experiences and achievements in your Personal Statement, I can never stress enough how important it is. After mentioning all your precious achievements and writing how eventful your life is, you need to explain what lessons learned that you get, what skills you learn, and how they contribute to who you are today. It might sound cliché to write about how your leadership skills have been sharpened through many organizations, but I don’t think it will do you bad to show that you have learned from your experience.

Fifth, make an outline. To me, an outline always does wonder. You might have ever practiced it for school assignments. It’s really as simple as starting from the points mentioned in the essay instruction; (1) family background, (2) latest education, (3) significant and relevant experiences (working, internship, organization, clubs), (4) motivations to study in Korea and apply for the GKS. You can write down ideas for each point and add a few sentences for the explanation. As you develop each point, you may want to write it in 1-2 paragraphs and keep it as your main idea. This will surely help your writing stay on track, lead the plot and transition from one idea/point to another without jumbling up.

Sixth, don’t expect to finish it in one night or even one-seating and then submit it on the next day. Only after giving it some time and re-reading it a few days later that you’ll notice every mistake in your essay, those misspellings-wrong tenses-wrong expressions, even if you’ve been very meticulous especially when it comes to writings. Also, I can never stress enough how you should stop yourself from editing those punctuation marks or misspellings while typing because it will put your idea on hold and take much time to finish your first draft.

Finally, ask someone to proofread your essay and give feedback. I received a lot of help from my English tutor who gave valuable feedback on my essays. Having someone read your essay sort of allows you to get through the pre-review and the nerve-wracking of the application screening process. Also, your essay will look different from someone else’s perspective so it’s important to get their feedback even if it’s as simple as word choices. Especially, because Personal Statement is an essay about ourselves, we can easily understand it but it can be hard to be objective. Your best friend will tell you some confusing parts, things that you should explain better, or simply tell whether the storytelling is interesting enough.

There are a lot more awesome tips all over the Internet on how to write a great Personal Statement essay. These are basically what I did when I wrote my own for the GKS application. I have no idea exactly which part of my application that granted me the scholarship, but I believe that the Personal Statement had its big share. For another essay, Study Plan/Statement of Purpose, you can check my post about it here .

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Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Kingdom of Cambodia

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2025 Global Korea Scholarship(GKS) program for Undergraduate Degrees

2025 GKS Program for Undergraduate Degrees (Embassy Track)

 In 2025, Korean Government’s Global Korea Scholarship program aims to invite international students who wish to purse undergraduate degrees in Korea.

[Selection Schedule]

  o Application Period: on 12th September - 23rd September

(Drop your application at Korean Embassy-security office) 

   - You can't submit documents by e-mail, please visit the embassy.

※Please find University list by following the link below.

https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/scholarship/Gks1NoticeDetail.do?nttId=4233

[Instruction on documents]

Embassy track applicants should submit three copied set. (No need to consular confirmed in the document review round)

※successful candidate of 1st round(embassy round) must submit 'consular confirmed' document for further round

 Embassy track_Cambodia: 1 scholar

o [1st Round: Korean Embassy Selection]

  - The announcement for the result of document review round: 7th October

* Successful candidate for document round must pass oral interview for further round.

o [2nd Round: NIIED Selection]  (NIIED Selection Committee)

   - The announcement for the result of the 2nd Selection :

     on late November (on the GKS Notice board - www.studyinkorea.go.kr)

o [3rd Round : University Selection]

   - NIIED announces the final successful candidates :

     on late December (result will be sent to successful candidates individually)

o [Final announcement]

     on early January 2025 (on the GKS Notice board - www.studyinkorea.go.kr) 

※ Above schedule is for 'Embassy track', university track applicants must read the guidelines and contact each universities for the schedule. All applicants are highly recommended to read thoroughly the guideline in which all information is included. The application form is in the attached files. Wish you all the best!

 ① Applicants who are ‘expected to graduate’ can apply for the program with a ‘certificate of expected graduation’.  Such applicants must submit their ‘official graduation certificate’ (or diploma) and ‘final academic transcript’ to GKS Center, NIIED by December 31st, 2024.  Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your acceptance. 

※ Certificate of expected graduation will be accepted only if the document indicates expected graduation date(or month)

 ② Applicants with ‘provisional/temporary graduation certificate’ can apply for 2025 GKS-U, but such applicants will be considered as applicants who are expected to graduate.  Such applicants must submit their ‘official graduation certificate’ (or diploma) and ‘final academic transcript’ to GKS Center, NIIED by December 31st, 2024.  Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your acceptance.

Global Korea Scholarship 2022 PERSONAL STATEMENT - Communication major

Holt  Educational Consultant - / 15168   Aug 24, 2021   #2 The first paragraph indicates all the WRONG reasons to seek a scholarship. Those reasons are a given, understood, but never to be publicly discussed.Those are the "perks" for academically excellent participants. Those are not the reasons why one would want to be a scholar. Remove that paragraph and come up with something else to introduce more valid motivations. The academic history and excellence discussion needs better formatting. There appears to be some information missing at the start. It Is confusing to read and does not show a fully developed academic path. The activities fail to show the development of the applicant's interest in Communication.There is no solid foundation for the interest. The lack of relevant discussion towards this career path makes the application weak.

ayutian 1 / 2   Aug 25, 2021   #3 You've explain all the must included information, but your essay is still lack in the relationships between the paragraphs. And your reason to take the major needs more well explained.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Singapore

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2025 Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduate Degrees

The National Institute for International Education (NIIED) under the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea is inviting talented Singaporeans to participate in '2025 Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Undergraduate Degrees.'

The application guidelines including qualifications, required documents/forms for submission, and all other necessary information are attached.

Number of Singaporean grantees  (Quota under Embassy Track): 1

Scholarship Period

O Bachelor’s Degree: 5~7 years (1 year of Korean Language+4~6 years of Degree Program)

Selection Schedule

O Application Period:  September 12 - September 30, 2024

O Announcement of the shortlisted applicants for interview:  October 4, 2024 (Fri)

O Interview:  Afternoon of October 14, 2024 (Mon)

   The interview date cannot be changed, and the interview time will be individually notified only to those who pass the document review.

O The 1st Selection result announcements (individual notification):  October 15, 2024 (Tue)

O Announcement of the 2nd round of selection result: By late November 2024 (GKS Notice on t he website, www.studyinkorea.go.kr)

O Announcement of the 3rd round of selection result: By December, 2024 (GKS Notice on the website, www.studyinkorea.go.kr)

O Announcement of the final round of selection result: Expected by January 3, 2025 (GKS Notice on the website, www.studyinkorea.go.kr)

O Entry to Korea: February 2025

Eligibility

O Applicants must hold Singaporean citizenship and their parents must hold non-Korean citizenship

O Applicants must be under 25 years of age (born after March 1, 2000))

O Bachelor’s degree program is for applicants who graduated (or are expected to graduate) from JC /MI or Polytechnics.  Applicants who have a bachelor’s degree cannot apply.

O Applicants who are expected to graduate (as of December 31, 2024) must first submit the certificate of expected graduation at the time of application. If such applicants pass the first round of selection, they must submit a graduation certificate (or a degree certificate)  by December 31, 2024.

O Grades : All applicants must have maintained the overall grade point average (CGPA) equivalent to or higher than any ONE of the following from their respective universities:

    - 2.64 on a 4.0 scale;

    - 2.80 on a 4.3 scale;

    - 2.91 on a 4.5 scale;

    - 3.23 on a 5.0 scale; or

    - Score percentile: 80% or above on a 100 point scale or be ranked within the top 20% within one's class

O Applicants must check additional restrictions or eligibility set by each degree university. (Please check if there is any additional eligibility set by each university/department. Some department of degree universities may have additional requirements (e.g. TOPIK Level 4) for enrollment.)

O Applicants must choose THREE different desired universities and available fields of study among 64 universities listed in Appendix C (Type A + Type B) of the attached guidelines. The university for Choice 1 must be selected only from Type B universities. Be careful not to confuse it with Choices 2 and 3.

1. All applications are to be posted or hand-delivered to:

Korean Government Scholarship Program 2025

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

47 Scotts Road

#08-00 Goldbell Towers

Singapore 228233

* Korea Embassy working hours: 9:00-18:00 (Mon-Fri). Please avoid the lunch break hours (12:30-2pm)

2. Document submission:

O To ease applicants’ preparation of documents, Korean Embassy will accept all documents in photocopies

Submission requirements: ONE(1) sets of application documents in photocopies

* No need to be apostilled or consular confirmed

O After the announcement of the 1st Selection result on October 15 2024, GKS candidate(1) and back up candidates(1) will be required to submit ONE apostilled or consular confirmed original document and THREE additional photocopies of the application documents by no later than 21 October 2024 (Mon).

* If you are applying from overseas and cannot submit the apostilled documents in time, please submit all application documents (1 original+3 photocopies) at the time of your initial submission.

3. The deadline for submission is 18:00 September 30, 2024 (Mon)

4. Enquiries on the scholarship program should be directed to

     [email protected] / tel: 6860-6261