Complete Guide to TOPIK - Self Study Package BX0121

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GKS Graduate Scholarship 2024 TOPIK GUIDE
February 8, 2024
Dr. Satish Satyarthi
Study in Korea NIIED KGSP Scholarship

Students with a TOPIK score have higher chances to get NIIED KGSP Scholarship. Prepare for TOPIK with Complete Guide to TOPIK – Self-Study Package.

NIIED has announced the application guidelines of the 2024 Korean Government Scholarship Program for Graduate Degrees.

For the year 2024, there are 2200 seats for GKS graduate scholarship for international students from all over the world who want to pursue Master’s or PhD degree in Korea.

Looking for KGSP Undergraduate Scholarship? Check – GKS Undergraduate 2024

2024 Global Korea Scholarship - Application Guidelines for Graduate Degrees

I. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

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

※ As Korean Government Scholarship Programs have been integrated and branded as Global Korea Scholarship in 2010, the name has been changed to GKS (Global Korea Scholarship)

2. PROGRAMS AND UNIVERSITY

■ Degree Programs

Program

Master’s Degree

Doctoral Degree

Research

Period

1 year of Korean language program + 2 years of degree program

1 year of Korean language program + 3 years of degree program

6 months or 1 year

■ Application Tracks

◈ Available Fields of Study and Universities

○ Available Fields of Study

- Applicants can only apply to the universities and departments that are listed in the "University Information‟ file attached under the GKS Notice post in Study in Korea website. (www.studyinkorea.go.kr > Scholarships > GKS Notice)

- Academic programs offered during evenings (night school), short-term programs, online and distant-learning programs are not applicable in this scholarship program.

○ List of available Universities

※ R&D Program (in University Track) provides R&D-focused curriculum and field experience in research institutes and industries. In addition, the program is designed to attract and nurture talented scholars in the strategic high-tech industry and to be beneficial to the scholar‟s future career.

※ Applicants for Type B universities can apply to their desired program. For example, master‟s degree applicants for Type B University can apply either through a general program or through a regional university program.

※ International Reconstruction Talent Program for Ukraine Applicants can choose General or RGKS Program under the University Track

※ Updated University Information for R&D Program and Global Network Program will be further announced in early March on the GKS notice.

3. QUOTA ASSIGNED BY COUNTRY

◈ Quota for Embassy Track

○ General: 737 scholars from 147 regions

◈Overseas Korean: 20 Scholars from 12 Countries

◈ Quota for University Track

※ R-GKS Preference: Recommendation from local governments & universities participating in RISE project, Education Specialization Zone project

※ IRT Preference: Recommendation from the Government of Ukraine

※ Vacancies: In both embassy and university track, if vacancies occur in the second round of selection at NIIED due to insufficient number of recommended candidates or due to the candidate‟s ineligibility, candidates from other countries or programs may fill the vacancy.

◈ R&D: 300 scholars from all countries around the world

※ No limit on the number of invited countries (available to all countries around the world) University (approximately 8 more) and Quota Information will be fully updated in early-March

※ R&D Preference: Recommendation from the international organizations or the ExportImport Bank of Korea

No.

University

1

Ajou University

2

Chonnam National University

3

Gyeongsang National University

4

Inje University

5

KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

6

Keimyung University

7

Kookmin University

8

KOREATECH (Korea University of Technology and Education)

9

Kyungpook National University

10

SeoulTech (Seoul National University of Science and Technology)

11

Soonchunhyang University

12

Sungkyunkwan University

◈ Global Network: 80 scholars from all countries around the world

※ No limit on the number of invited countries (available to all countries around the world) ※ University and Quota Information will be updated in early March on the GKS notice ※ Global Network Preference: Recommendation from the international organizations and international education bodies.

◈ Research: 15 scholars from 156 countries or regions

※ Applications available to 156 countries or regions where General program and Regional University program are offered ※ Research Preference: Recommendation from the Korean Embassy.

4. ELIGIBILITY


○ Nationality

- All applicants must hold citizenship of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program.

- Applicants’ parents (or legal guardians) must hold citizenship from another country other than Korea. If applicants or their parent hold dual citizenship (one who has both Korean citizenship and citizenship of another country), such applicant is NOT eligible to apply.

-Applicants and their parents who had previously held Korean citizenship must submit documentation issued by the Korean government that proves their renunciation of Korean citizenship.

-If an applicant’s citizenship is changed during the selection process, he or she will be excluded from the evaluation. (Not applicable to R&D and Global Network program)

- For Overseas Korean applicants (Embassy Track) holding Japanese citizenship, if their parents hold „Permanent Residency Permit‟ within Japan while holding Korean citizenship, they are exceptionally eligible to apply.

-Applicants from all countries around the world can apply to R&D program.

○ Degree Requirements

Program

Minimum Level of Education

Notes

Degree

Master’s

Bachelor‟s Degree

Doctoral

Master‟s Degree

Research

Post-Doctorate

Doctoral Degree

Exchange Professor

Master‟s Degree

Must be currently teaching at a university as a professor

Program for Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation Professionals

Master‟s Degree

Must be a professional in a field of Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation

※ Applicants who are expected to graduate by July 31st , 2024 can also 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 July 31st , 2024. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your acceptance.

○ Grades

- Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the entire curriculum from the previous degree program * must meet one of the conditions below;

*For example, previous degree for a doctoral degree program applicant is a master’s degree program

  • CGPA must be above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or 3.23/5.0
  • Score percentile should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked within the top 20% within one's class

*Applicants must submit an academic transcript with CGPA or ranking information.

* If a transcript does not provide CGPA in any one of the accepted GPA scales (4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0 or 100 point scale), then the applicant must submit a transcript converted into one of the above GPA scales as a supplementary document.

○ Age

- Must be under 40 years of age (born after September 1, 1984)

- Academic professors in one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients* who are under 45 years of age (born after September 1, 1979) are eligible to apply.

* DAC List of ODA Recipients on 2024 and 2025 flows (www.oecd.org)

< ODA Recipients (105 countries) >

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Common Wealth of Dominica, CostaRica, Cote d‟Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe

○ Health

- All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program.

◈ Additional Requirements for Global Network Program

- University track applicants of Global Network Program must meet the following additional requirements to apply for the program

< Additional Requirements for Global Network Program >

 Applicants from all countries around the world
 Current/Prospective official s, professionals or student s in the field of global affairs (e.g. Working for Diplomatic Strategy in G7 or ODA conturies)
 No age limitations with Global Network Program‟s practice concentration

※ Course and Degree: Master‟s degree program within 2-year only (No Korean language program)

○ Restriction

  • - A person who had previously enrolled at a degree program through a Korean government sponsored scholarship program other than the NIIED administered scholarship program cannot apply
  • A previous GKS scholar whose scholarship was cancelled after their enrollment cannot apply
  • Cancellation of Scholarship ‟ means a GKS scholar either withdrew from the program or his/her scholarship was forfeited due to cumulative warnings, etc. during their scholarship period
  • A previous GKS scholar who ha d received scholarships from GKS Non -degree program for exchange students CAN apply
  • (Exception) Previous GKS scholars who meet all the additional criteria below are eligible to apply:
  • CGPA or a score percentile must be 90% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked in the top 10% of one’s class
  • Must hold TOPIK level 5 or 6

    ※ Previous GKS scholars can participate in the GKS program once more only in a higher degree program*

    * Bachelor’s -> Master’s / Master’s -> Doctoral or Research / Doctoral -> Research
  • Prior Notice - Previous GKS scholars cannot reapply for the GKS degree program from 2025 GKS Graduate Degree Program
  • Final successful candidates of the GKS degree program from the past three years who have withdrawn from the program or was disqualified from the program prior to enrollment cannot apply.

    ◈Duplicate Submission

    - Embassy track candidates (including reserve candidates) who passed the first round of selection cannot apply again through a university track

    - Embassy track applicants must apply to only one program among General, Overseas Korean, Teaching Professional and Research program

    - University track applicants must apply to only one program among General, Regional University, R&D and Research program

    - University track applicants must apply to one university and one department

    ※ Duplicate submissions will be disregarded in the evaluation. If found afterwards, scholarship will be cancelled even after the evaluation is completed.

< Applicants must check additional restrictions or eligibility set by each university >

- Please check if there is any additional eligibility set by each university/department

- All GKS scholars should achieve TOPIK level 3 to proceed to their degree program. However, some department of degree universities may have additional requirements (e.g., TOPIK level 4) for enrollment. Please be mindful about these requirements set by each university/department. If you do not meet these requirements and fail to enroll in the university, your scholarship will be cancelled.

- Please check the enrollment period set by each degree university/department

-Scholars whose Korean language program is delayed (e.g., return after a leave of absence) must check if their degree program is only available to start at a certain period of time. For example, if a specific department or major only allows students to start their first semester in September, relevant scholars may not be able to enroll in the degree program in March.

5. DOCUMENTS TO SUBMIT

GKS Graduate 2024-Required Documents

◈Requirements for each submitted document

Documents to Submit

Submission Requirement

Proof of Citizenship and Family relationship

- Official certificates such as birth certificate or family register issued by a government that proves family relationship between an applicant and his/her parents and ‚ their citizenship

- If one cannot submit necessary documents due to an absence of their parent(s) – e.g., divorced or deceased – please provide additional documents (e.g., divorce certificate or death certificate) that explains the reason for not submitting their proof of citizenship

※ Chinese applicants can submit a household register or a certificate of kinship. Consular confirmation is required. If the document is written in Chinese, submit a certified translation as well

- If applicants’ or their parents’ citizenship information is not indicated in the above documents, then submit valid passport copies (do not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed) as supplementary documents

- Ethnic group, birth place, or current residency in the submitted documents are not accepted as a citizenship information

- If passport is not available, please submit other government issued document (need to be apostilled or consular confirmed) or a copy of an ID card that clearly indicates citizenship information (does not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed) as supplementary document

※ If supplementary documents submitted in addition to a birth certificate or a family register are not reliable, such application may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation

Certificate of Graduation

- Submit a graduation certificate, degree certificate or a diploma that indicates the date of graduation (or degree acquisition date).

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

- Must submit a certificate officially issued by the university of previous degree program (latest degree certificate is mandatory and others are optional)

※ Applicants who graduated from a university in China are recommended to submit a degree certificate issued by CDGDC (www.cdgdc.edu.cn). If the document is written in Chinese, submit a certified translation as well

Documents to Submit

Submission Requirement

Academic Transcript

- Submit an academic transcript officially issued by the university of your previous degree

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

- If the CGPA is not indicated in one of the acknowledged GPA scales (4.0, 4.3, 4.5,5.0 or 100 point scale), submit a transcript converted into one of the above GPA scales as a supplementary document

- A converted transcript is only valid when the relevant university officially confirmed the document (this supplementary document does not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed, but should be submitted in an original document with university’s authentication)

- A transcript converted with a conversion tool such as scholaro.com or wes.org is only acceptable when the relevant university officially confirms the document (does not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed, but should be authenticated by the university)

※ Application without converted transcript may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation

- Transcript indicated with a CGPA for the entire academic curriculum will be accepted even if it does not have GPA per semester/year

- In such case, please put CGPA only and leave the GPA section empty in the application form

※ Academic transcript without a CGPA or without ranking information may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation

- If a transcript of a transferred student that does not include the grades of the previous semester(s), submit an academic record of the previous university as a supplementary document (need to be apostilled or consular confirmed)

Proof of Overseas Korean or Adoptee

- Submit supporting documents such as family register or birth certificate that proves family relationship between an applicant and his/her lineal ascendant

Proof of Korean Citizenship Renunciation

- Submit supporting document issued by the Korean government that indicates details on the definite loss of Korean citizenship and its date. An application or a receipt for renunciation of Korean citizenship is not accepted

Proof of Korean War Veteran’s Descendant

- Certificate that are officially issued by the government that certifies the lineal ascendant of an applicant was a veteran who participated in the Korean War as a foreign military

- Submit supporting documents such as family register or birth certificate that proves family relationship between an applicant and his/her lineal ascendant

Documents to Submit

Submission Requirement

Score Report of Korean or English Proficiency Test

- Submit if necessary (optional)

- Korean: TOPIK

-TOPIK certificates from the 81st to the 93rd exam will be recognized as valid certificates

-Submit an original printed copy of TOPIK score report from the official website (topik.go.kr)

- English: TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS (the expiration date of the certificate must be February 29, 2024 or later)

-Submit an original printed copy of the test score report from the official website

Other Materials

- Submit if necessary (optional)

- Submit materials such as an award that can prove the applicant’s activities described in the personal statement and study plan. Submit in photocopied documents. (Do not need to be apostilled or consular confirmed)

Passport Copy

- Submit if necessary (optional)

- Submit a passport copy as a supplementary document if the proof of citizenship (family register, birth certificate, etc.) does not clearly indicate citizenship information

< Items to Note on Apostille (or Consular Confirmation) >

-Required Certificates (refer to ‘List of Documents to Submit’ section) must be apostilled (or consular confirmed)

-If your document is unable to be re-issued, please keep the original and obtain an apostille (or consular confirmation) on a notarized copy

-Simple photocopies or notarized copies of the apostilled (or consular confirmed) documents are NOT accepted. However, a certified true copy (등본 인증) issued by a Korean embassy or a certified true copy issued by a government agency that initially issued the original apostille document are accepted

※ If the document cannot be apostilled or consular confirmed (e.g., because the type of document is not subject to apostille), applicants must obtain a certified true copy (등본 인증) from the apostille issuing government authority or from the Korean embassy on a notarized copy. If the authenticity of the submitted document is unclear, such application may be put at a disadvantage during evaluation

-If an applicant graduated from a third country, he or she may obtain a consular confirmation from the embassy of the relevant country on the graduation certificate and academic transcript

-Required certificates that are issued in digital format must also be apostilled (or consular confirmed)

-If there is an expiration date on an apostilled or consular confirmed document, the validity of the document will be judged based on the date indicated on the authentication. If there is no specific date indicated, the document will be accepted if it was submitted within 2 years from the date of authentication

6. SELECTION PROCEDURE AND SCHEDULE

■ Selection Schedule ◈ Selection Timeline

Application Track

1st Round of Selection

Recommend to NIIED

2nd Round of Selection

3rd Round of Selection

Announcement of Final Successful Candidates

Embassy Track

February ~March

~early April

late April

~late May

late June

University Track

February ~April

~late April

late May

N/A

◈ Selection Timeline with important dates and deadlines

7. APPLICATION AND EVALUATION

■ Application ◈ Application Period

- Please check the website of each embassy/university

※ Applicants who did not pass the first round of embassy track * may apply to a university track**

* Successful candidates (including reserve candidate) of the embassy track cannot reapply to a university track.

** Such applicants must check if they can meet the application deadline at the desired university

◈ Items to Note when filling out the Application Form

[Both Embassy Track and University Track]

- Applicants must put the official name of the university/department they are applying to ※ Applicants can only apply among the universities and departments listed in the “University Information” file. If an incorrect department is written on an application, such application may be disqualified in the evaluation

- Applicant’s English name MUST match the name on their passport

※ Any discrepancy in applicant’s name (family, given, middle name) will cause a delay in visa processing

- Applicants must check the completeness and authenticity of all application documents

- Application documents must be submitted in the order of the “Application Checklist.” which itself should be the front cover of each set of application documents. Please number and label each document on the top right corner

(e.g.)

                                                          11. Bachelor’s Graduation Certificate (Consular confirmed)

- All documents should be submitted as a A4 sized (or letter sized) documents ※ If a document is smaller than A4 sized (or letter sized) document, attach it on a blank A4 sized paper.

If a document is larger than a A4 size document, fold the document into a A4 size


[Embassy Track]

- Embassy track applicants must check the following when filling in desired universities

*Applicants can choose up to THREE different universities

※ Applicants cannot choose three different departments from a single university

*Of the chosen universities, at least one university must be from Type B universities

※ If applicants fill out a Type A university in a Type B section, their application may be excluded from evaluation

- Please be reminded that if applicants choose all three universities among highly competitive universities, even if they pass the second round of selection, some can fail* from all three universities in their final round of selection

* 2017(34), 2018(41), 2019(39), 2020(52), 2021(53), 2022(57 candidates), 2023(52 candidates)

[University Track]

- University track applicants should list ONE university on their application

■ Evaluation ◈ Main Points of Evaluation

- Review of Qualification: Selection committee will conduct document examination (citizenship, level of education, academic grades, etc.) and verify whether an applicant is qualified for the program

- Review of Competency: Selection committee will evaluate each applicant’s competency through document examination and oral interview*

* There is no oral interview in the second round of selection at NIIED

- Vacancies: In both embassy and university track, if vacancies occur in the second round of selection at NIIED due to insufficient number of recommended candidates or due to the candidate’s ineligibility, candidates from other countries may fill the vacancy

- Authenticity Check: If necessary, NIIED may inquire about the facts within the application materials to the relevant governments and universities

◈ Additional Points

- Applicants who hold a TOPIK level 3 or above will be given additional points (10% of the total allocated points)

- Direct descendants of Korean War veterans who participated in the Korean War as a foreign military will be given additional points (5% of the total allocated points)

Ø Prior Notice

The notice below is effective starting from 2024 GKS Selection (both first and second round of selection)

- Applicants will receive additional points based on language proficiency in Korean and English

- Korean: points will be given to applicants with valid TOPIK certificate based on their TOPIK level

- English: points will be given to applicants with valid English proficiency certificate based on their test scores (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, etc.)

<Points per Language Proficiency Test >

Test

Points

TOPIK

TOEFL iBT

IELTS

100%

Level 5, 6

-

-

90%

Level 4

114 and above

8.0 and above

80%

Level 3

95 and above

7.0 and above

70%

Level 2

72 and above

6.0 and above

60%

Level 1

42 and above

5.0 and above

※ Using ETS Conversion table

※ If there is no submission of the language proficiency tests above, a personal statement and study plan will be reviewed instead.

※ If you submit two or more score reports, only the highest score will be recognized.


◈ Evaluation Preference


- Overseas Koreans

- Applicants from low-income families or underprivileged background

- Applicants who applied for a natural science and engineering department in a Regional (Type B) university.

- Applicants who are currently teaching as a professor in a natural science and engineering department or in one of the ODA recipient countries listed in section 4.

- Applicants who submit a high score of English proficiency test (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS)

- Postdoctoral Research Program applicant in a natural science and engineering department.

8. FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

 ◈ Announcement of Final Successful Candidates


- Embassy Track applicants who pass the 3rd round of selections should notify their final choice of university to NIIED via email by June 14, 2024

※ One cannot change their choice of university after the final decision is made ※ If a candidate disqualifies from all three universities in the third round of selection, he or she will be excluded from the final selection

- Among the successful candidates of the second round (university track) or the third round (embassy track), those who newly achieved TOPIK level 5 or 6 should send their TOPIK certificate to NIIED via email by June 14, 2024

- NIIED will classify those who have obtained TOPIK level 5~6 as those who will enter the degree program. All other successful candidates must take the Korean language program

※ TOPIK certificates from the 81st to the 93rd exam will be recognized as valid certificates

- NIIED will notify the list of final successful candidates to embassies and universities and post the final announcement on the Study in Korea website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr) by late June

- Final successful candidates will receive invitation letters and guidance on entry from NIIED


■ Important Notes for Successful Candidates 

◈ Final Successful Candidates’ withdrawal

- If a final successful candidate wishes to withdraw from the program after the final announcement, he or she should submit a signed letter of scholarship renunciation (free form) to the embassy/university that conducted the first round of selection

- Once a scholarship is renounced, it cannot be reversed. Final Successful Candidates who renounce their scholarship before the enrollment cannot reapply for the GKS program for the next three years.

※ The repeated case of renunciation will cause a decrease in the number of country quota in the future

◈Graduation Certificate

- Applicants who are expected to graduate by July 31st, 2024 can also 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 July 31st, 2024. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of your acceptance. Please send hard copies to NIIED to the address below:

GKS Center (Selection Dept. of 2024 GKS-G) 191 Jeongjail-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13557, Rep. of Korea

※ Indicate your specific information (nationality, track, university, etc.) next to your name

- Selected GKS scholars should prepare multiple copies of apostilled or consular confirmed graduation certificate before their entry to Korea. Scholars need to submit their authenticated certificate to the degree university (for an issuance of Standard Admission Letter), to the embassy (for visa issuance), and to the Korean immigration office (for a renewal or an update of their status of residence in Korea)

- GKS scholars who wish to proceed to their degree program after the Korean language program may need to return to their home country for a certificate reissuance if the required documents are not prepared in advance.

- All application materials submitted to NIIED will NOT BE RETURNED IN ANY CASE.

(Application documents must be archived at NIIED for a minimum of 5 years)

Final Successful Candidates residing in Korea

- Final successful candidates who have Korean residence visa (D-4, D-2, etc.) may not be able to receive a new visa for their Korean language program or degree program in Korea*

* To avoid any visa related issues, after the final announcement, final successful candidates who are residing in Korea should contact the Immigration office immediately to inquire about a new visa. Your inquiry should entail the necessary procedure and required documents in obtaining a new visa

- Entry airfare will NOT be provided to newly selected scholars who are residing in Korea at the time of the final announcement

Check applicable Laws and Regulations

- Final successful candidates must fully familiarize themselves with immigration and residency laws, academic regulations of NIIED and each academic institution

Academic regulations of each University

Refer to university website

Visa and Immigration

www.immigration.go.kr

www.hikorea.go.kr

◈ Entry Support to Korea

- Each university will purchase economy class one-way flight tickets on behalf of the selected scholars

- If a scholar purchases the flight ticket due to unavoidable circumstances, the airfare will be reimbursed by the university after entering Korea

- On applicants’ initial arrival to Korea, any domestic travel fees within a GKS scholar’s home country

- Entry airfare or visa application support will NOT be provided to scholars who enter Korea from a country other than the scholar’s own country of citizenship

- The round trip airfare will not be provided to GKS scholars selected in China and Czech Republic in accordance with the agreement made between Korean government and the governments of two countries

9. SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

■ Scholarship Period ◈ Master’s Degree Program: 3 years

- 1 year of Korean language program + 2 years of degree program

◈Doctoral Degree Program: 4 years

- 1 year of Korean language program + 3 years of degree program

Research Program: 6 months or 1 year

◈ Global Network Program: within 2 years

- Master‟s degree program within 2 years

◈ Important Notes regarding Scholarship Period

- Research program scholars and scholars who obtained TOPIK level 5 or 6 will be exempt from a Korean language program

- Those who receive TOPIK level 5 or 6 within the first 6 months of the Korean language program will be exempt from the remaining 6-month language program and must start their degree program in the following semester (March 2024)

■ Scholarship Benefits

Scholarship

Airfare

Tuition

Korean Language Training Fee

Study Incentive

Recipient

All GKS Scholars

GKS Scholars in Degree Program

GKS Scholars in Korean language Program

All GKS Scholars

Benefits

Economy class flight ticket (actual expense)

NIIED: up to 5 million KRW

University: amount that exceeds 5 million KRW, Admission fee

5.2 million KRW (four quarters)

Korean language program: 14,100,000 KRW per year

Graduate Degree program: 15,700,000 KRW per year

Research Program: 19,800,000 KRW per year

※ Study Incentive : All-inclusive subsidy of Settlement Allowance, Monthly Allowance, Research Allowance, Korean Proficiency Grants, TOPIK Application Fee, Degree Completion Grants, Medical Insurance, and Publication Printing Fee

※ GKS Scholars who will be initially exempted the Korean language program with TOPIK level 5 or 6 will be given Korean Proficiency Grants automatically. (except for GKS scholars in Global Network program, Research program and Japanese applicants)

◈ Important Notes regarding Scholarship Benefits

- If a GKS scholar withdraws from the scholarship within the first 3 months after the enrollment to their university, one MUST return the full scholarship amount that he or she has received after being selected as a GKS scholar (entry airfare, settlement allowance, monthly allowance, tuition, etc.)

- Even if 3 months have passed since entering Korea, if the scholarship status changes, part of the already paid scholarship can be refunded or can be deducted from the next payment

- Korean Language Training Fee and Korean Proficiency Grants are not provided to GKS scholars in Research program

- Korean Language Training Fee is not provided to GKS scholars in Global Network program

Check the guidelines carefully for further information such as the eligibility requirements, required documents and directions to submit the application.

The deadline will be decided by each office that accepts the application documents, i.e. the Korean Embassies or selected universities. Please make sure to check their separate announcement for the deadlines.

Wish you all the best!

      • Hello my name is joseph and I come from ivory coast, i would like to get a maximun information about NIIED scolarship and i’m very interested about that opportunity to study in South korea.
        actually i study in India and will get my final result of my bachelor in 1 month and i would like to applied for my master degree for the period February 2018,but it a distance bacelore that why i would like to know if it is possible for me to applied for NIIED scholarship

  • hi!
    first of all , i’m not a new bachelor .. i mean i have started my studies here in my country last year but i really wonder if i could continue studying in korea because this was my dream since i was too young and i guess my education qualifies me to do so since i study english as a future teacher
    so please can you tell me if i have the chance to realize my dream or at least . have i another way to be there soon

    thank you

  • hi my name is seemab and i have done bs (hons) in political science. can i apply for ms political science??? its my dream to study here . plz guide me to apply for this scholarship?? and also tell me the deadline for the scholarship??

  • Hello, I wanted to ask, if is it possible or not to apply for the KGSP scholarship and for example some other scholarship but in the USA or the UK at the same time? Or I can apply for only this scolarship? I do know that I can’t apply for other scholarships in Korea, but I haven’t found anything about other countries…

    • You can apply for as many scholarships as you want, in Korea or anywhere else. It’s just that you can’t avail more than one scholarships at the same time. So if you get selected for two or 3 scholarships, you will have to choose one.

  • Hello, I wanted to ask if I can send my application to the embassy as PDF Or should I printed it and delivered it to the embassy?

  • Hello. It is really very good chance for us to study in South Korea. And, I also want to apply for this scholarship. I have a bachelor’s diploma in English teaching. But I don’t have IELTS degree. Can I apply for this scholarship?

    • salom Nafisa agar grant dasturida qatnashmoqchi bo`lsangiz koreys tilidan yoki ingliz tilidan til sertifikatingiz bo`lsa grantni qo`lga kiritishingiz ehtimoli yuqori bo`ladi. agar sizda bunday sertifikatlar bo`lmasa olgandan so`ng ariza topshirishingizni maslahat beraman. Chunki bu sertifikatlarsiz yutish ehimolingiz yo`q.

    • Dear sir,
      Am ready to apply for global korean scholarship for my wife. I have some doubts please resolve my doubts.
      1 -where do i submit the application ?
      Is it possible in chennai.
      2 -How is the last date of application ?
      3 -can i go with my wife for dependent visa ?(sent procedure )

      ashkerkps@gmail.com

  • I really really want to be granted this scholarship. Korean has always been a country I like among all the other countries I hope I can be accepted thanks.

  • How do you know why you weren’t selected at the first stage? For clarification sakes. I applied for GKS 2019 and I submitted all that was required as an embassy track applicant but I didn’t even make the first round of selection. How do I know where I’ve gone wrong because I carefully put together all the application and documents required and I met all the requirements. I’m so confused

  • Hi, I’m from Timor-Leste.

    I just want to know how I can apply for master degree in Communication and media, because right now I’m working in government at secretary estate for social communication. thank you for your response, my email jaldroaldo@yahoo.com

  • Hello
    I’m Janson KAMOLE from DRC. I’ve applied through the embassy track for the master’s program. I’ve been contacted for the interview in march 2019. Unfortunately I haven’t passed the interview up to now.
    Can I still rely on that

  • I’m confused about the GPA. I’m interested in the Graduate program. It is above 80% or 90%. My gpa is above 80% but not 90. Am I not allowed to apply?

  • I am in my final year, I won’t be having my results till June next year when I will apply for master’s for kgsp. What marks of mine would be considered?

  • is there any scholarships for those who are studying korean language as a major in one of the countries mentioned above ? i mean scholarships for studying korean language itself?

  • Hi. I am lao. I just finished my high school this year that’s why I want to apply this scholarship to study in korea.so how can I apply it and I hope you will advice me more ???????? thank you

  • Good day! I just found out about this scholarship today and I am very interested in applying for this, if it’s still possible that I can catch up? Could someone walk me through the process? I’ll leave my email down below. Thank you!

  • hola.
    para el siguiente año estoy interesada en estudiar en mi pais Mexico,
    voy a estudiar turismo.
    mi pregunta es.
    pues inscribirme ahora o puede ser despues de terminar la universidad en mi pais?
    y en que universidades puedo aplicar para estudiar una licenciatura ( turismo )

  • iam a Tanzanian Lady holder of BAED(Bachelor of Arts with Education and currently a high school teacher but interested and ready to purse the masters degree, but the stumbling block is finance, hence the need of scholarship. i need your guidance as iam ready to start early next year

  • Hello. When announced Korean government sholarship for Graduate students for 2020. Because semester will start soon. Please give me any inform about it.thanks

  • Hello, I am interested in applying for the 2020 KGSP, but, do not see the application yet for Graduate Students. I have a Bachelors in Economics & Policy (University of WA – USA) and currently am enrolled in one year Mandarin language study at Beijing Normal University (Beijing). Would like to pursue Korean language study and graduate school in Seoul. Would appreciate some advice. – Thanks Tristan Kular

  • Goodmorning dear NIIED team! I want to apply for the graduate scholarship, but I already have a diploma from Korean University (Soonchunhyang) and I did not participate in any KGSP programs before. Can I apply for graduate school even if I have a Korean diploma? If not is there any other possible way? Thank you for your prompt reply!

  • Hello. I have been working for two years and it is almost impossible for me to go back to my university to get academic references as I am in a different city at the moment. Can I use references written by my superiors?

  • My name is Michael Oppong mensah, a Ghanaian national who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Akan with Linguistics and so very much interested in the scholarship to pursue my masters degree program in the same field of Linguistics but i need clarification with respect to the scholarship offer to study in south korea and the brochure.

  • Hello, this is Amaha Neway from Korea’s grateful country, Ethiopia. I have a deep sentiment to Korea’s culture and technological transformation. There is strong attachment between Ethiopia and South Korea. I also feel Korea is my second home that is why I have decided to study my PhD in South Korea. My background is Sociology and Social Work and I have great interest to study Sociology.

  • Is the probability to get in higher when applying over the embassy?
    I am currently in Korea, so would apply directly over the university but if applying over the embassy gets me higher chances I might consider going back to apply.

  • I currently live in China but I am a Haitian citizen and there doesn’t seem to be a korean embassy or consulate in Haiti how can I apply then?

  • What is the difference between the University Track applicants and the Embassy Track applicants? Are you allowed to pursue a masters degree for both?

  • I am from Bangladesh. I want to apply. But, How can I apply? I don’t know what is the prosses of registration.
    Please, reply soon….

  • Which website provides information on the names of those that passed the document review process and qualified for the 1st round of selection?

  • Due to curfew in Delhi and lockdown in the entire country I have not been able to submit my offline application in MHRD

  • Olá eu mechamo Maria Eduarda eu amo eve site e eu quero muito esse bolsa na Coreia eu posso menscrever?
    Muito obrigado.

  • Will the KGSP Undergraduate Scholarship be available for Undergraduates In September 2020 despite the Coronavirus?.

  • Yo aún no termino la universidad
    Y quisiera estudiar la universidad ahí, entonces no podría aplicar para la beca?

  • hello i’m from Philippines and i’m very interested in this program. i just wanna ask what diploma should i use if ever i will apply in this program. the high school diploma or senior high school diploma?

  • To whom it may concern,

    I would like to know the date when the GKS 2021 application be open?

    Thank you,

    Vivian Alvarado

  • Hello, thanks for your sharing.
    I’m interested to apply for Master degree next year.
    Just want to confirm, under the application form, Research Proposal is not required. I just need to go through the normal application process with embassy and NIIED, without contacting any supervisor right?

  • Thank you for the well written post. I was wondering if we are eligible to apply to KGSP for Master’s if we already have another Master’s degree. Like, going to Korea for a second one.

    Would that somehow make my application look better or worse? Thank you in advance.

  • The Instruction said that,we can apply with hope certificate of our last semester result,but can we notarize our unfinished Transcript.I hope you will clarify this for me.Thank you(to whom ever it concerns)……@TOPIC GUIDE TEAM

  • Hello Sir. I and my parents have Cuban citizenship, but we are Guatemalan residents. Can I apply for a master’s scholarship program?
    Thanks.

  • hello,
    Concerning the grade, my university do not have grade average but they have already provide me an explanation of their system. Nevertheless, what should I put in the GPA section in the form 1?

  • Hello sir… there was written that your recently university semester but i m in my last year of high school and my result gonna come after this scholarship form so what should i fill there?

  • ¿como puedo enviar la solicitud es posible desdé Nicaragua como puedo aplicar? es posible solicitar una beca KGSP después de graduarse en una escuela secundaria

  • Am I eligible to apply for GKS if my parents hold dual citizenship (US/Korea) and I am a US citizen only? Thank you in advance.

  • Hello, I actually have a doubt or can say that I am confused. Is it possible for me to choose any university from type A to pursue master’s in CSE ( computer science and engineering ) through this scholarship program?

  • I am intereted to apply it. I have completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. Can I apply for any of these disciplines mentioned above?

  • Sir, i would like to know if i fails to get topik level 3 at the end of my language course, is it possible for me to conduct my degree program?

  • Q. I am expected to graduate from my degree program in March 2023. Am I eligible to
    apply for this program?
    A. No. Applicants must have obtained the previous degree or must have officially graduated from the degree program at the time of application and should be able to submit the official graduation (degree) certificate. The recognized date of degree acquisition (or the date of graduation) is February 28, 2023. Applicants who are expected to graduate after February 28, 2023 cannot apply for 2023 GKS-G program. This also applies to the current GKS scholars who are in their final semester.

    This is in new faqs, so does this mean the students in 7th semester and 8th semester are not eligible to apply for GSK G 2023?

  • Hello. I would like to ask about your 2023 GKS-G Available Departments(Korea University) file. For International Studies, the column “Univ track available program” is written as N/A, but on the remarks it is said to be “Only Embassy Track Available.” Can you explain about this further? Thank you.

  • Hello Topik Guide!

    If I got admitted to PhD in Korea thru GKS, while currently being enrolled in another PhD program in another country (not-Korea), will I be allowed to continue the first PhD while being a GKS scholar?

    In fact, I only have to write the final thesis and I don’t have to earn credits or attend classes. Plus, I’m not receiving any economic support from the university of my first PhD.

    Would that be permitted under GKS rules? Considering also the fact that I would have to go from 1 year of mandatory langiage school first.

  • Hello Sir/Ma’am,
    Could you please clear my doubt, is R-GKS means Regional university gks or program, can a candidate from natural science or engineering department could apply through R-GKS, is it valid for India? i will be very grateful if you could reply me.
    Thank you

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