Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
Global Korea Scholarship provides an opportunity to study for higher academic degrees mainly Bachelor’s and Associate Degree in Korea. The program aims to enhance international education exchange and deepen mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries.
Global Korea Scholarship Available Program
- Bachelor’s Degree: It is 5 years course which comprises a 1-year Korean language program and 4 years of Undergraduate degree program.
- Associate Degree: It is a 3 or 4 years course that includes 1 year Korean language program and 2/3 years of an Associate degree.
Total Number of Scholarship Quota
Students can apply via two different tracks viz. Embassy Track and University Track.
Embassy Track | University Track | Total | ||||
General | Overseas Koreans | Total | Regional University | Associate Degree | Total | |
115 | 10 | 125 | 60 | 35 | 95 | 220 |
Embassy Track
Embassy Track Quota for General Applicants
No. | Country | Quota | Country | Quota | Country | Quota | Country | Quota |
1 | Afghanistan | 1 | Equatorial Guinea | 1 | Morocco | 1 | Tanzania | 1 |
2 | Angola | 1 | Ethiopia | 3 | Mozambique | 1 | Thailand | 3 |
3 | Azerbaijan | 1 | Fiji | 1 | Myanmar | 3 | Timor-Leste | 2 |
4 | Bangladesh | 1 | Gabon | 1 | Nepal | 1 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1 |
5 | Bhutan | 1 | Ghana | 1 | Nigeria | 1 | Turkey | 1 |
6 | Bolivia | 1 | Guatemala | 1 | Pakistan | 1 | Turkmenistan | 1 |
7 | Brazil | 3 | India | 3 | Panama | 1 | Uganda | 2 |
8 | Bulgaria | 1 | Indonesia | 5 | Paraguay | 1 | Ukraine | 2 |
9 | Brunei | 1 | Iran | 2 | Peru | 1 | Uruguay | 1 |
10 | Cambodia | 2 | Japan | 1 | Philippines | 2 | Uzbekistan | 2 |
11 | Canada | 1 | Jordan | 1 | Poland | 1 | Venezuela | 1 |
12 | Chile | 1 | Kazakhstan | 2 | Russia | 2 | Vietnam | 10 |
13 | Colombia | 3 | Kenya | 3 | Rwanda | 1 | Yemen | 1 |
14 | Congo(DRC) | 1 | Kyrgyzstan | 2 | Singapore | 2 |
Total Grantees: 115 | |
15 | Dominican Republic | 1 | Laos | 2 | Sudan | 1 | ||
16 | Ecuador | 1 | Malaysia | 3 | Sri Lanka | 2 | ||
17 | Egypt | 1 | Mexico | 3 | Sweden | 1 | ||
18 | El Salvador | 1 | Mongolia | 4 | Tajikistan | 2 |
Embassy Track Quota for Overseas Koreans: 10 Candidates from 7 Countries
Overseas Koreans refer to ethnic Koreans who do not own Korean citizenship. They include Korean adoptees and offspring of Korean diaspora or Korean immigrants who live in countries out of the Korean peninsula.
No. | Country | Quota | No. | Country | Quota | No. | Country | Quota |
1 | Mexico | 1 | 4 | Russia | 2 | 7 | Uzbekistan | 2 |
2 | Kazakhstan | 2 | 5 | Turkmenistan | 1 | Total Grantees: 10 | ||
3 | Kyrgyzstan | 1 | 6 | Ukraine | 1 |
Within overseas Koreans quota, if a certain country’s quota is not fulfilled, the remaining number of quotas can be given to another country that has waitlisted candidates.
- Embassy Track applicants must submit their application documents to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in their respective countries of citizenship and can apply to all available fields of study offered by 38 designated Applicants can choose among universities in both Type A and Type B but must include at least one university from Type B. Available Universities and Fields of Study.
- The quota allocated for Overseas Koreans is 10 and this is separately reserved for the overseas Koreans from 7 The overseas Koreans submit their applications to the Korean embassies in 7 countries where they hold citizenship and will be selected among their own applicant pool.
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University Track
Regional University Track for Natural Science & Engineering Majors
No. | Country | Quota | No. | Country | Quota |
1 | Brunei | 2 | 12 | Armenia | 2 |
2 | Cambodia | 2 | 13 | Azerbaijan | 2 |
3 | India | 3 | 14 | Belarus | 2 |
4 | Indonesia | 3 | 15 | Georgia | 1 |
5 | Laos | 2 | 16 | Kazakhstan | 2 |
6 | Malaysia | 3 | 17 | Kyrgyzstan | 2 |
7 | Myanmar | 2 | 18 | Moldova | 2 |
8 | Singapore | 2 | 19 | Mongolia | 2 |
9 | Thailand | 2 | 20 | Russia | 2 |
10 | Philippines | 2 | 21 | Tajikistan | 2 |
11 | Vietnam | 3 | 22 | Turkmenistan | 2 |
23 | Ukraine | 2 | |||
24 | Uzbekistan | 2 | |||
Subtotal | 26 | Subtotal | 25 |
No. | Country | Quota |
25~72 | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brunei, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Congo(DRC), Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Rwanda, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yemen |
9 |
Subtotal | 9 | |
Total Grantees | 60 |
Associate Degree: 35 Candidates from 17 Countries
No. | Country | Quota | No. | Country | Quota |
1 | Cambodia | 2 | 10 | Azerbaijan | 2 |
2 | India | 2 | 11 | Mongolia | 3 |
3 | Indonesia | 2 | 12 | Kazakhstan | 2 |
4 | Laos | 2 | 13 | Kyrgyzstan | 2 |
5 | Malaysia | 2 | 14 | Tajikistan | 2 |
6 | Myanmar | 2 | 15 | Turkmenistan | 2 |
7 | Thailand | 2 | 16 | Ukraine | 2 |
8 | Philippines | 2 | 17 | Uzbekistan | 2 |
9 | Vietnam | 2 | |||
Total Grantees: 35 |
- Applicants who plan to apply to Global Korea Scholarship through the University Track must submit their applications to the university of their choice.
- Among the assigned 95 University Track quota, 60 candidates will be separately selected from the regional university applicants who apply for Natural Science and Engineering majors, and 35 candidates will be selected from 6 associate degree universities.
- Applicants of the University Track must choose the option “General” for the type of application (Application Form 1).
Available Universities and Field of Study
Available Universities:
- EMBASSY TRACK (Bachelor’s Degree: 125 Candidates)
Classification | Available Universities |
Type A: 14 institutions | Ajou University, Duksung Women’s University, Ewha Womans University, Hanyang University, Konkuk University, Kookmin University, Korea Polytechnic University, Korea University, Kyung Hee University, Seoul National University, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Sookmyung Women’s University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University |
Type B: 24 institutions | Busan University of Foreign Studies, Chungnam National University, Chonnam National University, Daegu University, Daejeon University, Dongseo University, Handong Global University, Hannam University, Inje University, Jeju National University, Kangwon National University, Keimyung University, Kongju National University, Konyang University, Kyungpook National University, National Korea Maritime & Ocean University, Pai Chai University, Pukyong National University, Pusan National University, Semyung University , Silla University, Soonchunhyang University, Sun Moon University, Sunchon National University |
- UNIVERSITY TRACKS (Bachelor’s Degree: 60 Candidates, Associate Degree: 35 Candidates)
Classification | Available Universities |
Regional University Track: (only for Natural Science & Engineering Majors) 24 institutions | Busan University of Foreign Studies, Chungnam National University, Chonnam National University, Daegu University, Daejeon University, Dongseo University, Handong Global University, Hannam University, Inje University, Jeju National University, Kangwon National University, Keimyung University, Kongju National University, Konyang University, Kyungpook National University, National Korea Maritime & Ocean University, Pai Chai University, Pukyong National University, Pusan National University, Semyung University , Silla University, Soonchunhyang University, Sun Moon University, Sunchon National University |
Associate Degree Track: 6 institutions | Chejuhalla University, Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts, Inha Technical College, Kyungbok University, Yeungjin University, Yeungnam University College |
Available Fields of Study
For more detailed information on majors (fields of study) offered by the universities listed above, refer to the “University Information” file attached under the Global Korea Scholarship Notice post on Study In Korea website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr).
www.studyinkorea.go.kr → (English version) Scholarships → Global Korea Scholarship Notice
- Applicants must choose their majors (fields of study) that are only listed in the “University Information” file.
- The Regional University Track applicants can only apply for a major that is considered as Natural Science, Technology and Engineering field.
- Please be advised that even if a university’s departments or majors you intend to apply offer English-taught courses, it may be subject to change depending on the circumstances. Thus, it is highly advised you double-check with your university. Moreover, the applicants need to keep in mind that Korean is the core language to be used in every Korean university.
- The admission is not given to those who apply for night school, short-term courses, and distant learning courses that are not considered the regular lecture or class of general universities offered through our program.
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Eligibility
Nationality
- All applicants and their parents must be citizens of Global Korea Scholarship program’s partner countries that are invited to take part in this program and must not hold Korean citizenship.
- Korean citizens and dual citizenship holders (one who have Korean citizenship and citizenship of another country) are NOT eligible to apply.
- Applicants and their parents who had previously held Korean citizenship must submit the document that proves their renunciation of Korean citizenship.
Exception: For overseas Korean applicants holding Japanese citizenship, if their parents hold a Permanent Residency Permit within Japan while holding Korean citizenship, are eligible to apply.
Age
- Must be under 25 years of age as of March 1, 2021 (born after March 1, 1996)
High School Graduates (or expected graduates)
- Must hold a high school diploma as of March 1st, 2021 or must be expected to graduate high school by March 1st, 2021.
- Applicants who are expected to graduate from high school at the time of applying must first submit the certificate of expected graduation at the time of applying. The official high school graduation certificate and final high school transcript must be submitted by March 1st, 2021 at the very latest.
- In case an applicant fails to submit the above-mentioned document by March 1st, 2021 or does not fulfil the grade requirement, the applicant will forfeit his or her scholarship.
Grades
GPA: Grade Point Average, CGPA: Cumulative (overall) Grade Point Average
- 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:
- Bachelor’s Degree Applicant: 80% or above on a 100 point scale or be ranked within the top 20% within one’s class
- Associate Degree Applicant: 75% or above on a 100 point scale or be ranked within the top 25% within one’s class
- If an applicant has a CGPA below the minimum grade requirement, the applicant will be disqualified and the application will be disregarded.
- If an applicant holds a transcript that does not include information on grade point average or is unable to convert his or her grades into any one of the GPA criteria mentioned above, then the applicant must submit an official document issued by the applicant’s university describing the university’s grade system.
Health
- All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of degree or research programs.
- All applicants must submit Form 6 or the “Personal Medical Assessment” at the time of applying.
- All applicants who pass the 2nd round of selection must receive a comprehensive medical checkup and submit the “Certificate of health” form and medical examination result issued by a medical doctor or a licensed physician.
- If an applicant is found to be in one of the following conditions, the applicant will be disqualified in the final round of selection:
- An applicant is tested positive on drug tests;
- An applicant who owns a serious illness that may prevent him or her to study abroad for a long period of time including the full duration of degree in Korea.
Restriction on Applying to this program
- A person who has graduated a high school (including international school) in Korea or holds a bachelor’s degree cannot apply to this program
- A person who has reasons for disqualification (such as criminal history) of travelling abroad is strictly forbidden to apply to this program.
- A person who has previously benefitted from Global Korea Scholarship Program to pursue a degree cannot apply to this program.
A previous (or current) Global Korea Scholarship scholar who has studied in Global Korea Scholarship for an associate degree cannot apply for the Global Korea Scholarship bachelor’s degree program.
- An applicant can only apply for one track, and cannot apply for multiple tracks:
- Applying to both Embassy track and University tracks (regional university track for Natural Science and engineering majors, and associate degree track) is strictly forbidden
- Applying to both tracks within the university tracks (Regional university track for Natural Science and Engineering majors and Associate Degree track) is strictly forbidden
- For the university track applicant, one can only apply to one university and one major.
If an applicant is found to have applied to more than one track, his or her application will be disregarded.
Preference
- Applicants who received TOPIK level 3 or above will be given additional 10% points of the total marks during the evaluation.
- Descendants of Korean War veterans will receive an additional 5% of the total marks.
- Applicants who received outstanding scores for their proficiency in English (TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS) may be given preference. Any language proficiency test scores or certificates that are outdated or have passed the validity period will not be considered.
- Embassy track applicants who apply for majors in the field of Natural Science and Engineering may be given priority during the evaluation process when they receive the same marks with other candidates.
- Associate degree track applicants who received awards of national or international competition in the field of their interests are given preference.
- Applicants from low-income families or underprivileged backgrounds will be given preference.
Required Documents
List of required documents
NO. | Application Documents Checklist | Remarks | |
1 | Applicant Form (Form 1) | Required | |
2 | Personal Statement (Form 2) | Required | |
3 | Study Plan (Form 3) | Required | |
4 | TWO letters of Recommendation (Form 4) | Required | |
5 | GKS Applicant Agreement (Form 5) | Required | |
6 | Personal Medical Assessment (Form 6) | Required | |
7 | Certificate of High school graduation (or expected graduation certificate) | Required | |
8 | High school Grade Transcripts | Required | |
9 | Applicant’s Proof of Citizenship Document | Required | Birth certificates or family registrar, passport copy, and etc. |
10 | Applicant’s Parent’s Proof of Citizenship Document | Required | |
11 | Awards and other certificates | Optional | |
12 | Certificate of valid TOPIK score | Optional | |
13 | Certificate of valid English Proficiency Test | Optional | |
14 | Proof of Korean War Veteran’s Descendant *ONLY for descendants of Korean War Veterans | * | |
15 | Proof of Overseas Korean Document / Proof of Korean Adoptee Document * ONLY for overseas Korean or Korean adoptees | * | |
16 | Proof of Korean Citizenship Renunciation Document * ONLY for previous Korean citizenship holders | * |
Notes for ALL Applicants
- All application documents must be written either in Korean or English
- Documents written in languages other than Korean or English must accompany a complete Korean or English translation, authenticated by the issuing institution or notarized by a notary public.
- All application documents must be presented in their original If an applicant has to submit photocopied documents, the applicant MUST have the photocopies notarized, apostilled, or receive consular confirmation and submit those certified documents.
**** For the applicants who are certain that they will not be able to get their academic documents reissued in the future, we strongly recommend them to submit notarized, apostilled or consular-confirmed academic documents in lieu of original documents.
- All documents submitted to NIIED will NOT be returned to the applicants in any case.
- Application documents must be submitted in the order of the checklist on the first page of the application forms. Each required document must be numbered and labelled on the top right corner.
- Any fraudulent or incomplete applications will be disregarded and even if a scholar has been selected, he or she will forfeit his or her scholarship if the application is found fraudulent.
- Applicants who are expected to graduate at the time of applying must first submit the certificate of expected graduation at the time of applying. The official high school graduation certificate and final academic transcript must be submitted by March 1st, 2021 at the very latest.
- If an applicant fails to submit an official high school graduation certificate and final academic transcript by March 1st, 2021 or does not fulfil the grade requirement, the scholarship will be cancelled.
- The recommendation letters must be written by two different recommenders, who can give a thorough assessment of the applicant’s academic abilities.
- The recommenders must seal recommendation letters in an envelope and sign across the back The letters with broken seals or signs will be considered invalid.
- For awards and certificates of accomplishments, photocopies are acceptable.
- The proof of citizenship must be government-issued The examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
- An original birth certificate issued by the government of the applicant’s country;
- An original family register issued by the government of the applicant’s country
- Passport copies of the applicant and applicant’s parent (No need for notarization)
Embassy Track Applicants
- Must submit ONE set of original application documents and THREE sets of photocopied application documents.
University Track Applicants
- Must submit ONE set of the original application documents.
Selection Procedures
Application Submission
- Embassy track applicants must apply to a Korean Embassy where they hold citizenship and University track applicants must directly apply to one of the Korean universities that are participating in this program.
- Institutions accepting applications
- 67 Embassies of the Republic of Korea: In countries where Korean Education Centers or Korean Cultural Centers are located, these institutions may accept and review Global Korea Scholarship applications in lieu of Korean embassies. We highly recommend applicants to contact the Korean embassy in their countries to check which party is accepting the application.
30 Korean Universities designated by NIIED
Universities for Natural Science & Engineering Majors: 24 Universities Universities for Associate Degrees: 6 Universities
- If an applicant submits an application to more than ONE institution mentioned above, his or her application will be discarded.
- Overseas Koreans must apply to the Korean embassies in their home Only those who own citizenships of the countries with the separate Overseas Koreans quota are eligible to apply.
Deadline of Application Submission
- The application deadline is set by each Korean embassy or university that accepts the application.
- All applicants must check the deadline of application registration by contacting the relevant embassy or desired university directly.
- Please refer to the following for contact information:
- Korean Embassies in foreign countries: Refer to Appendix B
- Korean Universities: Refer to Appendix C or the University Information file(attached to Global Korea Scholarship-U Announcement post)
University and Field of Study Choice
Embassy Track Applicants
- Applicants must choose THREE different desired universities and available fields of study among 38 universities listed in section III (Type A + Type B) but MUST include at least one university from Type B.
- Applicants that pass the 2nd round of selection will go through university admission in the 3rd round of selection.
University Track Applicants
- Applicants must choose a major and ONE desired university among 30 universities.
- Applicants of Regional University for Natural Science & Engineering majors can only apply to majors in Science, Technology, and Engineering field.
- For the full list of universities and fields of study that are available to apply, please refer to the “University Information” file attached along with the Global Korea Scholarship-U announcement post.
Selection Procedure
1st round of Selection | Applicants submit applications to the relevant Korean Embassies or Korean universities designated by NIIED. Each embassy and university selects candidates among the applicants based on NIIED’s selection criteria. |
- Each embassy and university will send the 1st round of successful candidates’ applications and related documents.
2nd round of Selection | The NIIED Selection Committee conducts the 2nd round of selection among candidates that passed the 1st round of selection. |
- University Track applicants who pass the 2nd round of selection are confirmed admission to the university. In order to be selected as Global Korea Scholarship scholars, these University Track applicants MUST submit their comprehensive medical examination results and other additional required documents.
- Comprehensive Medical Examination
- All candidates who pass the 2nd round must get comprehensive medical examinations based on NIIED’s Certificate of Health forms and submit the medical examination result issued by a medical doctor or a licensed physician.
- The Certificate of Health form will be posted on the Global Korea Scholarship Notice board along with the announcement of successful candidates of 2nd round of selection.
- If the medical examination result shows that an applicant is not suitable to study and live overseas for an extended period of time, he or she will be disqualified.
3rd round of Selection (Embassy Track Applicants ONLY) | The applications of the 2nd round successful candidates will finally be reviewed by the universities for admission. In the final round of successful candidates must receive admission from at least one of the universities they applied to in order to be selected as Global Korea Scholarship Scholars. |
Application Screening and Evaluation
- Applications will be reviewed by each round’s selection committee.
- Each selection committee will consider various factors when screening applications such as the following:
- Academic Transcript
- Personal Statement
- Statement of Purpose or Research Proposal
- Letters of recommendation
- Certificates of Language Proficiency (Korean or English), publications, awards, etc.
Selection Timeline
September ~ October | Application Submission – Deadline: Decided by each Korean embassy and university – Applicants MUST check the deadline with the institution they intend to submit applications in advance. |
October ~ November | 1st Round of Selection – Institutions: Korean Embassies and Korean Universities |
November | (Korean Embassy, University) Send applications of 1st round successful candidates to NIIED by a designated date ► Embassies: November 6th (Friday) ► Universities: November 20th (Friday) |
November | 2nd Round of Selection – Institutions: NIIED (Selection Committee) – Selection period for Embassy track applicants: mid-November – Selection period for University track applicants: late November |
Late November ~ early December | Announcement of 2nd round Successful Candidates – Study in Korea (www.studyinkorea.go.kr) < Scholarship < GKS Notice Board – Notification for Embassy track applicants: late November – Notification for University track applicants: early December |
~ December 18th | (2nd Round Successful Candidates) Submit medical checkup results |
Late November ~ mid-December | 3rd Round of Selection (ONLY for Embassy Track Applicants) – University Admission – Each university informs admission results to candidates – Each university informs candidates’ admission results to NIIED |
~ December 24th | (3rd Round Successful Candidates) Notify their final university and major choice to NIIED |
January 8th, 2021 (approximate | Announcement of 2021 GKS Undergraduate Degrees Scholars |
date) | – Study in Korea (www.studyinkorea.go.kr) < Scholarship < GKS Notice Board – Inform the final results to Korean embassies and universities |
January 11th ~ January 13th | NIIED Invitation Letter will be sent to each candidate via email |
January 13th ~ January 15th | Applying for Korean Visa and Visa Issuance – Visa Issuance: Each county’s Korean embassies or consulates * Types of visa: D-4: Korean language program students, D-2: Degree program students |
January 11th ~ January 22nd | Reservation and Purchase of flight ticket (one-way) to Korea – Korean language institutions and universities make reservations and purchase flight tickets – Additional notice regarding entry to Korea will be made by institutions |
February 23rd ~ February 24th | Entry to Korea |
February 25th ~ February 26th | NIIED Orientation |
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Scholarship Information is available at the following:
- NIIED’s website: studyinkorea.go.kr < Scholarship < GKS Notice Board
- Application guidelines, Application Forms, University Information
- Embassies of the Republic of Korea: Refer to Appendix B for contact information
- Designated Korean Universities: Refer to Appendix C for contact information
Scholarship Benefits
- Airfare
- Entry to Korea: An economy class flight ticket from GKS scholar’s home country to Korea
- Return: An economy class flight ticket from Korea to GKS scholar’s home country
- Entry flight tickets will NOT be provided to newly selected scholars who have resided in Korea at the time of applying to this program and during the selection period.
- The return flight ticket is only offered to GKS scholars who successfully complete their degree
- The return flight is NOT offered to those who have withdrawn from the scholarship in the middle of their
- Any domestic travel fees within a GKS scholar’s home country and within Korea are NOT
- International travel insurance is NOT
- Settlement Allowance: 200,000 KRW (offered once after entry to Korea)
- Monthly Allowance: 900,000 KRW per month
- 1-Year Korean Language Training Fee: Fully covered
- Degree Program Tuition: Fully covered
- The tuition amount covered by NIIED is a maximum of 5 million KRW, and the amount that exceeds 5 million KRW will be covered by scholar’s
- University Admission fees are waived for GKS
- Medical Insurance: 60,000 KRW per month
- Korean Proficiency Grants: 100,000 KRW per month
- This special additional grant is given only to GKS scholars in the degree program who hold valid TOPIK level 5 or 6 for the period of the exam
- Degree Completion Grants: 100,000 KRW (offered once)
- Offered to GKS scholars who return to their home countries after completing their degree coursework under the scholarship program.
- NOT offered to GKS scholars who decide to remain in Korea after completing their degree coursework
Period of Scholarship
Bachelor’s Degree Program: 5 years
- 1 year of Korean language program
- 4 years of the regular degree program
Associate Degree Program: 3 or 4 years
- 1 year of Korean language program
- 2 or 3 years (depending on the length of the program) of the regular degree program
Important Notes regarding Scholarship Period
- The scholarship period for the degree cannot be extended once the scholarship is terminated.
- The change in a period during the Korean language program will not affect the scholarship period for the degree program. In other words, even if a scholar’s language program shortens to 6 months instead of a year, the scholarship period that GKS supports for his or her degree program will remain the same (4 years for Bachelor’s degree and 2~3 years for Associate degree).
- GKS scholars who hold valid TOPIK level 5 or 6
- GKS scholars who have already received valid TOPIK level 5 or 6 at the time of applying are exempt from a year-long 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 training and must start their degree program in the following semester.
Korean Language Program
- All scholars, unless exempt, must take one year mandatory Korean Language Program at the Korean language institutions assigned by NIIED.
- Exemption of the Korean Language Program
- GKS scholars who have already received a valid TOPIK level 5 or 6 at the time of applying are exempt from the yearlong Korean language program and must directly enrol in a degree program.
- GKS scholars who receive TOPIK level 5 or 6 within the first 6months of the Korean language program are exempt from the subsequent 6-month language training and must start their degree program in the following semester.
- All applicants and scholars must submit valid TOPIK certificates to NIIED.
- If one wishes to be exempt from the Korean language program, the 73rd TOPIK score is the last TOPIK score one can report to NIIED to request for exemption from the Korean language program (one must submit the valid TOPIK certificate to NIIED and his or her university by December 24th, 2020).
- Korean language institution is assigned to each student based on the following criteria:
- The language institution is not located in the same city as the scholar’s degree pursuing university.
- The language institution should provide a variety of Korean cultural experiences in addition to offering focused and professional Korean language training
- Korean language institution for each GKS scholar will be announced along with the list of finally selected GKS scholars
- GKS scholars cannot change their assigned Korean language institutions in any case.
- GKS scholars must live on-campus during the Korean language program.
- Most dormitory rooms are shared with roommates.
- Accompanying family members is strictly forbidden during the Korean language program.
- A scholar with a valid TOPIK level 3 or above may choose to live on- or off-campus.
- Prerequisites for proceeding to the degree program
- ALL GKS scholars MUST achieve at least level 3 on TOPIK by the end of the one-year Korean language program, in order to proceed to the degree program.
Important Notes
Medical Insurance
- Universities and Korean language institutions will enrol in medical insurance plans on behalf of GKS scholars.
- The medical insurance plan will be effective immediately after one’s arrival in Korea.
Scholarship Withdrawal and Cancelation
- If a GKS scholar withdraws from the scholarship within the first 3 months after entering Korea, one MUST return the full scholarship amount that he or she has received after being selected as GKS This will include the airfare from one’s home country to Korea, settlement allowance, monthly allowance, language training fees, medical insurance fees, and etc.
Restriction on changing universities and major
- Changing the university or major (including transferring to a different university or department) under this scholarship is NOT, in any case, permitted.
To applicants who are residing in Korea
- If you are selected as a GKS scholar while residing in Korea, it is your responsibility to take care of all the visa matters such as visa change, extension, and etc. You will have to check with the immigration’s office ahead in order to prevent inconvenience and obstacles that may occur regarding visa issues. If a scholar has to go back to one’s country for a visa change, you will have to pay for the airfare at your own expense.
Contact Information
GKS Center, Dept. of Department of Higher Education Internationalization, NIIED
- Websites: studyinkorea.go.kr / www.niied.go.kr
- Email: kgspniied@korea.kr
Other useful websites
Learning Korean | www.sejonghakdang.go.kr | |
Korean Portal | www.korea.net | |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs | www.mofa.go.kr | |
Visa and Immigration | www.immigration.go.kr | |
www.hikorea.go.kr | ||
Higher Education in Korea | heik.academyinfo.go.kr | |
Guide Book for International Students (living in Korea) | Korean | studyinkorea.go.kr/res/guide/guideBook_ko.pdf |
English | studyinkorea.go.kr/res/guide/guideBook_en.pdf | |
Chinese | studyinkorea.go.kr/res/guide/guideBook_cn.pdf |
Bipin Sharma is an Energy Systems Engineer. He cherishes, sharing his knowledge with other people. For the latest updates from him, subscribe to AcadBuddy. Do not hesitate to drop a message.