In our previous post, we've covered the details about the fully-funded government GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) scheme for Undergraduate program. Today, we'll be covering the deets for Graduate Program as well!
As some you know, each program's GKS application is only open once every year. For the 2024 Undergraduate GKS Scholarship Program, the application started on May 31st, 2023. Graduate aspirants, your turn is about to start soon! The applications for Graduate GKS Program will start around February 2024, so be prepared!
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GKS-G Admission Schedules
There are always 2 intakes open every year for Korean universities: March (Spring) and September (Fall). The GKS-G programs are only available for application once a year, which is for the September intake. Applications start in around February the same year.
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GKS vs KGSP, What's the Difference?
They are totally the same thing! Until 2010, this scholarship scheme was called Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP). Now, it's referred to as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program. There is no difference at all :)
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Programs & University
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is not only offered for both Master's Degree and Doctoral Degree, but also for research programs.
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Application Track for GKS 2024
Last year (2023), a total of 1,300 students were selected to Korea to study their Graduate programs under the Global Korea Scholarship. This year, there will be 2,200 scholars that would be selected for the GKS-G scholarship! That's a HUGE increase in quota, so this is your sign to try applying for this super beneficial scholarship :)
Like previous years, there are 2 tracks to apply for GKS-G 2024: Embassy Track and University Track.
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Embassy Track Quota Assigned by Country
I. General program : 737 scholars from 147 countries
How to read the tables below:
"GKS-G 2024 quota for Pakistan via Embassy Track = 7, India = 28, Indonesia = 34"
II. Overseas Korean: 20 scholars from 12 countries
III. International Reconstruction Talent (IRT) Program: 44 scholars from Ukraine (including Overseas Korean quota applying from Ukraine)
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University Track Quota Assigned by Country
I. General University: 375 scholars from 57 countries or regions.
II. R-GKS University: 630 scholars from 59 countries or regions
How to read the tables below:
"GKS-G 2024 quota for Pakistan via University Track = 24, India = 73, Indonesia = 99"
*R-GKS Preference: Recommendation from local government & universities participating in RISE project, Education Specialization Zone project
**IRT Preference: Recommendation from the Government of Ukraine
***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.
III. Research and Development (R&D) Program: 300 scholars from all countries around the world
There is no limit on the number of invited countries, a.k.a anyone from anywhere in the world can apply.
These following 12 universities are the same from last year, but there will be around 8 more universities added to the list for R&D GKS-G. Detailed information of university names and quota would be updated in early March.
*R&D Preference: Recommendation from international organizations or the Export-Import Bank of Korea
IV. Research Program: 15 scholars from 156 countries or regions
Applications are available to the 156 countries or regions where General program and Regional University program are offered.
*Research Preference: Recommendation from the Korean Embassy
V. Global Network Program: 80 scholars from all countries around the world
There is no limit to the number of invited countries, so all nationality can apply. The detailed information for universities and quota will be updated in early March.
*Global Network Preference: Recommendation from the international organizations and international education institutions
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List of Available Universities
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Scholarship Information & Benefits
Scholarship Period
Master's Degree program: 3 years [1 year Korean language program + 2 years degree program]
Doctoral Degree program: 4 years [1 year Korean language program + 3 years degree program]
Research program: 6 months or 1 year
However, scholars with TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 5 or 6 will be exempt from attending a Korean language program. Those who receive TOPIK level 5 or 6 within the first 6 months of the Korean language program will also be exempt from finishing the 6 months language program.
Eligibility to Apply for GKS
I. Nationality
Applicants must be citizens of countries that have been designated by the National Institute for International Education Development (NIIED) to participate in the GKS program.
The applicant's parents or legal guardians most hold citizenship from a country other than Korea. If the applicant or their parent has dual citizenship, with Korean citizenship as one of both, they are 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 changes during the selection process, they will be excluded from the evaluation, except for the Research and Development (R&D) program.
Overseas Korean applicants holding Japanese citizenship are eligible to apply if their parents hold permanent residency permits in Japan while holding Korean citizenship.
II. Degree Requirements
Master's Program Applicant: Applicant must hold a Bachelor's degree or have an educational level equivalent to or higher than a Bachelor's degree.
Doctoral Program Applicant: Applicants must hold a Master's degree or have an educational level equivalent to or higher than a Master's degree.
Research Program Applicant: Applicants must meet the following criteria:
Postdoctoral Research Program: Applicants must hold a Doctoral Degree.
Professor Exchange Program: Applicants must hold a Master's degree and must currently be teaching at a university as a professor.
Program for Education, Science, Culture, International Cooperation Professionals: Applicants must hold a Master's degree and must be a professional in the field of Education, Science, Culture, or International Cooperation.
III. Grades
To be eligible for the GKS program, applicants must have a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) that meets at least one of the following conditions:
Previous degree program GPA must be higher than 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.
Score percentile of 80% or higher on a 100-point scale, or be ranked within the top 20% of their class.
Applicants must submit an academic transcript that shows their CGPA or ranking information. If the transcript doesn't provide any of the accepted GPA scales (4.0, 4.3, 4.5, 5.0, or 100-point scale), they must submit a conversion transcript.
IV. Age
Max. 40 years of age (born after 1 September 1984).
For academic professors in one of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients, max. 45 years of age (born after 1 September 1979).
V. Health
All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the entire duration of the program.
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Required Documents to Submit for Graduate GKS Program
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Selection Procedure and Schedule for Graduate GKS Program
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How to Apply for the GKS Graduate Program?
You can select Embassy Track (application directly to the embassy) or University Track (application directly to the university). Which one is better, there's no clear answer. Everything depends on your credentials, background, and preference.
Intuition offers different lengths of guidance to make sure your application is perfect. Whether you only need us to review your documents and make the application for you, or you need more consultation sessions and thorough help with the whole application process, we've got you covered. Send us a message and let us know what you need!
Source: GKS Application Guidelines, gksscholarship.com
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