The GKS Scholarship i.e Global Korea Scholarship, previously known as the KGSP Scholarship, stands out as a highly esteemed opportunity for students from around the world who are aspiring to study in Korea for free. This scholarship not only covers tuition fees but also includes airfare, medical insurance, and a settlement allowance. Moreover, recipients receive a monthly stipend of approximately 1,000,000 KRW, making it one of the best scholarships in the world.
Excitingly, the application window for the GKS Scholarship for Master’s and Ph.D. programs, is set to open in under a month. This is a golden opportunity for proactive individuals to prepare in advance and gain a competitive edge over fellow applicants.
In this post, we will share several tips to improve your chances of winning the GKS Scholarship. Additionally, we will guide you through the application process, shedding light on the necessary forms and documents you should prepare beforehand.
Meanwhile, don’t forget to also apply for some other fully-funded scholarships to Korea given below:
Apply now for KOICA Scholarship 2024
Scholarship for Arts students – AMA Arts Scholarship
Scholarship for Sports lovers – Dream Together Scholarship
GKS Scholarship Applications
GKS Scholarship 2024 will be announced very soon. Usually, the applications are open in the last week of February every year, so you still have one month to prepare in advance. This year again, the scholarship will be opened for Masters degree, Phd degree and for research programs.
There will be two tracks to apply:
1- Embassy Track
2- University Track
To find out the differences between these tracks, and to know which track suits you best, please visit the link below:
The quota for last year is given below: (Most probably the quota for GKS 2024 will remain the same)
Embassy Track = 650 Students
University Track = 650 Students
Eligibility Criteria for GKS 2024
Nationality:
- Citizens of designated countries by NIIED are eligible.
- Parents must hold citizenship outside Korea.
Degree Requirements:
- Master’s Program: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
- Doctoral Program: Master’s degree or equivalent.
- Applicants must have obtained the required degree (minimum level of education indicated above) by February 28, 2024.
Grades:
- CGPA conditions for both masters and doctoral program applicants.
- Score percentile should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked in the top 20% of one’s class
- CGPA must be equal to or above 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5 or 3.23/5.0
- 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:
- Applicants must be under 40 (born after September 1, 1984).
- Academic professors in ODA recipients can apply up to 45 years (born after September 1, 1979).
Health:
- Applicants must be in good mental and physical health throughout the program.
More details can be found on the official GKS Notice post on Study in Korea website. (www.studyinkorea.go.kr > Scholarships > GKS Notice)
Documents to prepare for GKS 2024
Make sure to well prepare in advance before the GKS Scholarship 2024 is announced. Here is a detailed list of documents that needs to be prepared:
Tips to increase chances of winning GKS Scholarship 2024
- Planning Ahead
One important tip is to ensure that you plan ahead in order to avoid stressing out at the last minute. - Stand Out in Personal Statement
Ensure your personal statement stands out by avoiding a common style and repetitive wording found in other statements. Begin with something distinctive, such as a quote or a well-known saying, to make a memorable impression. - GPA Chart
Make sure you understand the GPA Chart and GPA Conversion table given by the NIIED. You can find more details here: - Additional points for Languages
Starting in 2024, applicants will receive additional points based on language proficiency in Korean and English. Make sure you have IELTS/TOEFL or TOPIK certificates with you. - Extracurricular Activities
Always mention any extracurricular activities that you are good at. And if possible, attach certificates of extracurricular activities along with your application.
Visit the website below for the official notice announced on the StudyinKorea website
You can download the important documents by clicking the following links:
- GKS Scholarship 2023 Graduate
- GKS Scholarship 2023 Graduate Degree Application Form
- FAQ 2023 GKS Graduate Degree program
To find out how to apply for the Global Korea Scholarship 2023 for the undergraduate degree, click here.
Wishing you the best of luck and looking forward to welcoming you in South Korea someday.
