If you are an Indian National and want to study in South Korea under the Global Korea Scholarship 2023, here is your chance to apply for the GKS Scholarship for India by University Track.
According to the official announcement made by the NIIED (), 25 scholars from India will be selected for the Gloabl Korea Scholarship via the University Track.
GKS 2023 quota for India via University Track = 25
Available field of studies and Universities
The selection of universities and departments that applicants can apply to for the GKS scholarship program is restricted to those listed in the “University Information” file posted under the GKS Notice on the Study in Korea website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr > Scholarships > GKS Notice).
It’s important to note that evening/night school programs, short-term programs, online, and distance-learning programs are not eligible for this scholarship program. The universities available for selection can be found in the aforementioned file.
How to apply for GKS Scholarship University Track
The process for applying to the GKS Scholarship 2023 University Track is as follows:
Ensure that your GKS Scholarship 2023 application form is accurately filled out.
Attach all the required documents along with your GKS Scholarship 2023 application form.
Once your GKS Scholarship 2023 application is complete, put it and all necessary documents in an envelope that has the university’s address on it.
Send the envelope, sealed, through a courier service to the Korean university address.
GKS Scholarship University Track Selection Procedure:
The process of selecting candidates for the GKS Scholarship University Track is distinct from that of the Embassy Track. The University Track selection process involves two rounds of selection:
Initially, the universities themselves will create a shortlist of applicants who have applied for the GKS scholarship and recommend those shortlisted candidates to the NIIED.
In the second round, the NIIED will make the final selection by further evaluating the eligibility of the candidates on the shortlist. Finally, the NIIED will announce the names of the selected candidates for the GKS scholarship program.
Documents to submit for GKS Scholarship
Important:
If you intend to apply for the GKS Scholarship 2023, it’s important to note that you can only apply through one track at a time. If a student submits applications through both tracks, their application will not be taken into consideration.
The Global Korea Scholarship i.e GKS Scholarship, also known as the Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP), is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world and lets you study in South Korea for free. But, unlike other scholarships, the process to apply for the GKS Scholarship is a bit different, for there are two ways to apply: Embassy Track vs University Track.
In this post, let us talk in detail about the following topics:
Difference between Embassy Track vs University Track
The quota for each track
The application process for each track
Which track is better
1) Difference between GKS Scholarship Embassy Track vs University Track
GKS Scholarship is offered to applicants all over the world and applicants can choose either one of these tracks. Although the scholarship benefits are exactly the same for the applicants of each track, the main difference lies in the application process.
Embassy Track = 3 Step Process
Embassy Selection > NIIED Selection > University Selection
University Track = 2 Step Process
University Selection > NIIED Selection
But there is also another thing that you must need to keep in mind, which is, the number of universities that can be selected via each track.
Embassy Track = 3 Universities
The applicant is allowed to select 3 universities and has to get acceptance in the 3rd step in at least one of these universities
University Track = 1 University
The applicant is allowed to select just 1 university at the time of applying and to avail the GKS Scholarship, he/she must get accepted by that particular university.
2) The quota for GKS Scholarship Embassy Track vs University Track
The number of scholarships allocated for the Global Korea Scholarship program can differ for each track and country. Therefore, it is crucial to check the specific quota of scholarships available for your country and preferred application track.
For GKS Scholarship 2023, a total of 1300 applicants will be selected, half via the Embassy Track and the other half via University Track. (in the past, more weightage used to be given to University Track)
But each country will have a different number of spots for each track, no matter how many people apply as a whole.
GKS Scholarship Embassy Track Quota for each country
Pakistan via Embassy Track = 5
India via Embassy Track = 22
Indonesia via Embassy Track = 27
Nigeria via Embassy Track = 6
United States via Embassy Track = 14
GKS Scholarship University Track Quota for each country
Pakistan via University Track = 7
India via University Track = 25
Indonesia via University Track = 42
Nigeria via University Track = 11
United States via University Track = 2
You can find detailed information on the quota for each country here.
3) Application Process For Each Track
A) Embassy Track
The Embassy Track of the Global Korea Scholarship program allows applicants to select up to three universities to apply to, which increases their chances of being accepted.
The 1st round of selection: is based on nationality and the number of applications received in each country. In countries where there are only a few applicants, the chances of being selected are higher. However, in countries where there is a high demand for the scholarship, it may be more difficult to be selected through the Embassy Track.
The 2nd round of selection: After being selected by the embassy, the application is forwarded to NIIED for further evaluation. The number of applicants recommended by the embassy depends on the number of scholarships allocated to that country. NIIED evaluates the quality of the applicant’s scholarship and may reject some applicants at this stage.
In the 3rd round of selection, the application is sent to the three universities that the applicant has selected. Some universities may conduct interviews, while others may not, depending on the department and field of study. The applicant has to be accepted by at least one of these universities.
It is important to note that the selection process may vary depending on the country and the number of scholarships available. Therefore, applicants should check with their local embassy and the participating universities for the most up-to-date information on the scholarship program.
B) University Track
To apply for the Global Korea Scholarship via the University Track, applicants must directly apply to the Korean university they are interested in. It is important to regularly check the university’s website for specific requirements and deadlines, as they may vary from university to university. Some universities may require more documents than the embassy application, and some may have an early deadline. It is essential to submit the application directly to South Korea.
In the 1st round of selection, applicants compete against worldwide students applying to the same university, making it highly competitive. The selection process is rigorous, and most universities conduct interviews, so applicants should be well-prepared. If an applicant fails to meet the university’s expectations, they may be eliminated from the selection process quickly.
In the 2nd round of selection, NIIED selects the successful scholars based on the quotas allocated to each country. For example, if two French students apply and are accepted to their chosen university, but the French quota is one, only one of them can receive the scholarship. NIIED reviews their applications and selects one of them as a successful scholar.
Overall, the University Track of the Global Korea Scholarship program is highly competitive, and applicants must be well-prepared and attentive to the specific requirements and deadlines of their chosen universities.
4) Embassy Track vs University Track: Which Is Better
To be honest, it is not possible to say which track is superior to the other. It totally depends on you, your country, your degree, and your preferences. But still, if you’re unsure about which application track to use, there are a few things to consider.
If you have your heart set on a specific university, it’s best to apply through the University Track so you can write a personalized motivation letter.
On the other hand, if your grades are not the best, applying through the Embassy Track may be better because you’ll have three more chances to be accepted.
It’s also recommended to choose one of your selected universities as a lesser-known one to increase your chances of success.
For a doctoral degree, applying through the University Track may be better because a PhD is a highly specific program, and having a researcher already accept you can help your chances of being accepted. However, it’s still possible to apply through the Embassy Track with the acceptance of laboratories in the universities you apply for.
Ultimately, consider your unique circumstances and choose the track that will give you the best chance of success.
Most importantly, don’t forget to visit the link below for the official notice announced on the StudyinKorea website
And the wait is over. Korean Government and NIIED are accepting applications for the Global Korea Scholarship i.e GKS Scholarship 2023 for undergraduate programs. Whether you are a Kpop, Kdrama, or Kmovies fan, here is your chance to study in Korea for FREE.
You can download the important documents by clicking the following links:
The goal of the Global Korea Scholarship is to give international students the chance to pursue academic degrees at higher education facilities in Korea. This will increase international educational exchange and strengthen ties between Korea and the participating nations.
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Period of Scholarship
Bachelor’s Degree Program: 3~4 years
1 year of Korean language training + 4~6 years of degree program Associate Degree Program: 3~4 years
1 year of Korean language training + 2~3 years of degree program Important Notes regarding Scholarship Period
Applicants who submitted TOPIK level 5 or 6 will be exempt from a Korean language program the following semester (September 2023)
Scholarship Benefits:
GKS Scholarship 2023 is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the worlds that not only just covers your airfare and tuition fee but you also get to have a stipend of 900,000 KRW along with having your medical insurance covered.
Here are some of the benefits of the GKS Scholarship:
Programs and Universities:
This year 200 students from all around the world will be invited under the GKS Scholarship 2023 for the Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree programs.
Out of the 200 students, 81 students will be selected via the Embassy Track and 119 students will be chosen via the University Track.
Available Universities and Fields of Study
Available Fields of Study
All fields of study offered by GKS participating universities
Academic programs offered during evenings (night school), short-term programs, online and distant learning programs are not applicable in this scholarship program
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)
Below you can find the list of all the universities for GKS Scholarship 2023 for both the Embassy Track and University Track.
Program Quota
1- Embassy Track:
This year 81 students from all over the world will be selected via Embassy Track.
Pakistan = 1 student
India = 2
Indonesia = 2
Bangladesh = 1
Nepal = 1
2- University Track
In total, 119 students will be chosen via the University Track, but these numbers are divided into 3 programs.
University Industry Cooperation (UIC) Program: 55 scholars
Regional Universities and Associate Degree Program: 64 scholars
(UIC) Program: 55 scholars UIC Program is open to all countries around the world
Regional Universities and Associate Degree: 64 scholars
Eligibility
Nationality
All applicants must hold citizenship of NIIED designated countries that are invited to take part in the GKS program
2. Education
Bachelor’s degree program is for applicants who graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a high school or from an associate degree program
Associate degree program is for applicants who graduated (or are expected to graduate) from a high school
Note: ? Applicants who are expected to graduate must first submit a certificate of expected graduation at the time of application. If such applicants pass the final round of selection, they must submit a graduation certificate (or a degree certificate) by February 28, 2023
3- Score (GPA)
The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of the entire curriculum from the previous (degree) program must meet one of the two conditions below; – Score percentile should be 80% or above on a 100-point scale or be ranked within the top 20% within 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
4- Age
Must be under 25 years of age (born after March 1, 1998)
5- Health
All applicants must be in good health, both mentally and physically, to study in Korea for the full duration of the program
Application and Selection
Here is the selection procedure for both Embassy and University Track applications.
Documents to submit
Application period and method of submission
Application period: Each embassy and university has their own application deadline, so applicants must check with the respective institute before submitting application
Method of submission: Each embassy and university who conducts the first round of selection may have their own document submission guidelines, so applicants must check with the respective institute before submitting application
Things to Remember
[Embassy Track] ? 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 the evaluation
[University Track]
University track applicants should fill in ONE university in their application
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)
*This website is an unofficial website managed by one of the GKS Alumnus. For the official website, please check Study in Korea’s Official Website: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/main.do
You can download the important documents by clicking the following links: