From Start to Finish: GKS UG 2025 Application with Expert Tips

Apply for GKS UG 2025

What if you could study at Korea’s top universities and have all expenses covered? This might not sound right, but the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) UG 2025 offers you fully- funded undergraduate studies at top-ranked universities like SNU and KAIST. With 1,300+ scholarships available annually, this is your opportunity to lighten your life. Now, you don’t need to compromise between the quality of life or education. Here, we provide you with everything you need to know about GKS UG 2025.

What is GKS UG?

If you don’t know about GKS UG (Global Korea Scholarship for Undergraduates), we will explain it and its purpose.

Scholarship Program: GKS UG is a prestigious South Korean government scholarship designed to admit international students to study in Korea. 

Purpose: The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is not just about providing opportunities for international students. This global initiative aims to unite academic exchanges and strengthen Korea’s global relations by welcoming talented students worldwide. 

Who It’s For: It is offered to excellent international students who wish to enroll in undergraduate programs at Korean universities.  

Full Funding: The scholarship will cover tuition, airfare, living expenses, Korean language learning, and all other pertinent expenses. 

Degree Options: Recipients can select the field of their preference, such as humanities, sciences, engineering, or social sciences. 

Language Requirement: The program includes one year of Korean language training before the undergraduate degree starts (unless you have TOPIK Level 5 or 6)​.

Requirements to Qualify for GKS UG 2025

There are some requirements to become eligible for the GKS UG 2025  

  1. Nationality: 
      • Applicants and their parents can’t be Korean citizens. The scholarship is available to students from all countries of the world without South Korea. 
      • Dual citizens (those with Korean nationality) are ineligible.
  1. Age:
      • The candidates should be below 25 years of age after March 1, 2025.
  1. Education: 
      • Applicants must finish (or plan to finish) their secondary school education by March 1, 2025. 
      • Alternatively, applicants can qualify by being in the top 20% of their class.
      • For those using a different grading scale, acceptable GPAs include:
        • At least 2.64/4.0
        • 2.80/4.3
        • 2.91/4.5
        • 3.23/5.0
  1. Health: The candidates must be in good health both physically and mentally in order to pursue their studies in Korea.
  2. Korean or English Language Proficiency: 
      • No prior knowledge of Korean is required.
      • Applicants with a TOPIK level 5 or 6 certificate are exempt from the mandatory one year language training.

Candidates who have already studied or are currently enrolled in a Korean university or graduate school are not eligible​(Scholarship Roar) ​(Topik Guide)

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For an Inquiry about South Korea: (880) 1930-350350




    Overall Quota for GKS 2025

    • Total Students: 367
      • Embassy Track: 87 students
      • University Track: 280 students

    Period for Scholarships

     

    Program

    Period

    Bachelor’s Degree Program

    5-7 years

     

    Associate Degree Program

    3-4 years 

    Here, the bachelor’s degree includes 1 year of language training and 4-6 years of degree program. The same goes for associate degrees—1 year of language training and 2-3 years of degree program.

    Embassy Track Quota

    • General Scholars: 71 from 68 countries
    • Overseas Koreans: 7 from 7 countries
    • IRTS (International Refugee and Trainee Scholars): 9 Ukrainian scholars

    Country-Specific Quotas for Embassy Track (2025)

    • India: 1
    • Indonesia: 1
    • Pakistan: 1
    • Bangladesh: 1
    • Brazil: 2
    • Nepal: 1
    • Vietnam: 4
    • Kyrgyzstan: 2
    • Kazakhstan: 2

    University Track Quota

    • University-Industry Cooperation (UIC) Program: 100 scholars (open to all countries)
    • Regional Universities Program: 80 scholars from 6 regions
    • Associate Degree Program: 100 scholars from 74 countries (no specific quotas)

    Previous Year Statistics (GKS 2024)

    Total Students: 262

      • Embassy Track: 86 students
      • University Track: 176 students

    This scholarship will support 262 undergraduate students in the upcoming academic year, along with 1,080 graduate students who will also receive scholarships.

    Breakdown of University Track for GKS 2024

    • UIC Program: 60 scholars
    • Regional Universities: 86 scholars (specific quotas per country)
    • Associate Degree Program: 30 scholars

    Top International Universities in Korea

    Here are the top 5 universities offering opportunities through the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS UG), along with their QS 2024 rankings and areas of strength: 

    1. Seoul National University (SNU) – World Rank : 31 
        • Strength: Usnews is famous for engineering, life sciences and business studies.
    1. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) – World Ranking: 53 
        •  Strength: Science, technology and engineering innovation 
    1. Yonsei University – Overall quality world ranking – 56 
        •  Strength: In business and medicine, and in the social sciences. 
    1. Korea University – This is the overall ranking of the university worldwide where the company’s graduates can secure an  opportunity to have their papers published. 
        •  Strength: These can be classified into: Law, political science/ economy and legal economics. 
    1. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) – It aims for the 98th position of world university. 
        •  Strength: This invention falls under the sector of physics, material science as well as chemical engineering.

    Scholarship Benefits

    Scholarship Benefits

     Monthly Living Expenses: 

    • It includes: The minimum wage is 1000 USD (approximately 1,000,000 KRW) per month. 

    Settlement Allowance: 

    • 200,000 KRW (approximately $170) is given to the ones arriving in Korea. 

    Round-trip Airfare: 

    • Possible to claim back to a certain extent in respect of transportation to and from Korea. 

    Medical Insurance: 

    • 20,000 KRW (approximately $17) per month which will be given from each university. 

    Korean Language Training: 

    • An initial year of Korean language is required before beginning the degree programme. 

    Degree Completion Grants: 

    • Sometimes extra funding is available once the holder of the degree has obtained the degree. 

    TOPIK Exam Fee: 

    • Reimbursements for expenses with the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) Including fees paid to the testing center.

    Visa Process And Documents

    • Receive GKS Scholarship Confirmation: Receive the official acceptance letter from NIIED or the recognized Korean University you have been accepted to Join. 
    • Prepare Necessary Documents: 
        • I filled out the form to complete the visa process.
        • Original passport (Should be valid for a minimum of 6 months).
        • Passport-sized photos. 
        • GKS admission letter and Scholarship confirmation. 
        • Most Recent Educational Credentials (i.e., high school certificate and any other recent certificates). 
        • Medical certificate (if you need it to pass through an embassy). 
        • So, paying the visa application fee adequately and on time is essential when applying.  

    Start the Process: The first step to getting your Korean visa is to submit your application at the nearest embassy in your country. Keep in mind that processing times vary, so it’s best to apply early. 

    • Interview (if required): If invited to an interview in the embassy, meet the interviewers as needed. 
    • Receive a D-2 Visa: Upon approval, you will get the D-2 (student) visa. 
    • Arrival in Korea: Permitted for 90 days, you must apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) to stay legally in Korea.

    Advice for Writing a Strong Personal Statement

    Advice for Writing a Strong Personal Statement

    Here are some key tips for crafting a strong personal statement: 

    1. Start with a Hook: Use an engaging hook to interest the reader in the piece they are about to read. 
    2. Be Clear and Concise: When writing the body of the text, it is very important not to dwell on certain unimportant aspects of the issue. 
    3. Show, Don’t Tell: For strengths, it’s better to follow Beaman’s advice. Use examples of experiences that highlight key skills instead of just stating personal qualities.
    4. Tailor it to the Program: Learn about the institution’s workings and ensure that your work with them is in accordance with its principles. 
    5. Reflect on Growth: Emphasize how the experiences you accomplished in your previous employment explain your character. 
    6. Proofread: Make sure your statement is formal, well-organized, and free from typographical errors. 

    Following the tips will help you develop a solid and exciting personal statement.

    Insider tips for preparing for the GKS UG 2025 interview

    • Know the Program: The GKS UG scholarship and the goals it seeks to achieve should be appreciated. Find out how your answers fit your goals and the future you want to envision.
    • Research Your University: Based on this, you need the following skills to achieve your academic and career goals:
    • Master the Art of Storytelling: Don’t shy away from sharing stories that highlight your weaknesses and versatility. These narratives are powerful tools. They showcase your passion and skills, boosting your confidence in presenting yourself effectively. Mock interviews can help, too.
    • Confidence: We recommend mock interviews to develop communication skills. Maintaining a calm and assured demeanor during the interview is not just a skill; it’s a necessity. It’s essential to make a good impression on potential employers and effectively communicate your qualifications and suitability for the role. 

    According to the tips above, you will be in the best position to attend an interview successfully.

    Conclusion

    Overall, it is evident that the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) UG 2025 is one of the best scholarships for international students willing to be part of higher learning institutions in South Korea. Since the scholarship covers all financial expenses and the recipients are allowed to enroll in famous universities, including Seoul National University, KAIST, and Yonsei University, the students can study various fields, including engineering, business, and social sciences, For aspiring academicians who want to study in Korea, GKS UG is a life-changing opportunity for undergraduate programs.