2014 Korean Government Scholarship Program Guideline for International Students Enrolled in Graduate Programs

Program Objective
The Korean Government Scholarship Program is designed to provide higher education in Korea for international students, with the aim of promoting international exchange in education, as well as mutual friendship amongst the participating countries.

Total Number of Grantees: 880

• 2014 KGSP Allocations by respective Korean Embassies : 533 candidates (from 157 nations). Among the 533 candidates, 25 (from 12 nations) overseas Korean adoptees are included. Their quotas are allotted to 12 Korean embassies, and are separate from general candidate quotas.
• 2014 KGSP Allocation for the Designated Korean Universities : 347candidates (from 92 nations). Among the 347 candidates allocated to the Designated Korean Universities, 6 will be allotted into two outstanding specialized universities separately.

Eligible Universities and Fields of Study
Eligible Universities : The 60 listed universities (or institutions) as designated by NIIED

Applicants (including Korean adoptees) who apply for this program via Korean Embassies must choose 3 desired universities out of the 60 universities listed below.

Applicants who apply for this program via the designated universities may choose only 1 desired university out of the 60 universities listed below

1. Ajou University
2. Chonbuk National University
3. Chonnam National University
4. Chung-Ang University
5. Chungbuk National University
6. Chungnam National University
7. Daegu University
8. Daejeon University
9. Donga University
10. Dongguk University
11. Dongseo University
12. Ewha Womans University
13. Gangneung-Wonju National University
14. Gyeongsang National University
15. Hallym University
16. Handong Global University
17. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
18. Hannam University
19. Hanyang University
20. Hongik University
21. Inha University
22. Inje University
23. Jeju National University
24. Jeonju University
25. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
26. Kangwon National University
27. KDI School of Public Policy and Management
28. Keimyung University
29. Kongju National University
30. Konkuk University
31. Kookmin University
32. Korea University
33. Korea University of Technology and Education
34. Kumoh National Institute of Technology
35. Kyonggi University
36. Kyunghee University
37. Kyungpook National University,
38. Kyungsung university
39. Myongji university
40. Pai Chai University
41. Pohang University of Science and Technology
42. Pukyong National University
43. Pusan National University
44. Seoul National University of Science and Technology
45. Seoul National University
46. Sogang University
47. Sookmyung Women’s University
48. SoonChunHyang University
49. Soongsil University
50. Sunchon National University
51. Sungkyunkwan University
52. Sunmoon University
53. The Graduate School of Korean Studies in the Academy of Korean Studies
54. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
55. University of Science & Technology
56. University Of Seoul
57. University of Ulsan
58. Woosong University
59. Yeungnam University
60. Yonsei University

Available Fields of Study : Detailed information about the fields and majors offered by the listed eligible universities can be found in the University Information section on the GKS website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr). Applicants must choose their desired fields of study from the listed programs in the University Information section provided by participating universities.

Night schools, seasonal programs, broadcasting schools, and cyber-schools (including online distant learning programs) are not eligible for application.

Available Courses : Master’s programs and Doctoral programs

Main Notes for the 2014 Selection

• Applicants have to apply for this program via either an embassy or a designated university. Overseas Korean adoptees have to apply only via an embassy if their countries are allotted the adoptee quotas.
• The selection process for applicants will proceed in three steps. Firstly, applicants must be selected by the institution he or she is applying through (a Korean embassy, or a designated university). Secondly, applicants who passed the first round must be selected by the NIIED Selection Committee. Finally, applicants who passed the second round must gain admission from a university.
• Institutions accepting applications: 117 overseas Korean embassies or 60 designated Korean universities. Applicants who submit applications to more than one of the aforementioned institutions will be disqualified immediately.

Selection Procedure

1. 1st Selection: Each 1st selection institution will draft a selections standard based on the criteria provisioned by NIIED, and recommend the best applicants according to its respective standards.
2. 2nd Selection: The NIIED Selection Committee will select the most successful candidates from the pool of applicants recommended by the 1st selection institutions.
3. 3rd Selection: Only the candidates who were recommended by a Korean embassy and passed the 2nd selection successfully will be evaluated for admission by the 3 universities to which they applied; each candidate has to gain admission from at least one university.

Applicants who were recommended by a designated university will automatically be granted admission to the university that recommended them, upon the condition they are selected as a successful candidate in the 2nd Selection. Subsequently, once they pass the mandatory medical examination (when it’s orientation), they will join the ranks of the final successful candidates.

Duration of Scholarship

1. Master’s (01.09.2014 ~ 31.08.2017) : 1 yr. of Korean language + 2 yrs of Master’s
2. Doctoral (01.09.2014 ~ 31.08.2018): 1yr. of Korean language + 3 yrs of Doctoral

• (Important) After the Korean language course, the scholarship period of degree course (2 years of master’s or 3 years of doctoral) cannot be extended beyond the designated duration.
• In the case that a scholar possesses a TOPIK Level that is higher than 5, he or she is exempted from the Korean language course; the exempted period will be deducted from the total scholarship period (2 years for master’s or 3 years for doctoral).
• In the case that a scholar possesses a TOPIK Level 5 or 6, he or she must be exempted from the Korean language course and must start his/her academic course of Master or Doctoral degree; the exempted period will be deducted from the total scholarship period (2 years for master’s or 3 years for doctoral).

Korean Language Course

• All scholars, unless exempted, must take one year of Korean language course in the designated language institution by NIIED. Once scholars are designated at the institution, it cannot be changed.
• During Korean language learning, scholars are supposed to stay at the dorm of language institution with a roommate, thus cannot bring their family.
• Exemption from the Korean language course requirement: Korean proficiency at TOPIK Level 5 or 6 (with certification).
  • Scholars who have surpassed TOPIK Level 5 or 6 must start their degree course without the Korean language course should obtain permission from NIIED in advance.
  • Scholars who are exempted from taking the Korean language course must take their degree course starting from September 1st, 2014.
• Only the scholars who will have passed at least Level 3 of TOPIK (the Test of Proficiency in Korean) after one year of Korean language course are permitted to start their master’s or doctoral program.
• Scholars who do not pass at least TOPIK Level 3 after one year of Korean language course must complete an additional six-month coursework in the Korean language.
• Language Institution : NIIED has designated about 12 language institutions for the Korean language course.
  • The main language institution placement principle is different area from the finally chosen university of scholars in order to provide a chance of exploring variable Korean cultures and immerge on Korean language learning with professional environments for scholars.

Application Requirements

• The applicant and his/her parents must have foreign citizenships.
  • Applicants who hold Korean citizenship are not permitted to apply for this program.
• Applicants should be in good health, both mentally and physically, to stay in Korea for an extended period of time.
  • Applicants must submit the Personal Medical Assessment (included in the application form) when he/she apply for this program, and when it’s orientation, an Official Medical Examination will be done by NIIED. A serious illness (For example, HIV, Drug, etc) will be the main cause of disqualification from the scholarship.
  • The handicapped who satisfy the above are also eligible for the program
  • NOT Eligible: those who are pregnant (disqualified upon discovery)
• Applicants must be under 40 years of age as of Sep. 1st, 2014 (born after Sep. 1st, 1974).
• Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree as of August 31st, 2014.
  • (Important) Applicants who have ever enrolled in a university in Korea will be disqualified from applying to the KGSP program. Specifically, an applicant who has previously enrolled in an undergraduate program, a master’s program, a doctoral program including an exchange program (D-2 visa holders ever) in Korea cannot apply for this program.

Exception 1. Applicant who has experienced an exchange program in Korea only for previous academic courses graduation, and if it was mandatory for his or her graduation of degree program; thus could submit official explanation from the attended institution can apply for this KGSP program.

Exception 2. The KGSP scholar who has graduated or will graduate from a Korean university as of August 31st, 2014 can apply for this program again only via the embassy if only he/she holds at least TOPIK Level 4 and obtain another recommendation within the allotment from the Korean Embassy of his/her respective country of origin (re-application is limited to one instance).

• Applicants who apply for the Master’s program must hold a Bachelor’s degree or a diploma that is equivalent to or higher than a Bachelor’s degree.
• Applicants who apply for the Doctoral program must hold a Master’s degree or a diploma that is equivalent to or higher than a Master’s degree.
• Applicants who are expecting to obtain the relevant required degree or diploma by August 31st, 2014 must submit a certificate of degree or diploma expectation, and submit the official certificate of degree or diploma to NIIED by August 31st, 2014. (If not, disqualified for this program)
• Applicants must maintain a grade point average (G.P.A.) of at least 2.64 on a 4.0 scale, 2.80 on a 4. 3 scale, 2.91 on a 4.5 scale, or grades/marks/score of 80% or higher from the previously attended institution.
  • If an applicant does not satisfy the above GPA criteria, he/she will be disqualified from applying to this program.
  • If the transcript is not indicated in grades/marks/scores format, or is difficult to convert into percentages, attachment of official explanation from the attended institution is required.
• Applicants who have Korean proficiency or English proficiency may be given preference.
• Applicants who apply for natural science and technology program may be given preference.
• Applicants who are university professors currently in the developing countries may be given preference.

Scholarship

• Scholarship Period : same as the period of invitation.
• Payment:
  • Airfare: Round-trip economy class ticket.
    • Airfare for entry will not be provided to scholars who already currently live in Korea for academic study or employment.
    • The fees for domestic travel within a scholar’s home country and for travel insurance to and from Korea will not be provided.
    • Scholars from China and the Czech Republic will not be provided airfare by NIIED, but by their country of origin according to the mutual agreements.
  • Monthly Allowance : 900,000 won (KRW) per month.
  • Research Allowance : 210,000 won for scholars in the humanities and social sciences; 240,000 won for scholars in natural and mechanic sciences, per semester.
  • Relocation (Settlement) Allowance : 200,000 won upon arrival (only for scholars from their own country, not for scholars who already currently live in Korea)
  • Language Training Fee : Full coverage
  • Tuitions : All admission fees are waived by the host institution (university). The tuition is paid by NIIED.
  • Dissertation Printing Costs : 500,000 ~ 800,000 won, depending on the actual costs.
  • Medical Insurance : 20,000 won per month will be provided (limited coverage).
  • Special funding for scholars who are proficient in the Korean language (TOPIK Level 5 or 6): 100,000 won per month (commencing from the degree program)

NOTES

• NIIED does not compensate fees for the domestic travel, moving expenses, deposit, etc. both in the grantee’s country and Korea.
• Airfare for entry into Korea will not be provided to a scholar that has been staying and living in Korea for his or her study, work, etc. as of the date of announcement of successful candidates
• NIIED does not compensate fees for insurance for traveling to and from Korea.
• The medical fee is to be reimbursed through the insurance company to the scholar after s/he pays first. However, the expense for dental clinic or chronic disease will not be covered.
• Any scholar who gives up his/her study during the scholarship period will not receive airfare and allowance for repatriation.
• Any scholar that quits the program within 3 months after s/he entering Korea, must refund all scholarship fees. (The airfare of arriving Korea, settlement allowance, monthly stipend, Korean language training expenses, etc.).

Selection Procedure Details

• The guideline, application form, and university information will be available at the website of GKS (www.studyinkorea.go.kr), Korean Embassies, and designated domestic universities.
• For applicants (including Korean adoptees) who apply for KGSP via Korean Embassies
  • (1st Selection) Korean Embassies make its own selection schedule and plan based on the criteria provided by NIIED, and accept the applications. They select 1.5 times as many candidates as their quota from the pool of applicants and recommend them to NIIED.
    • Applicants from China and the Czech Republic should submit their applications to the Ministry of Education (or equivalent institution) in their respective country of origin, in accordance with the mutual agreements between Korea and those countries.
    • Only Korean adoptees who have foreign citizenship can apply for this program via a Korean Embassy if their countries of origin are allotted the adoptee quota. They are selected through a separate procedure; general applicants cannot be accepted through this application category.
  • (2nd Selection) NIIED Selection Committee selects as many successful candidates as each embassy quota amongst the pool of candidates recommended by the Embassies.
  • (3rd Selection) NIIED submits the documents of successful candidates to their 3 universities of indicated preference, and requests admission examination of the candidates into their master’s or doctoral programs. The universities have to notify the result of examination to the candidates and NIIED by the designated date. The candidates who gain admission from more than one university will have to make a final selection, and notify their respective local Korean Embassy and NIIED by the designated date. Only the candidates who gain admission within the 3rd Selection period can be accepted as official KGSP scholars.
• For applicants who apply for KGSP via designated domestic universities
  • (1st Selection) Each designated university will draft its own selection schedule and plan based on the criteria provided by NIIED, and accepts the applications. Each designated university will select up to 20 candidates from all of the quota-assigned countries and recommend them to NIIED. They cannot recommend more than 3 candidates from a single country.
  • (2nd Selection) NIIED Selection Committee selects as many successful candidates as each country’s quota from all of the candidates recommended by the universities. The candidates who are selected in the NIIED Selection Committee will be accepted to the university which recommended them, and will be finally accepted as official KGSP scholars upon a successful comprehensive medical examination.

Selection Criterion
All documents including transcript, self-introduction, study plan, certificates of language proficiency (Korean and English), recommendations, published papers and awards, etc., will be evaluated.

Place of submission

• NIIED and Foreign embassies in Korea are not 1st Selection Institutions and do not accept applications.
• NIIED accepts and judges only the candidates recommended by the 1st Selection Institutions. They are:
  • For applicants (including overseas Korean adoptees) applying via a Korean embassy : the Korean embassy in the country of origin.
• Korean Educational Institutes (Korean Education Center or Korean Cultural Center) affiliated with the local Korean embassies may accept applications, and select and recommend candidates in place of embassies in some countries.
  • For applicants applying via a domestic university : One of the 60 designated universities

Deadline of Submission : The date set forth by the 1st Selection Institutions within March 2014

• Deadline for the recommendation of candidates to NIIED by the 1st Selection Institutions is April 11th, 2014.
• If the respective 1st Selection Institutions do not submit their candidates’ documents to NIIED on time, they will be excluded from the examination of NIIED Selection Committee, and their quotas will be substituted by the other 1st Institutions’ reserve candidates.

Required documents : One original document (placed in a separate envelope) and 3 extra copies.

• Documents not in English or Korean must be accompanied by a complete English or Korean translation authenticated by the issuing institution or notarized by a notary’s office.

Note

• Selection for successful candidates will be done strictly by the NIIED Selection Committee. Therefore, appropriate documents should be submitted by the deadline.
• Dual applications are not accepted. Applicants must apply for this program via only one institution.
• Documents should be presented in their original form.
• Submitted documents will not be returned to the applicants.
• Incomplete or incorrect documents may lead to application rejection or failure in the Selection Committee, and scholarship revocation even after entry into Korea.
• In case of submitting photocopied documents, applicants must submit the original to the 1st Selection Institution and have the original one and the photocopied one collated. The confirmation of collation should be indicated in the photocopied documents.
• Applicants who are expected to graduate from their respective home undergraduate/graduate institutions by August 31st, 2014, must submit the certificate (or letter) of expected graduation issued by said institutions when they apply; the official certificate of graduation must be received by NIIED by August 31st, 2014.
• Applicants must accurately complete the health checklist truthfully. All successful candidates must take a comprehensive medical exam when its’ orientation. In accordance with the requirements of the Korea Immigration Service and the KGSP Program, the candidates who are judged to be physically unfit for this program will not be accepted.
• Applicants may submit the copies of published papers, if available.
• Applicants may submit the copies of awards, if available.
• Applicants must submit all the documents by the checklist order. (Checklist for the application documents should be on the front page, followed by the required documents, stapled and attached.)
• Transferring to a different university after confirming the host university is not permitted in any cases. In regards to changing majors, it would be permitted only under the mutual agreement of the departments concerned only within the same university, with the scholarship period unchanged. (2 years of Master’s, or 3 years of doctoral, in total). However, quitting a program and applying for a new one is not permitted.

Selection Schedule

• Application Period : Feb.3rd ~ Mar. 31st (decided by the 1st Selection Institution)
• The 1st Selection : The end of March (decided by the 1st Selection Institution)
• Deadline for Recommendation to NIIED : April 11th (All documents must be received by NIIED.)
• The 2nd Selection : Mid to End-April (NIIED Selection Committee)
• Announcement for the Results of the 2nd Selection : May 1st (posted on GKS websites)
• Admission Procedures for the Korean Embassies’ candidates: May 2n~May 30th
• Announcement for Final Successful Candidates : June 17th (GKS websites-www.studyinkorea.go.kr)
• Visa Issue and Air ticket purchase : June 18th ~ July 31st
• Entry into Korea : August 25th ~ August 27th
• NIIED Orientation : August 28th ~ August 29th
• Korean Language Course : September 1st

For further information, please contact :

1. 1st Institutions : Refer to The Contact Information of Korean Embassies and Universities.
2. KGSP Team, National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
   • Address: #205 NIIED, 81 Ewhajang-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-810, Republic of Korea
   • www.studyinkorea.go.kr
   • Phone: +82-2-3668-1364, +82-2-3668-1389
   • Fax: +82-2-743-4992
   • Email: niied@moe.go.kr

Other useful websites

• Higher Education in Korea http://heik.academyinfo.go.kr
• Learning Korean http://www.kosnet.go.kr
• Understanding of Korean culture http://korea.net
• Overseas Korean embassies http://www.mofa.go.kr
• Visa and Registration http://immigration.go.kr

For more information, please visit official website: studyinkorea.go.kr.

• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Myongji University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Sun Moon University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Chung-Ang University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Kongju National University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships - Korea University
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Jeju National University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Hannam University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, The Academy of Korean Studies, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Pukyong National University, Korea
• KGSP Graduate Scholarships, Kyungpook National University, Korea

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.