GKS Scholarships, also known as KGSP Scholarship is a very famous Korean Scholarship Program in South Korea funded by its Government to invite global talent to the country. Applying to GKS requires a Personal Statement to be submitted along with the GKS application and the academic documents of the candidate. SOP for GKS Scholarship or Personal Statement for GKS plays a very important role in the final grant of the scholarships to the candidates as it is a fully funded scholarship to the candidates and they are selected based on the GKS Study Plan they submit. We have created a comprehensive blog to give you clarity on – What is GKS, how to apply for GKS, and how to write an SOP / Essay / Personal Statement for GKS in 2024. Please read the article to the end as we have also added the GKS Personal Statement Sample and Frequently Asked Questions for the GKS or KGSP – 2024. 

Content of the article

• What is the GKS Scholarship?
• Are the GKS Scholarship and KGSP Scholarship the same?
• Personal Statement Sample for GKS Scholarship
• Importance of GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• Guidelines for Writing GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• Tips for Writing GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• How to Write GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement 
• FAQs Related to GKS / KGSP Scholarship Personal Statement

What is the GKS Scholarship? 

GKS which stands for Global Korean Scholarship is also known as The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP). This is an academic scholarship program funded by the Korean Government for International Students and this is managed by the NIIED – National Institute of International Education which is under the Ministry of Education in South Korea. This program was designed for non-Korean scholars and Overseas Korean People to invite them to study in South Korea through a fully funded scholarship program at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels, after completing one year of Korean language studies. This was started a long time back in 1967 to bring overseas talents to South Korea and introduce them to the Korean languages, culture, and environment. Undergraduate students are entitled to receive 800,000 KRW per month and postgraduate students are entitled to 1,000,000 KRW per month apart from other expenses like airfares, tuition, and other allowances.

How to apply for the GKS Scholarship in 2024?

The basic objective of the GKS or KGSP Scholarship program is to invite international talent in Korea and let them study in Korea and their talent can contribute towards growth and development in the country.  While applying for the scholarship, the candidate has to decide on a study program for which they are applying to any of the Korean universities that are entitled to GKS. The chosen program can not be changed later if the candidate wishes to change the program after studying Korean Language for the first year. For undergraduate degree programs at Korean Universities, it requires studying for 4 years, for master’s programs the duration is two years and doctoral studies require a minimum of 3 years. 

Sample SOP / Personal Statement for GKS Scholarship

Below is the Sample Personal Statement for Global Korea Scholarship South Korea

The National Liberation Day of South Korea and the Independence Day of India are a common tie between the two emerging nations as they celebrate these two events on the 15th of August. No wonder Rabindranath Tagore had called South Korea, the ‘Lamp of the East’, showcasing its noteworthy advancement in technology as the rest of the world is enlightened using products of the companies based in South Korea. This is profound in most Indian households. I remember clearly how each time I saw an advertisement for LG refrigerators and Samsung mobile phones, I jumped as these were the products that we used at home. As a child’s curiosity would have it upon finding similarities, I was always excited. In 9th grade, this excitement transformed into curiosity when my teacher informed me how South Korea is the core where reliable technology and ergonomic products are manufactured. My teacher also informed me about how South Korea invests in education so its citizens remain at the forefront of advanced technology. After listening to this, I could connect the dots, and it wasn’t a wonder that such wonderful easy-to-use products are made in South Korea. Not just expensive products, even trivial daily use products have their origin designed in South Korea, reflecting how people are scrupulous in designing. From here, my quest to perceive the exponential growth taking place in South Korea began.   

In New Delhi, the capital of India, I visited the Korean Cultural Centre which displayed the beautiful culture, language, and clothes of the people of South Korea. Immediately post this visit, I started looking for opportunities to learn more about South Korea and I embarked on this learning path by beginning to learn the language. While learning the language at SEJONG HAKDANG (KCCI) I received a 100% scholarship for the Intermediate semester for being in the top 10% of students in the beginner semester, which encouraged me more towards this stream.I started participating in essays and quiz competitions organized by the Korean Embassy in India. I also participated in Korea-India 2021 quiz competition where I qualified at the school level and participated in the state prelims quiz (KIFQ-DEL-226). Such platforms helped me learn about South Korea’s clothing and fashion, food, housing, festivals and celebrations, culture and arts, history, and the country’s remarkable growth at an exponential rate through its strong education system. During my participation in the quiz, I also encouraged my fellow students to participate as it gives me pleasure to share knowledge with my friends and also elevate my level of education. My participation naturally made me focus on South Korea’s accomplishments, development, and high-ranking universities. This motivated me to opt for my higher studies in South Korea. 

The efficacy of education was invariably known to me and my deep-rooted interest in the same stems from observing my mother. A public school teacher, my mother taught Maths, and I under her umbrella, not only gained dexterity in the subject, but also admiration for logical thinking. My family plays an important role in bringing me to this juncture where I can apply for my Bachelor’s in Computer Science Engineering. Witnessing my elder sister’s dedication who acquired a merit-based scholarship at a renowned University in the US and my father’s diligence to bring his children to a platform where they can choose their path, has been extremely stimulating and inspiring. The current student loan that my sister has taken for her further education will be able to help her secure a good position post the MS course and I want to follow the same path so I can help my father who works at a stationery shop be at ease. Owing to my family’s financial condition, my parents have constantly provided the luxury of a good education and that is the only thing I have to fall back on.  Hence, during my school, I was a vigilant student who scored well throughout her schooling, while also learning beyond the scope of my syllabi. I have been a consistent holder of merit certificates for academic achievements since 7th grade and secured 1st position in 10th, 11th, and 12th grade while also scoring highest in Computer Science and Math in my entire batch. I often enjoyed reading my sister’s computer Science books as I felt hinged to logical and analytical thinking. My first learning of Computer Science was in grade 9th when I learned HTML. Along with this I also learned ways to create a website where I optimally used my creative abilities, especially in coding.   In class 11th, I unraveled topics like data types and operators, conditional statements, data structures like lists, tuples, strings, and dictionaries, sorting algorithms, functions, libraries, data file handling, error and exception handling, data visualization using pylot, data representation, and boolean logic. I also learned Database concepts and Structured Query Language, along with interface Python with SQL and cyber safety. Python-SQL connectivity became the target concept for my A+ grade year-end project ”result analysis” where I created tables in SQL and modules in Python. 

I also made an Art Integrated Learning Project, to find hotels that suit the tourists’ requirements using the concepts of Data Structures and functions. Alongside these, I have opted to learn through online mediums and have attained relevant learning of various computer science-related subjects.  To enhance my personality, I participated in activities like Inter and intra-school Debate, art, and quiz competitions that evoked competitiveness in me. I have also exercised my leadership skills as I was the Executive of the student council where I  maintained the decorum of the school and also partook in activities like organizing quizzes and managing cultural and sports events. I have also been a member of the interact club where I have practiced and learned the importance of community service. Sports have also been a cardinal part of me and I have enjoyed playing badminton and basketball in which I won 1st position at the zonal level competition which enhanced my focus and made me humble as a person. 

The various exposures that I have attained so far have empowered me to choose GKS for my future studies. It ranks at the top of OECD countries for scholastic achievement and educational competitiveness while also ranking 1st for  ICT (Information and Communications Technologies).  It will be a great step to be a part of GKS and understand more about South Korea in terms of culture and of course the emphasis it lays on education. I will be able to perform well as a student and will make my country proud as moving there for education is a reflection of the friendship between my country and South Korea. 

Are the GKS Scholarship and KGSP Scholarship the same?

The Global Korean Scholarship Track Qouta 2024 

Embassy Track (800) + University Track (1400) = Total (2,200) 

The GKS Scholarship for this year 2024 has been announced by the Korean Government and they have invited 2200 International Students, for which students can apply through two tracks – Embassy Track and University Track, for which you need to read the whole to understand the same in detail.

The Global Korean Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarships in Asia and the most sought-after South Korean Scholarship among international students which can be applied through two tracks – Embassy Track and University Track, where the difference lies in the application process. The Embassy Track has three steps – you have to apply through the Korean Embassy where the application is selected and then forwarded to NIIED for further selection and then finally it reaches the university for final vetting of the applicants. You can select three universities from the Embassy track which is a better option overall and the quota allotted to the embassy track is 800. 

Embassy Track = 3-Step Process, 

Embassy Selection > NIIED Selection > University Selection

Options to choose 3 universities 

University Track, on the other hand, is quite simple, and once the university selects the candidates it sends the application to NIIED for final selection, which is a simple two-step process. The total quota allotted to University Track is 1400 which is quite higher than the Embassy Track.

University Track = 2 Step Process

University Selection > NIIED Selection

South Korean Universities Available for GKS 2024 Programs 

The South Korean Universities for GKS are divided into two major categories – Type A and Type B and each candidate can choose up to 3 Universities from A and B types but must select at least one of the universities from the Type B list as well. 

Type A Universities for GKS 2024 Graduate

Type B Universities for GKS 2024 Graduate

Importance, Tips, Guidelines for GKS / KGSP Scholarship Program – 2024 

The Global Korean Scholarship Program or Korean Government Scholarship Program for 2024 has been announced recently and thus we are updating our blog to add more tips and guidelines for creating a stellar personal statement for GKS Scholarship 2024. It is very important to focus on the personal statement because it holds a significant value in your application. Here are the tips to help you draft a convincing SOP for the GKS Scholarship in South Korea. One should focus on the story demonstrating what made him/her plan to study in Korea as they wish to admit those candidates who are genuinely interested in Korean Culture and lifestyle. Opening the GKS Essays with a strong introduction about the inclination towards Korea can be an impressive move. Highlight some unique abilities, skills, and qualities you have that can make you stand out from the crowd. GKS Program of South Korea is majorly focused on cultural exchange, so you should also show your interest and awareness in such topics and share some important things you like about Korea and its culture. Drafting an impressive, well-written, and insightful personal statement or SOP increases your chances of being selected for the GKS / KGSP Scholarship in 2024.