Preparing documents for the Global Korea Scholarship is a critical step that many applicants underestimate. Every year, strong candidates lose their chance not because of poor grades, but due to missing, incorrect, or improperly prepared documents. The GKS document process is detailed and strict, especially for graduate-level programs. This guide explains the required documents in a clear and simple way so applicants can avoid common mistakes and submit their applications correctly through the Embassy Track or University Track.
This article is written for graduate-level GKS applicants only. It is intended for students applying for Master’s, Doctoral, and Research programs in South Korea. Undergraduate applicants should not use this guide, as their document requirements are different. The article covers both Embassy Track and University Track applications and explains what documents are required, when they must be submitted, and which documents need official authentication. The goal is to help applicants understand the process without confusion or unnecessary stress.
Although the main document requirements remain similar each year, small changes may occur depending on the application cycle. In addition, Korean embassies and universities may apply slightly different submission rules during the first round of selection. For this reason, applicants must always follow official instructions issued by the embassy, university, or NIIED. This guide should be used as a practical reference to prepare documents carefully and avoid errors that could affect the final evaluation.
GKS Documents Required: Embassy & University Track:
Who This GKS Document Guide Is For:
This guide is for:
- Master’s degree applicants
- Doctoral (PhD) applicants
- Research program applicants
- Graduate-level GKS applicants
It covers documents required for:
- Embassy Track
- University Track
Understanding Document Submission Stages:
All GKS applicants submit documents in two main stages.
- First Round: Documents are submitted to the Korean embassy or the university.
- Second Round: Selected applicants submit documents to NIIED.
- Apostille or consular confirmation is not required in the first round.
- It is required only after selection, when submitting documents to NIIED.
Documents Required for Embassy Track:
1. Documents to Complete (Filled on the System)
Applicants must complete the following forms online, then print and sign them:
- Application Form
- Personal Statement
- Study Plan
- GKS Applicant Agreement
- Personal Medical Assessment
- Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information
All forms must be:
- Filled in English or Korean
- Printed clearly
- Signed with original handwritten signatures
- Unsigned or incomplete forms may lead to rejection.
2. Letter of Recommendation (Embassy Track):
- Only one letter of recommendation is required.
- Applicants must use Form 5 provided in the system.
- The recommender must complete and sign the form.
- A scanned copy is uploaded in the first round.
- The original letter is submitted after selection.
- The recommender should be a professor, department head, or academic supervisor. Letters from employers or school teachers are generally not recommended unless they can evaluate academic ability.
3. Required Certificates (Embassy Track):
Applicants upload scanned copies in the first round. After selection, one set of original documents must be submitted to NIIED.
Required certificates include:
- Proof of citizenship and family relationship
- Bachelor’s graduation certificate (or expected graduation certificate)
- Bachelor’s academic transcript
- Master’s graduation certificate and transcript (for Doctoral applicants only)
- These certificates must be apostilled or consular confirmed in the second round.
4. Optional Documents (Embassy Track):
Applicants may submit:
- TOPIK or TOPIK IBT score
- IELTS or TOEFL score
- Awards and certificates
- Proof of work or research experience
- Passport copy
- Optional documents do not require apostille.
Documents Required for University Track:
1. Documents to Complete
University Track applicants must prepare:
- Application Form
- Personal Statement
- Study Plan (Master’s and Doctoral only)
- Research Proposal (Research program only)
- Letter of Recommendation
- GKS Applicant Agreement
- Personal Medical Assessment
- Consent to Collect and Use Personal Information
For the first round, each university decides how documents are submitted. Applicants must strictly follow university instructions.
2. Required Certificates (University Track):
Required certificates include:
- Proof of citizenship and family relationship
- Bachelor’s graduation certificate and transcript
- Master’s graduation certificate and transcript (for Doctoral applicants)
For the second round, all required certificates submitted to NIIED must be apostilled or consular confirmed.
3. Optional Documents (University Track):
Applicants may also submit:
- Language test certificates
- Awards and certificates
- Proof of professional or research experience
- Passport copy
Proof of Citizenship and Family Relationship:
Applicants must submit official documents that clearly show:
- Citizenship of the applicant and parents
- Family relationship between the applicant and parents
Accepted documents include:
- Birth certificate
- Family registration certificate
- Other official government-issued family documents
- If parents are deceased or divorced, supporting documents must be provided. Passport copies may be submitted if citizenship is not clearly mentioned.
Graduation Certificate Rules:
Applicants must submit:
- Graduation certificate, degree certificate, or diploma
- The document must show the date of graduation
Expected Graduates
- Applicants graduating by July 31 may apply with an expected graduation certificate. However, the final graduation certificate must be submitted by the deadline and must be apostilled or consular confirmed. Failure to submit it will cancel the scholarship, even after selection. Temporary or provisional certificates are not accepted.
Academic Transcript Requirements:
- Transcripts must be officially issued by the university
- CGPA or overall GPA must be clearly shown
- If the GPA scale is unclear, a converted GPA document should be submitted
- The GPA conversion must be officially confirmed by the university. Transferred students must submit transcripts from all institutions attended.
Apostille and Consular Confirmation Rules:
Apostille causes confusion for many applicants.
- Apostille is not required in the first round
- Apostille is required only after selection, when submitting documents to NIIED
Documents that require apostille:
- Graduation certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of citizenship and family relationship
- Documents in other languages must be translated and apostilled. Simple photocopies of apostilled documents are not accepted.
Language Test Certificates
Applicants may submit:
- TOPIK or TOPIK IBT
- IELTS or TOEFL
- English test certificates must be valid until at least February 28 of the application year. Language tests are optional but can strengthen the application.
Important Notes for All 2026 GKS Applicants:
- All documents must be in English or Korean
- Missing documents or signatures can result in rejection
- Documents submitted to NIIED are not returned
- Embassies and universities may request additional documents
- Deadlines are strict and must be followed
Final Advice:
- Start preparing documents early.
- Use official certificates only.
- Check apostille rules carefully.
- Review every document before submission.
- Correct documents are the foundation of a successful GKS application.
Note: In some cases, Korean embassies may request additional documents, and universities may ask for extra materials during the application process. In addition, certain applicant categories may have different requirements based on their background or program type. Applicants should always follow the official instructions issued by the embassy, university, or NIIED for their specific situation.
Good Luck!
