You CANNOT apply to both tracks
NIIED cross-checks every application. If they find you applied through your embassy AND directly to a university, you are immediately disqualified from both. This happens every year to applicants who think they won't get caught. They always get caught.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Embassy Track | University Track |
|---|---|---|
| Apply through | Korean embassy in your country | Directly to a Korean university |
| University choices | List 3 preferences | Only 1 university |
| Type B requirement | Must include at least 1 Type B (regional) university | No requirement |
| Deadline | Sep – Oct (earlier) | Feb – Mar (later) |
| Interview | Embassy interview (varies wildly) | Usually no interview |
| Competition | Compete within your country's quota | Compete globally for university's slots |
| Contact with university | Minimal — embassy handles it | Direct contact with department/professor |
| Physical documents | Submit to embassy in person or by mail | Mail to university in Korea |
| Slots available | Depends on your country (5 to 50+) | Depends on university (usually fewer) |
| Best for | Strong all-around profile, flexible on university | Specific university/professor in mind |
Which Track Is Right for You?
Answer 5 quick questions and we'll recommend a track. This takes about a minute.
1. Do you have a specific Korean university in mind?
2. Have you already contacted a Korean professor?
3. Is the Korean embassy in your country known for being supportive?
4. Are you comfortable with interviews?
5. Would you be okay studying at a regional (non-Seoul) university?
Embassy Track looks like a better fit for you
You're flexible on university choice, comfortable with interviews, and open to regional placements. The embassy track gives you 3 university options and your country's embassy will guide the process. Apply through your local Korean embassy when applications open in September-October.
Start your application →University Track looks like a better fit for you
You have a specific university or professor in mind, and you'd rather skip the embassy interview process. The university track lets you apply directly and build a relationship with your future department. Apply when the university opens its GKS round, typically February-March.
Start your application →Embassy Track: The Full Picture
The embassy track is the more traditional path. You apply through the Korean embassy (or consulate) in your home country. Each country gets a certain number of GKS slots — and this varies dramatically. Vietnam might get 100 slots. A small Caribbean nation might get 3. Your competition is other applicants from your country, not the global pool.
You list 3 university preferences, and at least one must be a "Type B" regional university (outside Seoul/metropolitan area). NIIED assigns you to a university based on availability, your preferences, and the university's acceptance. You might get your first choice, or your third. There's no guarantee.
The embassy interview is where things get unpredictable. Some embassies run structured 30-minute panels with 5 evaluators. Others do a quick 10-minute chat over Zoom. One scholar from Bangladesh described a rigorous academic grilling. A scholar from Peru had a casual conversation about K-dramas. This inconsistency is one of the biggest criticisms of the GKS system.
"My embassy interview felt like a job interview for a Fortune 500 company. My friend from another country said theirs was 5 minutes and they just asked why they liked Korea. How is that fair?" — GKS scholar from Egypt
University Track: The Full Picture
The university track lets you apply directly to one specific Korean university. The university reviews your application and recommends you to NIIED for the scholarship. It's more targeted but also riskier — you only get one shot at one university.
The advantage? Direct contact with the department and potentially with professors. For PhD applicants, this is huge. If a Korean professor wants you in their lab, that recommendation carries enormous weight. You're not just a file number at the embassy.
The disadvantage? Fewer slots. A university might only have 5-10 GKS positions to fill across all departments. And you're competing against applicants from all 155+ eligible countries, not just your own. If you pick a popular university like SNU or Yonsei, the competition is fierce.
There's also the mail problem. You need to send physical documents to Korea. International mail isn't always reliable. "Mail can be unreliable, so send in advance!" is repeated on every GKS forum. Use a tracked courier service. Don't trust regular post for documents that determine your future.
The Bottom Line
Choose Embassy if:
- •You're flexible about which university
- •Your country has a good number of GKS slots
- •You prefer having 3 chances instead of 1
- •You're comfortable with interviews
Choose University if:
- •You have a specific university or professor in mind
- •You're applying for PhD with research connections
- •Your country's embassy is unhelpful or has few slots
- •You'd rather be judged on academic merit alone
Ready to start? Read our step-by-step application guide for your chosen track.