The Numbers
5-13%
Overall acceptance rate
2,000+
Selected per year
20,000+
Estimated applicants
"There was no significant difference between accepted and rejected profiles. The personal statement was the decisive factor." This finding from GKS research tells you everything: after meeting the 80% GPA minimum, your essays matter far more than whether you had 85% or 95%.
Competition by Region
Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines)Very High
South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan)Very High
Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan)High
Africa (various)Medium-High
Latin AmericaMedium
Eastern EuropeLower
Bonus Points System
TOPIK Certificate
Any level helps. Higher = more points.
STEM Fields
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math
Korean War Veterans Descendants
Descendants of Korean War allied nations' veterans
How to improve your odds
Write outstanding essays. Take TOPIK (even Level 1 helps). Apply for STEM programs. Choose the right track for your profile.