GKS University Placement
Embassy track: list up to 3 universities, at least 1 of them Type B regional. University track: 1 choice. And some programmes on NIIED's list don't really work for international students. Welcome to the most confusing part of GKS.
ScholarshipUnion Editorial
2 min read
Updated Oct 5, 2026
Type A vs Type B universities
Universities in Seoul and major metropolitan areas, plus the science institutes — SNU, Yonsei, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan, Hanyang, KAIST, POSTECH and others (35 for graduate study in 2026, 28 for undergraduate in 2027). Higher competition. Higher living costs. More name recognition.
Universities outside Seoul — Chungnam National, Jeonbuk National, Kyungpook National, Pusan National and others (41 graduate, 42 undergraduate). Lower competition. Much lower living costs. Often better GKS scholar support. The embassy track requires at least 1 Type B choice, and R-GKS places are Type B only.
How the choice plays out
On the embassy track, NIIED's second round is followed by a third round in which each of your listed universities reviews you; you then pick your final university from those that accept you. Applicants who list only highly competitive universities can pass NIIED and still be rejected by all three — NIIED counted 52 to 86 such graduate candidates every year from 2020 to 2024. On the university track you name one university and one department, and there is no third round. Either way, once you're selected you cannot change or transfer university.
Some programmes listed in NIIED's University Information file as available for GKS scholars don't actually admit international students through GKS. The department may have changed its policy, the programme may exist only in Korean, or it may demand TOPIK 4 for entry. Research each programme directly. Email the department. Don't assume that because it's on the list you can actually enroll.
Seoul vs regional: the real difference
Everyone wants Seoul. But here's what regional scholars say: they had a better experience. Smaller class sizes, more professor attention, a tighter GKS community, and their allowance actually covered their expenses. In Seoul the allowance barely covers rent and food. In Gwangju, you can save money every month.
Regional universities also often provide better dormitory access for GKS scholars. In Seoul, dormitory waitlists are long and degree-year spots are not guaranteed.
The trade-off is social life and job networking. Seoul has more events, more companies, and more international communities. But for pure academic focus, many scholars say regional was better.
"I was devastated when I got placed at a regional university instead of my first choice in Seoul. Three years later, it was the best thing that happened to me. My professor treated me like family. I doubt I would have gotten that at a massive Seoul university."
Related
Understand the embassy vs university track choice first. Then check living costs by city and dormitory realities.