Type A vs Type B Universities
Type A: Metropolitan
Universities in Seoul and major metropolitan areas. SNU, Yonsei, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan, Hanyang, etc. Higher competition. Higher living costs. More name recognition.
Type B: Regional
Universities outside Seoul. Chungnam National, Jeonbuk National, Kyungpook National, etc. Lower competition. Much lower living costs. Often better GKS scholar support. Embassy track requires at least 1 Type B.
Watch out: "Ghost Programs"
Some programs listed in the NIIED handbook as available for GKS scholars don't actually admit international students through GKS. The department may have changed its policy, or the program exists only in Korean. Research each program directly. Email the department. Don't assume because it's on the list that 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, tighter GKS community, and their stipend actually covered their expenses. In Seoul, KRW 900,000 barely covers rent + 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 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.