Guide
GKS-U application documents and apostille
More GKS applications fail on paperwork than on grades. The forms are straightforward; the certificates, with their apostille and translation rules, are where people lose weeks. Here is the whole checklist in order.
This guide lists the GKS undergraduate documents and the rules that govern them. For the program overview, see the GKS-U complete guide. The details are from the most recent official guidelines; confirm them in the current year's guidelines, and always follow the specific instructions of your embassy or university.
TL;DR
- Six forms to write: application form, personal statement, study plan, recommender's information (with a sealed recommendation letter), the GKS applicant agreement, and a personal medical assessment.
- Three required certificates: proof of citizenship and family relationship, your high-school graduation certificate, and your high-school transcript.
- The forms do not need an apostille, but the certificates do (or consular confirmation).
- Documents not in English or Korean need a certified translation, with the apostille or consular confirmation on either the original or the translation.
- The recommendation letter must be the original, sealed in an envelope.
- Your name must match your passport exactly, or it will delay your visa later.
The forms you complete
GKS-U documents to complete
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application Form (Form 1) | Includes the checklist that goes on top of your packet |
| Personal Statement (Form 2) | Your background and motivation |
| Study Plan (Form 3) | What you will study, why this university, and your plan after |
| Recommender's Information (Form 4) | Plus the original recommendation letter, sealed in an envelope |
| GKS Applicant Agreement (Form 5) | The terms you agree to |
| Personal Medical Assessment (Form 6) | A self-assessment of your health |
The personal statement and study plan are where you stand out. We cover them in detail in the statement of purpose and study plan guide, and the recommendation letter in the recommendation letters guide.
The certificates you provide
These must be authenticated (apostille or consular confirmation):
GKS-U required certificates
| Document | Required of |
|---|---|
| Proof of citizenship and family relationship | All applicants (covers you and your parents, e.g. a birth certificate or family register) |
| High school graduation certificate | All applicants (or a certificate of expected graduation) |
| High school academic transcript | All applicants |
| Associate degree certificate and transcript | Only applicants applying with an associate degree |
Optional documents you can add if relevant: a valid TOPIK or English (TOEFL, IELTS) score report, copies of awards mentioned in your essays, and a passport copy.
Apostille, consular confirmation, and translation
This is the part to start early.
- Documents in English or Korean must be apostilled or consular confirmed.
- Documents in another language need a certified translation, plus an apostille or consular confirmation on either the original or the translation.
- If your country is in the Apostille Convention, use an apostille. (Your high-school graduation certificate and transcript may instead use consular confirmation.)
- Simple photocopies or notarized copies of an apostilled document are not accepted; a certified true copy from a Korean embassy or the issuing government agency is.
Not sure whether your country uses apostille or consular legalization? Our country guides cover this per country, and the general application documents checklist explains the mechanics.
How submission changes by round
- First round (embassy or university): each embassy or university sets its own rules, and may accept photocopies or simplify the document set. Follow their instructions exactly.
- Second and third rounds (NIIED): forms must be in English or Korean with your original handwritten signature (no apostille needed for forms). Required certificates must be apostilled or consular confirmed. Copies needed: embassy General and Overseas Koreans programs submit one original plus three photocopies; R-GKS submits one plus two; the university track submits one original.
Things that quietly disqualify applications
- Your English name must match your passport exactly, including any middle name, or it will delay your visa.
- Submit documents in the order of the application checklist, numbered and labeled in the top-right corner, all in A4 (or letter) size.
- If a university asks for extra materials (for example a portfolio), submit those directly to the university.
What to do next
- Confirm you qualify in the eligibility guide.
- Draft your study plan and personal statement early, since they take real thought.
- Map your dates with the GKS-U timeline guide and start the apostille as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need for GKS?
You complete six forms (application form, personal statement, study plan, recommender's information with a sealed recommendation letter, the GKS applicant agreement, and a personal medical assessment), and provide three required certificates: proof of citizenship and family relationship, your high-school graduation certificate, and your high-school transcript. A TOPIK or English score, awards, and a passport copy are optional.
Do GKS documents need an apostille?
The required certificates do. Documents in English or Korean must be apostilled or consular confirmed; documents in another language need a certified translation plus an apostille or consular confirmation. If your country is in the Apostille Convention, use an apostille. The application forms themselves do not need an apostille, only your original signature.
What is the GKS personal statement and study plan?
They are two of the six required forms. The personal statement covers your background and motivation; the study plan covers what you will study, why that university, and your plans afterward. Together they carry a lot of weight in selection, especially if you do not submit a language test score.
Does the GKS recommendation letter need to be sealed?
Yes. The recommendation letter must be the original, sealed in an envelope, and submitted with the recommender's information form in the first round of selection.
Do I need certified translations for GKS documents?
Yes, for any document not in English or Korean. You submit a certified translation and obtain an apostille or consular confirmation on either the original document or the translation. Confirm the exact requirement with your embassy or university.