How to study in korea?

Korean universities are highly ranked globally, and their degrees are valued all over the world. With affordable tuition and high living standards, international students can have an advanced education while learning the valuable Korean language at the same time. Korea is well-known for its pop culture, but the nation also has a strong history, fascinating cities, and gorgeous nature. With 21 UNESCO heritage sites and over 200 universities, there is plenty for students to explore on their studies!

Often compared to New York City or Tokyo, Seoul is a lively city that combines new, old, and the future. The city is famous for its food, drink, and shopping culture. Historical sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace and Korean traditions like taking a dip in a public bathhouse offer plenty of opportunities to relax and embrace Korean culture. You can even get a birds eye view from the top of N Seoul Tower.

Universities in Seoul: Seoul National University, Korea University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University

Made globally famous by the zombie thriller Train to Busan, this city has much more to offer than its movie scene! Located on the coast, Busan has a thriving global commerce industry. Logistics, marine science, research, and hospitality students will find plenty of opportunities among the beaches and shipyards of Busan. It is the heartbeat of culture and economy in southern Korea.

Universities in Busan: Pusan National University, Pukyoong National University, Dong-A University

Daejeon is known for being South Korea’s center of science and technology. STEM, technology, and computer science would do well to study at some of this city’s notable scientific universities! In addition to being packed with science museums, expo parks, and high-tech firms, Daejeon also has plenty of hot springs, cafes and bakeries, and even forest adventures and hiking trails just outside the city center.

Universities in Daejeon: Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Chungnam National University, Solbridge International School of Business

Korean universities have two semesters: Spring (March-June) and Fall (September-December). The applications to start studying in Korea are usually due 3-4 months before the start of the new semester.

Students who want to start studying in the spring semester will apply from September-November of the previous calendar year.

Students who want to start studying in the fall semester will apply from May-June of the same calendar year.

Korean universities require an application fee to cover the cost of processing the application. The average application fee to apply to Korean university is between 20-200 USD.

As part of your application, you will also need to send financial proof that you can afford your studies. You will likely need to send a bank statement in your name or in a family member’s name with minimum $20,000 USD. This is proof that you will be able to pay the tuition and afford university in Korea.

Korean universities offer many excellent scholarship opportunities to international students. Here are a few of them:

These scholarships are given by the universities to students with high grades. More information can be found on the individual university’s websites.

To study in Korea in English, you will need to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS. These are the required minimum scores to study in Korea:

At the undergraduate and masters level, a minimum score of TOEFL 71 and IELTS 5.5 is required.

At the PhD level, a minimum score of TOEFL 79 and IELTS 6 is required.

If you are going to study in English, it is probably not required for you to take a Korean language exam.

If you want to study in Korean, you will need to a minimum score Level 3 on the Test of Proficiency in Korean(TOPIK). You will need to test at least TOPIK Level 4 by the time you graduate from a Korean-language program.

When you apply to study in Korea, you will need to provide these documents:

• Find a suitable school in Korea.
• Apply to your school at least 3 - 4 months before your course starts if you want to study on a student visa.
• Get a student insurance.
• Your school will then help you to apply for a student visa after the admission and tuition payment.

Seoul National University is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in South Korea and in Asia, currently ranked 37th in the QS World University Rankings. As of 2021, the university had over 9,500 international students, and offers a variety of extracurricular activities such as student clubs, sports teams, and cultural events.

📚Top programs: engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences

Korea University is ranked 69th in the QS World University Rankings and has approximately 4,500 international students. The university offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports clubs, music groups, volunteer organizations, and academic societies.

📚Top programs: business administration, law, and international relations

Yonsei University is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in South Korea and Asia, and has a diverse student body with around 25% of students coming from abroad. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and cultural clubs, as well as opportunities for community service and leadership development.

📚Top programs: business administration, law, international studies

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) is ranked as the second-best university in South Korea and is known for its strong programs in science and engineering. It has a high proportion of international students, with around 15% of its student body coming from abroad, and offers a variety of extracurricular activities including sports teams, clubs, and student organizations.

📚Top programs: materials science, chemistry, and electrical and electronic engineering

Further, with its national obsession with studying popularly called “Education Fever” and the high percentage of its citizens holding a tertiary education degree, South Korea is among the most educated countries in the world! With scores of degree and skill development courses available, state-of-the-art facilities, modern infrastructure, and scholarship schemes, the East Asian nation has become a popular study-abroad destination! So, if you are planning to study in South Korea then here is a blog that will highlight the key details about taking admission and living in the country!

Here are the top reasons to consider studying in South Korea:

Korean universities sincerely focus on delivering quality education to their local and international students. Though there are various fields of study one can opt for, the most rewarding for Indian students are Arts, Science, and Management courses. Thus, if you are interested in shaping your career in any of these fields, pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies in a South Korean university will open the doors to innumerable opportunities!

Know more about the South Korean Education System!

Though Korean is the official language of the East Asian nation, the English-taught programs have increased over the years. International students can now choose from an array of programs spanning various disciplines like Global MBA, MBA, Clinical Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Public Administration, etc. International students should learn Korean when they live and study in South Korea especially when they want to settle there. It is imperative to know that almost all universities offer courses in the Korean language that vary from Beginner to Advance levels.

Moving abroad to a culturally different country can certainly give you cold feet. However, when you plan to study in South Korea, you will find the country to be extremely safe for international students. Seoul has also been placed in the 8th position in EIU’s Safe Cities Index report [2019]. Hence, with a conducive work and study environment, pursuing higher education from S.Korea can be a suitable choice!

The extremely hard-working Korean students are known for being welcoming and amiable. When you will study in South Korea, students from across the globe will let you become familiar with Korean and other cultures. The food, festivities, and hospitality of the Korean people will convince you that South Korea is an ideal destination for studying abroad in a safe and secure environment.

Few countries can equal the outstanding success and contribution of significant South Korean corporations like Samsung, LG, and SK Hynix regarding ICT. Thanks Hyundai and Kia, it is also a major player in the automobile sector.

South Korea is renowned for its openness to technology, entertainment, and the media. It’s a place where you may be creative and contribute new and innovative ideas to the globe. But it’s also a place with a long, fascinating, and intricate political history, making it a fantastic destination for social scientists and history buffs. Here are some topics to look for in South Korea:

Whether you are planning to study in South Korea after 12th or graduation, there are certain admission requirements that you need to accomplish. Here are the major requirements to study in South Korea for international students:

“How much does it cost to study in South Korea?” is a question that one must think about before deciding to start a career abroad. Depending on the course and the university you choose, the tuition fees can vary. Thus, it is advised to go through the costs and expenses before deciding to study in South Korea. Tabulated below are the total cost of living and studying in South Korea:

South Korea is home to many internationally acclaimed higher education institutions and attracts scores of international students from around the world. Here are the top universities to study in South Korea:

Other than the aforementioned ones, check out some more universities in South Korea.

Founded in 1946, Seoul National University is considered to be the most reputable university in South Korea. Through its 16 colleges, 1 graduate and 9 professional schools, the university offers various graduate and postgraduate courses in Social Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Fine Arts and other fields. Ranked 37th in the QS World University 2020 Rankings, its eminent alumni are Hoesung Lee (Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) and Ban Ki-moon (the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations).

Check out Seoul National University Acceptance Rate

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology was established by the Korean government, with the help of American policymakers in 1971 as South Korea’s first research-oriented science and engineering institution. It is classified into  2 schools, 6 colleges, and 33 departments. It also has three affiliated institutes including the Korea Science Academy, the Korea Institute of Advanced Study and the National NanoFab Center.

One of South Korea’s oldest and most esteemed universities, Korea University was founded in 1905. The distinguished faculty body of the educational institute consists of over 1500 full-time professors with 95% of them holding PhD or equivalent qualifications in their respective fields. The university has 17 colleges and schools with 59 academic departments and programs in total. Further, it offers fellowships, scholarships, and awards under the auspices of the Korea University Foundation.

Dedicated to education and research in the fields of Science and Technology, Pohang University of Science and Technology was established in the year 1986. With 86 research institutes, 11 undergraduate departments, and 21 postgraduate courses, the university is popular amongst those who want to study in South Korea. It has partnerships with more than 130 universities across the world and for those who are not from the partner institutes, a visiting research program, running for 12 months is also available. POSTECH provides professional courses in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, Technology, and various other fields.

One of the notable universities of South Korea, Sungkyunkwan University was founded in 1398. The university’s partnership with Samsung has helped SKKU to develop world-leading academic programs in Mobile Communications Engineering, Nanotechnology, Software Development, Energy Engineering, Business, Medicine, and Law. Through the Samsung Global Scholarship Program, 15-25 students are selected for Seoul National University’s engineering program or SKKU’s Graduate School of Business every year.

Located in Seoul, South Korea, Yonsei University is a private research educational institute established in 1885. As one of Korea’s three “SKY”  (Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University) universities, Yonsei offers quality education in various fields such as Economics, Commerce, Law, Engineering branches, Medicine, Life Sciences and much more. There are over a hundred clubs at Yonsei University including the Business Innovation Track (a track aiming to stimulate the innovative young generation), International Yonsei Community (a community for global, multicultural exchange in the Yonsei society),  Avenante (mixed choir in Yonsei University, composed of both music and non-music majors) and more.

With its motto and educational philosophy of “Love in Deed and Truth”, Hanyang University was founded in 1939. The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Engineering Sciences, Pharmacy, Science & Convergence Technology, Languages & Cultures, Communication & Social Sciences, Computing, Business & Economics, Sports and other fields. The notable alumni of Hanyang University include Chung Mong-Koo (Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group), Pyun Hye-young (Author) and Chang Chang-sun (Olympic silver medalist and world champion).

Because the government covers all costs, including tuition, books, transportation, stipends, living expenses, health insurance, and Korean language classes, students can study for free.

With South Korea’s focus on increasing the number of international students and aiding those who are not financially stable, several scholarships and other awards are offered. Apart from the Government-funded schemes, almost all universities in the Republic of Korea provide grants to international students. So if you are planning to study in South Korea then, here are some of the scholarships which you can consider:

Here are the key details of some of the major scholarships

Note: A general overview of the scholarships has been given in the table above. To know more in-depth, go through the official website here. Also, check out the Korean Government Scholarship Program for international students!

Just like other popular countries, South Korea also follows a 2-semester system. So, if you are planning to study in South Korea and want to know the details regarding the fall semester vs spring semester then glance through the following points:

If you are planning to study in South Korea then you should know that the application process runs based on the semester you choose. Further, all South Korean universities require students to apply directly to the university through an online application. Enlisted are a few general documents that students need to submit while sending their applications:

After securing admission to one of your shortlisted universities, you will require a study or what is called a D-2 Visa to study in South Korea. It is for any student enrolling in a Bachelors’s, Master, or PhD program at a junior college, university, or graduate school. The following are the documents required for submission:

Learn How to Apply for a South Korean Visa: A Step-By-Step Guide

The immediate question when you plan to study in South Korea is, can you work with a student visa in South Korea? The candidates holding D-2 [Student] and D-4 [Language Trainee] visas are allowed to work part-time, provided the university they study in allows it. For this, Students need to go to the immigration office to get a permit to work part-time. While for undergraduate students, the time constraint is 20 hours a week [Monday to Friday], for postgraduates, it is 30 hours a week with weekends off for both categories.

Part-time jobs are essential for international students. Here are some highlights of part-time jobs in South Korea:

As the most industrialized member of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and one of the G-20 major economies, South Korea ensures a financially secure future for students following graduation. Further, with the partnerships the South Korean universities have established with various recruiters across sectors, the career prospects are immense! Though not compulsory, if you want to study in South Korea and then work, it is advised to learn the Korean language as it will give you an edge over other candidates. Enlisted are the industries which recruit scores of candidates:

South Korean markets are competitive but if you know the language well then your Korean degree and international background can serve as an added advantage. IT sector is the most popular amongst Indian students. With the growing political ties with the country, Indian students can find better job prospects for themselves. An IT or Computer Engineer earns up to USD 46,980 (₹38.67 Lakh) annually. Whereas the salary of a Business graduate can be around USD 74,500 (₹61.33 Lakh).

Various companies in South Korea offer excellent opportunities to Indian students. Here is a list of such companies, most of them have branches all over the world, including India:

South Korea has a wide range of options for students who are interested in higher education, with over 370 official institutions in total. The new QS South Korea University Rankings, which features 50 of the nation’s top universities and is based on the same methodology used to produce the Asian rating, can be used to get a closer look at South Korea’s top colleges. Getting a degree from a South Korean University will spike your resume to the world’s best job markets.

Annyeong haseyo! Do you want to study in Korea? We can help you! Here you will find information about schools, costs, how to apply, Korean language, scholarships, working in Korea etc.

I have worked with Korean Universities since 2010, visited many schools around the country and helped hundreds of students to study in Korea. It is a fantastic country to experience and study in. In this article, we will try to answer all the common questions about this exciting study destination. Don’t hesitate to fill out an info request form if you want help to study in Korea.

Why study in Korea?

Schools and educational system in Korea

When and how to apply?

How much does it cost to study in Korea?

Korean language and the TOPIK-test

Student visa to study in Korea

Working as a student in Korea

Scholarships for studying in Korea

Insurance when you study in Korea

Student Housing in Korea

Can you help me to study in Korea?

Summary – how to study in Korea in 7 steps

Recommended schools in Korea

During the last ten years, Korea has become one of the most popular destinations for international students studying in Asia. It is attractive, trendy, and has a lot for a newcomer to indulge in and explore.  We see a “Korea Wave”, a global phenomenon, with the increasing popularity of K-pop, Korean-dramas, and Korean fashion. Apart from the pop culture influence, Korea is the leading force in the digital technology industry, being one of the most innovative countries with a highly Internet-connected society.

For a food lover, great Korean food is not restricted to the high-end restaurants but can also be easily found from its vibrant street vendors. Food in Korea is not only price friendly, but also healthy and rich in taste. In Korea, traditional Confucianism from ancient China meets the influence of American and Japanese modern culture.

There are also a lot of practical factors that make studying in Korea a great choice: living costs are cheaper than in many other developed countries, the tuition fees are reasonable and affordable. With its economic and political upheaval, modernized Korea is famous for its good quality of education and a high standard of health care. It is a safe and secure country with good travel connections to neighboring countries. Trips to China, Japan, and the rest of Asia on weekends or holidays add more perspective to the experience of living and studying in Korea.

As in most countries in the world, Korean students need to finish 12 years of schooling through primary school (6years), middle school (3years), and high school (3years) to enter tertiary education at universities and colleges. As in the US, universities offer 4 years bachelor degrees and 2 years master programs followed by doctoral programs. There are also vocational schools and junior colleges with a lower threshold of admission.

An academic year in universities has two semesters: spring semester from March-June and fall semester September–December. Semesters are usually 15 weeks long.

To study in Korea, international students can choose from the following options:

Korean language is essential for culture integration. Without knowing Korean language daily life in the local society is difficult and inconvenient. Knowing Korean at Topik 3 level or higher is often a prerequisite for degree programs in Korea since even degree programs taught in English often include some classes taught in Korean

Therefore most international students start their studies in Korea with language learning at the Korean Language Institute (KLI) of one of Korea’s many universities. There are also a few private Korean language schools, but unlike the university KLI’s private language schools cannot sponsor a student visa. So if you want to study in Korea for three months or longer the universities are your best bet.

Korean language programs in universities consist of 4 quarters a year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter), with 10 weeks each quarter. You usually have language classes 4 hours per day (either in the morning or afternoon), five days a week. We will talk about Korean language levels and how to reach those levels later in this article.

We can help you with language courses, study abroad semesters and degree programs in Korea! Fill out an information request to get help.

Most universities recruit twice a year, 4 months prior to the commencement of the semester for university courses. Language course applications are usually more flexible, starting quarterly or even more frequently with simpler application procedures. There is no central admission authority in Korea, so each school set their own deadlines, which can be found on the school’s homepage. Some universities accept applications online nowadays, making the procedure efficient and easy to monitor the progress, but many schools still insists on more primitive paper applications.

Here we list the general procedures and application document lists for language courses and degree courses respectively for your reference, but it is important to keep in mind that each school may have their own specific requirement.

Application Procedures:

Example of Admission documents:

We can help you apply to study Korean in Korea at selected schools and universities. Fill out an info request for more information or read more on the page of the Korean school that you are interested in.

Application Procedures:

Example of Admission documents:

The universities in Korea charge the same amount of tuition to both domestic and international students, in order to bring more foreigners to study in Korea and to create an international academic environment.

Private universities are more expensive than public universities. Programs like Medicine, Engineering etc. cost much more than humanity programs. Except tuition fee, newly enrolled students also need to pay a one-time entrance and/or enrollment fee at the beginning of their program. Students usually pay once or twice per year.

The wide range of annual tuition for undergraduates is 4,000-20,000 USD, depending on universities and programs,  with an average of 11,000 USD. Scholarships are available majorly offered by universities and also from government entities. The chance to get one that covers a part of the tuition fee is rather good, but you will need some money of your own to pay for the remainder of the tuition fee and to prove that you have the funding needed to get a student visa to Korea.

Language programs are more affordable, with a cost of 1,300-1,600 USD per 10 week semester.

Relatively low living costs for food, transportation and accomodation makes studying in Korea feasible and practical. School canteens provide cheap and good quality meals at a couple of dollars. Groceries in supermarkets are not only full of options but also have very good prices. A monthly cost of 300 USD on food is reasonable if you are not too careless with your budget. Big cities like Seoul and Busan have good public transportation networks, efficient, cheap and environmentally friendly. Public transportation is cheap, if you stay in the city where you study you will get by on a couple of dollars per day. Internet and mobile service is of high speed and low rate. International Students Medical Insurance is mandatory, see our recommendations below.

Korean (or Kugo as it is known in Korea) is the first language to both South and North Korea, and the Korean ethnicity living in Northeastern China. The Korean alphabet Hangul was scientifically invented in the 15th century and is often claimed to be the most logical alphabet ever created. There are 24 letters in Hangul, 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Consonants and vowels compose syllables. A word consists of a few syllables. Hangul is relatively easy to learn and once you have mastered it you will be able to read Korean words even if you don’t know what they mean.

Like the other East Asian languages, Korean is not an easy language for Westerners to learn. But if you dedicate a year to study the language at a Korean university KLI you should learn enough to fulfill the entry requirements for degree programs as we will write about below.

Korean universities request a certain level of Korean language to admit students for degree programs. You must pass TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) level 3 or higher for undergraduate programs, and TOPIK level 4 or higher for graduate programs. If the program you will take is 100% taught in English it can be enough to show a TOEFL result instead, but beware that many degree programs include some courses taught in Korean even if English is the primary language of tuition.

TOPIK is a comprehensive Korean Language test including reading, writing and listening. The test is designed to measure the language ability of foreigners who speak Korean as a foreign language and want to use it for academic and professional purposes. There are three levels of the test, and two grades in each level, from Level 1 at the lowest to Level 6, the most advanced level. The levels are roughly equvalent to the European Framework levels A1-C2. There are 6 tests held in a year.

In general 1 level equals 10 weeks of studies in a KLI, so it takes three quarters/9 months to get to TOPIK level 3, the minimum level for university admission. However, we recommend beginners to take at least one year if you want to continue on the undergraduate program afterward to make sure you reach level 3 and also make your undergraduate studies easier. Our partner Konkuk University offers scholarships to degree students based on their TOPIK results.

You can find test dates, locations and more information at topik.go.kr.

Many nationalities can take a short language course in Korea for up to 90 days on visa waiver. Some nationalities can even extend this with another 90 days. Read more about visa free entry to Korea.

If you want to study in Korea for a longer period of time you will need to apply for a visa, usually a student visa. This procedure starts with applying to and becoming accepted by a school in Korea and pay for your tuition fee. The school will then send you the documents you need to apply for and get your visa from the Korean embassy in your home country. Read more in our step by step guide on how to apply for a student visa to Korea.

To work part-time in Korea international students on a student visa must apply for a permission for certain extracurricular activity from the immigration service. Students in language courses cannot apply for it until after 6 months of study. Official approval from your school is necessary apply for the work permit.

With a permit students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week (30 hours per week on postgraduate programs). University students with TOPIK level 3 or above have an easier time finding jobs and they can work without limitation during school holidays.

The most common part-time job is working in shops and restaurants, but those jobs can be hard to get if you don’t speak decent Korean. Hourly rates for a simple job like a waiter or cashier is about 9000 won - 10,000 won (about $8 USD). Jobs as a tutor or English teacher pays better and are also popular among international students. Hourly wage is about 25,000 won - 40,000 won ($25-33). It should be noted that there are some jobs you are not allowed to take on a student visa, you are for example not allowed to work in the manufacturing industry.

You will need your own funding to secure a student visa to Korea. However, there are some scholarships you can apply for to lower your costs on degree programs.

For more information on how to find and apply for scholarships see our article Scholarships for studying abroad.

It is mandatory to have a student insurance when you study abroad in Korea. You must show proof of insurance before the school can send you the documents you need to apply for a student visa. Here you can find recommended study abroad insurances.

International students can choose to live on campus or off campus when they study in Korea. Living on campus is very convenient but living off campus gives you more freedom, so both options have their pros and cons, depending on what matters most for you.

Staying in a dormitory on campus is a good choice, if you don't mind sharing a room with another student. University dormitories are often well equipped, with plenty of facilities like a gym, study and social area, cafeteria etc. Dorm fees are reasonable, food in the cafeteria is cheap and convenient, and you can walk to your classes. In Konkuk university, a shared dorm room costs around 2 600 000 won (about 2100 USD) for a semester. One meal costs only 3,500 won (2.9 USD) in the cafeteria. With all that being said, one must be prepared to follow certain rules to live in a student dorm, from visitor restrictions, curfew, to a possible close down period during holidays.

If you treasure your privacy and freedom or if you want to choose where to live then we would recommend finding accommodation off campus. You can stay with a host family or live in a shared apartment. Find off campus accommodation in Seoul.

Yes, we have helped students study in Korea since 2010. We and our partners can help you to choose and apply to selected universities in Korea. However, please note that we cannot help you fund your course so you will need savings to cover tuition fee and living costs. Fill out our request form and we will send you more information about studying in Korea.

You will find more details in the article above. For more info on how to plan your studies see our checklist to study abroad.