South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, has seen a rapid increase in international students in recent years.
Higher education institutions in Korea are largely divided into junior colleges (two to three-year programs), universities (four-year programs), and graduate schools. The majority of institutions are private, with only 48 public institutions out of 366 nationwide.
International students may pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in diverse academic fields by enrolling at a Korean university or college as a full-time student. Classes are often conducted in Korean, but reading materials are generally in English and coursework can usually be written and submitted in English. There is also an increasing number of programs that are offered entirely in English. Most universities offer English-taught programs, the number of which is steadily increasing.
Many South Korean universities have an affiliated Korean language center that provides intensive training to prospective international students and others interested in learning the language. Programs last from 10 to 12 weeks, but some universities also offer short-term programs of two to six weeks.
More information on studying in South Korea can be found on the Study in Korea website, run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), a division of the Ministry of Education. The site contains detailed information about South Korean universities, international student admission, a list of IEQAS-certified universities, and a calendar of local Overseas Study in Korea Fairs, virtual fairs, as well as a guide to the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).
Generally, the fees for private universities are 3 to 5 million won per semester, while those of national universities are 2 to 3 million won. There is some variation depending on the university and program, so it is important to check the university website or contact the institution’s admission office before applying.
There is a range of excellent scholarship opportunities available for international students, including GKS scholarships, which pay all tuition fees and provide a living allowance for the duration of study, including a year of fully-funded Korean language tuition. Visit Study in Korea for more details.
Applications are open to international candidates who have graduated (or are expected to graduate) high school in their home country and whose parents are not Korean nationals. An applicant’s TOPIK score must be level 3 or above (level 2 for science and engineering programs) to be eligible. However, requirements can vary by institution, so it is important to check before applying.
In some cases, applicants without the required TOPIK score can take a Korean language course to bring them up to the required level before beginning their academic program.
In the case of universities that have separate entry criteria for native English speakers and for programs delivered entirely in English, the Korean proficiency requirement can be waived. As admission criteria may differ, check the specific requirements and other information provided on the website of each university to which you plan to apply.
Once a student’s acceptance is confirmed, the university will provide specific details and instructions for admission and visa applications. The institution will guide students in applying for a D-2 visa. Students will receive a Certificate of Admission that they will need to take, along with other relevant documents, to the Korean consulate in order to be issued the D-2 visa.
Applications can be made directly through university websites. Alternatively, some universities also accept online applications through the Study in Korea portal.
The academic year starts with the spring semester. It’s more common for students to apply for admission in the spring semester, however many universities also allow students to first enroll in the fall.
Because the application requirements and selection process (including interviews and document submission) are different for each university, it is vital to confirm them prior to application, either via the university’s website or by contacting its international admission department.
In particular, the visa issuance requirements for international students are subject to the guidance and procedures of the university sponsoring the visa. A professional degree can be obtained as part of an undergraduate program, but the number of universities offering them is limited.
In the case of specialist programs (e.g., medicine), support for international students is not universal. Before applying, check with each university and program as to whether it can accommodate international students.
Students submitting applications need to follow the same deadlines that are listed on the Grade 12 timeline section of the website. If university applications need to be submitted after graduation, then grade 12 students submit a university notification form following the same deadlines listed in the Grade 12 timeline and then complete an Individual Japan / Korean University tracking sheet by May 31. The Korean university applications do count with the TASIS Ten Application Limit, even if submitted after graduation.
Study in Korea, including the specific page to apply to some university programs and the Guidebook for International Students
TOPIK Test - Further information about the basic level of Korean that is often needed