STUDY IN SOUTH KOREA
Study in South Korea to experience a fine blend of academic excellence and cultural heritage.
Earn a globally acclaimed, yet affordable degree in one of the most developed economies of Asia. Join a diverse international student community to immerse yourself in the vibrant K-culture.
FACTS
Learn everything you need to know about studying in South Korea
CAPITAL
Seoul
Currency
South Korean Won (KRW)
Language
Korean
International Students
181,842
Population
51.7 Million
Universities & Colleges
335+
Universities
Study in South Korea at one of the top universities in the country.
- Yonsei University
- Korea University
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Seoul National University
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Pohang University of Science and Technology
- Hanyang University
- Kyung Hee University
- EWHA Women’s University
- Chung-Ang University
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
- Woosoong University
- And Many More
Ready to Explore the Options and Move Ahead with your Educational Voyage
Courses
Based on student choice, here are the popular courses listed by the study in South Korea consultants at UniApplica.
- MBA
- Accounts & Finance
- Architecture
- Art & Design
- Biomedical Sciences
- Business Management
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Hospitality & Tourism
- LAW
- Medicine
- Nursing & Health
- Pharmacy
- Sports & Nutrition
- K-Pop Music Studies
- Korean Beauty
Turn your Study Abroad Dream to Degrees abroad in South Korea
Why Study in South Korea?
- High Quality Academics: South Korea is celebrated globally for high-quality academics and a focus on research and innovation. Five of the country’s universities feature in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2025.
- Research Opportunities: Known for its research orientation, South Korea spends about 4.93% of its GDP on R&D. Most research work is undertaken by industry in a world-class infrastructure, throwing open opportunities for graduates inclined to pursue a career in innovation.
- Affordable tuition: The best reason to study in South Korea is the reasonable cost of attending university. Tuition fees are economical in comparison to the likes of the USA, Europe, and Australia.
- Scholarship Options: Ample funding opportunities for deserving students include the fully-funded Global Korea Scholarship that targets to support 2,700 international students pursuing graduate and doctoral programs in science and engineering, and 6,000 non-science-subject students by 2027.
- Career Prospects: South Korea boasts a hi-tech economy with a thriving private sector headed by conglomerates like Samsung, Hyundai Motor, LG, Lotte, and more. These companies often collaborate with universities for internship and job opportunities, enhancing the career prospects of participating students.
- International Student-friendly Policies: South Korean government policies are moving towards attracting more talented international students to study abroad in South Korea, primarily in STEM, and encourage them to seek employment and settlement in the country post-graduation. To this effect, the country has seen policy implementation in areas like increased collaboration between industry and government for internship and employment opportunities, fast-tracking the visa system, increased part-time work hours, reduced waiting period for permanent residency, and so on.
UniApplica assists you to Study Abroad in South Korea
Best-fit Solutions:
Find the most suitable pathway from a wide range of university and program options, tailored to your interests by the UniApplica team of Study in South Korea Consultants.
Test-Prep Solutions:
Sign up for our customized test prep modules to help you prepare for standardized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT.
Documentation Assistance:
Our South Korea study visa consultants provide you with a comprehensive list of documents required for both your admission and visa applications and also help with document assessment.
Finding Scholarships:
The UniApplica Study in South Korea Consultants will match your profile with the best available scholarship options besides helping you with the application process.
Interview-Prep:
Additionally, get expert tips from our South Korea study visa consultants to shine during admission and visa interviews.
Post-Visa Support:
The UniApplica team of Study in South Korea consultants will continue their support beyond your admission offer and visa approval to ensure that your travel and settling down in the foreign country is smooth.
Intakes to Study in South Korea:
Intake: Spring
Application Timeline: September – November of the previous year.
Session Starts: March
Intake: Fall
Application Timeline: April – June of the same year.
Session Starts: September
You may also secure admission to select programs and universities to study in South Korea during the summer session.
Please note that each university will have specific admission timelines. You may consult the Study In South Korea Consultants at UniApplica for the application schedule of your preferred institution
Tuition Fees
Depending upon the program and university ranking, average tuition fees to study in South Korea can range between US$3500 to US$12000, annually. The table below estimates the semester fees for programs at different study levels.
Bachelor’s | US$3766.99 – US$5273.79 |
Master’s | US$4520.39 – US$6028.28 |
Doctoral | US$5273.79 – US$6781.81 |
To get clarity about the exact tuition fees of your chosen program at your preferred institution, contact the UniApplica team of Study In South Korea Consultants.
Scholarships to Study in South Korea
Students planning to study abroad in South Korea can avail of several scholarship options from universities, the government, and business organizations.
You can study in South Korea with University scholarships ranging between 30 to 100 per cent, depending upon academic merit, language skills and several other application criteria deemed fit by the awarding institution.
At Woosong University, all incoming students are considered for admission scholarships. The recipients get an aid ranging between 30 – 70 per cent towards the first-semester tuition fee.
Korea National University of Arts extends full scholarship support to deserving applicants from OECD DAC Recipient Countries through the AMA+ Project. The award is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students of arts.
Global Korea Scholarship is available for students of all disciplines, across study levels. 300 undergraduate and 1200 graduate awards are disbursed every year, covering airfare, tuition, medical insurance, monthly and settlement allowance, and completion grants.
Support Program for Self-financed International Students enrolled with a South Korean University entails a monthly allowance of US$374.72 for up to 10 months, awarded by the National Institute for International Education. Recipients must fulfill several criteria to be eligible for the award.
The Korea Foundation extends the Fellowship for Graduate Studies to Master’s/ Doctoral students pursuing research on Korean-related topics in Humanities/ Social Sciences, Culture/ Arts. The award is valid for a year and the amount is variable.
The Global Hope Scholarship Program extended by the Samsung Dream Scholarship Foundation is for students enrolling with a partner university to study in South Korea and are residents of a country in the DAC List of ODA Recipients. The award, granted for a maximum period of 8, 4 and 6 semesters for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, respectively, amounts to US$2,920.26 per semester for undergraduate programs and between US$2,620.74 and US$3,744.84 for graduate programs.
Explore these options, and more with the Study in South Korea Consultants at UniApplica to find the one that suits you best.
Cost of Living
The average living cost of students who study abroad in South Korea is approximately US$562.02 – US$749.41 per month. Here is an estimate of the different monthly expenses you may incur in the country.
Expense Heads | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
Accommodation | US$374.39 – US$524.14 | US$280 – US$700 |
Food | US$149.76 – US$224.64 | US$260 |
Transportation (Monthly Pass) | – | US$37.44 – US$75.01 |
Miscellaneous (Mobile Phone, Internet, Medical Insurance, etc.) | US$74.89 – US$149.76 | US$74.89 – US$149.76 |
At UniApplica, the Study In South Korea Consultants team can help you with a detailed cost of living estimation in your preferred city of the country.
Work Opportunities:
You can stay back to seek employment after graduating with a regular Korean degree of at least 2 years duration. During this tenure, a D-10 (Job-Seeking) visa will be your ticket to stay and go job-hunting in the country for a period of 6 months, extendable up to 2 years.
You must apply for a D-10 visa to the immigration office before your student visa to study in South Korea expires. The documentation includes:
- Passport copy
- Degree certificate
- Job seeking plan
- Proof of Korean language proficiency
- Proof of availability of adequate finances (exempted for first-time applicants)
- Accommodation proof
Once you secure a job in your field of study in South Korea, you must apply for a change to the relevant work visa status. Check with the UniApplica team of South Korea study visa consultants to learn more about post-study career opportunities in the country.
D-2 visa and valid Residence Card holding students can work part-time while they study in South Korea provided, they abide by the governing conditions. The South Korea Study Visa Consultants at UniApplica compiles the procedural requirements and limitations of part-time employment for international students in the country.
- Students pursuing a full-time degree program at a recognized university in either undergraduate or graduate levels can work part-time, on or off campus.
- To work off-campus, international students must obtain permission from the immigration office. Further, such students can apply for a work permit only after completing their first semester.
- They must maintain specific academic performance criteria and have desired levels of language proficiency
The number of hours that international students can work in a week while they study abroad in South Korea is tabulated here.
Level of Study in South Korea | K-language criterion fulfilled | K-language criterion unfulfilled | |
School Weekdays | Weekends and holidays | ||
Undergraduate | 25 hours | Unlimited | 10 hours |
Graduate | 30 hours | Unlimited | 15 hours |
Graduate/ Doctoral Students during thesis prep | 30 hours | Unlimited | 15 hours |
Please note that the current minimum hourly wage in South Korea is US$7.22.
To obtain permission for part-time work while you study in South Korea:
- Complete the “part-time work confirmation form” and get it signed by the employer.
- Complete the part-time work permit application form
You can submit the forms online or offline to the Immigration Office along with copies of
- Academic Transcripts
- Language Test Scores
- Copy of employer’s business registration certificate
Start earning while learning once you receive approval from the Immigration Office. However, please note that violating afore-mentioned guidelines will lead to disciplinary actions.
Need more details about working while you study in South Korea? Speak to the South Korea Study Visa Consultants at UniApplica now!
Climate / Weather:
While you study in South Korea, expect to experience a hot, humid summer and a cold, dry winter. Winter temperature dips below the freezing point across the country except in the southern coastal areas. The wettest months are June to August.
How To Apply Study Abroad in South Korea?
International students can study in South Korea in the following degree levels, provided they meet the corresponding general eligibility criteria and complete the recommended application process.
Academic Level | Duration | Eligibility Criterion |
Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | Completed 12 years of schooling |
Master’s Degree | 2 years or more | Bachelor’s Degree |
Doctoral Degree | 3 years or more | Master’s Degree |
Application to study abroad in South Korea at the above academic levels is online through the respective university’s application portal. Each application entails a fee that varies with universities. At Woosoong University, applicants across levels have to pay a one-time non-refundable fee of US$50.
- Application Fee
- Completed Application Form
- Copy of Passport Cover Page
- Copy of Passport Cover Page of both parents
- Educational Institution Registration Certificate
- Official Academic transcripts and certificates
- Valid English Language Proficiency Test Scores
- A Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Proof of Finances.
- Visa Issuance (Recognition) Application Form
The UniApplica team of Study in South Korea Consultants can guide you through the application process for your preferred institution in the country. Get in touch today!
Visa Guidance to Study Abroad in South Korea
Degree-seeking international students planning to study in South Korea must apply for a student visa (D2) through the embassy/consulate in their home country.
The South Korea Study Visa Consultants at UniApplica list the documents required for the application:
- Copy of Passport (passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the application date)
- Recent Passport-size photo
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Proof of Language Proficiency
- Proof of Finance (showcasing availability of funds equivalent to one year’s tuition and living expenses)
- Medical Certificate
- Health Insurance
- Proof of Accommodation
Visa Application Fees: US$90
Documents issued by the University to study in South Korea:
- Certificate of Admission (CoA)
- University Registration Certificate
The visa processing time depends upon the issuing office but generally takes about 2 to 4 weeks.
Upon approval of the visa application, applicants receive a visa grant notice, valid for 90 days. They must arrive in South Korea within the validity period of the grant and apply for a Residence Card immediately at the local immigration office.
The visa process to study in South Korea involves several key steps. Take advantage of the expertise of South Korea Study Visa Consultants at UniApplica today to ensure guided preparation for a smooth visa experience.
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FAQs
Why Study Abroad With UniApplica?
UniApplica covers the basics every Study needs. For everything, Anything.
International students can study in South Korea at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels. One can enrol as a fresh admission or take the Exchange or Transfer pathways.
Korean Universities have a bilateral understanding of academic collaboration and exchange with several reputed global institutions. Students in any of these collaborative institutions can travel to the counterpart university in South Korea and pursue their academic interests as exchange students. Alternatively, if you are a degree student at a foreign university, you can seek a transfer to continue your study at a South Korean university offering a similar program.
Please note that individual universities will have separate eligibility criteria for both exchange and transfer admissions.
The general acceptable English language proficiency test scores to study in South Korea are tabulated below:
Tests | Undergraduate | Graduate | Doctoral |
TOEFL | 71 | 71 | 79 |
IELTS | 5.5 | 5.5 | 6 |
Please note that universities may differ in their requirements and it is best to check with individual universities to understand their specific criteria.
Yes, your English language proficiency requirement may get a waiver in South Korea, if you meet certain criteria like citizenship of an English-speaking country, holding competitive ACT or SAT scores, studied IB or IGCS curriculum in high school, etc. You can check with the South Korea Study Visa Consultants at UniApplica for further clarity.
No, international students don’t need to be proficient in Korean to study in the country unless they are opting to pursue a program taught in the language. Several programs, particularly business, engineering, liberal arts, and international studies are delivered in English at prominent South Korean universities. However, knowledge of the language will elevate your study in South Korea experience.
Yes, your spouse and/ or unmarried minor children can be with you while you study in South Korea by applying for an F-3-1 Dependent Family Visa. Speak with the South Korea Study Visa Consultants at UniApplica today to understand the documentation and processes involved in applying for your dependent’s visa.
In general, international students must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 and 2.4 for undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively, to study abroad in South Korea.
Yes, South Korean universities do accept study gaps. A gap of up to 3 and 5 years is acceptable for undergraduate and graduate programs, respectively, to study in South Korea.
