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Study in South Korea

Higher Education Structure in South Korea

Study In South Korea

South Korea is home to more than 300 Institutions of Higher Education, including public universities, private colleges, and polytechnics. More than 200,000 international students are enrolled in various colleges in South Korea, ensuring a cosmopolitan culture at the different Universities in the country. Even though the cost of University education in South Korea is relatively high (comparable to European tuition fees), the high quality and universal recognition ensure that it is a good investment.

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is home to more than 50 million people, half of whom live in the urban area centered on the capital and largest city of Seoul. A developed country with a thriving economy, it is a notable cultural hub with a strong music and media industry. The Human Development Index and per capita GDP of South Korea are both among the highest in Asia, making it a popular destination for international students and tourists, with futuristic urban areas, beaches, and mountains.

The Perks of Studying in South Korea

South Korea is highly ranked on several important indices for students and residents. Some highlights include:

  • The country is ranked #43 in the world in the “Safest Countries in the World” ranking by WiseVoter in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #30 in the world by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2023.
  • The country is ranked #5 in the world according to the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report in 2019.

Higher Education Framework in South Korea

There are several different types of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in South Korea:

1. Universities: They have at least three colleges or graduate schools within them, ensuring a wide range of fields of teaching and research.

2. Technical Colleges: They offer industrial training leading to three year specialized Bachelor's degrees (as compared to four year undergraduate degrees awarded by most Universities). They usually focus on a narrow range of technical skills.

3. Polytechnic Colleges: The entry criteria for these HEIs are slightly less demanding than for technical colleges; they provide vocational training to high school graduates, skilled unemployed professionals, and school dropouts. They are a source of trained labor workers.

4. Corporate Colleges: Under the unique Lifelong Education Act of South Korea, company workers may join corporate colleges to upgrade their skills, and earn a professional degree.

Certificate and Professional Diploma Programs

Short term certificate courses in South Korea usually last three to six months, and focus on Korean language learning. These are offered in both distance and physical mode by HEIs in Korea. Polytechnic Colleges offer diplomas that can be completed in 1-3 years depending on the previous level of technical experience of the candidate. Certain Corporate Colleges also offer short term certificate programs.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor’s degree programs in South Korea are offered by all Universities, and a majority of courses in the major Universities are taught in English as well as in Korean. These degrees take between 3 and 4 years to complete, and any student who has completed a recognized high school diploma anywhere in the world is eligible to apply. 

Postgraduate Programs

Postgraduate Master's programs in South Korean Universities are available in both Korean and English. They are quite costly, and the competition for entry into the largest universities is high. Korean postgraduate degrees are recognized worldwide. They normally last two years; three semesters of course work are followed by one semester of research work, leading to a Master's thesis defense.

Doctoral Programs

Applicants to PhD programs in South Korea must hold a Master's degree in a relevant discipline. Unlike in many other countries, most doctoral students in South Korean Universities can obtain their PhD degree in three years, though this implies a more intense period of research, in order to ensure that there are substantial findings worth reporting to the PhD defense panel.

Popular Disciplines Available in South Korea

The country has various universities that offer approximately all the disciplines of study in South Korea. Some of the popular disciplines available in South Korea are-

Korean Language and LiteratureReligious StudiesSocial Welfare
Physics and AstronomyEarth and Environmental SciencesBiomaterials Engineering
Landscape ArchitectureIndustrial EngineeringAerospace Engineering
Oriental PaintingConsumer and Child StudiesFood and Nutrition
MedicineKorean MusicManufacturing Pharmacy

Popular Cities with Most number of Universities in South Korea

Here are some popular cities that have the most universities in South Korea.

The name of the city No. of Universities
Seoul39
Busan13
Incheon3
Daegu3
Daejeon10
Gwangju29
Cheonan16

Average Monthly Expenses in South Korea for International Students

Most highly ranked South Korean Universities have graduate tuition fees between 6 million and 10 million Korean Won per semester, with Medicine and Pharmacy having the highest fees. Undergraduate and Doctoral courses have similar fees; however, most students are able to pay for PhD programs through a teaching or research assistant opportunity.

The average cost of living in the larger cities for candidates who study in South Korea is on par with that in European countries. For example, students can expect to spend about 1 million Korean Won per month on living costs, with dormitory rent taking up about half of this. If students opt for private housing, the cost will be even higher. Other components of the living cost include food, phone costs, travel, and recreation.

Students Visa Requirements

Here is the list of documents students need to have to apply for a student visa in South Korea.

Applicants for a long term Student Visa must complete the steps listed below, and submit the following documents:

  • A filled South Korean student visa application form.
  • A copy of a valid international passport (the page with the photographic ID).
  • One recent passport size photograph.
  • A Certificate of Admission from a University located in South Korea.
  • The visa application fee (paid online).
  • Proof of payment of the first semester / year’s tuition fee (varies based on University).
  • Proof of Residence; either a letter assigning campus housing from the University authorities, or a rent agreement.
  • Tuberculosis Test Certificate.
  • Academic Certificates from previous degrees / high school diploma.
  • Financial Statement, showing access to funds equivalent to USD 20,000, or proof of award of a scholarship for a similar amount.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

International students in South Korea should apply for a long term Korean student visa via their University. The fee varies slightly from institution to institution; for example, it is 130,000 Korean Won for international applicants to Korea University.

Applicants for a long term Korean student visa must submit one photograph. This must be recent; having been taken within the previous six months. The background must be white, and the dimensions should be 35 mm (width) by 45 mm (height).

If the Korean student visa application is not complete, and if the authorities find any discrepancy in the background check of the student, the candidature will be rejected. Students who feel that there are insufficient grounds for rejection may file an appeal with the Consulate in written form, attaching any additional material in support of their argument. If this does not work, the candidate may submit a new visa application after six months.

International students in South Korea may work part time (up to twenty hours per week) from their second semester onwards; they will need a valid residence permit and permission from the University in order to take up temporary employment. During vacations, they can join full time internships. After graduation, they can work in South Korea only if their employer sponsors a work visa.

South Korea has a flourishing economy, and the most lucrative jobs for international students are in the medical, high tech, industrial engineering, software development, business administration, and legal fields.

South Korea has five Universities ranked in the top 100 in the world in the QS 2024 rankings, including Seoul National University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea University, Yonsei University, and Pohang University of Science and Technology.

Most large Universities in South Korea have undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs that are taught in both English and Korean. For courses taught in English, students need not learn Korean, though it is still recommended in order to make the most of their time in the country.

Integrated medical degrees in South Korea usually last six years, and are more cost effective than in many European countries. However, the medium of instruction is Korean, so candidates must be prepared to learn the language at an advanced level, and most graduates of MBBS programs in Korean Universities end up working in the country in the long term.

The relatively high cost of University education to study abroad in South Korea makes it necessary for many international students to apply for scholarships. For example, Yonsei University provides both need and merit based scholarships to foreign students, if they satisfy the given criteria.