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Study in South Korea

Home to Samsung, Hyundai, and K-culture — affordable, innovative, and rapidly rising in global rankings.

4
Top-200 Universities
160K+
Int'l Students
20hrs
Work Rights/Week
#12
World Economy
Why South Korea?

6 Reasons to Study in South Korea

📱
Tech & Innovation Hub
Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia, SK Hynix, and Kakao all call South Korea home. Engineering, IT, and business graduates have exceptional industry access.
💰
Affordable Education
Tuition at top Korean universities is 30–50% cheaper than equivalent Australian or UK institutions. Government and university scholarships are widely available.
🎓
Rising Academic Rankings
Seoul National University, KAIST, Korea University, and Yonsei University all rank in the global top 200. Korea's universities are rapidly rising in global rankings.
🌏
Gateway to East Asia
Seoul's geographic position makes it an ideal hub for students targeting careers in China, Japan, or Southeast Asia. Korean Air connects Seoul to over 120 destinations.
🍜
K-Culture Global Influence
From K-pop to K-drama to Korean cuisine, South Korea's global cultural influence creates unique networking and creative career opportunities.
🛡️
Safe & Modern
South Korea has one of the lowest crime rates in Asia. Seoul is a world-class city with exceptional public infrastructure, healthcare, and quality of life.
Budget Planning

Cost of Studying in South Korea

ExpenseEstimated Range
Undergraduate tuition (national unis)₩2,000,000 – ₩4,000,000/semester
Undergraduate tuition (private unis)₩3,500,000 – ₩8,000,000/semester
Postgraduate tuition₩2,500,000 – ₩6,000,000/semester
Living expenses (Seoul)₩700,000 – ₩1,200,000/month
Living expenses (other cities)₩500,000 – ₩900,000/month
Student visa (D-2) fee~₩50,000
💡 Total annual cost including tuition and living is approximately A$15,000–A$25,000 — significantly lower than Australia, UK, or Canada.
What to Study

Popular Courses

Engineering & ElectronicsComputer Science & AIBusiness & FinanceKorean Language & CultureDesign & Fine ArtsBiomedical SciencesInternational StudiesArchitecture
Where to Study

Top Universities

Seoul National University
KAIST
Korea University
Yonsei University
Sungkyunkwan University
Hanyang University
Sogang University
POSTECH
When to Apply

Intake Dates

Recommended
Spring (Main)
March
Apply: Sep – Nov
Main intake — most programmes available
Autumn
September
Apply: Mar – May
Second major intake
English Proficiency

Language Requirements

TOPIK
Level 3+ (Korean-taught)
Required for Korean-medium programmes
Full guide →
IELTS
5.5 – 6.5 overall
For English-taught programmes
Full guide →
TOEFL
71 – 90 (IBT)
Accepted at most Korean universities
Full guide →
Duolingo
95 – 115
Growing acceptance — check individual universities
Full guide →
Funding Your Studies

Scholarships in South Korea

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
Eligible: All nationalities (government-sponsored)
Full tuition + ₩900,000/month stipend
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
Eligible: Undergraduate and graduate students
Full tuition + living allowance
University Scholarships
Eligible: High-achieving international students
30% – 100% tuition reduction
NIIED Scholarships
Eligible: Students from designated countries
Various amounts
Verified Reviews

Consultancies for South Korea

Real student ratings — not paid placements.

Find a Consultancy for South Korea

29 verified consultancies help students study in South Korea

EP
Edtalks Philippines
Makati, Philippines
★4.5(6)✓
SS
Study Solutions Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
★4.5(6)✓
AIMS Education
AIMS Education
Kathmandu, Nepal
★4.5(2)✓
Grace International
Grace International
Kathmandu, Nepal
★4.0(2)✓
EV
EduPath Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
★5.0(1)✓
FB
Future Bright Vietnam
Da Nang, Vietnam
★5.0(1)
Saipal Education Consultancy
Saipal Education Consultancy
Kathmandu, Nepal
★5.0(1)✓
Global Opportunity Nepal
Global Opportunity Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
★5.0(1)✓
KCR Consultants Chennai
KCR Consultants Chennai
Chennai, India
Danphe Education Foundation Dharan
Danphe Education Foundation Dharan
Dharan, Nepal
EG
EDU Global Tashkent
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
LE
Landmark Educational Consultancy and Institute
Nepalgunj, Nepal
View all 29 consultancies for South Korea →
Step by Step

Student Visa (D-2)

Fee: ~₩50,000 (~A$50)Processing: 5–10 business days
1

Receive admission letter from a Korean university

2

Apply for D-2 student visa at the Korean Embassy or Consulate in your country

3

Submit passport, application form, admission letter, financial evidence, and photos

4

Receive visa — usually within 5–10 business days

5

Register with Immigration within 90 days of arrival at a local Immigration Office

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to speak Korean to study in South Korea?
Not necessarily. Many Korean universities offer English-taught programmes — particularly at postgraduate level. For undergraduate studies, many courses still require Korean language ability. Learning Korean is highly recommended for daily life and employment.
What is the Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)?
The KGSP (also called the Global Korea Scholarship) is Korea's flagship government scholarship, covering full tuition, a monthly stipend of ₩900,000–₩1,000,000, airfare, Korean language training, and health insurance. Apply through the Korean Embassy in your country or directly through a Korean university.
Can I work while studying in South Korea?
Yes. D-2 student visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week during term time with part-time employment permission. During vacation periods, there are no hour restrictions. You need to apply for work permission separately.
Is South Korea safe for international students?
Yes. South Korea has one of the lowest crime rates in Asia and is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world. Seoul is a modern, well-connected city with excellent public infrastructure and healthcare.
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Plan your studies in South Korea

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