Study in South Korea
Korea is simultaneously tightening quality controls on international admissions and widening the routes for graduates to stay and work. Language study on a D-4 visa remains a common entry point into a degree programme.
- Tuition
- US$6,700/yr
- Living
- US$7,700/yr
- Total
- US$14,400/yr
- Work rights
- Permitted with approval, hours by visa type
- Post-study
- Graduate job-seeking visa (D-10)
Current position
Policy for international students
- Government policy through 2025-2026 combines tighter quality controls on student intake with broader routes for skilled graduates to remain in Korea.
- Universities are graded on their management of international students, and visa scrutiny varies accordingly — institution choice matters more than it used to.
- Language study on a D-4-1 visa remains the standard bridge into a degree programme for students without TOPIK.
- Graduates in shortage occupations have expanded access to work and residence visas.
Cost
What a year in South Korea costs
Adjust the level, city and scholarship percentage to see the effect on your annual total.
Scholarships: Global Korea Scholarship (full tuition plus stipend) plus university awards of 30-100% for strong TOPIK or academic records.
Estimated annual cost
US dollars, indicative
Indicative US dollars per year. Actual fees depend on the institution and programme; confirm before you commit.
Admission
Entry requirements
- High school graduate
- No TOPIK required at entry
- Proof of tuition and living funds
- Completed Grade 12
- TOPIK level 3 or above, or IELTS 5.5-6.0 for English-taught programmes
- Bachelor's degree in a related field
- TOPIK level 4, or IELTS 6.0-6.5 for English-taught programmes
- Study plan and, for some programmes, an interview
Funding
Scholarships & financial support
Global Korea Scholarship (full tuition plus stipend) plus university awards of 30-100% for strong TOPIK or academic records.
Awards are almost always decided at the point of admission rather than afterwards, and most pools are allocated on a rolling basis. Applying early in the cycle is the single biggest thing within your control.
At a glance
- Work during study
- Permitted with approval, hours by visa type
- After graduation
- Graduate job-seeking visa (D-10)
- Baseline tuition
- US$6,700/yr
- Baseline living
- US$7,700/yr
Subjects
What South Korea is strong in
- International Business
- Technology, IT, AI & Engineering
- Hospitality
Immigration
The South Korea student visa
- Degree students apply for a D-2 visa; language students apply for D-4-1.
- The university issues a Certificate of Admission, which you submit with your financial evidence to the Korean consulate.
- Financial evidence generally means a bank balance covering the first year of tuition plus living costs, held for a minimum period before application.
- Processing takes roughly two to four weeks, though it varies with the university's grading under the immigration quality-control scheme.
Questions
Frequently asked
Can I study in Korea without knowing Korean?
Yes — either on an English-taught degree programme, or by starting with a language course on a D-4-1 visa and progressing to a degree once you reach the required TOPIK level.
What are the entry requirements?
A high school diploma for undergraduate entry, a relevant bachelor's degree for postgraduate, plus TOPIK or IELTS depending on the language of instruction, and proof of funds.
Can I work part-time?
Yes, with permission from immigration. Hours depend on your visa type and TOPIK level.
How much does a year cost?
About US$14,400 per year including tuition and living.
Is it hard to win a scholarship?
Competitive but achievable. The Global Korea Scholarship is highly selective, but university-level awards of 30-50% are widely available to students with good grades or TOPIK results.
Planning South Korea for 2026–27?
We will check your profile against the entry requirements, size the real budget and map the scholarship rounds worth applying to.