South Korea
Four-year degrees and Korean- or English-taught tracks.
Study overview
South Korea has national, public and private universities, alongside junior colleges and specialist institutions. Bachelor’s study commonly lasts four years, with longer professional routes. English-taught provision is organised by programme or track; Korean-language preparation is a separate course of study.
Tuition / Year
Published national/public and private university averages, rounded. Two reference averages, not the lowest and highest fees charged.
Living / Month
Study in Korea monthly estimate. Seoul private rentals, deposits and personal choices can increase the budget.
Typical degree length: Bachelor’s: 4 years
Master’s: 2 years
Medicine: 6 years
Fields: Engineering; computing; business; sciences; media.
Official references
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/schoolType.do
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/life/livingExpense.do
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/why/koreaStatistics.do
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/search/universityInfo.do?tab=univ-basic-info&univCd=100155
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/plan/abroadExpenses.do
- https://studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/search/universityInfo.do?tab=univ-basic-info&univCd=100501
Study and admission
South Korea’s degree system
International admission usually operates through university-specific routes. Nationality, school history and the degree’s actual teaching language determine eligibility.
Universities and degree structures
South Korea offers national, public and private universities, alongside specialist institutes and junior colleges. Bachelor’s programmes commonly take four years, while professional courses can have longer structures; associate-degree programmes typically take two or three years. Private universities form an important part of the system and include many established research institutions. AcademyInfo provides official institutional disclosures, while Study in Korea helps international applicants discover programmes. The qualification, campus and department distinguish broad research degrees, applied programmes and specialist professional routes within the system.
Subject choices beyond Seoul
Seoul offers a dense concentration of universities, but regional institutions provide substantial choices in engineering, agriculture, marine studies, science, business and the arts. Laboratories, industry placements and departmental locations vary within this wider network of institutions. A university may operate separate campuses with different subjects and admissions instructions. For graduate study, research fit and available supervision can be more informative than an institution-wide reputation. International recruitment can differ between the same department’s spring and autumn intakes and between its undergraduate and graduate programmes.
Language is a programme decision
Korean-taught programmes usually request Korean proficiency, commonly documented through TOPIK. The government portal describes typical entry and graduation levels, but universities and departments determine their own accepted evidence and exemptions. English-taught programmes may instead request an accepted English test. A few English modules do not establish that a complete degree is available in English. Examinations, laboratory meetings, practical placements and graduation conditions may introduce additional language requirements. University language institutes provide preparation, yet admission to a language course is separate from degree admission.
Nationality and prior schooling
International eligibility is not decided by passport alone. Common routes include applicants who, with both parents, are foreign nationals and applicants who completed their full school education outside Korea; each university defines the documentary tests for its route. Universities may request family-relationship records, nationality evidence and authenticated academic documents. Korean nationality history and dual nationality can change eligibility and the supporting documents required. Transfer admission has separate prior-study and credit requirements, and acceptance into a later year does not guarantee recognition of every previous module.
Admission and student life
Language evidence, academic selection and residence requirements serve different purposes. Any preparatory language study adds a separate stage and cost.
Admissions and student visas
Applications commonly involve transcripts, graduation evidence, a personal statement or study plan, language results and proof of financial resources. Some programmes add interviews, portfolios or departmental tests. Spring and autumn entry follow institutional calendars, with separate deadlines where original documents are required. Degree students normally use the D-2 visa category, while language training follows a different route. The visa application uses university admission documents alongside consular requirements; authentication, translation and financial-document validity can influence the timing of submission.
Tuition and scholarship renewal
Tuition is commonly quoted by department and semester, with laboratory, arts and professional courses differing from classroom-based subjects. National and private universities can have different charging patterns, while institutional scholarships may reduce a portion of tuition rather than cover every living expense. Initial awards can depend on TOPIK, an English score or admission ranking, while later awards may depend on grades and completed credits. Global Korea Scholarship has its own nomination and selection process. A separate language-training period adds tuition and living expenses before the degree begins.
Dormitories and daily life
Dormitory allocation rules differ, and meals, bedding, utilities or vacation residence may be charged separately from the advertised room rate. Off-campus housing may require a significant deposit as well as monthly rent, so a low advertised monthly figure can conceal a larger initial commitment. Actual travel time depends on the particular teaching campus and local transport. Insurance, local transport, a phone plan, course materials and seasonal clothing add to everyday spending. The international office can explain arrival registration, insurance enrolment and practical support, but accommodation availability should be confirmed before travel.
Work and longer-term plans
International students holding D-2 or D-4 status need the appropriate permission before part-time work, and eligibility depends on factors including study category and Korean proficiency. Hours are not governed by one simple rule that applies to every student. The university and immigration office administer the applicable conditions for a proposed student job. An internship may require its own review. Graduate job-search and employment routes are separate from student status; completing a degree does not itself guarantee a job or a subsequent employment visa.
Entrance and language assessments
TOPIK I / TOPIK II
Applies to: Korean-language evidence for applicable international routes
The Test of Proficiency in Korean has TOPIK I levels 1–2 and TOPIK II levels 3–6. Institutions determine entry and graduation levels, accepted paper- or internet-based results and exemptions.
IELTS / TOEFL
Applies to: English-taught programmes or specified international routes
International English Language Testing System and Test of English as a Foreign Language scores may support English-taught or specified international routes. A score does not automatically waive Korean placement or graduation conditions.
https://admission.snu.ac.kr/international/undergraduate/guide
CSAT / Suneung
Applies to: Primarily domestic undergraduate admission
The College Scholastic Ability Test is primarily part of domestic undergraduate selection. International-track eligibility and assessment are established by each university rather than a universal requirement to sit CSAT.
https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/eng/plan/schoolType.do?tab=undergraduate-college
Interview / portfolio / practical examination
Applies to: Departments specifying additional selection
University screening may include interviews or subject-related assessments, especially in creative fields. The international admission guide establishes the assessment for the particular department.
https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/eng/plan/schoolType.do?tab=undergraduate-college
Graduate research screening
Applies to: Relevant master’s or doctoral programmes
Relevant departments may request the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), research proposals or interviews. No single national graduate examination covers all foreign applicants.
https://admission.snu.ac.kr/international/graduate/spring/guide
Scholarships and funding routes
Global Korea Scholarship – Undergraduate (GKS-U)
Support: The standard funded route combines one year of Korean-language training with a 2–3-year associate degree or 4–6-year bachelor’s degree. Benefits include tuition, language-training fees, airfare and living allowances.
Eligibility: Applicants and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship. General requirements include age under 25 in the applicable year, secondary-school completion and at least 80% academic performance, top-20% class standing or an accepted CGPA equivalent.
Application: The 2027 guidelines were published on 9 September 2026. Applications follow an eligible embassy or university track; country quotas and designated university and department lists govern available places.
Conditions: The embassy and university tracks have distinct selection procedures. Ordinary university admission does not confer GKS funding; award duration and payments follow the selected route’s conditions.
Global Korea Scholarship – Graduate (GKS-G)
Support: The standard degree award funds one Korean-language year plus two master’s years or three doctoral years. Benefits include tuition, language training, airfare and monthly allowances; research awards follow separate duration rules.
Eligibility: General degree criteria require non-Korean citizenship for the applicant and both parents, age under 40 and a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. The academic threshold is 80%, with accepted equivalents and specified exceptions in the annual call.
Application: Degree applications use a Korean embassy or designated university track; research applications go to a designated university. The reference award cycle is the published 2026 GKS-G call.
Conditions: The 2026 call’s quotas, approved institutions and award terms are specific to that cycle. Funding is limited to eligible countries, programmes and track allocations.
KAIST Scholarship for International Undergraduates
Support: Eight semesters of full tuition exemption, KRW 350,000 per month for living expenses and medical health insurance.
Eligibility: Students selected through KAIST international undergraduate admission. Continued support requires a GPA above 2.7 out of 4.3 after the freshman year.
Application: The KAIST Scholarship option appears in the admission application’s financial-resources section. Scholarship consideration forms part of admission; no separate scholarship application is required.
Conditions: The published undergraduate award covers eight semesters and has an academic continuation condition. Its monthly living payment is fixed at KRW 350,000; graduate funding uses separate schemes.
SNU Global Scholarship (GS)
Support: Fall 2026: one semester, six months. GS1 provides full tuition, KRW 1.2 million monthly and conditional one-time airfare support; GS2 provides full tuition. Korean-language evening-course support is a separate award.
Eligibility: International students admitted to or enrolled in an SNU graduate degree with at least one regular semester remaining. GKS recipients, non-degree students and students taking leave during the award period are excluded.
Application: Applications use mySNU after admission. Colleges or departments screen candidates and assign GS1 or GS2 within their quotas; the Office of Global Affairs announces the final selection.
Conditions: The Fall 2026 application window closed on 12 July 2026. The award covers one semester; airfare has arrival or graduation-and-departure conditions, and a leave of absence revokes funding.
Selected university profiles
Official national university information disclosure service overseen by the Ministry of Education and operated by KCUE. Search institutions and departments beyond this selection; statutory disclosure exceptions apply. English study discovery is also available through the government Study in Korea portal.
Seoul National University
Seoul National University’s locations include the Gwanak main campus, Yeongeon medical campus, Pyeongchang and Siheung. Undergraduate colleges include humanities, agriculture and life sciences, engineering, business, medicine and veterinary medicine; professional graduate schools cover public health, public administration, law, dentistry and data science.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Natural sciences; Humanities; Business; Medicine
- Address
- 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://en.snu.ac.kr/
Yonsei University
Yonsei traces its origins to 1885 and operates the Sinchon campus in Seoul, International Campus in Songdo and Mirae Campus in Wonju. Its Underwood International College provides a four-year liberal arts education in English, alongside the university’s other undergraduate and graduate programmes.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; Humanities; Social sciences; Medicine
- Address
- 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/sites/en_sc/index.do
Korea University
Korea University began as Bosung College in 1905 and has campuses in Seoul and Sejong. Its academic portfolio includes business, law, humanities, sciences, engineering and medicine. The university’s medical system includes the Anam, Guro and Ansan teaching hospitals.
- Subjects
- Business; Engineering; Humanities; Social sciences; Life sciences
- Address
- 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.korea.edu/
KAIST
Established in 1971 for graduate education in science and engineering, KAIST now offers undergraduate and postgraduate study. Its main campus is in Daejeon, with business education in Seoul; academic units include engineering, natural sciences, life science and bioengineering, computing and industrial design.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Natural sciences; Business; Bioengineering
- Address
- 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.kaist.ac.kr/site/en/
- creative.adm@kaist.ac.kr
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
POSTECH was established in Pohang in 1986 for science and engineering education and research. Its academic development includes semiconductor engineering alongside the basic sciences and engineering disciplines. The university’s research infrastructure includes the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory and synchrotron radiation facilities.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Physics; Chemistry; Life sciences
- Address
- 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do 37673, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.postech.ac.kr/eng/
Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan divides its principal academic activity between Seoul’s Humanities and Social Sciences Campus and the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon. The Suwon campus opened in 1978 when science programmes moved from Seoul; the Seoul campus lies within the capital’s historic city walls.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Business; Engineering; Natural sciences; Medicine
- Address
- 25-2 Sungkyunkwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03063, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.skku.edu/eng/
Hanyang University
Hanyang grew from the DongA Engineering Institute, established in 1939. It operates a Seoul campus and the ERICA campus in Ansan, whose name expands to Education Research Industry Cluster at Ansan. Academic colleges include engineering, medicine, nursing, computing, pharmacy, business and design.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Business; Humanities; Social sciences; Medicine
- Address
- 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng
Kyung Hee University
Kyung Hee operates its Seoul campus and Global Campus in Yongin. Its degree subjects include medicine, Korean medicine, dentistry, hospitality management, humanities, engineering, natural sciences, sports and fine arts. The university also maintains professional graduate schools in medicine and other specialised fields.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Business; Hospitality; Engineering; Medicine
- Address
- 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.khu.ac.kr/eng/user/main/view.do
Official references
Ewha Womans University
Ewha began in 1886 as a school for women founded by Mary F. Scranton. Its later development included a College of Engineering in 1996. Today its academic provision includes medicine, nursing and engineering, while Scranton College offers a self-designed major pathway.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Social sciences; Engineering; Business; Arts
- Address
- 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.ewha.ac.kr/ewhaen/
Sogang University
Sogang opened in Seoul in 1960 as a Jesuit institution. Its initial six departments taught English, history, philosophy, mathematics, physics and economics. The university’s subsequent academic portfolio includes business, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering at undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Subjects
- Humanities; Social sciences; Business; Engineering; Natural sciences
- Address
- 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.sogang.ac.kr/
Official references
- https://www.sogang.ac.kr/
- https://summer.sogang.ac.kr/About/Contact_Us
- https://summer.sogang.ac.kr/About/AboutSogangUniversity
- https://foundation.sogang.ac.kr/tenontology/
- https://pr.sogang.ac.kr/front/boardview.do?bbsConfigFK=262¤tPage=1&menuGubun=1&pkid=814456&searchField=ALL&searchValue=&siteGubun=1
Pusan National University
Pusan National University was established in 1946 and now operates four campuses: Busan, Yangsan, Miryang and Ami. The Yangsan campus houses medical education and healthcare facilities. Its undergraduate and graduate provision includes engineering, humanities, natural sciences, business, medicine and Korean medicine.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Business; Humanities; Natural sciences; Medicine
- Address
- 2 Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.pusan.ac.kr/eng/Main.do
- pnuadmin@pusan.ac.kr
Kyungpook National University
Kyungpook National University has its main campus in Daegu and another campus in Sangju. Its colleges include engineering, information technology, agriculture and life sciences, humanities, dentistry and veterinary medicine. An animal hospital forms part of the university’s veterinary teaching and clinical provision.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Natural sciences; Humanities; Business; Agriculture
- Address
- 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://en.knu.ac.kr/
Chonnam National University
Chonnam National University was founded in 1952 and operates campuses in Gwangju and Yeosu. Its colleges include agriculture and life sciences, engineering, medicine, veterinary medicine and fisheries and ocean sciences. Yeosu’s marine programmes include aquaculture, aqualife medicine and fisheries resource management.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Agriculture; Natural sciences; Humanities; Business
- Address
- 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://global.jnu.ac.kr/
Official references
Chungnam National University
Founded in 1952, Chungnam National University is based in Daejeon, with Daedeok and Munhwa campus locations. Its academic organisation includes humanities, social sciences, engineering, agriculture and life sciences, pharmacy and medicine; university hospital facilities form part of its medical and clinical infrastructure.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Natural sciences; Agriculture; Humanities; Business
- Address
- 99 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34134, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://plus.chungnam.ac.kr/html/en/
Jeonbuk National University
Jeonbuk National University was founded in 1947 and is based in Jeonju. Its campus network includes Iksan, Gochang, Saemangeum and the Advanced Science Campus, which opened in 2022. Academic provision includes medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and a Graduate School of Veterinary Quarantine.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Agriculture; Natural sciences; Humanities; Business
- Address
- 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54896, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://jbnu.edu/en/index.do
- admissionu@jbnu.ac.kr
Seoul National University of Science and Technology
SeoulTech traces its origins to the Public Eoeudong Vocational Continuing School, established in 1910. Its campus is in Seoul’s Nowon district. Degree subjects include mechanical and automotive engineering, architecture, information and communication engineering, energy and biotechnology, and art and design.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Design; Business; Architecture
- Address
- 232 Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://en.seoultech.ac.kr/
Ajou University
Ajou began as an engineering junior college in 1973 through cooperation between the Korean and French governments, gaining university status in 1980. Based in Suwon, it now teaches engineering, computing, business, medicine and international studies, alongside other undergraduate and graduate disciplines.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Business; Social sciences; Medicine
- Address
- 206 Worldcup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://eng.ajou.ac.kr/en/index.do
University of Ulsan
The University of Ulsan was established in 1970 in Korea’s southeastern industrial region. Its naval architecture and ocean engineering department dates to 1973. The university’s academic provision also includes mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, business and medicine, alongside international exchange and degree programmes.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Business; Natural sciences; Humanities; Arts
- Address
- 93 Daehak-ro, Nam-gu, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.ulsan.ac.kr/eng/
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)
UNIST opened undergraduate and graduate programmes in 2009 in Ulsan. It delivers academic courses in English and requires study across multiple areas of concentration. Its research priorities include next-generation energy and advanced materials, with degree subjects including biomedical engineering and energy engineering.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Natural sciences; Energy; Business
- Address
- 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.unist.ac.kr/
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
GIST was established in 1993 and admitted its first undergraduate class in 2010. Its current academic structure includes colleges of Artificial Intelligence, Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Life Sciences and Medical Engineering, alongside a School of Humanities and Social Sciences and specialist research institutes.
- Subjects
- Engineering; Computer science; Physics; Materials science; Life sciences
- Address
- 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
- Website
- https://www.gist.ac.kr/en/
Further institutions
| Institution | Location and type | Official website | Book page |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Seoul | Seoul / Public university | https://www.uos.ac.kr/en/ | 209 |
| Incheon National University | Incheon / National university | https://www.inu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Chungbuk National University | Cheongju / National university | https://www.chungbuk.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Kangwon National University | Chuncheon / National university | https://www.kangwon.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Gyeongsang National University | Jinju / National university | https://www.gnu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Jeju National University | Jeju / National university | https://www.jejunu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Pukyong National University | Busan / National university | https://www.pknu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Korea Maritime & Ocean University | Busan / National university | https://www.kmou.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Changwon National University | Changwon / National university | https://www.changwon.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Kongju National University | Gongju / National university | https://www.kongju.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Hanbat National University | Daejeon / National university | https://www.hanbat.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Kumoh National Institute of Technology | Gumi / National university | https://www.kumoh.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Sunchon National University | Suncheon / National university | https://www.scnu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Mokpo National University | Muan / National university | https://www.mokpo.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology | Daegu / Public science and technology institute | https://www.dgist.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Korea National University of Arts | Seoul / National arts university | https://www.karts.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Chung-Ang University | Seoul / Anseong / Private university | https://neweng.cau.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Dongguk University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.dongguk.edu/eng/ | 209 |
| Konkuk University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.konkuk.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Sejong University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.sejong.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Hankuk University of Foreign Studies | Seoul / Yongin / Private university | https://www.hufs.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Hongik University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.hongik.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Kookmin University | Seoul / Private university | https://english.kookmin.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Soongsil University | Seoul / Private university | https://eng.ssu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Sookmyung Women’s University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.sookmyung.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Sungshin Women’s University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.sungshin.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Seoul Women’s University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.swu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Duksung Women’s University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.duksung.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Dongduk Women’s University | Seoul / Private university | https://www.dongduk.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Inha University | Incheon / Private university | https://www.inha.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Dankook University | Yongin / Cheonan / Private university | https://www.dankook.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Gachon University | Seongnam / Private university | https://www.gachon.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Hallym University | Chuncheon / Private university | https://www.hallym.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Soonchunhyang University | Asan / Private university | https://www.sch.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Yeungnam University | Gyeongsan / Private university | https://www.yu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Keimyung University | Daegu / Private university | https://www.kmu.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Dong-A University | Busan / Private university | https://www.donga.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Chosun University | Gwangju / Private university | https://www.chosun.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Wonkwang University | Iksan / Private university | https://www.wku.ac.kr/ | 209 |
| Woosong University | Daejeon / Private university | https://english.wsu.ac.kr/ | 209 |