MBBS in South Korea

South Korea does not use the term MBBS for its undergraduate medical degree. Instead, students study medicine through a Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme, which can be considered the equivalent of an MBBS for Indian students. 

Here are some of the key highlights of MBBS in South Korea:

Key Highlights of MBBS in South Korea	MBBS in South Korea Details
Degree	Doctor of Medicine (MD), equivalent to MBBS in India
Course Duration	6 years
Eligibility	Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology
NEET	Required for Indian students planning to practise in India
Teaching Language	Mostly Korean
Annual Tuition Fees	INR 2.9–11.5 Lakh, depending on the university
Scholarships	Global Korea Scholarship and university-specific scholarships
Medical Licensing	Korean Medical Licensing Examination for practising in South Korea
Indian Recognition	Must meet NMC requirements and clear the applicable screening test

For Indian students, studying medicine in South Korea involves more than checking fees and university rankings. Language requirements, admission tests, medical licensing and NMC rules can all affect your decision. 

In the sections below, we cover these requirements along with universities, course structure, scholarships, admissions and career options.

Top Medical Universities for MBBS in South Korea

South Korea has good medical universities where Indian students can study MBBS. The program takes 6 years and costs much less than USA or Europe.

Here are the best ones as rankined by QS Medical Subject Rankings 2026:

• Seoul National University ranks #36 in medicine globally
• Yonsei University ranks =70 in medicine globally
• Korea University ranks =129 in medicine globally

Getting into these top universities is hard but possible. Now , here are the 10 best medical universities where you can study in South Korea.

Top Medical Universities:

University Name	QS World University Rankings (2026/2027)	Main Campus Location
Seoul National University (SNU)	#38	Seoul
Yonsei University	#42	Seoul
Korea University	=52	Seoul
Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST)	#65	Daejeon
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)	#106	Pohang
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)	#108	Seoul / Suwon
Hanyang University	#155	Seoul
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)	#299	Ulsan
Kyung Hee University	#309	Seoul
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)	#379	Gwangju

Read out more on Medical Colleges in South Korea

MBBS Course Duration and Curriculum in South Korea

So the medical course in South Korea is six years long. You get your Doctor of Medicine degree at the end, which is what they call MBBS here. 

Most universities follow the same kind of course plan. Here's what it looks like:

Course Phase	Duration	What You'll Study
Pre-Clinical Phase	Years 1 to 3	Basic medical science Anatomy Physiology Biochemistry Pharmacology Pathology Public health Written exams and practical tests
Clinical Phase	Years 4 to 6	Hands-on training in university hospitals Rotations through different departments (Surgery, Pediatrics, Medicine, Obstetrics, Psychiatry) Work with patients under guidance of doctors National Medical Licensing Examination in final year

Subjects in MBBS South Korea

In the first three years, you basically learn all the basic stuff about the human body and how medicine works. You study anatomy, physiology, biochemistry - all of which are foundation topics. 

You'll spend a good amount of time in labs doing practical work. You also learn about public health and how to communicate with patients.

Internship and Clinical Training

In the last 3 years, you work in hospital with patients. You will work in different departments like surgery and pediatrics, and you see different kinds of cases where senior doctors guide you through everything. 

By the time you finish the six years, you take the National Medical Licensing Examination to officially become a doctor.

MBBS in South Korea Eligibility for Indian Students

To get into MBBS in South Korea, you need Class 12 with science subjects, a good score in the university's entrance exam, and you have to pass their test and interview. Most courses are taught in Korean, so you need to know the language pretty well too.

Let us understand the criteria in detail:

Academic Qualifications

• Education: Class 12 from a recognised board. South Korea accepts Indian 10+2.
• Subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are required. Some universities may also ask for Maths.
• Age: Most universities want you to be 17 or older when you join.

Medical Entrance Exam Requirements

Most medical universities in South Korea select students in two steps:

• Step 1, University entrance exam: This can be a written test, essay, or both. Some universities have their own specific exam format.
  • You can often take the exam in English at some universities.
  • Many universities want you to travel to South Korea for the exam.
• Step 2, Interview: After passing the written exam, you'll have an interview with the university.
  • The interview is usually in Korean or English, depending on the university.
  • Some universities do interviews online.
• NEET: South Korean universities don't ask for NEET. But if you plan to practice medicine in India later, the NMC wants you to clear NEET before joining a medical course abroad.

Note: The NMC also says the whole course must be taught in English, but most medical courses in South Korea are taught in Korean. So check the latest NMC rules before you decide.

Korean Language Requirements

Most medical courses in South Korea are taught in Korean, so language is important.

At almost all universities, you are required to submit TOPIK: Level 3 or 4 is usually the minimum. Level 5 or 6 is preferred.

Some universities might accept students without TOPIK if you agree to do a Korean language course first.

English Language Requirements

Most Korean-taught courses don't ask for English scores. 

Some universities which ask for them, usually ask for:

• TOEFL: 80 or above
• IELTS: 6.0 or above

Required Documents

Every university has its own list. Most ask for:

• Application form
• Class 10 and Class 12 academic transcripts
• Korean language proficiency score (TOPIK)
• English test score, if asked
• Valid passport
• Passport-size photos
• Statement of purpose (Check out: Statement of Purpose Format)
• Recommendation letters (Check out: Letter of Recommendation Format)
• Health certificate

Check with each university for their exact document requirements.

MBBS Fees in South Korea for Indian Students

How much you pay for MBBS in South Korea comes down to the type of university. National and public universities get support from the government, so their tuition is lower, while private universities usually charge more. 

Most universities collect the fee every semester, so what you pay at one time is about half of the yearly amount.

This is how the MBBS fees in South Korea look by type of university:

Type of University	Annual Tuition Fee (KRW)	Annual Tuition Fee (INR)
National and Public Universities	KRW 4–10 Million	INR 2.9–7.2 Lakh
Private Universities	KRW 10–16 Million	INR 7.2–11.5 Lakh

Check out: Accommodation in South Korea

Cost of Living in South Korea

What you spend depends on the city, and on whether you live in the centre or outside it.

Here is a breakdown:

Expense	Costs in South Korea (KRW/INR)
Accommodation – 1-bedroom apartment outside city centre	KRW 350,000–1,000,000/month (INR 25,000–72,000/month)
Accommodation – 1-bedroom apartment in city centre	KRW 500,000–1,500,000/month (INR 36,000–1.08 Lakh/month)
Food – Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	KRW 8,000–15,000/meal (INR 580–1,080/meal)
Food – Rice (1 kg)	KRW 2,190–8,000 (INR 160–580)
Food – Eggs (12)	KRW 2,400–6,000 (INR 170–430)
Food – Chicken fillets (1 kg)	KRW 6,000–18,000 (INR 430–1,300)
Transport – One-way local transport ticket	KRW 1,400–1,650 (INR 100–120)
Transport – Monthly public transport pass	KRW 60,000–70,000/month (INR 4,300–5,000/month)
Mobile – Phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data	KRW 23,000–75,000/month (INR 1,700–5,400/month)
Utilities – Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage	KRW 188,889–380,000/month (INR 13,600–27,400/month)
Internet – Broadband connection	KRW 20,000–50,000/month (INR 1,400–3,600/month)
Leisure – Fitness club membership	KRW 35,000–120,000/month (INR 2,500–8,600/month)
Leisure – Cinema ticket	KRW 13,000–16,000 (INR 940–1,150)

Top Scholarships for MBBS in South Korea

Most scholarships in South Korea are open to all subjects, not just medicine. One of the top scholarship, Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers full tuition and gives you a monthly allowance. 

Other scholarships pay a monthly amount that helps with living costs. Some scholarships you apply for before you leave India, while others you apply for after you reach South Korea.

1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Eligibility

• Indian citizens who have completed Class 12
• Under 40 years of age (usually)
• Strong academic record, especially in science subjects
• Selection is through the South Korean Embassy in India, with a written test and interview
• Good health and no criminal record

Coverage

• Full tuition fees
• Monthly living allowance of about KRW 900,000 (approx. INR 64,600)
• One-way airfare to South Korea (or sometimes round-trip)
• Korean language training for up to one year before the degree starts
• Health insurance
• Funding for up to 6 years for medicine

2. Korean Government Regional Scholarships

Eligibility

• Indian citizens
• Enrollment at a university in a specific region (not just Seoul)
• Good grades and financial need
• You usually apply before leaving India or after reaching South Korea

Coverage

• Partial or full tuition coverage
• Monthly stipend of around KRW 600,000–800,000 (INR 43,100–57,500)
• Some cover health insurance

Read more on: Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)

3. University Merit-Based Scholarships

Eligibility

• Excellent academic performance in Class 12
• High entrance exam scores at the university
• Some universities have their own scholarship programs for international students
• You apply directly to the university

Coverage

• Usually covers 30-100% of tuition fees depending on your marks
• Some universities offer monthly living allowances of KRW 500,000–1,000,000 (INR 35,900–71,900)

Note: Scholarship amounts, rules, and deadlines change every year. Always check the official Global Korea Scholarship website and your university's scholarship page before you apply.

Intakes for MBBS in South Korea

You can join MBBS in South Korea mainly in one intake, which is March. This is the main one, and almost all medical universities admit students then.. A few universities also have a September intake, but it's not very common and only some international programs offer it.

Here are the application periods and start dates for both intakes:

Intake	Application Period	Classes Begin
March (Primary/Spring)	July to October (previous year)	Early March
September (Secondary/Autumn)	February to May	Late September

Please note: If you're aiming for the March intake, you need to start applying early. Most top universities like Seoul National University close their applications between July and October of the year before. 

Don't wait until November because by then the deadlines have already passed for most universities.

How to Apply for MBBS in South Korea?

Applying for MBBS in South Korea needs several steps. You start by picking universities and end with getting your student visa. Before you apply anywhere, you need to know Korean and have good marks from Class 12. 

Most universities will also ask you to come to South Korea to take their exam and do an interview in person.

Here's what you have to do step-by-step: 

Step 1: Shortlist Universities

Look at a few universities and see which ones you like. Check how much they charge, what language they teach in, and what their entrance exam is like. 

Pick two or three to apply to. Make sure you pick at least one national university because they're cheaper and pretty good.

Step 2: Learn Korean

Start learning Korean before you apply. You need to be at a decent level - TOPIK Level 3 or 4 is the minimum. 

Some universities will let you come even if your Korean is not that good, but then you have to do a language course first before the actual medical degree. But honestly, it's better if you already know some Korean when you apply.

Step 3: Get Your Documents Ready

Gather your Class 10 and Class 12 certificates and marks. Make a copy of your passport. Get passport photos taken. Write down why you want to study medicine in South Korea - this is your statement of purpose. Ask your teachers if they can write recommendation letters for you.

Step 4: Fill Out the Application

Go to the university website and find the application form. Fill it out carefully. Add all your documents to it. Pay the application fee (it's usually around KRW 150,000 per university). Submit everything before the deadline they give you.

Step 5: Take the Entrance Exam and Interview

The university will let you know when you have to come for the exam. This happens around November or December. Most universities want you to actually come to South Korea for this, so you'll have to travel there. 

The exam might be written in Korean or English, depending on the university. After the exam, they'll call you for an interview. Just talk naturally and explain why you want to be a doctor.

Step 6: Get Your Admission Letter

If you pass the exam and interview, the university sends you an admission letter. Read what they say carefully. Pay the admission fee and the first year's tuition by the date they tell you. If you don't pay on time, they might give your seat to another student.

Step 7: Apply for Your Student Visa

The university will give you a document called the Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Take this to the South Korean embassy in India. Apply for your student visa. This can take a few weeks, so don't wait too long.

Step 8: Get Ready to Move

Book your flight to South Korea. Find a place to stay near your university. Get health insurance. Buy whatever you need for your course. Make sure you're ready before March when classes start.

Important thing: Ask the university when they're going to send your COE. The visa takes time, so start this process early.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Studying MBBS in South Korea

If you plan to study MBBS in South Korea, you get low tuition at national universities, training in large hospitals and a chance at a fully funded scholarship, but there are also a few things you need to be clear about before you decide. 

The two biggest ones are the Korean language and whether your degree will be accepted in India, so this is why it helps to look at both sides first. 

Here is how they look:

Advantages

• Tuition at national universities is lower, since the government supports them.
• The Global Korea Scholarship can pay for your tuition, a year of Korean classes, your flight and a monthly allowance.
• Korea has around 40 medical colleges, and a national body checks how well they teach.
• Many medical schools work with big university hospitals, so you get to see a lot of patients in the clinical years.
• You can live on about KRW 750,000 to 1,000,000 a month (INR 54,000 to 72,000), not counting tuition.
• It is a safe country, and getting around by public transport is easy.

Disadvantages

• Most courses are taught in Korean, so you need TOPIK Level 3 to apply, and a higher level once you reach hospital training.
• NMC wants Indian students to have NEET and an English-medium course, so a course taught in Korean may not be accepted for practising in India.
• Only a few international students get a seat, and the competition is tough.
• The course is 6 years long, and it becomes about 7 if you do a Korean language year first.

MBBS in South Korea vs MBBS in India

Many Indian students compare MBBS in South Korea with MBBS in India, because the cost, the language and the way you get admission are very different. In India, you get a seat through NEET and study in English. 

In South Korea, you apply to the university directly, and most courses are taught in Korean. 

Here is how the two compare:

Factor	MBBS in South Korea	MBBS in India
Course Duration	6 years (2 years pre-medical + 4 years medical), plus a Korean language year for many students	5.5 years (4.5 years of study + 1 year of internship)
Admission	Through the university's own process, with a Korean language test for Korean-taught courses	NEET-UG and counselling
NEET	Korean universities don't ask for it, but Indian students need it to practise in India	Required
Language of Teaching	Mostly Korean	English
Annual Tuition	National and public: INR 2.9–7.2 Lakh. Private: INR 7.2–11.5 Lakh	Government: up to about INR 1.5 Lakh. Private: INR 8–25 Lakh
Seats	Very few for international students	About 1.29 lakh seats in over 800 colleges
Financial Help	Global Korea Scholarship, with only 4 undergraduate seats for India	Low fees in government colleges
Practising in India	The course must meet NMC rules, and you have to pass a screening test after you return	Direct registration after your internship

So, if you can get a government seat through NEET, India is much cheaper, and your degree is accepted without any extra steps. South Korea is worth a look mainly if you are ready to learn Korean and have checked that the course meets NMC's rules.

Medical Licensing and Recognition in India

If you finish MBBS in South Korea and want to work as a doctor in India, your degree has to be accepted by the National Medical Commission (NMC), and this is why it is better to check the rules before you join, and not after you graduate. 

These rules apply to Indian students who started a foreign medical course after 18 November 2021.

NMC asks for these things:

• You must have qualified NEET-UG before you join the course
• The course must be at least 54 months long
• You must do a 12-month internship at the same university where you study
• The whole course must be taught in English
• You must be eligible for a medical licence in South Korea, on the same terms as Korean students
• After you return to India, you must clear NMC's screening test, which is the FMGE for now

The English rule is the one to look at closely. Most medical courses in South Korea are taught in Korean, so a course taught in Korean may not be accepted by NMC.

This is why you should ask the university, in writing, whether the full course, including the clinical years, is taught in English, and also check with NMC before you pay any fee.

Once you are back in India, there are three more steps:

1. Clear the NMC screening test
2. Do a 12-month supervised internship at a hospital in India
3. Get your permanent registration from NMC

Without this registration, you cannot practise medicine in India.

Career Opportunities After MBBS in South Korea

Where you build your career decides what comes next. You can stay and work in South Korea, or you can come back to India.

To practise medicine in South Korea, you need to:

• Pass the Korean Medical Licensing Examination
• Finish a 1-year internship at a hospital (specialists then do a residency of 3 to 4 years)
• Know enough Korean to work with patients

To practise in India, you need to meet the NMC rules, which include an English-medium course, and clear the screening test for foreign graduates, which is currently the FMGE. The NMC plans to replace it with NExT, so check which one applies when you graduate.

Here are some common jobs after MBBS in South Korea and what they pay:

Job Role	Approx. Annual Salary
Medical Doctor	KRW 70 Million–215 Million (INR 50.4 Lakh–1.55 Crore)
Medical Science Liaison	KRW 36 Million–70 Million (INR 25.9 Lakh–50.4 Lakh)
Clinical Research Associate	KRW 40 Million–62 Million (INR 28.8 Lakh–44.6 Lakh)
Resident Doctor	KRW 46.2 Million–49.9 Million (INR 33.3 Lakh–35.9 Lakh)
Medical Writer	KRW 15.2 Million–72.5 Million (INR 10.9 Lakh–52.2 Lakh)
Medical Researcher	KRW 1.2 Million–30 Million (INR 0.86 Lakh–21.6 Lakh)

Source: Glassdoor

Note: Salaries are approximate. They change with your experience, employer, city, speciality, and licence status.

Conclusion

MBBS in South Korea is not the easiest route to a medical degree. Most courses are taught in Korean, only a few seats go to international students, and a degree from a Korean-taught course may not be accepted by NMC in India. But if you are ready to learn Korean and the course fits the NMC rules, tuition at national universities is low, and the Global Korea Scholarship can pay for much of it.

Start early, and before you pay any fee, ask the university in writing whether the full course is taught in English, and check the NMC rules. Fees, scholarships and dates change every year, so check them on the official pages before you apply.

Planning to study abroad for MBBS in South Korea? Book a free 1:1 counselling session with our upGrad experts, and we'll help you pick the right university and plan your application.