Study in Korea has quietly become one of the smartest study abroad choices for Indian students, and the numbers make a strong case. You get degrees from globally respected names like Seoul National University and KAIST, with tuition ranging between $3,000 to $10,000 a year (INR 2.5 lakh to INR 8.3 lakh approx), a fraction of what similar degrees cost in the US or UK.
The scale of this shift is hard to ignore. Over 200,000 international students are already studying in South Korea, and the government is working to push that figure to 300,000 by 2027. Add to that six Korean universities sitting in the QS World Top 100, and it's clear why Korea keeps showing up on every serious study abroad shortlist.
This article walks you through the entire journey, from choosing your course and university, to eligibility, cost, scholarships, visa, and what your career looks like once you graduate.
Why Study in South Korea?
Study in South Korea works because you get a strong degree, low cost of living, and a genuinely safe city to live in. For Indian students,study in South Korea after 12th is becoming a real, popular alternative to the usual US or UK route. Seoul is ranked among the world's most student friendly cities by QS, and six Korean universities rank in the global top 100.
Benefits of Studying in Korea
Study in South Korea beats a lot of other destinations, and the facts make that pretty clear. Six universities here rank in the QS World Top 100, tuition stays as low as $3,000 a year (INR 2.5 lakh approx), and over 200,000 international students have already made the move.
Here's what actually makes study in South Korea worth picking over other countries.
Ranking that matters: Six universities in QS World Top 100, way ahead of most Asian countries.
Tuition stays low: You pay $3,000 to $10,000 a year (INR 2.5 lakh to INR 8.3 lakh approx), much less than US or UK.
Safety first: Low crime rate, clean cities, and strong public transport everywhere.
Career pull: Tech and engineering firms in Korea are actively hiring international graduates.
Culture bonus: If you already love K-dramas or K-pop, you'll fit right in from day one.
Popular Study Destinations and Universities
Seoul isn't your only option, even though most students head there first. Living costs in Busan, Daejeon and Daegu run almost 30 to 40% lower than Seoul, and these cities still host strong, well ranked universities.
Seoul: Home to Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University.
Daejeon: Home to KAIST, known worldwide for tech and research.
Busan: Coastal city, more affordable, home to Pusan National University.
What Can You Study in Korea?
Study in Korea covers way more than just engineering, though that's the most popular pick. Korean universities run over 80 institutions offering programs across nursing, business, architecture, AI, and more, with many now teaching entirely in English.
If medicine is your goal, it's worth checking thebest medical colleges in South Korea separately, since admission there works a bit differently.
Popular Courses and Degrees
Here's what Indian students choose the most when they study in Korea, and most of these fields also come with strong scholarship backing.
Robotics and Biomedical Engineering
Computer Science and AI
Business and MBA programs
Nursing
Mechanical and Civil Engineering
Architecture
Economics
English-Taught Programmes
No, you don't need to speak Korean to study here. Master's programs at top universities like KAIST and Yonsei run almost entirely in English, so TOPIK isn't compulsory for these courses.
IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.5 needed, depending on the university
Korean lessons are still offered on campus, in case you want to pick it up along the way
Best Universities in South Korea for International Students
Picking the right university for study in South Korea matters as much as picking the right course. Seven Korean universities currently sit inside the QS World Top 200, so rankings help, but they shouldn't be the only thing you look at.
Top Universities to Consider
These are the names that keep showing up on every serious study in Korea shortlist.
University Name
QS World University Rankings 2027
Seoul National University
38
Yonsei University
42
Korea University
=52
KAIST
65
POSTECH
106
Sungkyunkwan University
108
Hanyang University
155
How to Choose the Right University
Don't just chase rankings, that's where most students go wrong. A university ranked 150 can still cost half the tuition of one ranked 40, so your budget and course strength matter just as much as the number next to the name.
Check if your specific course is strong at that university, not just the overall ranking
Compare tuition, since private universities can cost double what national ones charge
Decide between fast paced Seoul life or a quieter, cheaper city like Daejeon or Daegu
Eligibility and Admission Requirements to Study in Korea
Before anything else, you need to know if you even qualify. Eligibility mostly comes down to three things, your course level, your language score, and whether you pick English or Korean taught programs.
Academic Requirements
For undergrad courses, your 12th pass certificate is enough to apply, no entrance exam needed. This is exactly what makes study in South Korea for Indian students after 12th so appealing, you apply directly to the university with your marksheets and a short study plan.
Undergraduate: 12th pass certificate is enough to apply
Master's: Bachelor's degree required
PhD: Master's degree required
English Language and Other Requirements
Your required score depends on which track you pick, Korean taught or English taught.
Korean-taught programs: TOPIK Level 3 or higher
English-taught programs:IELTS 5.5 to 6.5, or TOEFL 71 to 90, depending on the university
Documents: All transcripts and certificates need an apostille stamp before submission
Cost of Studying in Korea
Money is usually the first worry for anyone planning to study in South Korea. Here's the real comfort though, a single person's monthly cost of living in South Korea runs around INR 97,434 (₩1,441,126 approx), and that's still way lower than what you'd spend in US, UK or Australia for a similar lifestyle.
Tuition Fees
Your tuition depends on whether you pick a national or private university.
National universities: ₩4,000,000 to ₩10,000,000 per year (INR 2.5 lakh to INR 6.2 lakh approx)
Private universities: ₩8,000,000 to ₩16,000,000 per year (INR 4.9 lakh to INR 9.9 lakh approx)
KAIST and POSTECH: Often waive tuition fully if you maintain a good GPA
Cost of Living
Your monthly spend depends heavily on which city you pick to live in. Here's a category wise breakdown to give you a clearer picture.
Category
Monthly Cost (KRW/INR)
Rent (1 BHK, city centre)
₩774,362 (INR 47,780 approx)
Groceries and markets
₩150,000 to ₩200,000 (INR 9,250 to INR 12,340 approx)
Restaurants and eating out
₩120,000 to ₩180,000 (INR 7,400 to INR 11,100 approx)
Transport pass
₩62,000 (INR 3,825 approx)
Utilities (electricity, water, internet)
₩90,000 (INR 5,550 approx)
Mobile plan
₩52,326 (INR 3,225 approx)
Source: numbeo
Seoul: ₩800,000 to ₩1,200,000 per month (INR 49,000 to INR 74,000 approx)
Busan, Daejeon, Daegu: ₩500,000 to ₩800,000 per month (INR 31,000 to INR 49,000 approx)
Put tuition and living together, and a realistic yearly budget for study in South Korea lands around ₩12,000,000 to ₩25,000,000 (INR 7.4 lakh to INR 15.4 lakh approx).
Scholarships to Study in Korea
A study in Korea scholarship can bring your total cost down close to zero, and that's not an exaggeration. Nearly 2,000 international students got selected for the Global Korea Scholarship graduate track alone in 2026, so the funding is real and the seats are filling faster.
Global Korea Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship, known as GKS, is the biggest and most complete scholarship on offer. It's fully funded by the Korean government from start to finish, and here's exactly what it covers.
GKS Benefit
Details
Tuition
100% waived
Flight tickets
Round trip, fully covered
Monthly stipend
₩900,000 to ₩1,000,000 (INR 55,500 to INR 61,700 approx)
Health insurance
Fully covered
Language training
1 year of Korean classes before your degree starts
Age limit (undergrad)
Under 25 years
Age limit (master's/PhD)
Under 40 years
This one study in Korea scholarship alone covers almost every major expense, so it's worth applying for even if your chances feel slim.
GKS isn't your only shot at a study in Korea scholarship. Korean universities run their own scholarship programs too, and many waive a solid chunk of your tuition based on your grades and entrance scores.
30% to 100% tuition waivers at universities like Korea University, Hanyang and SKKU
Automatic scholarships for high scorers, no separate application needed at some schools
Always check your shortlisted university's website directly, since every school handles this a bit differently
How to Apply to Study in Korea
If you're figuring out how to study in Korea from scratch, the process is more straightforward than it sounds. Most universities process applications in 4 to 8 weeks, so timing your submission right actually matters.
Application Process
Korea runs two intakes every year, and Spring is the bigger one with more course options.
Spring intake deadlines: September to November of the previous year
Fall intake deadlines: May to July
Apply directly on the university website, or through studyinkorea.go.kr
Documents Required
Keep these ready well before you start any application, since missing even one can delay your admission.
Once your admission letter is in hand, your next big step in the study in Korea journey is the visa. Visa processing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, so this part trips up a lot of students only when they leave it too late.
Student Visa Requirements
You'll need a D-2 visa for any full degree program. If you're starting with a language course first, you'll get a D-4 visa instead.
Financial proof of around ₩20,000,000 (INR 12.3 lakh approx), held for at least 28 days
Certificate of Admission from your university
Visa processing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks
Alien Registration Card must be done within 90 days of landing in Korea
Part-Time Work and Student Life
Yes, you can work part-time while you study, but there are limits set by immigration.
Bachelor's students: up to 20 hours a week
Master's and PhD students: up to 30 hours a week
Vacations: no hour limit at all, your best window to earn extra
Jobs and Career Opportunities After Studying in Korea
This is the part that makes the whole study in Korea journey worth it. An entry level software engineer in Seoul earns around ₩54,000,000 to ₩65,000,000 a year (INR 33.3 lakh to INR 40.1 lakh approx), based on real salary data from Glassdoor, and that's just one of many roles hiring international graduates.
Work Opportunities for International Graduates
Tech, healthcare, business and engineering sectors are all hiring foreign graduates right now, and pay varies quite a bit by field. Here's what real salary data from Glassdoor shows for popular roles in Seoul.
Job Role
Average Annual Salary (Seoul)
Software Engineer
₩65,000,000 (INR 40.1 lakh approx)
Business Analyst
₩70,000,000 (INR 43.2 lakh approx)
General Engineer (mechanical/civil)
₩76,000,000 (INR 46.9 lakh approx)
Registered Nurse
₩38,000,000 to ₩48,000,000 (INR 23.4 lakh to INR 29.6 lakh approx)
Source: glassdoor
Companies especially value students who've picked up decent Korean, so keep building that skill even after your course ends, no matter which field you're in.
Staying in Korea After Graduation
Once you graduate, you don't have to leave Korea right away to find a job. Here's how the path usually works.
Switch to a D-10 job seeker visa, valid from 6 months up to 2 years
Fresh graduates from Korean universities skip the usual points system other applicants need to clear
Use this time for internships, job fairs and improving your TOPIK score
Once you land a job offer, you move to an E-7 work visa
That E-7 visa is where your real career in Korea begins.
Conclusion
Study in Korea gives you globally ranked universities, tuition that stays far lower than US or UK, and a real career path once you graduate, backed by strong scholarships like GKS if your grades are solid.
If you're still deciding whether it's the right move for you, here's a quick way to think about it.
Pick Korea if: you want a strong degree without a heavy loan, you're open to learning a new language, and you like the idea of a safe, fast paced city life
Pick Korea if: you're aiming for tech, engineering, business or nursing, since these fields have real hiring demand there
Once you're clear on that, the rest is just paperwork, planning and timing. If you want help sorting universities, scholarships or your entire application timeline for study in Korea, upGrad's study abroad counsellors are ready to walk you through it.
You pick a university, meet the eligibility for your course, clear your language test, and apply directly through the university website or studyinkorea.go.kr. Once you get admission, you apply for your D-2 student visa and you're set.
How to study in South Korea from India?
Indian students apply directly to Korean universities with their academic marksheets, a study plan, and either an IELTS or TOPIK score. After admission, you collect your visa documents and apply at the Korean embassy in India.
How to study in Korea for free?
The Global Korea Scholarship is your best shot at this. It covers full tuition, flights, a monthly stipend, and even your Korean language training, so your actual cost drops close to zero. Look at it as the ultimate study in Korea scholarship, since almost nothing beats it in coverage.
Is study in South Korea for Indian students after 12th a good option?
Yes, it's actually one of the more affordable and direct study abroad routes for Indian students right now. You skip entrance exams, apply with your 12th marksheet, and tuition stays far lower than most western countries.
How to study Korean in Korea?
Most universities run language institutes that offer Korean courses before your degree starts. You join on a D-4 visa, and once you clear TOPIK Level 3 or higher, you can switch into your actual degree program.
How much will it cost to study in South Korea?
On average, tuition runs ₩4,000,000 to ₩16,000,000 a year (INR 2.5 lakh to INR 9.9 lakh approx), depending on national or private university. Add living costs, and your yearly budget lands around ₩12,000,000 to ₩25,000,000 (INR 7.4 lakh to INR 15.4 lakh approx).
Can I study in Korea after 12th?
Yes, absolutely. Most undergraduate programs in Korea accept students right after 12th, as long as you meet the university's academic and language requirements.
Is 1 lakh enough for Korea?
Not for your full academic year, no. 1 lakh INR barely covers a month or so of living costs in Seoul, so you'll need a much bigger budget or a scholarship to make it work.
What is Indian 100 rupees in Korea?
100 INR is roughly ₩1,600 (approx), though the exact rate shifts daily with currency markets.
Do I need to know Korean to study in Korea?
No, not if you pick an English taught program. Many top universities, especially at master's level, teach entirely in English, so TOPIK isn't compulsory for those courses.
Which is better, national or private university in Korea?
National universities usually cost less and have strong government backing, especially for STEM courses. Private universities charge more but often offer better facilities and city connections, so it really depends on your budget and course.
Can I work part-time while I study in Korea?
Yes, once you complete 6 months and get permission from immigration. Bachelor's students can work up to 20 hours a week, and master's or PhD students get up to 30 hours a week.
Pragya Sharma is a content developer and marketer with 6.5+ years of experience in the education industry. She started her career as a social media copywriter for NIELIT, Ministry of Electronics & IT,...
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