Study in South Korea: Universities, Courses, Fees & Scholarships

International students who want to study in South Korea hope to be accepted into the world's prestigious universities, access affordable tuition with a high education standard, and be able to choose from a wide range of scholarships available. Students can select from various programs in different fields such as technology, engineering, business, medicine, research, media, design, and some universities offer English as a program language. 

Diploma/associate programs, bachelor's, postgraduate degrees, PhD programs, and Korean language courses are available for those who wish to study in South Korea for Indian students after 12th. Additionally, there are opportunities to get exposure to the industry, learn Korean, and experience the country's high-tech and culture.

This article covers top universities, course options and levels, admission criteria, tuition and living expenses, scholarships, student visas, how to apply, when to apply, and career possibilities after studying in South Korea. 

Top Reasons to Study in South Korea

South Korea stands out for its successful hybrid fusion of world-class education, industry, and highly rated research skills, as well as diverse educational options. Students can discover Korean culture and find connections for academic and/or professional ties.

• Recognised globally: Seoul National University, KAIST, Yonsei University, etc., in South Korea are ranked internationally.
• Technology and innovation: South Korea has important industries such as semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
• Range of subjects: There are various subjects including engineering, computer science, business, medicine, media, design, and Humanities.
• Courses and degree programs taught in English: There are courses and degree programmes that are taught partly or fully in English at some universities.
• Academic facilities: Universities offer facilities for research on a number of specific subjects such as AI, Engineering, Biotechnology, etc., or subjects related to natural sciences.
• Language learning: Opportunities for language learning before or while studying academic programs for international students.
• University contacts: Universities in South Korea have a number of contacts with companies and research bodies in various sectors. 

Best Universities to Study in South Korea

Technology, engineering, business, medicine, and research are top subject areas at the country's leading universities, providing international applicants a choice of academic interests and future career plans.

Some of the leading universities in South Korea, in terms of QS World University Rankings: 

University Name	QS World University Rankings 2027
Seoul National University	#38
Yonsei University	#42
Korea University	#52 (tie)
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)	#65
Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH)	#106
Sungkyunkwan University	#108
Hanyang University	#155
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)	#299
Kyung Hee University	#309 (tie)
Sejong University	#398 (tie)

Courses and Study Levels in South Korea

Associate and Diploma courses, bachelor's and master's degrees, PhD courses, and special Korean language courses are available for those students who wish to pursue further studies in Korea.

Diploma Courses

Associate and diploma programs are typically more concentrated and hands-on, therefore suitable for students who want a certain type of technical training or career advancement.

• Duration: Usually 2-3 years, depending on the program and field.
• Popular areas: Information technology, business, hospitality, design, engineering, and healthcare.

Undergraduate Courses

For students looking to study in South Korea for Indian students after 12th, undergraduate programs generally provide four years of academic study with subject-specific admission requirements.

• Duration: Usually 4 years, although some professional programs take longer.
• Popular areas: Computer science, engineering, business, economics, biotechnology, medicine, media and design.

Explore MBBS in South Korea

Postgraduate Courses

Master's programs allow graduates to specialise in a subject, with options ranging from coursework-based degrees to programs involving substantial research.

• Duration: Usually around 2 years.
• Popular areas: Business, engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, economics, and international studies.

PhD Courses

PhD programs in South Korea are geared toward research and offered across the sciences, business, social sciences, and a variety of specialties. 

• Duration: Usually 3 years or more, depending on the research and university.
• Research proposal: Applicants may need to explain their proposed research topic, objectives, and methodology.

Korean Language Courses

There are a number of Korean language institutes affiliated with universities that provide structured courses for International learners ranging from beginner to advanced TOPIK level. 

• Duration: Regular programs commonly run for around 10 weeks per term.
• Class schedule: A standard program can involve around 20 hours of instruction per week.
• Progressions: Progress from beginner to intermediate and advanced.
• TOPIK preparation: There are some institutes that provide special training for the Test of Proficiency in the Korean language.
• Language score: Learners commonly aim for TOPIK 3-5 as a culminating level for university entrance, and a few programs may demand a higher level (4 or above).
• Visa: If language training is regular and ongoing, then it may be a D-4-1 visa.

Check out Medical Colleges in South Korea

Admission Requirements to Study in South Korea

Admission requirements vary from qualification to qualification and program to program. Subjects at the academic level, previous qualifications, language test scores, and supporting documents should be matched with the chosen University. 

Diploma Admission Requirements

It is compulsory for all students who want to apply after completing Class 12 to have consistency between their school and class marks, language grades, and the selection of their different courses of undergraduate study.

• Education: High school diploma, or equivalent.
• Academic records: Official transcripts that span the necessary secondary school years.
• Subject background: Technical courses may require mathematics, science, or appropriate vocational courses.
• Language scores: The required English language skill levels are often in the range of 5.5-6.0 for IELTS or 71-80 for TOEFL for language-taught courses. TOPIK Level 3 or higher may be required for Korean-taught programs.
• Documents: An application form, a passport, a graduation certificate, and transcripts. 
• Technical programs: Certain specialised programs can have additional academic or practical conditions.

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Every student applying after Class 12 should align their subject and grades with the undergraduate program they choose to apply to, along with their language capabilities.

• Education: Class 12 or an equivalent high school qualification.
• Academic performance: Class 10 and Class 12 grade reports may be obtained during document evaluation. 
• Subject background: Engineering and science programs may require mathematics, physics, chemistry, or other relevant subjects.
• Business programs: Commerce, economics, maths, or related courses may be useful.
• Korean-taught courses: TOPIK Level 3-4 is a commonly mentioned goal in Korean-taught courses, with higher-level courses being more competitive.
• English-taught programs: A typical range is IELTS around 6.0-7.0 or TOEFL iBT around 80-90 (depending on the requirements of each university).
• Requirements: A personal statement, study plan, recommendation letter, and proof of nationality may be necessary to include. 

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

If a candidate is applying to the Master's program, they must show graduate courses completed or background are suitable for the specific Master's program selected. 

• Education: An accepted degree at the bachelor's level or higher, or equivalent. 
• Relevant background: The previous degree should meet the department's academic requirements.
• Academic records: Bachelor's transcripts and certificate of degree will normally be needed.
• English-taught programs: IELTS is between 6.0-7.0 and/or TOEFL iBT is between 72-90.
• Korean-taught programs: TOPIK Level 3-5 is helpful as an all-purpose range; some programs will require a higher score.
• Statement of purpose: Discussing one's academic pursuits and goals becomes a requirement for many programs. (Check the correct SOP Format)
• Recommendations: Recommendation letters may be required by the university and/or department.

PhD Admission Requirements

For doctoral programs, the emphasis on preparation for research will be more prominent, and background and the topic of the proposed research will take center stage in the application.

• Education: A master's degree in an appropriate field is usually needed.
• Research proposal: Applicants may have to include a detailed research proposal that elucidates the problem, the aims and means of research.
• Previous experience with research: This may be relevant from the point of view of thesis work, research projects, publications, or previous academic experience.
• Supervisor: In some departments, applicants may be asked to name a sponsor/be supervised by someone before being accepted.
• Academic records: Normally the master's and bachelor's transcripts are checked.
• Suggestions: Academic recommendation letters are typical of the kinds that are required. (Check the correct Letter of Recommendation Format)
• English Proficiency: There may be proficiency thresholds in English for a research program that is taught in English, e.g., IELTS 6.0-7.0 or TOEFL iBT 80-100.
• Korean proficiency: TOPIK proficiency 4-5 or above is required for Korean-taught courses (some departments may require higher English proficiency).

The scores indicated above should be considered typical expectations, not minimum/maximum cut-offs, for universities/ departments/ programs; language requirements vary. 

Cost of Studying in South Korea

Tuition varies by institution, grade level, and allocation. The average tuition is around KRW 5 million to 12 million per year (around INR 3.50L to 8.40L per year) for undergraduate programs and KRW 4 million to 10 million per year (around INR 2.80L to 7.00L per year) for postgraduate programs.

Average annual tuition and typical program length vary by study level as displayed below: 

Study Level	Approximate Annual Tuition Fee (KRW / Approximately in INR)	Course Duration
Associate/Diploma	KRW 4 million-8 million (approximately INR 2.80L-5.60L)	2-3 years
Undergraduate	KRW 5 million-12 million (approximately INR 3.50L-8.40L)	4 years
Postgraduate	KRW 4 million-10 million (approximately INR 2.80L-7.00L)	2 years
PhD	KRW 4 million-12 million (approximately INR 2.80L-8.40L)	3+ years

Tuition also differs by subject. Engineering, arts and physical education, and medicine generally have higher average fees than humanities and social sciences. The average fees for engineering, arts and physical education are higher than those in medicine, humanities and social sciences.

Cost of Living in South Korea for International Students

The cost of living in South Korea is around KRW 750,000-1 million (approximately INR 52,500-70,000) per month. The numbered table below shows an estimate of common monthly living expenses of international students: 

Expense	Approximate Monthly Cost (KRW / Approximately in INR)
Accommodation	KRW 500,000-700,000 (approximately INR 35,000-49,000)
Food	KRW 200,000-300,000 (approximately INR 14,000-21,000)
Transportation	KRW 60,000-100,000 (approximately INR 4,200-7,000)
Other expenses	KRW 100,000-200,000 (approximately INR 7,000-14,000)

The cost of living can vary based on lifestyle, city, and type of housing. Those who have a household register in Seoul will require more than those with household registers in smaller cities.

Also Read: Accommodation in South Korea

Scholarships to Study in South Korea

International students can have part of their tuition and living expenses covered by scholarships. There are university, foundation, and corporate scholarships in South Korea, provided by the government. 

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Global Korea Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by the Government of Korea for the study in graduate school and undergraduate programs for international students who have been selected.

• Eligibility: The requirements are dependent on the study level and program of the Congregrational (GKS) Study program. Normally, graduate applicants should possess the required earlier degree, nationality, minimum age, and academic requirements.
• GKS: Package is comprised of full tuition, Korean language training fees, airfare, monthly allowance, and more.
• Monthly allowance: At Seoul National University, the undergraduate GKS package offers one year of study for up to eight semesters in the university, up to one economy class round-trip ticket, and Korean language training for a year, totaling KRW 1.2 million (approximately INR 84,000 per month). Changes may be made depending on program/up to date NIIED guidelines. 

Seoul National University Scholarships

Seoul National University has several types of scholarships for international students, such as undergraduate and graduate scholarships.

• Requirements: Requirements for each scholarship vary depending on the student scholarship program.
• Coverage: Beneficiaries enjoy a full tuition exemption for up to 8 semesters, in addition to KRW 600,000 per month (approximately 42,000 INR per month) in study grants.
• Graduate Support: Depending on individual situations, graduate support may be components of the SNU Global Scholarship program and include, but are not limited to, tuition, graduate funding, housing and airfares.
• Other details: Students are required to apply through the scholarship application procedures for each respective School of the Nation (SNU) in accordance with the requirements for admission. 

KAIST Scholarship

The students whose admission is through KAIST International Admission with the scholarship are served by the KAIST Career Facility for Undergraduates.

• Eligibility: International students who have been admitted to one of the eligible undergraduate programs at KAIST.
• Insurance Coverage: KRW 350,000 (approximately INR 24,500) per month, medical health insurance, and full tuition exemption for 8 semesters.
• Renewal: Students must achieve a 2.7+ GPA out of the 4 to be renewed after the freshman year.

Yonsei University Scholarships

Yonsei University provides scholarships for international students from undergraduate to post-graduate studies, and the amount of each scholarship varies by school and scholarship.

• Eligibility: Each program or scholarship has its own set of requirements.
• Table of Courses: Yonsei's Graduate School of International Studies provides online listings of scholarships for up to 100% coverage. Other awards range from work-study of up to 6 million (approximately INR 4.20L) and teaching/research assistant positions of up to 3 million (approximately INR 2.10L).
• GKS: Tuition support up to KRW 5.2 million (approximately 3.6L) per year, and monthly allowances of the content of the package of GKS.

Korea University Scholarships

The Korean University provides several scholarships for International students for undergraduate-level study in Korea, including tuition fee discounts and financial awards.

• Eligibility: Based on admission performance, academic performance, and scholarship specific.
• Coverage: The Anam Global Scholarship can cover the full tuition fee for up to 8 semesters; the Bright Futures Scholarship may be eligible to cover the tuition fee of INR 70,000 per semester, to be paid for up to 8 semesters for eligible candidates.
• Other awards: Based on academic achievement, awards that cover 30%, 50%, 65%, or 100% of tuition are available to current students.

Many Korean universities provide scholarships covering around 30-100% of tuition based on academic performance.

Student Visa for South Korea

International students must be issued a visa that corresponds to their programme. Available Korean language students would normally be given A-4-1 status, while other degree students would typically be given D-2 status. 

D-2 Student Visa

The D-2 category covers international students enrolled in degree programs and certain research or exchange programs.

• D-2-1: Associate degree
• D-2-2: Bachelor's degree
• D-2-3: Master's degree
• D-2-4: Doctoral degree
• D-2-5: Research
• D-2-6: Exchange students
• D-2-7: Work-learning linked study

D-4-1 Visa

The D-4-1 category is used for eligible Korean language training and other non-degree training under the D-4 visa system.

For a D-2 visa, common documents include a passport, photograph, standard admission letter, proof of highest education, and proof of financial ability. Additional documents such as a tuberculosis test or family relationship documents may apply in specific cases.

How to Apply to Study in South Korea?

The application process is composed of choosing a program, qualifications testing, submission of paperwork, and visa application. 

• Step 1: Select the Right University and Course

Investigate universities, subjects, tuition costs, campus, and languages offered prior to choosing the appropriate program. 

• Step 2: Check Eligibility

Make sure you have the academic equivalencies/subjects/grades and language score of the program. 

• Step 3: Prepare Documents

Transcripts, certificates, passport, language scores, recommendations, and other documents that the university requires. 

• Step 4: Submit Application

Fill out the application form and pay the application fee. 

• Step 5: Attend an interview 

Complete an interview or assessment for the selected program. 

• Step 6: Receive Admission Offer

Read the letter of admission and take part in the procedures for enrollment or payment of the membership fee if needed. 

• Step 7: Apply for Scholarship

Use the scholarship application system of the University, the Embassy, or a related government agency. 

• Step 8: Apply for a Student Visa

Use the admission documents and required financial and academic records to apply for the appropriate visa.

Intakes to Study in South Korea

South Korean universities mainly follow Spring and Fall admission cycles. Some language institutes and individual programs may have additional admission periods.

Spring Intake

The Spring Intake generally starts in March and is one of the major admission periods for degree programs across South Korean universities.

• Semester begins: March
• Application period: Usually several months before the semester
• Suitable for: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and selected doctoral programs

Fall Intake

The Fall Intake generally starts in September and provides another major opportunity for international applicants to begin their studies.

• Semester begins: September
• Application period: Usually several months before the semester
• Suitable for: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and selected doctoral programs

Other Intakes

Additional admission periods may be available for language courses, seasonal programs, and selected university programs outside the main academic cycles.

• Korean language programs may have multiple terms each year.
• Seasonal language programs can be offered during university breaks.
• Some universities may have separate admission schedules for specific programs.

Career Opportunities After Studying in South Korea

Graduates can pursue and advance careers in areas such as technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, biotechnology, business, and media. Some international students may have the chance to find a job following their studies. 

The following table provides you with indicative earnings per year for some typical occupations in South Korea: 

Job Role	Approximate Annual Salary (KRW / Approximately in INR)
Information Security Specialist	KRW 67 million-73 million (approximately INR 46.90L-51.10L)
Software Engineer	KRW 48 million-70 million (approximately INR 33.60L-49.00L)
Data Analyst	KRW 44 million-70 million (approximately INR 30.80L-49.00L)
Finance Analyst	KRW 45 million-70 million (approximately INR 31.50L-49.00L)
Software Developer	KRW 40 million-65 million (approximately INR 28.00L-45.50L)
Digital Marketing Manager	KRW 35 million-56 million (approximately INR 24.50L-39.20L)

Source: Glassdoor 

The compensation range provided is an estimate of compensation per year. The salary is dependent upon experience, company, location, specialty, and more. 

Top Recruiters in South Korea

Major employers are found in the four sectors of technology, electronics, automobiles, manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and media sectors, and provide varying types of jobs for well-trained graduates.

• Samsung Electronics
• LG Electronics
• Hyundai Motor Company
• Kia
• SK hynix
• Hyundai Mobis
• POSCO
• Naver
• Kakao
• LG Chem
• Samsung Biologics
• Celltrion
• CJ Group
• CJ ENM
• Shinhan Financial Group

Conclusion

Students can study in South Korea through diploma, undergraduate programs, postgraduate programs, a PhD, and Korean language programs in various fields like technology, engineering, business, or medicine. The average undergraduate tuition per year is approximately KRW 5,000,000-12,000,000 (approximately INR 350,000-840,000), and the living cost per month is KRW 750,000-1,000,000 (approximately INR 52,500-70,000).

Those who want to study in South Korea for Indian students after 12th, they should possess in-depth knowledge of various universities, academic requirements, their sponsorship, sessions, and so on. There are also English programs, as well as one scholarship to cover the entire study in South Korea for Indian students. 

If you need help comparing costs, finding suitable funding, or planning your study abroad journey, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's study abroad experts today!