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Study in South Korea: A Guide for International Students

Situated on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a powerhouse of Eastern Asia, one that is akin to Hong Kong or Singapore. Its only land border is with North Korea. The two Koreas have an interesting relationship. The country also borders the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait to the south and the Sea of Japan to the east.

Sep 25, 2020
  • Study Abroad in Asia

Situated on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a powerhouse of Eastern Asia, one that is akin to Hong Kong or Singapore. Its only land border is with North Korea. The two Koreas have an interesting relationship. The country also borders the Yellow Sea to the west, the Korea Strait to the south and the Sea of Japan to the east. Even though it only physically borders one other country, Japan and China are both near neighbors. 

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Perhaps due to its relative geographical isolation, South Korea has developed a culture like no other, one with which the world is currently obsessed thanks to the likes of BlackPink and BTS. Traditional Korean food is simultaneously making a name for itself across the world. Brands like Samsung and Hyundai also make South Korea a truly global country. 

It is the booming tech industry and its global culture that makes South Korea an ideal study abroad destination. If you’re looking to take courses in areas like economics, business or IT, then South Korea is rapidly becoming a go-to place. In addition, South Korea ranks consistently high as a study abroad country in Asia, especially when it comes to accessing higher quality teaching.

South Korea - Quick facts & figures

CapitalSeoul
LanguageKorean
Population51.6 million
Area Size100,000 km²
International students123,000
Academic YearMarch - February
CurrencySouth Korean Won (₩)
Calling Code+82
Time zoneGMT+9

street in seoul

But the make-up of South Korea itself also makes it worthy of your visit. With steep, snow-capped mountains, a warm, semi-tropical climate at lower elevations, lush, green valleys and cities that never sleep, South Korea has something to offer everyone. 

It’s also one of only two countries (the other being North Korea) where the Korean language is spoken. A language isolate, Korean is unlike any other language you’ll ever encounter. As such, people who speak Korean are becoming increasingly sought after by employers. 

South Korea is a place where adventure awaits you at every turn. All you need to do is dive in.

Education in South Korea

Want to learn about how the higher education system works in South Korea? South Korea is becoming a go-to destination for a variety of students, given its great reputation, reasonable fees and its fascinating culture and language. Take a minute to find out more about the structure of the education system in South Korea!

Student Visas

Do you need a visa to enter South Korea to study? Learn more about the student visa process, and what you need to enter the country, depending on your citizenship. Don't worry! South Korea's unusual approach to visas actually makes things surprisingly simple.

Housing & Living Costs

No matter where you study abroad, it’s important to create a budget in advance so that you’re prepared. Therefore, we’ve detailed average living and housing costs so that you can get a better idea of what you would be paying as a student in South Korea.

Tuition Fees & Scholarships

Tuition fees for degree programs in South Korea can vary. Both international and domestic students are expected to pay tuition fees in South Korea, but these fees can vary a lot. We've put together information on how this works, and on the fantastic Global Korea Scholarship, in this section.

Language & Culture

South Korea is a country with a rich culture. Find out more about what the country offers in terms of language, culture, and more! We also talk about how to stay safe in South Korea in this section.

Application Process

Learn more about the standard application process in South Korea. There's no national application portal, so this section covers what you'll generally need to do when applying to individual schools in South Korea.

Programs

Ready to look at education in Asia? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Asia today!