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Study in South Korea

Study in South Korea

South Korea has the 14th largest economy and is a highly urbanized area with ancient traditions and modern influences. It has a rigorous academic program, highly efficient infrastructure, and high-speed rail networks, and most importantly, it allows research in areas that interest you.

We have come across the information needed to study in South Korea, with a wide range of education and research options. And yes, international students find South Korea an affordable destination for living and studying compared to Western or American countries.

Interesting facts of South Korea

  • South Korea has quirky museums, including the Poopoo Land and Haewoojae (Mr. Toilet House) Museum, Robo Life, and Kimchi Museum
  • Koreans say "Did you eat rice?" or (밥을 먹었어요?) when they first meet you. What a unique greeting.
  • The capital city, Copenhagen, in Denmark, is the city of bike- friendly.
  • South Korea's writing system, Hangul, has been quite practical since the 15th century. The use of the alphabet is derived from the lip shape when pronouncing words.
  • South Korea is a larger producer of seaweed, with a 90% supply of the world, with nutrient-rich marine components for their cuisine.
  • South Korea has over 150 distinct types of fermented cabbage-Kimchi, the national staple of Korean dishes.
  • South Korea has had the fastest internet connection in the world since the 1990s campaign.
  • South Korea is known for cosmetic and beauty surgery, with the greatest professionals and talents in the beauty industry.

Why study in South Korea?

Korea has a distinct educational system with the Hangul phonetic language, with the most common greeting being “Bap meogeosseoyo. Have you eaten rice?”

South Korea is also very affordable, with 24/7 accessible amenities and efficient transportation. The most famous aspects are K-pop and K-drama scenes. Also, it has famous heritage sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung, Bulguksa Temple, and Namsan Park.

1. Traditional Korean festivals

International students find the traditional Korean festivals worth engaging in. The live music, performances, Korean hot dogs, and kimchi stations, along with the Jinju Lantern Festival, and others in the coastal areas (Boryeong Mud Festival), are just so entertaining, with the concert on the side. This participation introduces foreign students to Korean culture and gives them quite a bit of recreational time during the session break.

2. High-Quality Education System

South Korea has 5 top universities listed among the 100 in the QS World Rankings in 2024. Its international assessment test, consistent ranking, and innovative academic stream in English are popular across the world.

3. Affordable tuition fees

South Korea has top scholarships and relatively inexpensive tuition fees to make it affordable for international students. The scholarship panel also grants monthly relative living expenses for a comfortable stay in the USA.

4. Safe and Well-Connected area

South Korea is a safe country for international students. Even jaywalking is not seen and has the lowest reported crime rate. The efficient transportation lines, affordable medical coverage, and developed health care make it a top destination for students to study and work in South Korea.

What are the academic requirements to study in South Korea

To be eligible for acceptance at the preferred universities, you should have the required academic credentials to study in Denmark for any course for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. You should meet certain criteria for scoring with a recognized test in English proficiency for undergraduates and postgraduates, as mentioned below.

Level of Study Academic Requirements
Undergraduate course Completed higher secondary education, high school diploma, or equivalent.
TOPIK level 3 is required
TOEFL score of 71 or IELTS score of 5.5 for the English academic program
Graduate programs Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
A TOEFL score of 79 or an IELTS minimum of 6 is required.
TOPIK level 4 is required by the time of graduation.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a South Korea Student Visa

Make sure you also research universities and courses you want to graduate from. To make you well aware of all necessities, here are the steps for you to apply for a Danish Student Visa:

Step 1: Research Licensed Educational Universities in Denmark

Students can have the option of a study visa based on the language learning model. If you are there for the Korean language only, you can opt for a D-4 student visa in South Korea. Or else, you can choose.

D2-Visa is required to study at University in South Korea

D-4 Visa: to study Korean language within the country’s territory

You cannot enroll in academic programs at a South Korean university on short-term visas like B-types or C-types. However, F-type and E-type visas are also acceptable for special cases studying in South Korea.

Step 2: Obtain an official admission letter from a recognized South Korean institution

After confirmation of the university and program course, collect the necessary documents as per the instructions provided by the university and the Danish Agency. There are requirements for academic and English language proficiency tests, which you need to abide by.

A police clearance certificate and a health examination report are must-haves to be accepted into a university. These are post-admission letter requirements one needs to fulfill.

Step 3: Gather all necessary documents and Pay Visa application fees

Once you gather the necessary documents like admission letters, transcripts, educational credentials, financial proof, and valid passports, you can apply for a student visa, for a regular college degree for 4 years, or for a course as short as 6 months to 1 year. Master’s or doctorate, you can also apply for that.

The Korean Embassy in Nepal charges the following fees, which you can also find on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: The charges vary based on nationality, and you can pay online or directly to the Korean Visa Application Center.

Types of entry Visa application fees (non-refundable)
Single entry fees (up to 90 days) 5,200 Nepalese Rupees
Single entry (over 90 days) 7,800 NPR

Step 4: Apply at the Korean Embassy

After paying Visa application fees, fill out the visa application form. Submit the Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CoA) or a letter from the Korean university, along with proof of financing and a high school diploma or equivalent. Always check with the Korean Embassy in Nepal for specific requirements and have insurance coverage.

Step 5: Wait for the Visa Decision

Once the visa application process is completed, you submit it and wait for the visa decision. The authority will review your application and approve it within a few weeks or a month. To ensure a smooth entry into Korea, pre-register with the Q-code system at least three days before arrival.

  • One needs to apply for a Korean study visa 2 to 3 months before the start of their academic course.
  • One can convert the visa to a Post-Graduation Work Visa (D-10) after study, and they can extend work in positions only in their academic major; there are no restrictions on the number of hours they work per week
  • Permanent Residency in South Korea, if you are eligible for an E-7 visa for 5 consecutive years and meet certain income and tax requirements, you may be eligible for permanent residency.
  • Any international student having a D-10 student visa for a job for at least 2 years is eligible to apply for an E-7 visa, needed for PR in Korea.

List of Top Courses to Study in South Korea for International Students

Courses Description
Engineering Engineering majors like Electrical, chemical, civil, used in renewable energy, sustainability
Computer Science and IT Majors in software, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity
Environmental Science Climate change, sustainable design, and environmental management
Life Sciences Biotechnology, molecular biology, pharmaceuticals, and food science
Design and Architecture Urban design, Industrial design, Fashion, and Graphic Design
Business and Economic Entrepreneurship and leadership Opportunity

List of Top Universities in South Korea for International Students

Top Universities in South Korea Location QS World University Rankings 2024
Seoul National University Seoul, South Korea 41
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology) Daejeon, South Korea 56
Yonsei University Seoul, South Korea 76
Korea University Seoul, South Korea 79
Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH) Pohang, South Korea 100
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Suwon, South Korea 145

Scholarship Opportunities in South Korea for International Students

1. University Scholarships

The President Fellowship Program and Graduate Scholarship from Seoul National University are a few of the top competing university scholarships in South Korea. It gives around 30–100% of tuition fee waivers based on academic merit.

2. Korean Government Scholarships

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is one of the fully-funded government scholarships for international students in Asia, Africa, America, and Europe, designated by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED). For Nepali students, the GKS program offers:

  1. 1 scholarship for the undergraduate program
  2. 4 scholarships for the graduate (master's and doctoral) program

3. Other Scholarships

There are several other scholarships, besides government and university scholarships, in South Korea. POSCO TJ Park Scholarship is 100% funded by a professor group in Korea. It serves Asian students, provides monthly allowances for additional airfare and language training, and covers their health insurance.

How do I apply for the South KoreanScholarships?

Firstly, make it your preference to have an in-depth analysis of the scholarship type most suitable for the course you applied for.

Step 1: Research available Korean universities with merit, Sports, and Financial Scholarships

Step 2: Make a website visit to the official site of the scholarship granting institution or government itself.

Step 3: Check your eligibility for the Korean government or other Scholarships

Step 4: Arrange the required Documents proofing your eligibility for the Korean University Scholarship

Step 5: Apply for Scholarship Online

Step 6: Wait for the Scholarship Announcement by the Committee

Total Cost of Study in South Korea for International Students

Living Costs in South Korea

S.N. Expenses Cost per month (in KRW)
1. Rent ₩520,000 - ₩1,300,000
2. Groceries and eating ₩325,000 - ₩550,000
3. Entertainment ₩110,000 - ₩270,000
4. Sim card and Internet ₩52,000 - ₩142,000
5. Utilities (Gas, Electricity, Water) ₩51,000 - ₩122,000
6. Stationery ₩8,000 - ₩23,000
7. Public Transportation ₩81,000 - ₩153,000

Study Costs in South Korea

S.N. Programs Average Tuition Fee (in KRW) in (‘000)
1. Information Technology (IT) ₩15,000- ₩19,000
2. Engineering ₩14,600- ₩18,800
3. Business Management ₩12,010- ₩18,090
4. Tourism and Hospitality ₩10,000- ₩15,850
6. Health Science ₩14,350- ₩18,000
7. Agriculture and Food Technology ₩12,200- ₩18,300
8. Architecture ₩11,999- ₩20,999

How much does student health insurance cost in South Korea?

Types of Health Insurance Average Annual Cost Remarks
National Health Insurance Free For registered students in South Korea
Supplemental Private Insurance ₩100,000 - ₩300,000 Private health insurance with a customizable plan

How’s life in South Korea for Nepali students?

Nepali students have started to love the Asian country of South Korea as a population destination to study and work. The highly competitive academic environment and social mobility make it demanding and give rise to curative ECA activities.

In the college entrance exam in Suneung, many Nepalese cracked it. Nepali students can attend private after-school tutoring centers (hagwons) for better performance in high-stakes examinations during their university placement.

Students face pressure to perform well with long school days and a part-time job. Each international student has a different experience. Nepalese students have attractive scholarship packages and are willing to learn agricultural technologies, IT, and the film and K-pop world.

Native South Korean students fly to Western countries as student migration allows them to learn new experiences. Also, not many realize the importance of education before retirement from their entertainment career, which usually happens at age 35. It's where the Nepalese find an opportunity to fill in. And it's more convenient for Nepalese due to the crippling, rippling demand for foreign students.

However, the lack of work-life balance can be mentally exhausting. The real challenge can be transitioning from rote learning to critical thinking. Other than that, getting the opportunity to grow both academically and professionally is the best part of life that Nepali and other international students are facing in Korea. 

Students demand safe and well-connected areas for Korean students. Seoul, Daejeon, Pohang, and Suwon are the best student cities in Korea, with world-class education and universities.

The key step to applying for the scholarship is understanding the requirements behind the bilateral scholarship agreements. It requires a review of academic performance, language proficiency, nationality, age limits, and more. Prepare and apply based on eligibility requirements and submit your profile on the scholarship provider’s website before the due date.

Fame is the most important aspect of South Korea, mainly because the citizens of this successful country in cosmetics, K-pop, and quirky things have a spoiled education system.

Employees initially were hesitant to hire non-Korean speakers, but today, it is convenient for networking for students to land a suitable part-time job in South Korea.