Also known as the tranquility of the morning, South Korea is a unique blend of old and new, ancient and modern, nature and technology. You can experience a long historical landscape full of natural beauty, with the plus side of being able to see the large technology and entertainment centers in the city of Seoul.
South Korea has become popular with international students these days for good reason! Everywhere, there is a wide selection of universities and courses where students can complete their master’s and bachelor’s programs.
Also, living and studying in Korea is relatively cheap for most people. Therefore, a trip to South Korea will guarantee both a great environment, interesting friends, and great value for money. But, as many people don’t know, it’s also a great place for higher education.
South Korea has two universities in the top 100 of the world university rankings (and five universities in the top 200), proving to be the best destination for quality education.
Why study in South Korea?
South Korea is in many ways similar to other destinations in Asia. It has a constantly moving advanced and modern city and a large population. Since 1948, it has been far away from its neighboring country, North Korea.
Korea you are looking for is a fusion of old and new, with many temples, palaces and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as modern buildings and densely populated residential areas. Although heavily influenced by American culture, it still maintains its proud history and culture. So, what does this country have to offer to international students?
Affordable tuition
The great thing about Korea is that it doesn’t distinguish between local students and international students. Both categories pay the same fee. And these rates aren’t that high, especially when compared to rates in the US, Canada, or Australia.
For most bachelor’s and master’s degrees, costs start at $ 1,000 to $ 1,500 and can reach up to $ 21,000 per semester. It may not be cheap, but keep in mind that tuition fees at American universities can easily exceed $ 50,000 per year.
Engineering, medicine, and the humanities are often the most expensive disciplines.
Many scholarships are available
Many Korean universities offer scholarships for international students. Although the requirements for each scholarship are different, many such awards are often based on past grades or academic performance.
The education system is excellent
South Korea boasts some of the best universities in Asia and around the world. The school is often ranked among the best institutions of higher education, and Korean students are ranked in the top three by ISAP (International Student Evaluation Program) survey results.
South Korea is a leader in information and communication technology (ICT).
When it comes to ICT, few countries can match the remarkable progress and contributions of major Korean companies such as Samsung, LG, and SK Hynix. Thanks to Hyundai and Kia, who also are major players in the automotive industry.
Discover the beauty of Korean culture and history
While studying and living in Korea, you can discover the unique culture and history of Korea by visiting wonderful monuments and sites such as the island, Everland and Songsan.
Why study in South Korea from Nepal?
- International Student Division
- Cultural exchange
- Quality research
- Innovative, creative and independent culture
- Impressive technology and research resources
- Affordable living expenses
- Providing quality education
- Employment opportunities
- Rich in the cultural and dynamic life
- Universities are globally recognized
- Career support
- A suitable, multicultural, and harmonious society
Requirements:
After deciding to study abroad in Korea, one of the first things you have to do is apply for a Korean student visa.
The first thing you need to do to apply for a Korean student visa is to be accepted into a formal education program as a formal student or language student. After that, you will need to submit the required documents along with your admission letter. The length of stay varies from program to program, so you should review the policies that apply to each program. You must contact the Korean embassy in your country to apply for a visa. As a general rule, you need to submit the following documents.
- A passport valid for the duration of your stay in Korea.
- Completed visa application form.
- Fees of US $ 50 for single entry visas and US $ 80 for multiple entry visas.
- Confirmation of admission to your research program issued by your university and recognition of your qualifications and financial capacity.
- Certificate of your education and qualifications.
- Financial statements showing that there is at least US $ 12,000 worth of funding for research (US $ 13,000 if you live in Seoul).
- This may take the form of a confirmation of the current bank balance and / or funding or other financial support.
- In some cases, you may be able to apply for a visa issuance confirmation certificate to simplify and expedite the application process.
- This can be submitted in lieu of documents proving admission, educational qualifications, and financial verification, but with the help of someone in South Korea.
- The certificate is issued by the Immigration Bureau of South Korea and is valid for 3 months.
How to apply?
Most universities are recruiting university courses twice a year, four months before the start of the semester. Applying for a language course usually begins with a more flexible, quarterly or more frequent, and easier application process. Since there is no central admission authority in Korea, the deadline is set for each school and is listed on the school’s homepage.
Currently, some universities are accepting applications online, making it possible to monitor the process efficiently and easily, but many schools are still seeking more primitive paper applications.
Here is a list of the general language course and degree procedures and application materials for your information, but it is important to note that each school may have its own specific requirements.
Korean Language Program application
Application Procedures:
- Application submission deadline extends to 1-3 months prior to the start date
- Application screening
- Tuition fee payment
- Admission approval
- Visa application
Example of Admission documents:
- Application form
- Passport copy and profile photo
- Bank statement (US$ 10,000 or more)
- Diploma/degree copy of the highest-level education
- A personal statement
- Proof of Foreign student insurance
- Application fee
University program application in South Korea
Application Procedures:
- Application submission deadline extends to 4-5 months prior. October for Spring Semester and April for Fall Semester.
- Audition and Interview
- Admission result notification
- Tuition fee payment
- Letter of Admission Issuance
- Visa application
Example of Admission documents:
- University application form
- Financial support documents like bank certificate for a guarantee of finance
- Academic support documents
- Statement of purpose
- Official high school diploma fully translated and notarized
- Official high school transcript fully translated and notarized
- Original document for proof of language proficiency in both English and Korean.
- Identification support document: passport copy, household registry certificate
Top 10 universities In South Korea
- Seoul National University
- Korea University
- Yonsei University
- Sungkyunkwan University
- KAIST
- Hanyang University
- Pohang University of Science and Technology
- Kyung Hee University
- Kyungpook National University
- University of Ulsan
Expenses:
Tuition fees In South Korea
Korean universities charge the same tuition fees for both domestic and international students in order to send more foreigners to study abroad in Korea and create an international academic environment.
Private universities are more expensive than public universities. Programs such as medicine and engineering are much more expensive than humanitarian programs.
In addition to tuition fees, newly enrolled students are required to pay a one-time admission fee and/or admission fee at the beginning of their studies. Students usually pay once or twice a year.
Annual undergraduate tuition ranges from $ 4,000 to $ 20,000, averaging $ 11,000, depending on the university and program. Scholarships are mainly provided by universities and government agencies.
It is quite likely that you will cover part of the tuition fee, but your own money will be used to pay the rest of the tuition fee and prove that you have the funds needed to obtain a student visa to South Korea.
Language programs are cheaper and cost $ 1,300,600 per 10-week semester.
Living cost in South Korea
Since food, transportation, and accommodation are relatively cheap, it is possible and practical to study in Korea. The school canteen offers cheap, high-quality meals for a few dollars. Supermarket groceries are not only rich in choice, but also very affordable.
If you’re not too careless about your budget, $ 300 a month for groceries is reasonable. Big cities like Seoul and Busan have excellent public transportation networks and are efficient, cheap, and environmentally friendly.
Public transport is cheap, if you stay in the city and you study, you can get through for a few dollars a day. Internet and mobile services are fast and cheap. Health insurance for international students is mandatory.
Scholarships:
To get a Korean student visa, you will need your own funds. However, there are some scholarships you can apply for to reduce college costs.
University Scholarships: Although it is difficult to obtain language courses and semester scholarships abroad in South Korea, many universities offer scholarship opportunities for international students to participate in the program.
These scholarships are usually based on coursework. For example, our partner, Konkuk University, offers scholarships based on the TOPI score of the first semester of the degree.
When you reach TOPIK Level 3, you will be paid a 30% tuition fee, and as your TOPIK level goes up, your scholarship will increase by 10%, up to a maximum of 60% of your TOPIK 6 tuition fee. From the second semester, scholarships of 20% will be offered. Up to 100% of the tuition fees for students with an average grade of 3 to 4 in the previous semester.
Korean Government Scholarships: For example, the Ministry of Education’s Global Korean Scholarship (GKS) is the most representative. There are also other public institutions and foundations that award scholarships to specific disciplines and countries of students.
There is a scholarship system for the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and a scholarship system for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Most importantly, don’t forget the Dream Studies Scholarship! If you plan to study abroad in Korea next year, you can also apply for the Dream Studies 1000 – 1500 Euro Study Abroad Scholarship.
Life of international students in South Korea
Student life in Seoul is exciting but also has some restrictions. Koreans, young and old, love to be outdoors, so the streets are always lively. There are cafes everywhere as many students go there to study. Most convenience stores are open 24 hours a day and you can enjoy hot meals at any time.
Instead of having a good night at the club, there is a game shop and a karaoke bar. Most Koreans pay by card, but locals say that Seoul is becoming more and more cashless, so you don’t have to worry about withdrawing large amounts of cash.
Cash is required when visiting local food markets, karaoke bars, and game stores, and when planning to go outside Seoul. Many students rely on KakaoTalk for their daily communication. Therefore, if you plan to come to Korea for a long time, you need to get a Korean phone number and download the KakaoTalk app.
Opportunities after study
South Korea is blessed with a vibrant culture and a charming city, making it a great place to live and work. The country is growing globally each year, providing graduates with great opportunities to advance their careers.
Large domestic companies are interested in bilingual people who can easily interpret events and documents. This can explain why translation work is making waves in the country. There are many other jobs in the country that you can pursue after graduation.
Moreover, South Korea is home to world tech giant Samsung other than that there are many other big companies like Hyundai, LG Electronics, Kia motors, etc. So, with excellent skills, you possibly can land your job in these companies.
As a student, you may be wondering which research field is best suited to get a good job in the highly competitive employment market in South Korea. Here are some of the best degrees that will guarantee you the right work you need to build your career and excel in your area of preference:
Salaries In South Korea
Korea pays decent salaries to different professions. Seoul ranks 116th out of 265 cities in terms of paying salaries. Here is the list of some:
- Dentist – $119,351
- Product manager- $74,516
- Sales Manger – $71,108
- Civil Engineer – $61,245
- Mobile Developer – $58,419
- Accountant – $53,343
- Attorney – $56,220
- Software engineer – $46,980
- Web developer – $34,860
- Lecturer – $28,443
- Waiter – $13,097
- Chef-$12,338
Note: All above datas are based upon Seoul-Capital city of South Korea
