Studying in South Korea can bring together ambitious academic work, a rich cultural life and the pleasure of discovering somewhere very different from home. You might be drawn to engineering and technology, business, design, public policy or the chance to learn Korean alongside your degree.
The best starting point is the course you want to study. An English-language website does not necessarily mean a whole degree is taught in English, and the experience of living in Seoul can be quite different from studying in Daejeon, Sejong or another university city.
Reviewed 18 October 2026. Costs are in South Korean won (KRW). Fee examples and application dates below identify their year where available; illustrative budgets are planning exercises, not national averages.
Can you study in South Korea in English?
Yes. There are undergraduate colleges and graduate programmes designed for international classrooms. There are also degrees where only some modules are offered in English. Look for a complete study route, including required subjects, final projects and any compulsory placements.
For undergraduate study, Yonsei University’s Underwood International College states that its courses are taught in English. It offers an interdisciplinary environment for students who enjoy connecting ideas across subjects. Yonsei’s other colleges have their own language arrangements, so use the information for the college you are actually applying to.
KAIST describes English as its official language of communication and is worth exploring for science and technology interests. Read the department curriculum and ask how your chosen courses and laboratory supervision work in practice. Its international undergraduate route allows students to begin without a declared major and choose later, as explained in the admissions guidance.
At master’s level, KDI School’s Master of Public Policy is one option for students interested in public decisions and their economic and social effects. The school in Sejong offers English-medium graduate study, with programme options also covering development policy and public management.
Compare what you will learn rather than assuming all international programmes are alike. A broadly based undergraduate course, a technical laboratory programme and a policy master’s will suit different strengths and ambitions. Our English-taught programmes guide offers a useful way to organise that comparison.
How much Korean will you need?
You may be able to begin an English-taught degree without advanced Korean. Learning the language will still make everyday life richer: reading a menu, discussing a rental contract, joining a local club or making friends beyond the international student community.
It can also broaden your options for placements and employment. Think of Korean as a skill you can develop gradually alongside your subject, rather than something to leave until graduation. Ask whether the university offers classes that fit around your timetable and whether there is an extra fee.
For Korean-taught degrees, look at the specific TOPIK or other language requirements and the level expected at graduation. A language-school place is not the same as admission to a degree. If you plan a language year first, budget for that whole period and establish how you would progress afterwards.
For English-medium courses, check accepted English evidence for your intake. Underwood International College’s 2027 admission information, for example, requires proof of English proficiency or an accepted equivalent. Do not assume an older optional-test policy still applies.
Choosing a university, subject and city
Give yourself permission to look beyond the most familiar university names. A department with relevant projects, accessible teachers and a welcoming student community can be a better fit than a famous institution whose course does not match your interests.
- Seoul: consider it if you want a large-city setting, but examine housing costs and the journey to your actual campus.
- Daejeon: include it when comparing science and engineering study, particularly if KAIST is on your list.
- Sejong: relevant to applicants considering KDI School and policy-focused graduate study.
- Other university cities: explore the national study portal rather than limiting your search to the capital.
Some universities use several campuses. Ask where your first year takes place, where your department is based later and whether a move is expected. A campus name in an offer can matter more for daily life than the city in a university’s brand.
Think about the people you want to learn with as well. Would you enjoy a research group, a small discussion-based college or a larger department with many specialisations? Look for student projects, open lectures and course videos to get a feel for the environment.
Tuition fees: compare the right period
Korean universities often quote fees by semester. A master’s page may instead show the price of the complete programme. Keep those units separate when comparing offers, and add accommodation, insurance and other charges.
- Yonsei Underwood International College, 2026: the international-track tuition schedule lists KRW 8,416,000 for the first semester そして KRW 8,202,000 for subsequent semesters. Two semesters at those rates would mean KRW 16,618,000 in first-year tuition, before other costs. These are 2026 figures, not a confirmed quotation for 2027.
- KDI School: its published master’s tuition schedule, checked in October 2026, shows KRW 28,000,000 for the programme, with payments spread across semesters. The page does not attach a new intake year to that headline price. Scholarships may reduce the amount; obtain the fee and funding details for your own offer.
The examples show why a simple “Korea costs this much” figure is unhelpful. Institution, subject, level and financial support all influence the final price.
Ask when tuition is due and what happens if you cannot travel for the intended start date. If your funding arrives after enrolment, you may need enough cash to cover the initial payment yourself. Compare payment timing alongside the total cost.
Living costs and accommodation
The government’s Study in Korea living-expenses guide provides categories for housing, food, transport and other spending. Use it as a starting point, then replace estimates with accommodation offers and the costs relevant to your campus.
Here are three illustrative monthly planning budgets, excluding tuition, flights and arrival deposits:
- KRW 1,000,000 a month: KRW 12,000,000 over twelve months. Test this only against an affordable housing option you have actually found.
- KRW 1,400,000 a month: KRW 16,800,000 over twelve months, allowing more room for housing and everyday spending.
- KRW 1,800,000 a month: KRW 21,600,000 over twelve months. Private accommodation or a particular lifestyle could still cost more.
These are not promises of what you can live on. Their purpose is to show how a monthly difference changes the annual funding requirement. Build your own total for rent, utilities, food, local travel, phone, healthcare or insurance, study materials and a reserve.
University dormitories can be a convenient first step. Check room sharing, meals, eligibility, allocation dates and whether the room is available during vacations. A semester price may not cover the months between terms.
For private housing, ask about the deposit as well as the monthly rent. A low recurring payment can come with a substantial sum due upfront. Have someone who understands the contract explain the payment schedule, what is included and the conditions for getting the deposit back.
Allow for bedding, kitchen items and the first few weeks before you know where to shop. Confirm health-insurance arrangements with the university, including when any required cover begins and what you need before then.
Scholarships: GKS and university funding
South Korea offers several funding routes, but eligibility and application timing are specific. Start with the course and then identify the awards that can genuinely support it.
について 2027 Global Korea Scholarship undergraduate university-track notice was published on 23 September 2026. It explains that participating universities set their own selection schedules. Use the current university information and guidelines; do not assume there is one deadline for every institution or that undergraduate dates also apply to graduate funding.
KAIST’s international undergraduate scholarship includes tuition support for eight semesters, a monthly allowance of KRW 350,000 and medical insurance. Students select the scholarship option in their application, and continuing support has an academic-performance condition. The allowance should be considered alongside your full living budget.
Yonsei UIC also describes admission scholarships and other support on its fee and scholarship page. For graduate study, ask departments about university awards and research support. A professor’s interest in your work is encouraging, but the funding amount and duration should be confirmed in the offer.
Keep a short funding table with the course, award, deadline, required documents and decision date. If two applications require different essays, give each one a clear explanation of what you hope to learn and contribute. Our scholarships guide can help you plan the wider search.
Applications and upcoming intakes
Each university sets its own calendar and admission route. Your nationality, educational background and sometimes family citizenship can affect which international application category applies. Begin with the university’s current guide rather than assuming every applicant follows the same process.
Typical preparation includes academic records, graduation evidence, language results, references and a statement of purpose. Some programmes use interviews or ask for a portfolio or research plan. If translations or document certification are required, allow enough time to arrange them before the deadline.
As a current example, KAIST’s published 2027 undergraduate calendar lists an early application period ending 22 October 2026 at 18:00 Korean time, followed by a regular application period from 10 November 2026 to 14 January 2027. Supporting-document and reference dates must also be checked. Other universities follow different schedules.
For a master’s application, connect your previous experience to the course. If you want to change fields, explain the preparation you have already done and identify any gaps the programme expects you to fill. A thoughtful project description can be more persuasive than a page of general praise for the university.
Student visas and arrival
The government’s Study in Korea visa guidance distinguishes degree study, generally under D-2, from non-degree training such as language study, commonly under D-4. The exact visa documents depend on your course and circumstances; follow the university and the Korean embassy or consulate responsible for your application.
Plan for admission documents, evidence of funding and the relevant immigration steps after arrival. Ask the international office what it organises for new students, including orientation, local registration and insurance guidance. Keep copies of your admission, accommodation and funding documents accessible when travelling.
Do not treat a language course as an automatic route into a particular university degree. If that is your plan, establish the academic and language requirements for the next stage before paying for the first.
Can international students work in South Korea?
Part-time work is possible for eligible students, but there is no single hourly limit that fits everyone. The official foreign-student employment guidance links permission and permitted hours to factors such as visa status, study level, Korean proficiency and the institution. Obtain the required permission through the appropriate process before beginning work.
A student job can offer useful experience and language practice. It should not be the foundation of your tuition plan. Finding suitable work can take time, and a busy term may leave less availability than you expected.
For longer-term opportunities, start building skills and relationships during the course: contribute to a project, attend relevant events and learn how employers in your field recruit. Korean language development can widen the range of teams and roles you can approach.
Graduates who want to remain for job seeking or employment should discuss the appropriate status with the international office and immigration authorities. A degree can open conversations, but admission to university does not itself promise a job or permission to remain indefinitely.
Settling in and enjoying student life
Give yourself a few weeks to build a routine. Learn the route to class, find an affordable grocery shop and join one activity that meets regularly. Friendships often grow from repeated small encounters rather than a single welcome event.
Try to spend time with people beyond your own nationality and department. A language exchange, music group, sports club or volunteering project can make the country feel more familiar and help you understand perspectives you would not encounter in class.
Keep enough space in your schedule to explore. The point of studying abroad is not simply completing assignments in another location; it is also discovering what interests you, learning to manage unfamiliar situations and becoming more confident in your abilities.
よくある質問
Can I study in Korea without speaking Korean?
Yes, if you enter a suitable English-taught programme and meet its admission requirements. Korean remains useful for everyday life and can expand your future opportunities.
Is studying in South Korea free?
Most programmes charge tuition. Scholarships can reduce or cover it for selected students, but you should budget from your confirmed award and offer.
Is Seoul the only good place to study?
No. Compare universities and departments across the country. The right course and a manageable housing arrangement can matter more than living in the capital.
Can a part-time job cover all my expenses?
Do not assume that it will. Work requires the relevant permission, available hours vary, and earnings depend on the job you actually obtain.
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