Study in South Korea

Since their split from North Korea in 1948, South Korea has created its own path. Considerably different to its northern neighbour, South Korea is now a meeting point of modernity and tradition. The government has made it a priority to invest heavily in the higher education system, welcoming international students with open arms.

South Korea for international students
Language Requirements
Courses

Why choose South Korea as an international student

The South Korean government has set a target of attracting 200,000 international students by 2020, meaning that they have had to make universities more accessible. This has also lead to a steady climbing of international rankings. You will find 17 of South Korea’s universities in the 2023 QS World University Rankings top 500. The highest ranked of these is Seoul National University, which is placed in 29th. The next highest ranked is the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), which is placed in =42nd.

With a fascinating mixture of ancient temples and modern architecture, South Korea has something to offer everyone. The country specialises in the innovation of science and technology, but also has impressive pedigree in the arts. There are many public and private universities, all offering a wide variety of degrees.

International Student Visas

International students planning to study in South Korea for more than 90 days need a D-visa, such as a D-2 visa for university students. The application process involves obtaining a Certificate of Admission from a Korean university and applying for the visa at the Korean embassy in your home country.

For more information about visas, see our International Student Visas advice article.

Universities in South Korea

There are over 200 universities in South Korea which offer bachelor’s degrees, and the majority of these are privately funded.

The public universities in South Korea (known as National Universities) can be divided into the following categories:

Flagship national universities – This is a group of 10 public universities founded between 1946 and 1952 that have joined the Presidential Council of the Korean Flagship National Universities. The list includes some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country, such as Jeonbuk National University, Seoul National University and Kangwon National University.
National universities – There are 18 publicly funded universities in South Korea outside of the flagship group, including Hanbat National University, Kumoh National Institute of Technology and Incheon National University.
Specialized national universities – There are 27 public universities that have special academic focuses, including fields such as the teaching of education, science and technology, defense, sports and arts. These include Seoul National University of Education, the Korea National Defense University and the Korea University of Science and Technology.

The top ranked universities in South Korea

Universities in South Korea offer world class education, with many ranking highly in world university rankings.

University	Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2024	Best Global Universities	QS World University Ranking
Seoul National University	62	129	41
Yonsei University (Seoul campus)	76	292
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)	83	282	56
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)	145	263	145
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)	149	409	100
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)	199	360	266
Korea University	201-250	290	79
Kyung Hee University	251-300	520	332
Sejong University	251-300	397	436
Hanyang University	301-350	441	164

Search for courses in South Korea

Highlighted courses in South Korea

Master of Business Administration (MBA) MBA

SolBridge International School of Business Korea (the Republic of)

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More information about South Korea

Capital City	Seoul
Currency	KRW, Korean Republic Won
Language(s)	Korean (Pyojuneo), Korean Sign Language
Major Student Cities	Pohang, Daejeon

Language Requirements

The official languages of South Korea are Korean and Korean Sign Language.

There are many courses taught in English at South Korean universities, at bachelors and masters level. You can also opt to study in Korean if you wish. No matter which language you choose to study in, if it is a non-native language you will need to provide evidence that you have language proficiency. If you do not meet the required standards, you may be able to take a course to help your language skills improve.

Even if you study in English, it is recommended that you make an effort to learn as much Korean as possible. Communicating with the locals and other students is the perfect way to practice. This will not only improve your everyday life, it is also a skill that will look great on your CV/resume!