Study in South Korea: Application Process
Unusually for a country with such a strong international higher education reputation, South Korea doesn’t have a national application portal. Instead, applications are handled by individual schools. Most applications are submitted online, but many schools also accept applications by post.
Unusually for a country with such a strong international higher education reputation, South Korea doesn’t have a national application portal. Instead, applications are handled by individual schools. Most applications are submitted online, but many schools also accept applications by post. Do be aware that this adds a good amount of time to the process, however. Even though there’s no national portal, South Korean schools do fortunately follow a standard procedure.
As the academic year begins in March, most schools accept applications from September to November the previous year. Competition for English-language places is normally tougher than for Korean-language places.
Gather Your Paperwork Together
You’ll need to provide your academic transcripts, a letter of motivation, ID and proof of your abilities in the language of tuition. Even if you’re from an Anglophone country, you’ll need to provide proof of this. A strong English SAT score or GCSE should meet this requirement. If you’re applying for a PhD, you’ll need to send an academic CV in with your application. If you’re applying online, send all of your documentation in one PDF file. If you’re applying by post, send good quality copies. If your documentation isn’t in either Korean or English, you’ll need to include notarized translations. Schools will outline their exact requirements for each course, so check their websites for full details.
Pay the Application Fee
These vary from school to school but are generally no higher than about US$50. This fee will need to be paid in South Korean Won.
Apply for Your Certificate of Visa Issuance
Once you’ve been admitted and have proof of this, you can apply for this certificate. As soon as you have this, you’re ready to begin your adventure in South Korea!
Study in South Korea
Want an overview of this remarkable country? This section looks at South Korean culture, the landscape, the unique language and its main sectors. This section also summarises why a South Korean degree can give you a competitive edge.
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.
Programs
Ready to look at education in Asia? Use our search engine to find and compare top programs in Asia today!
Keystone Team
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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.