Costs
Tuition
₩4,000,000–8,000,000/year (€3,000–6,000). KAIST: free for all admitted students. SKY universities (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei): ₩5,000,000–8,000,000.
Living Costs
₩700,000–1,000,000/month (€500–700). Seoul more expensive. University dormitories: ₩300,000–500,000/month. Meals at university cafeterias: ₩3,000–5,000 (€2–3.50).
Total Annual Cost
€10,000–18,000/year (without scholarship). Free–€7,000 with GKS or university scholarship.
Part-Time Work
20 hours/week (after 6 months of enrollment). Full-time during breaks. Average earnings: ₩600,000–900,000/month. Minimum wage: ₩9,860/hour.
Post-Study & Immigration
Post-Study Work Visa
D-10 visa: 2 years for job search. Find a job → E-7 visa (professional). Points-based F-2 visa available for qualifying graduates.
Path to Permanent Residency
F-2 points-based visa (residence). F-5 permanent residence after 5 years on F-2. Points for: Korean degree, TOPIK score, income, age. Korean language ability significantly helps.
Language Requirements
Many English-taught programmes at major universities. TOPIK (Korean proficiency) required for Korean-taught programmes. TOPIK 3+ for admission, TOPIK 4+ for most programmes. English test not required if previous education was in English.
Visa Processing
2–4 weeks. D-2 student visa. University issues admission letter → apply at Korean embassy. Straightforward process with high approval rate.
Top Universities
| University | QS 2025 | Tuition (Int'l) | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul National University | #31 | ₩5,500,000–8,000,000 | All fields — Korea's top university |
| KAIST | #53 | FREE (all students) | STEM, Engineering, Business, AI |
| Yonsei University | #56 | ₩5,000,000–8,000,000 | Business, Engineering, Health Sciences |
| Korea University | #67 | ₩5,000,000–8,000,000 | Law, Business, Engineering, Political Science |
| POSTECH | #100 | Heavy scholarship support | Science, Engineering, Materials |
Scholarships
GKS/KGSP
Award: Full tuition + ₩900,000/month + flights + insurance + Korean language
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Feb–Mar
Korean government's flagship. 1,500+ places. Embassy and university tracks.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Feb–Mar
Korean government's flagship. 1,500+ places. Embassy and university tracks.
KAIST International Scholarship
Award: Full tuition (automatic)
Eligibility: All admitted students · Deadline: Rolling
Every admitted international student gets full tuition. No separate application.
Eligibility: All admitted students · Deadline: Rolling
Every admitted international student gets full tuition. No separate application.
Korean university merit waivers
Award: 25–100% tuition reduction
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per university
GPA-based. Automatically applied at most universities.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per university
GPA-based. Automatically applied at most universities.
POSCO TJ Park Foundation
Award: Full tuition + stipend
Eligibility: STEM students · Deadline: Varies
For outstanding STEM students at Korean universities.
Eligibility: STEM students · Deadline: Varies
For outstanding STEM students at Korean universities.
Yonsei International Scholarship
Award: 50–100% tuition
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per intake
Merit and need-based. Apply through Yonsei admissions.
Eligibility: All nationalities · Deadline: Per intake
Merit and need-based. Apply through Yonsei admissions.
2026 Policy Updates
What changed: D-10 job search visa duration is 2 years (one of the longest in Asia). TOPIK requirements being standardised. University dormitory expansion programmes ongoing. Korea targeting 300,000 international students by 2027 (currently ~200,000).
Best For
STEM students (KAIST is free). Students who want generous government scholarships. K-culture enthusiasts willing to learn Korean. Budget-conscious students wanting quality Asian education. Those interested in Korea's tech industry (Samsung, LG, Hyundai ecosystem).
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