Study in South Korea

South Korea is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic study destinations globally, combining cutting-edge technology, groundbreaking research, and an inspiring cultural wave. Home to world-class institutions in engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, and business—such as KAIST and the prestigious SKY universities (Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University). The Korean government provides the fully funded Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), welcoming thousands of talented international and Arab scholars annually, paired with internships and career opportunities in global tech leaders like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai.

universities listed

scholarships & discounts

government programmes

Government scholarships & national programmes

Scholarships funded by the state or its official bodies for international students.

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is run by South Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED) and supports international students at bachelor's, master's and PhD levels. It usually covers tuition, airfare, a monthly allowance and medical insurance, plus a one-year Korean language program before degree studies. You can apply through the Korean embassy in your country or directly to a participating Korean university.

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA Volunteers)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The official South Korean government international volunteer program under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (World Friends Korea). Dispatches skilled volunteers to partner countries in education, healthcare, technology, and governance with 100% full coverage of flights, housing, living stipends, and insurance.

Universities(1)

Fees for international students and the highest discount or scholarship available, from each university’s official sources.

All cities:

QS #50Private (foundation) university

Yonsei University

جامعة يونسي

Seoul1 scholarship

Annual Tuition:₩8,000,000 – ₩18,000,000 per year

Active scholarshipsDetails

All scholarships & discounts (2)

Filter by funding type and study level.

Fully Funded

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for Undergraduate Engineering & Advanced Technology

by Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) Undergraduate Track at Yonsei University

by Yonsei University

Bachelor’s

2027-03-31Details

Other international opportunities in this country (1)

Fellowships, competitions, leadership summits and volunteering hosted or run from here — not study scholarships, so not included in the scholarship count.

VolunteeringKOICA International Development Volunteering (World Friends Korea)Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA Volunteers)

Study guide

The study system

Higher education in South Korea utilizes a rigorous credit-based semester system: • Bachelor's Degree (Haksa): 4 years (130–140 credits), extending to 6 years for Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. • Master's Degree (Seoksa): 2 years (24–30 credits with a thesis defense and comprehensive qualifying examinations). • Doctoral Degree (Baksa): 3 years (minimum 36 credits with peer-reviewed publications and dissertation defense). • Integrated Master's/PhD Programmes: An accelerated 4 to 5-year combined pathway for high-achieving scholars. The academic year is organized in two intakes: Spring semester commencing in March, and Autumn semester commencing in September, with an extensive range of English-taught degree tracks.

How to get admitted

1) Undergraduate Admissions: • Certified high school diploma and transcripts with Apostille authentication or Consular legalization. • Korean-taught tracks: Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) Level 3 or 4 minimum. • English-taught tracks: IELTS (5.5–6.5+) or TOEFL iBT (71–85+). 2) Graduate Admissions (Master's & PhD): • Direct application via university portals or the official Study in Korea platform. • Legalised bachelor's/master's degree, transcripts with minimum 80% or GPA 3.0/4.0, Personal Statement, Study Plan, and recommendation letters. 3) Top Korean Scholarships: • Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): Full tuition coverage, 1,000,000 KRW monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, 1-year intensive Korean language training, and health insurance. • Institutional merit scholarships (e.g. KAIST International Graduate Scholarship providing full tuition and living allowances for all admitted researchers).

Fees and living costs

Tuition Fees in South Korea (2026/2027): • National Universities: 2,000 to 4,500 USD per semester (approximately 2.6M to 5.8M KRW). • Private Universities: 3,500 to 7,500 USD per semester (Humanities: 4M–5M KRW; Engineering and Sciences: 6M–8M KRW). Living Expenses & Financial Proof: • Average living costs: 700 to 1,100 USD per month (~900,000 to 1,400,000 KRW) including university dormitories which cost 300–500 USD/month, food, and transport. • Financial proof for D-2 Student Visa: Bank statement verifying approximately 20,000 USD for universities in the Seoul Capital Area, or 18,000 USD for regional universities.

Visa, residence permit and health insurance

Korean Student Visa (D-2) Procedures: 1) Standard Certificate of Admission (CoA): Issued by the Korean university upon confirmation of admission and scholarship/tuition verification. 2) Application at Korean Embassy: Lodge application with CoA, bank certificate, notarized diplomas, medical checkup report, and passport. Visa is typically issued within 10–14 business days. 3) Alien Registration Card (ARC): Applied for at the local immigration office within 90 days of arrival, serving as legal identification and national health insurance link.

Working while studying

Work During Studies: • D-2 visa holders can work part-time up to 20–25 hours per week during term time (extended to 30 hours for students with TOPIK Level 4+), and unlimited hours during summer and winter breaks with university and immigration approval. • Minimum hourly wage: ~9,860 to 12,000 KRW. Post-Study Work & Settlement: • Graduates can switch to the D-10 Job Seeker Visa, allowing up to 2 full years to secure employment in South Korea. • Successful candidates convert to the E-7 Professional Employment Visa or F-2 Points-Based Resident Visa, leading to permanent residency pathways for STEM talent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps for 2026 / 2027.

Yes, absolutely. Korean language proficiency is not mandatory when applying for the GKS scholarship. Admitted scholars receive a full year of funded Korean language immersion at an accredited university language institute prior to starting degree studies.

SKY refers to South Korea's top three elite universities: Seoul National University (S), Korea University (K), and Yonsei University (Y). Their graduates dominate leadership roles in government, global conglomerates (Samsung, Hyundai), and top-tier academia.