Study in Korea guide
Study in Korea.
Plan your next step.
Compare Korean language courses and degree programs, see estimated costs in US dollars, and learn how the application process works.
About this page: WorkOn is a job platform for foreign talent in Korea. Here we share general information about studying in Korea, and you can email us your questions.
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Choose your starting point
Korean language course or degree program?
These are two different starting points. Some students study Korean first and then apply for a degree; others apply directly to a degree, including English-taught programs.
| Topic | University Korean language courseIf you're new to Korean | Degree programIf you're ready for academic study |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Full-time Korean at a language institute run by a university | Associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral study at a university or college |
| Format | Usually 10-week terms of about 20 hours a week, beginner to advanced | Semesters usually start in March (spring) and September (fall) |
| Who can apply | High school graduates or above | Depends on the degree level and the school's international admission rules |
| Language | No Korean needed to start | Korean-taught programs usually ask for a TOPIK level set by each school; English-taught programs ask for English test results |
| Visa | Usually D-4-1 (Korean language training). Short courses or other study arrangements may use a different status. | D-2 (student) |
| Apply to | The language institute, usually on its website | The university's international admissions office |
Freshman admission
Start a bachelor's degree in year 1 after finishing secondary school. This is the usual route.
Transfer admission
Join a 4-year university in year 2 or 3, usually with an associate degree or at least two years of study at a 4-year university. Spring-entry applications are commonly taken in the fall of the previous year, and fall-entry applications in spring. Check each university's international office for its conditions and dates.
Estimated costs
What studying in Korea can cost
Use these figures to plan a budget. Actual fees depend on the school, program and city.
USD — US dollars. Amounts are estimates converted from Korean won at 1 USD = 1,330.3 KRW (market close, October 19, 2026). Schools bill in won, so what you pay depends on the invoice and the exchange rate when you pay.
Expected spending
Tuition
Averages and published examples, not a quote
| Bachelor's (4-year universities)per year · national average, 2026 | US$5,470 |
|---|---|
| National/public US$3,190 · private US$6,190 | |
| Associate (junior colleges)per year · national average, 2026 | US$5,000 |
| Public US$1,680 · private US$5,030 | |
| Korean language courseper 10-week term · published examples, not a national range | |
| Incheon National University Korean Language Institute (fee page shows no year) | US$980 |
| Yonsei University Korean Language Institute (2026 fee) | US$1,400 |
| Graduate programs | Varies by school |
Fees also vary by field; medicine, arts and engineering usually cost more than humanities. Check school-level fees on Academy Info or the school's website.
Monthly living costs
Includes housing · excludes tuition
| Housingdormitory or room | US$375–525 |
|---|---|
| Food | US$150–225 |
| Local transport | US$40–75 |
| Otherphone, internet, health insurance | US$75–150 |
| Budget example per monthWorkOn's sum of the items above | US$640–975 |
Item estimates: Study in Korea. If your dormitory or boarding house includes meals, lower the food line accordingly. Costs in Seoul and the capital area tend to be higher.
Other costs to plan for
Separate from tuition and the living-cost estimate
- Flights to Korea
- Application fees charged by schools or language institutes
- Documents: certificates, translations and authentication
- Visa application fee
- Textbooks and settling-in items such as bedding and a phone
- Administrative fees after arrival, such as foreign resident registration
These vary too much to estimate fairly. Ask your school for its fee list.
Money to have ready in advance
Tuition and dormitory fees paid upfront
Schools usually ask for tuition before the visa stage, and many dormitories charge a semester at a time. This is the same tuition and housing cost estimated above, paid earlier. Don't add it again.
Deposit for private housing
Renting a room or studio usually needs a deposit on top of monthly rent. It isn't monthly spending: it is generally returned when the lease ends, according to the terms of your contract. You need it available at the start.
Proof of funds for your visa
A student visa may require a bank balance or financial guarantee. This is a visa requirement, not a cost and not a WorkOn fee. The amount is set by the authorities and schools and can change, so check the current requirement with your school and the Korea Visa Portal or the Korean embassy or consulate where you apply. Don't rely on a US dollar conversion to decide whether you meet it.
Scholarships
The Korean government's Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) can cover tuition, Korean language training, airfare and a monthly allowance for selected students. Many universities also offer their own scholarships or tuition discounts, often based on grades or TOPIK level. Scholarship information on Study in Korea
Questions about costs or programs?
Send us your questions by email.
Email us about studying in KoreaEligibility and documents
What you'll usually need
Each school sets its own requirements. Use this list to get started, then follow the admission guide of the school you choose.
General eligibility
- Language course: high school graduate or above.
- Associate or bachelor's: completed, or about to complete, secondary school.
- Master's or doctoral: a bachelor's or master's degree, as the program requires.
- International applicant status: many universities ask that you and both parents are foreign nationals, or that you completed your schooling outside Korea.
- Language ability: TOPIK for Korean-taught programs, or English test results for English-taught programs.
Common application documents
- Application form
- Diploma (or expected graduation certificate) and full transcripts
- Personal statement and study plan
- Proof of Korean or English ability
- Passport copy
- Proof of parents' nationality or family relationship, if requested
- Financial documents, such as a bank balance certificate
Documents issued outside Korea often need authentication and translation. The accepted method depends on the issuing country, so ask your school.
How to apply
From research to arrival
A typical sequence. Deadlines differ by school, so check them early and leave time for documents and the visa.
Choose a program and school
Compare language of instruction, location and total cost.
Check requirements
Read the school's admission guide for eligibility, documents and intake dates.
Prepare documents and tests
Gather certificates, arrange authentication and translations, and take TOPIK or an English test if needed.
Apply
Submit your application. Some schools also hold an interview or test.
Receive admission documents
After acceptance and tuition payment, the school issues the documents you need for the visa.
Apply for your visa
Apply for a D-4 (language) or D-2 (degree) visa as instructed by the Korea Visa Portal or the Korean embassy or consulate.
Arrange housing and insurance
Apply for a dormitory or find a room, and check health insurance rules for students.
Arrive and register
If you will stay longer than 90 days, register as a foreign resident within 90 days of arrival.
Life in Korea
Housing and working while you study
University dormitory
On or near campus, usually the most affordable and convenient choice. Rooms are often for one, two or four people, with house rules. Places can be limited, so apply early.
Hasuk (boarding house)
A room in a private home or boarding house near campus, often with meals, paid monthly. Visit first if you can.
Renting a room (wolse)
Studios and one-room apartments usually need a deposit plus monthly rent. Jeonse, a large lump-sum deposit with no monthly rent, is less common for students. Read the contract carefully.
Part-time work
You need permission from Korean immigration before you start any part-time job. Check three things: when you can apply (some statuses, such as the D-4 language visa, have a waiting period after you start), whether you qualify (grades, attendance and language ability), and how many hours you may work. Your school's international office can explain the current rules; see also the employment rules on Study in Korea and HiKorea.
After graduation
Your options after you graduate
There's no single path. What you can do next depends on your degree, field, language ability, visa eligibility and employers' hiring conditions.
Browse jobs on WorkOn
WorkOn's job board lists positions from Korean employers that are open to foreign talent, many with visa details in the posting. Hiring and visa decisions rest with employers and the authorities.
FAQ
Questions students often ask
Do I need to speak Korean before I go?
Not necessarily. You can start with a university Korean language course in Korea, and some degree programs are taught in English.
Test dates and registration are on the official TOPIK website. The TOPIK level you need is set by each school, so check its admission guide.
Can I work part-time while studying?
Yes, once you have permission from immigration. When you can apply, whether you qualify and how many hours you may work depend on your visa, program, grades and language ability. Your school's international office can confirm the current rules.
How much money do I need to show for the visa?
It depends on your visa type, program, school and where you apply, and it can change. Check with your school and the Korea Visa Portal or the Korean embassy or consulate handling your application.
Can I transfer from a junior college to a university?
Often, yes. Associate graduates, or students with at least two years at a 4-year university, can apply for transfer admission, usually into year 2 or 3. Each university sets its own conditions and dates.
Can I stay in Korea after I graduate?
Some graduates apply for a job-seeking visa (D-10) and later apply for a work visa if they are hired. Each step has its own requirements, so check the current rules on HiKorea.
What does WorkOn offer students right now?
WorkOn is a job platform for foreign talent in Korea. For studying in Korea, we currently share the general information on this page and answer questions by email. We don't guarantee admission, scholarships, visas or jobs.
Contact
Questions about studying in Korea?
Email us
It helps to tell us the program you're interested in, when you'd like to start, your current education level, your nationality and country of residence, and your questions. Please don't send passport numbers or financial details.
This opens your email app with the subject "Study in Korea Inquiry" and a short template. If nothing opens, copy the address and write from any email service.
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@workonjobvisakorea on Instagram (opens in a new tab)Sources
The sources below were checked on October 20, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with official sources and your school before you apply.
- Tuition (degrees)
- Ministry of Education & KCUE, April 2026 university disclosure analysis (Korean, PDF); school-level data on Academy Info
- Tuition (language)
- Incheon National University Korean Language Institute, regular program; Yonsei University Korean Language Institute, regular program (2026 fee used; 2027 fee also listed). Cited as examples only.
- Living costs
- Study in Korea, living expenses (item estimates; the monthly total is WorkOn's sum)
- Scholarships
- Study in Korea, scholarships (GKS)
- Work and visas
- Study in Korea, employment rules for international students; HiKorea; Korea Visa Portal
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 1,330.3 KRW, Seoul foreign exchange market daytime close, October 19, 2026