Study Abroad Universities Study in South Korea

Study in South Korea: Top Universities, Courses, Scholarships, Course Fees and Job Opportunities

Study Abroad Team 31/03/2025

Sulekha Study Abroad: From Expert Guidance to Global Opportunities.

Comprehensive Guidance: Expert advice on universities, courses, and scholarships.
Top Destinations: Insights into renowned study-abroad countries.
Up-to-date data: Information on foreign entrance exams, deadlines & accreditation.
Personal Growth: Cultural immersion, independence, and global perspective.
Enhanced Support: NEHA Chatbot for instant answers and guidance.
Expert Consultation: Personalized advice from verified professionals.

Study in South Korea – Highlights

South Korea attracts over 15,000+ Indian students annually, with a 25% increase in 2022. It offers 400+ universities with diverse Engineering, Technology, Business, and Humanities programs. Living expenses average KRW 12 million, and part-time work up to 20 hours/week is allowed.

Popular courses include MS, MBA, engineering, and language studies. Post-study, students can get a 12-month work permit. Visa costs range from KRW 130,000 to KRW 140,000. South Korea's education system is renowned for its innovation and academic rigour.

Engineering, business, computer science, and Korean language studies are top courses. Scholarships are available, and a permanent residence permit offers long-term residency benefits. Admission requirements include transcripts, test scores, language proficiency, recommendations, and a statement of purpose.

Core Facts About South Korea

Education in South Korea

Universities and Colleges 400+

Indian Students in South Korea (2023) 5,000+

Post-Study Work Permit D-10 visa (1 year)

Permanent Residence F-2-7 visa (Minimum investment of 100 million won (around $80,000) and have created at least 5 jobs for Korean citizens.

University / College Stats

Students Placed 1300+

Primary Language Korean

Popular Course Korean language, Business, Engineering, and Computer Science.

Scholarships Internal- 22, External- 25

Why Study in South Korea?

There are various reasons, why students opt to Study in South Korea. Some of the prominent ones are listed here,

Quality Education: South Korea boasts top-ranking universities in Asia, offering quality education in various fields.
Cultural Experience: Dive into a vibrant and diverse culture, from ancient traditions to the global phenomenon of K-Pop, that will surely ignite your curiosity.
Safety: South Korea is renowned for its safety measures, ensuring a secure and comfortable environment for international students.
Career Opportunities: Access job opportunities with global companies like LG, Hyundai, and Samsung in sectors like Business, IT, and Automobiles.
Scholarship Options: Benefit from various scholarships available for international students, easing financial burdens and supporting academic pursuits.

Universities and Courses

Top Universities in South Korea for Indian Students

Rank	University	QS Rankings	US News & World Report Ranking	International Students Percentage
1	Seoul National University	13 in Asia	151	Acceptance Rate: 20%
2	Yonsei University	35 in Asia	289	Acceptance Rate: 18%
3	KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)	48 in Asia	363	Enrollment: Not specified
4	Korea University	69 in Asia	399	Not specified
5	Kyung Hee University	601-650 in the World	Not Ranked	Not specified
6	Hanyang University	251-300 in Asia	Not Ranked	Not specified
7	Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)	6 in Asia	85	Not specified
8	Chung-Ang University	301-350 in Asia	Not Ranked	Not specified
9	Ewha Womans University	601-650 in the World	Not Ranked	Not specified
10	Pusan National University	251-300 in Asia	Not Ranked	Not specified
11	Sogang University	201-250 in Asia	Not Ranked	Not specified
12	Sungkyunkwan University	100 in Asia	301-350 in the World	Not specified
13	Kyungpook National University	251-300 in Asia	Not Ranked	Not specified
14	Hankuk University of Foreign Studies	251-300 in Asia	Not Ranked	Not specified
15	Dankook University	801-1000 in World	Not Ranked	Not specified

Popular Courses in South Korea

Popular Courses to Study in South Korea for Indian Students include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Business Administration, Environmental and Civil Engineering, Information Technology, and Medical Sciences. These courses align with South Korea's technology, innovation, and academic excellence strengths, offering students diverse opportunities for career growth and specialization in high-demand fields.

Engineering and Technology
Computer Science and Information Technology
Business and Management
Biotechnology and Life Sciences
Economics and International Trade
Korean Language and Cultural Studies
Design and Media

South Korea – Intakes

Primary Intake: March (applications invited Sep-Nov)
Secondary Intake: September (applications invited May-Jun)

Cost of Studying in South Korea

Tuition Fees - Bachelors	Private University	₩6,500,000
	Public University (Out of State)	₩4,000,000
	Public University (In-State)	₩4,000,000
Tuition Fees - Masters and Doctorate		₩1,610,000 - ₩29,175,600
Living Expenses		$400 USD = ₩553,213 KRW

Scholarships for Indian Students in South Korea

Scholarship Name	Maximum Amount (per month)
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)	Up to ₩1,800,000 KRW
Korean Government Scholarship Program	Up to ₩1,800,000 KRW
KAIST Scholarship	Varies (covers tuition and living expenses)
Seoul National University Scholarships	Varies (based on merit and need)
Yonsei University Scholarships	Varies (e.g., Yonsei International Scholarship)

Student Visa in South Korea

Cost of Visa Application	$50 to $80 USD
When to Apply	Ideally 3 to 4 months before your intended study start date. However, you can apply up to 90 days before your program begins
Visa Processing Time	Approximately 4 working days (no urgent or express service available)

Documents Required for Visa Application

This is the list of documents required for Indian students applying for a student visa to study in South Korea:

Application Form
Passport
Passport-Sized Photographs
University Offer Letter
Financial Proof
Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)

Required Entrance Exams for Indian Students in South Korea

Indian students are required to take specific entrance exams depending on the Language of Instruction and the Level of study. Here are the key requirements:

1. English-Taught Programs:

If you are applying for programs taught in English, you’ll likely need to submit TOEFL scores. The minimum required scores are:

Undergraduate and Master’s level: TOEFL 71
PhD level: TOEFL 79

2. Korean-Taught Programs:

For programs taught in Korean, you must take the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) and submit your results along with your application.

3. Other Standardized Tests:

Depending on the university and program, additional standardized tests like the SAT or ACT might be required for undergraduate admissions.

Work Opportunities in South Korea

After graduating from universities in South Korea, international students have access to a range of work opportunities. Whether you’re interested in starting your career in a multinational corporation, a small start-up, or any other field, there’s something for everyone in South Korea’s diverse job market.

Job Roles (Top 10)	Maximum Salary (per year)
Executive Management	₩147 million (approx. $150,000 USD)
Members of the Diet	₩140 million (approx. $142,000 USD)
Maritime Pilot	₩126 million (approx. $128,000 USD)
Surgeon	₩110 million (approx. $112,000 USD)
Dental Surgeon	₩107 million (approx. $109,000 USD)
Airplane Pilot	₩104.7 million (approx. $106,000 USD)
Ophthalmologist	₩104.2 million (approx. $106,000 USD)
Physician	₩95 million (approx. $96,000 USD)
Korean Medicine Doctor	₩92.23 million (approx. $94,000 USD)
Upper-Level Civil Servant	₩92.01 million (approx. $93,000 USD)