Study guides
Covers the structure of the TOPIK exam, how to register, the criteria for each level, and effective strategies for learning Korean.
Covers the entire residency process, from D-2 and D-4 visa requirements to extending your stay and converting to a work visa.
Covers the entire employment journey for international students, from part-time work permits and full-time hiring procedures to changing your work visa.
A guide to scholarships for international students, including the GKS, along with eligibility requirements and the selection process.
Provides key statistical data on studying in Korea, including international student numbers, distribution by nationality, tuition, and employment rates.
Provides realistic, itemized data on the costs of studying in Korea, including tuition, housing, food, and transportation.
Covers practical information for settling into Korea, including immigration procedures, housing, transportation, healthcare, banking, and telecommunications.
A bachelor's takes 4–6 years, a master's or doctorate at least 2; credits are set by each university. Proof of funds: 20m won for a degree, 10m for language.
The university and the consulate want different lists. Apostille covers 130 countries, the TB certificate applies to 35, and a CoA lasts 3 months.
Round 1 applications opened on 17 August 2026. A Round 2 offer leaves 36 days to opening day, and the visa alone takes 20 working days.
Check the accreditation list before the name: 181 degree and 123 language programmes made 2025. Regional universities need KRW 4 million less.
Korea University allows 800 characters on each of three questions and UOS 500 in Korean on each of seven. An admissions document, not a visa one.
Degree study needs KRW 20 million near Seoul or 16 million elsewhere, held 3 months. Language courses need 10 or 8 million, held 6 months.
Foreign applicants fail the real-name check and the application still goes through. Fees clear only on 3-D Secure cards; deadlines are 5 p.m. Korea time.
SNU graduate programs require two letters from two people; Yonsei and Korea University undergraduate tracks list none. The letter deadline is separate.
One university scores the interview at 100% and fails anyone below 40 points; another fails no-shows. University and visa interviews are separate.
Register within 90 days of entry. The card costs KRW 35,000; filing late costs KRW 200,000 to 10 million, and appointments close a day ahead.
A single-use visa expires 3 months after issue. An apostille comes only from the issuing country and the TB certificate only from a designated hospital.
Your address comes first: registration needs proof of it. Alien registration runs 90 days, a move 15 days, and a transit card works on day one.
A passport alone opens an account at a branch, but it comes limited: KRW 3 million at the counter, 1 million at an ATM. Foreigners get 2 phone lines.
Attendance and grades reach immigration. Below GPA 2.0 or 70% attendance, an extension needs an explanation and bank proof. Fee: KRW 60,000.
The median dorm capacity across 329 universities is 22.9%, and 182 of them sit below 25%. The deposit-to-rent conversion cap is 5.00% a year.
In 2026 students pay KRW 79,320 a month, half the standard rate. D-2 enrols on your registration date, and a fourth missed payment blocks your stay.
Without the Korean requirement it is 10 hours a week for undergraduates and 15 for graduates; with TOPIK 3 or 4, 25 and 30 on weekdays. Permit first.
A master's takes 27 credits, and TOPIK runs 3 to 6 by department. One semester costs KRW 6.51-9.82 million, and GKS is closed to Korea graduates.
The D-10 points test passes at 60 of 190 and the F-2 points test at 80 of 170. Neither D-2 nor D-10 appears on the list of statuses allowed to work.
F-2 passes at 80 of 170, three years on F-2-7 opens permanent residence, and a Korean doctorate has no waiting period. KIIP runs 515 hours.