Why Study in South Korea?

Thinking about studying abroad? South Korea has quickly become one of the top destinations for international students thanks to its world-class universities, affordable education, and excellent job opportunities after graduation. If you're planning to study in South Korea, here’s why it could be the smartest move for your future.

• Top Korean universities like Seoul National University (SNU), KAIST, POSTECH, and Yonsei are globally ranked for excellence in engineering, science, IT, and business.

• Affordable tuition and low living expenses make South Korea a cost-effective alternative to Western countries like the USA, UK, or Australia.

• A growing number of English-taught master's and bachelor's programs are available—ideal for international students who don't speak Korean.

• Strong connections with major global employers like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG lead to great career opportunities in South Korea after graduation.

• Enjoy a safe, modern, and culturally rich student life—South Korea blends cutting-edge tech with centuries-old traditions.

• Access to scholarships for international students including the prestigious Korean Government Scholarship (GKS) and university-specific funding.

 

What is Korea Student Visa (D-2 Visa)?

Korea has emerged as a top destination for foreign students willing to study abroad. The country offers the D-2 Student visa for students willing to migrate and study in Korea for a full-time, long-term degree course or exchange program. The visa allows you to migrate and stay in the country if you enroll in a degree course or exchange program for more than 90 days. The D-2 Student visa is a single-entry visa which is valid for 3 months. The visa can be renewed after the completion of every study program, provided that you enroll for another exchange program or degree course in Korea.

Popular Programs and Career Trends in South Korea
Bachelor’s Programs

Students can pursue a Bachelor's degree in diverse fields, including:

Field	Courses
Engineering	Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, IT
Business	Business Administration, International Business, Marketing, Finance
Technology	Data Science, AI, Robotics
Life Sciences	Biotechnology, Medical Science, Environmental Science
Social Sciences	Psychology, Sociology, International Relations

Masters in South Korea: Top Programs, Fees & Eligibility for International Students

South Korea is becoming a top destination for international students looking to pursue a master's degree. With globally ranked universities, affordable tuition, and a vibrant academic environment, it offers great value for money and future career growth.

Here’s a complete overview of the most popular master’s programs in South Korea, including tuition fees, course duration, and basic eligibility criteria.
 

Popular Master’s Programs in South Korea
 

Program & University	Duration	Estimated Tuition (USD/year)	Eligibility Requirements
MBA – KAIST, Yonsei	1.5 – 2 years	8,000 – 11,000	Bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6.5+, GMAT (for some), relevant work experience
Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, CS)	2 years	6,000 – 15,000	Bachelor’s in Engineering or related, IELTS/TOEFL, research interest
Computer Science / Data Science	2 years	7,000 – 14,000	Bachelor’s in CS/IT, IELTS 6.5+, GRE (sometimes), solid academic background
Public Administration – SNU, Korea Univ.	2 years	6,000 – 8,000	Bachelor’s degree, IELTS/TOEFL, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation
Global MBA – Korea or Yonsei University	2 years	9,000 – 13,000	Bachelor’s, IELTS 6.5+, GMAT, business background preferred
International Studies – Korea University	2 years	7,000 – 9,000	Bachelor’s degree, IELTS/TOEFL, GPA above 3.0/4.0
Biotechnology / Public Health – SNU, POSTECH	2 years	5,000 – 12,000	Science-related bachelor’s, IELTS/TOEFL, possible research proposal
Media & Communication Studies	2 years	6,000 – 9,000	BA in Arts or Media, IELTS/TOEFL

Why Study for a Master's in South Korea?

• Affordable Education: Tuition fees are lower than in the US, UK, or Australia, while maintaining top academic standards.

• Global Rankings: Universities like SNU, KAIST, POSTECH, and Yonsei consistently rank among the world’s best.

• English-Taught Programs: Many master's courses are fully offered in English—especially in STEM, business, and global studies.

• High Scholarship Availability: Government and university-specific scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and sometimes airfare.

• Post-Study Work Opportunities: Graduates are eligible for work permits and can seek employment in South Korea’s thriving tech, research, and business sectors.
   

Eligibility Criteria for Master’s in South Korea

To apply for a master's degree in South Korea, international students generally need:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (varies by university)

• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL iBT 80+

• GMAT/GRE for certain programs like MBA or Data Science

• Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, and an updated CV/Resume

• Some programs may also require a research proposal or portfolio

Pursuing a master’s in South Korea gives you access to world-class education, modern research facilities, and career prospects in Asia’s innovation hub. Whether you're aiming for a career in engineering, business, public health, or computer science, South Korea offers the right mix of quality, affordability, and global exposure.

 

Top Universities in South Korea

Korea ranked in the top 50 QS Rankings in 2024 and is known for world-class education options. The table below has the list of top universities in Korea:

QS Ranking in 2024	Korean Universities
41	Seoul National University
56	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
76	Yonsei University
79	Korea University
100	Pohang University of Science and Technology
145	Sungkyunkwan University
164	Hanyang University
266	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
307	Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology
328	Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
332	Kyung Hee University
436	Sejong University
494	Chung-Ang University
498	Ewha Woman’s University
509	Sogang University
520	Kyungpook National University
575	Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students to Study in South Korea 

Eligibility to study Bachelor's in South Korea

Criteria	Requirements
Academic	Completion of 12th grade with a minimum of 70% marks
Language Proficiency	- English-Taught Programs: IELTS (6.0+), TOEFL (80+) - Korean-Taught Programs: TOPIK Level 3-5 (varies by university)
Documents	Academic Transcripts, SOP (Statement of Purpose), 1-2 LORs (Letters of Recommendation)

Eligibility to study Master’s in South Korea

Criteria	Requirements
Academic	Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution with at least 70% marks or a CGPA of 7.0+
Language Proficiency	- English-Taught Programs: IELTS (6.0+), TOEFL (80+) - Korean-Taught Programs: TOPIK Level 3+ (required by some universities)
Documents	Bachelor's Degree Certificate, Transcripts, Research Proposal (if required), SOP, 2-3 LORs

 

Intakes and Deadlines

South Korean universities typically have two major intakes:

Intake	Application Period	Semester Start
Spring Intake (March)	September – November (previous year)	March
Fall Intake (September)	March-May	September

Scholarships for Indians to study in South Korea

South Korea offers a range of scholarships to international students. Some scholarships cover full tuition, living stipends, and even airfare.

A. Government Scholarships

Scholarship	Coverage	Eligibility
Korean Government Support for Self-Financed Students	₩500,000 per month for 1 year	Self-financed international students with excellent academic records

 

B. University Scholarships

University	Scholarship Name	Coverage	Eligibility
Seoul National University (SNU)	SNU President Fellowship	Full tuition + stipend	High academic scores & research background
KAIST	KAIST International Scholarship	Full tuition + stipend	Strong academics & research experience
POSTECH	POSTECH Scholarship	Full tuition + research grant	Research-focused programs
Yonsei University	Global Leaders Scholarship	50-100% tuition	High GPA & leadership qualities

 

C. Corporate Scholarships

Company	Scholarship Name	Coverage
Samsung	Global Scholarship	₩1,500,000/month ($1,150) + full tuition waiver
POSCO	Asia Fellowship	₩1,000,000/month ($750) + full tuition waiver

Korea Student Visa Requirements

The following are the documents required for Korea Student Visa: 

• Completed visa application form
• Recent passport-sized pictures taken against a white background
• Original and valid passport
• Certificate of Admission Letter issued by Korean authorities
• Transfer Certificates from the last attended educational institution
• Documents demonstrating financial affordability
• Recent bank statements (issued not more than 2 weeks prior to your application date)
• Certificate of Scholarship (if applicable)
• Business Registration certificate of the Korean educational institute you are enrolled in
• Exchange Student Agreement (for exchange students only)
• Proof of relationship with your family members

How to apply for a Korea Student Visa?

Step 1: Research & Shortlist Universities:

• Choose universities based on rankings, programs, and career goals.

Step 2: Arrange the following list of documents:

• Academic transcripts & certificates
• SOP & LORs
• Language test scores (IELTS/TOEFL/TOPIK)
• Research Proposal (for research programs)

Step 3: Submit Application Online

While submitting the application form you need to pay an application fee of $50 – $150. 

Step 4: Attend Interview (if required)

Admission Offer: Confirm by paying the tuition deposit.

Apply for Visa (D-2 Visa): Processing time: 2-4 weeks

Step 5: Arrive & Register in South Korea

Apply for Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of arrival.

How much does it cost to study in South Korea?

The Korean government has recently brought down the minimum bank balance required to be eligible for a Korean student visa. The table below lists the details of the amount of funds required for different study programs in Korea:

Category	Cost
Tuition Fees	- Public Universities: $2,000 – $4,500 per semester - Private Universities: $4,000 – $8,000 per semester
Accommodation	$300 – $600 per month (Dorms are cheaper)
Food & Transport	$300 – $500 per month
Miscellaneous	$100 – $200 per month
Total Estimated Cost per Year	$8,000 – $15,000

Note: The bank statement provided with your application form must reflect the minimum amounts as per your study program specified above.

 

Korea Student Visa Fees

The visa fee for D-2 Student Visa for Korea is around $60- $90.

 

Korea Student Visa Processing Time

Korea Student Visa applications are generally processed within 4 to 10 working days.

 

Post-Study Work Visas for International Students

• D-10 Visa: Up to 2 years for job search in Korea
• E-7 Visa: For specialized study fields
• H-1 Visa: Working Holiday option
• F-2 Visa: Points-based long-term residency

 

Career Prospects After Graduation in South Korea
 

Sectors with High Job Demand	Work Visa Options
IT, AI, Engineering, Finance, Biotechnology	D-10 (Job-Seeking Visa) – Stay for 6 months post-graduation E-7 (Work Visa) – For skilled professionals with a job offer

 

Average Salaries in Korea

Industry Sector	Average Monthly Salary (KRW)
Architecture	3610000
Banking	4230000
Construction / Building / Installation	2290000
Engineering	3280000
Factory and Manufacturing	2650000
Health and Medical	5800000
Human Resources	3680000
Public Relations	3910000
Real Estate	4400000
Teaching / Education	4120000

Advantages of obtaining Korean Language Proficiency:

TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) Level 4+ significantly increases job prospects in South Korea.
 

How can Y-Axis help you?

Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, provides assistance to all students and aspirants willing to study in Korea. Our team of experienced study-abroad consultants will assist you with the following services:

• Y-Axis Free Counselling Services to help you with course and University selection
• Campus Ready Program to help you fly to Korea with the best and ideal course
• Course Recommendation: Y-Path gives the best suitable ideas about your study and career options.
• Y-Axis Coaching Services to help you with IELTS and TOEFL
• Expert Assistance with acquiring a Korea Student Visa