Top 10 Universities in South Korea for International Students
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Best Universities in Korea 2024: South Korea boasts a strong reputation for its world-class education system, and its top universities are renowned for their academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and international collaborations.
Studying at one of the best universities in South Korea offers a unique and enriching experience for students from around the globe. There are a total of 400 universities in South Korea that provide world-class education and research facilities. Many universities in South Korea have strong ties with leading industries, offering students internship and career opportunities.
Students can choose to study any course in these best universities in South Korea. This article contains the list of top 10 universities in South Korea, the reasons to choose South Korea as your study-abroad destination, and the costs of living and studying involved.
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Check: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in South Korea
Top Reasons to Study in Korea
Studying in South Korea for International Students: Korea has built a history of prioritizing excellence in education over the years. With combined efforts made by the government and educational institutions, Korea is determined to offer the best education to international students. The average annual tuition fee for studying in South Korea ranges from ₹ 8 L to ₹ 10 L and the government provides close to 200 scholarships every year to meritorious students. South Korea is also home to over 400 universities and colleges that offer a variety of degree programs in diverse fields. In addition, most Korean universities provide a wide range of scholarships to international students depending on their academic performance.
South Korea is one of the safest countries for living as it records low crime rates and given its geographical location is completely safe from natural disasters. The warm hearts and humble spirits of the Koreans make the time spent in Korea only that much more enjoyable.
Home to Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, South Korea is known globally for its R&D, engineering, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The country is a hub for global companies, making it easier for international students looking for job opportunities in similar areas. Basking in the pleasures of globalization, Korea is now undertaking efforts to share its development experiences and know-how by offering highly competitive education to students around the world.
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Top Universities in South Korea 2024-25
Here is a list of the top 10 Universities in South Korea for 2024-25 for students looking to study in the country.
| Best Universities in South Korea 2024-25 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Universities |
QS World University Rankings 2025 |
THE World University Rankings 2024 |
| Seoul, South Korea. |
#31 |
#62 |
| KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Daejeon, South Korea. |
#53 |
#83 |
| Seoul, South Korea. |
#56 |
#76 |
| Seoul, South Korea. |
#67 |
#201-250 |
| Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, South Korea. |
#98 |
#149 |
| Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Suwon, South Korea. |
=123 |
=145 |
| Seoul, South Korea. |
#162 |
#301-350 |
| Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, South Korea. |
#280 |
=199 |
| Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, South Korea. |
=326 |
#351-400 |
| Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea |
=328 |
#251-300 |
Education System in South Korea
The Korean education follows a single-track system, which operates on a 6-3-3-4 basis, with six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school, and four years at the undergraduate university level.
International students may pursue associate, bachelor’s, master's, or doctoral degrees in diverse academic fields by enrolling at a Korean university or college as full-time students. Courses are generally conducted in Korean language but numerous English medium lectures are also available.
Admission Procedure to Universities in South Korea
Candidates looking to study in top universities in South Korea can check out the detailed admission procedure outlined for the ease of our readers.
Cost of Studying in South Korea
The cost of studying is an important component when deciding to study abroad. The cost of studying majorly makes up the tuition cost of studying in the universities of Korea, living expenses in the country, and miscellaneous expenditures. We have brought together the average tuition cost of studying in Korean universities for international students and living expenses. Students will be able to get a rough picture of the investment they would need to make to study abroad.
Tuition Cost for studying in South Korea
This is an estimate of the tuition cost or cost of studying in South Korea for international students. Candidates should note that the real values could be a little different depending from university to university, however, this is what they can expect to be paying for studying in Korea.
Cost of living in South Korea
The cost of living in any country would depend on a number of factors including the type of accommodation, lifestyle habits, and so on. This is the rough estimate of what a student planning to study in South Korea can expect to be paying while in the country.
Check in Detail: Cost of Living in South Korea 2024
Note: the above tables have been sourced from studyinkorea.go.kr
Candidates can get in touch with us in the comments below for more queries regarding the top universities in South Korea. Candidates can also get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counselors.
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Q: What is it like to study at Yonsei University in South Korea?
According to Yonsei University student review, the university prepares them holistically for industry requirements and gives them opportunities to have a successful career. The students become more confident and competitive after studying at Yonsei University in South Korea. According to surveys carried out by certain independent newspapers, 90% of the graduates are either working or attending schools for higher education.
South Korea is the most popular place for international students, including those from India, to settle down following their studies. The nation provides excellent job opportunities, a work-life balance, and a high standard of living.
Q: Which is better: Korea University or Yonsei University?
If we compare Korea University and Yonsei University, the following points can be given to show which university is better:
| Category | Korea University | Yonsei University |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Around 8% | 18% |
| QS World Rankings 2024 | #79 | #76 |
| Tuition Fees (MBA) | INR 26 L | INR 28 L |
Q: Can international students get jobs in Korea after graduation?
Yes, post-graduation international students can seek and get a job in Korea. However, to seek a job in South Korea, international students change their visa status from D-2 to D-10. The D-10 study visa in South Korea is for job seekers. However, to change their visa status from D-2 to D-10 international students need to have the followings:
- Application, photo, copy of passport, fee, copy of identification card
- Plan for seeking employment
- Diploma
- Proof of career (if applicable)
- Proof of Korean language proficiency (if applicable)
- Letter of recommendation for employment (if applicable)
- Recommendation from the head of the central administrative agency
- Proof of being a high-earning professional (if applicable)
Q: Is South Korea good for MBA?
South Korean universities are among the best and top universities in the world. South Korean universities highly-ranked MBA programs across a wide range of specializations. South Korean universities are regularly ranked among the top universities worldwide. Top Korean universities for business and management:
University | THE World University Rankings 2024 – Business and Management |
|---|---|
Yonsei University (Seoul campus) | #47 |
Seoul National University | #88 |
#101-125 | |
#151-175 | |
Kyung Hee University | #151-175 |
Sejong University | #151-175 |
Hanyang University | #201-250 |
Korea University | #201-250 |
Pusan National University | #201-250 |
Chung-Ang University | #301-400 |
Q: What are the admission requirements for MBA in South Korea for international students?
International students should check the minimum eligibility for MBA before applying for any university in Korea. The minimum admission requirement for every university in South Korea is different. However, the general admission requirements in South Korean universities for international students are as follows:
- Application form
- Photocopy of Business Registration Certificate (or distinct number of certificate) of a respective education institution
- Standard Acceptance Letter
- Documents proving the final level of education
- Documents proving your financial ability to support yourself
- Essay
- Resume/CV
- Two Letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency
Q: How do I get a study visa for South Korea?
International students need a student visa to get into South Korea to pursue higher education. To get a study visa for South Korea, international students must satisfy the following conditions.
- Admissions letter or certificate or registration issued by the dean/president of the college or university at Korean University.
- Proof of academic ability of the applicant
- Summary of costs of the program.
- Passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of application with a copy of the photo page. Passport must have at least one blank page.
- Two recent passport-style color photographs.
- Return travel ticket.
- Completed and signed the visa application form.
- Proof of financial stability.
Q: Is it expensive to live in South Korea for international students?
South Korea might be expensive for some international students. However, the cost of living will depend on the location of your university, type of accommodation, and lifestyle. Therefore, the cost of living will vary from individual to individual. However, we have given a list of expected expenses for international students.
Type of Expenses | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
Dormitory | USD 360 – 1,710 (per semester) |
Food | USD 300 – 400 (per month) |
Transportation | Bus: USD 1- 1.2 (per day) Subway: USD 1 – 2.5 (per day) |
Additional expenses | USD 100 – 200 (per month) |
Q: What is Korea University known for?
Korea University was known as the Bosung College and was founded in 1905 in Seoul, South Korea. The university is known for the following:
- Korea University currently has the Seoul Campus, Sejong Campus, along with three auxiliary hospitals that are Anam Hospital, Guro Hospital and Ansan Hospital.
- Korea University currently has more than 37,000 students which includes over 30,000 at the Seoul Campus and more than 7,000 students at the Sejong Campus.
- The university offers a range of courses to international students in liberal arts, sciences, as well as most of the professional fields including law, medicine and business adminstration.
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