Since their split from North Korea in 1948, South Korea has created its own path. Considerably different to its northern neighbour, South Korea is now a meeting point of modernity and tradition. The government has made it a priority to invest heavily in the higher education system, welcoming international students with open arms.
The South Korean government has set a target of attracting 200,000 international students by 2020, meaning that they have had to make universities more accessible. This has also lead to a steady climbing of international rankings. You will find 17 of South Korea’s universities in the 2023 QS World University Rankings top 500. The highest ranked of these is Seoul National University, which is placed in 29th. The next highest ranked is the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), which is placed in =42nd.
With a fascinating mixture of ancient temples and modern architecture, South Korea has something to offer everyone. The country specialises in the innovation of science and technology, but also has impressive pedigree in the arts. There are many public and private universities, all offering a wide variety of degrees.
International students planning to study in South Korea for more than 90 days need a D-visa, such as a D-2 visa for university students. The application process involves obtaining a Certificate of Admission from a Korean university and applying for the visa at the Korean embassy in your home country​​.
For more information about visas, see our International Student Visas advice article.
There are over 200 universities in South Korea which offer bachelor’s degrees, and the majority of these are privately funded.
The public universities in South Korea (known as National Universities) can be divided into the following categories:
Universities in South Korea offer world class education, with many ranking highly in world university rankings.
| University | Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2024 | Best Global Universities | QS World University Ranking |
| Seoul National University | 62 | 129 | 41 |
| Yonsei University (Seoul campus) | 76 | 292 | |
| Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | 83 | 282 | 56 |
| Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) | 145 | 263 | 145 |
| Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | 149 | 409 | 100 |
| Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) | 199 | 360 | 266 |
| Korea University | 201-250 | 290 | 79 |
| Kyung Hee University | 251-300 | 520 | 332 |
| Sejong University | 251-300 | 397 | 436 |
| Hanyang University | 301-350 | 441 | 164 |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) MBA
SolBridge International School of Business Korea (the Republic of)
Find out more| Capital City | Seoul |
|---|---|
| Currency | KRW, Korean Republic Won |
| Language(s) | Korean (Pyojuneo), Korean Sign Language |
| Major Student Cities | Pohang, Daejeon |
The official languages of South Korea are Korean and Korean Sign Language.
There are many courses taught in English at South Korean universities, at bachelors and masters level. You can also opt to study in Korean if you wish. No matter which language you choose to study in, if it is a non-native language you will need to provide evidence that you have language proficiency. If you do not meet the required standards, you may be able to take a course to help your language skills improve.
Even if you study in English, it is recommended that you make an effort to learn as much Korean as possible. Communicating with the locals and other students is the perfect way to practice. This will not only improve your everyday life, it is also a skill that will look great on your CV/resume!
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