If you’re considering studying in Korea, this guide will help you make the best decision for your future.
Korea is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in Asia and has been ranked as one of the top 10 countries to study abroad by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2019. It’s also among only two Asian countries (along with Japan) to be included on the QS World University Rankings list of the top 100 universities worldwide.
The country offers a wide range of subjects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including medicine, dentistry, and veterinary science; business administration; law; engineering; architecture; arts & design; computer science & IT systems management, etc.
Top Universities in Korea
The top universities in Korea are:
- Seoul National University (SNU), was founded in 1946 and is considered one of the best universities in Asia. It has produced many Nobel Laureates and Fields Medalists.
- Yonsei University was established in 1885 and has produced many notable alumni including former presidents Park Chung-hee and Kim Dae-Jung; current president Moon Jae-in graduated from this university and actress Lee Young Ae who starred in the MBC TV series “Jewel In The Palace”.
- Korea University (KU), was established by royal decree on March 26th, 1905 as Gyeongseong Medical School with just four students enrolled under its first president Dr Lee Yong-suk who had studied Western medicine at Harvard University Medical School before returning home to teach at this new school which quickly grew into what we know today as KU with over 20 different colleges across various fields including arts & humanities; business administration; education etcetera..
Admission Requirements
- Language Requirements
If you’re a native English speaker, you’ll be fine. If not, then be prepared to take some classes in Korean (or Japanese) before starting your studies.
- Academic Requirements
Most universities require applicants to have completed at least 12 years of formal education and have good grades from previous institutions. Some schools may ask for specific courses or majors as well. For example, Seoul National University requires students who want to study medicine or dentistry to have taken an advanced math course during their undergraduate studies; Yonsei University asks applicants for engineering-related fields to have completed an introductory physics course during high school; Ewha Women’s University has specific requirements for its nursing program that include taking biology and chemistry classes during secondary school; KAIST asks applicants who want to study computer science or electrical engineering fields must take differential equations as part of their prerequisites
Visa Requirements
To study in Korea, you will need to apply for a student visa. You can do this through your local Korean embassy or consulate. The process involves submitting the following documents:
- Your passport (make sure it’s valid for at least 6 months after your departure from Korea)
- A copy of your passport photo page
- A letter of admission from a university or college in Korea that has been approved by the Ministry of Education (MOE)
Cost of Studying in Korea
- Tuition fees
The tuition fees for international students at Korean universities are usually lower than those of their domestic counterparts. However, this does not mean you should expect to pay less than $10,000 per year in total costs (including living expenses). The average annual tuition fee for undergraduate courses is about $7000 and graduate courses cost around $8000 per annum.
- Living expenses
As with most countries around the world, living costs in Korea are higher than what you might expect from your home country. You will need about $6000-7000 per month on average if you want to live comfortably without having to worry about money or having enough left over at the end of each month for personal spending money such as shopping trips or going out with friends
Accommodation Options
There are a variety of accommodation options for students in Korea. The most common are university dormitories, private apartments, and homestays.
- University Dormitories: Dormitories are usually located on campus or nearby and are available only to students admitted into a particular university program. These accommodations can vary greatly depending on what type of school you attend. Still, generally speaking, they provide basic amenities such as air conditioning and internet access (although this may not always be free). Most dorm rooms come with twin-sized beds that fold out into bunk beds when needed; some also have lockers inside your room so that you can store valuables safely without worrying about them being stolen by other residents or intruders breaking into the building itself.* Private Apartments: If you decide not to want to live in a dormitory environment then there are many other options available such as renting an apartment off campus through one of several websites such as Craigslist Korea or Gumtree Korea. These sites allow users looking for housing arrangements between individuals rather than companies who manage large complexes full time so prices tend towards lower end spectrum compared with larger scale operations run by real estate firms.”
Cultural Differences
When you’re studying abroad, it’s important to be aware of cultural differences. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Etiquette: In Korea, people tend to be very polite and respectful of others’ personal space. For example, when you meet someone for the first time or are introduced to them by someone else (such as your professor), shake their hand firmly and look them in the eye when exchanging pleasantries. Also, avoid touching someone on their shoulder or arm unless they initiate contact first; touching is considered rude unless it’s done with good intentions or as a form of greeting (e.g., hugging).
- Language: Korean has its own alphabet called Hangul which consists of 24 letters (14 consonants and 10 vowels). It may seem intimidating at first but don’t worry! Most Koreans speak English fluently so there will always be someone around who can help translate if needed! Don’t forget though that learning another language takes time so try not to get discouraged if you find yourself struggling early on–you’ll get better eventually!
- Food: One thing I loved about living here was trying new foods every day because there were so many options available nearby my apartment building including Chinese restaurants serving up delicious noodles dishes like map tofu plus Korean restaurants specializing in bibimbap bowls filled with fresh vegetables topped off with spicy sauce made from gochujang paste made from red chili peppers mixed together with soybean paste called doenjang along with sesame oil which gives these dishes their distinct flavor profile unlike anything else I’ve ever tasted before!”
Health and Safety
One of the biggest concerns for international students is health and safety. Korea has a very well-developed healthcare system, but it’s important to know what kind of insurance you will need and how much it will cost.
There are two types of health insurance in Korea: national health insurance (NHI) and private insurance. National Health Insurance covers most medical expenses, but not all doctors take NHIs or accept them as payment (especially those who work at hospitals). You can apply for NHIs online or through your school’s office if they have an English-speaking staff member available to help with this process; if not, then ask around until someone knows where you should go! Once you have your card in hand, keep track of when its expiration date so that nothing slips through the cracks before then!
Private insurance plans are usually taken out by ex-pats who want more coverage than what NHIs provide–or perhaps even just because they prefer having their own plan rather than relying on public services alone? Either way works fine; just be sure not only know what type(s) exist but also which ones best suit your needs before signing up!
Popular Cities
Seunggi: Seoul is the capital of South Korea and home to many of its top universities. It’s known for its beautiful palaces, vibrant nightlife, and delicious food.
Seoul National University (SNU), Yonsei University, and Korea University are some of the best universities in Seoul.
Busan: Busan has a lot going on all year round with festivals happening almost every month! The city also has beautiful beaches that you can enjoy while studying there. Some popular universities include Dong-A University and Busan National University of Education (BNUE).
Daegu: Daegu is another great place to study in Korea because it’s close enough to Seoul but still far enough away that you won’t feel overwhelmed by city life! You’ll have access to all kinds of cultural experiences here as well as delicious food options! Some popular universities include Kyungpook National University (KNU) or KDI School Of Public Policy & Management
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about studying in Korea, consider the following:
- The country has a strong reputation for its higher education system and its government supports the growth of international students.
- Students can study a wide variety of subjects at some of the best universities in Asia.
- There are many benefits to studying abroad, including improved language skills and cultural understanding.
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