Studying in South Korea as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
In South Korea, tuition at a public university is ₩5M to ₩8M / yr for a master’s and about ₩4.3M / yr for a bachelor’s. For the student visa you must show ₩20M, you can work 30 h / wk while studying, and you can stay up to 3 years after graduating.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (2 years) | Bachelor’s (4 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | ₩5M to ₩8M / yrNational universities, est. | About ₩4.3M / yrPublic universities, average |
| Tuition, private or top-ranked | ₩8M to ₩16M / yrPrivate universities, est. | About ₩7.6M / yrPrivate universities, average |
| Money to show for the visa | ₩20M₩16M at universities outside the Seoul region | |
| Health insurance | About ₩900,000 a year (estimate) | |
| Visa and permit fees | About ₩80,000, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ ₩38,880,000 | ≈ ₩68,880,000 |
*Diplonaut estimate at a public university: the lower tuition figure + the money you must show for the visa (a floor for living costs, not a budget) + health insurance, for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Tuition ranges are estimates: each university publishes its own fees. Work hours and tuition are not yet from an official source. Check with the university’s international office.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | D-2 student visa at a Korean embassy (EU citizens included) |
| All other countries | D-2 student visa at a Korean embassy, with the university’s certificate of admission |
Work rights
- While studying: 30 h / wk (Master’s, with Korean level TOPIK 4; 15 h without. No limit in vacations).
- After graduating: Up to 3 years (Job-seeker visa (D-10), renewed yearly).
Will my degree from South Korea be recognized?
Korean universities are authorized by the Ministry of Education, and institutional accreditation is run by the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE). Universities certified for international education (IEQAS) can also sponsor student visas more easily.
Check an institution: Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) · Study in Korea (Ministry of Education)
For a bachelor’s: Korean-taught programmes usually require TOPIK level 3 or higher.
By field of study
- No field yet (undecided): Possible: some universities admit without a declared major (for example Korea University’s Global Open Major for international students, with TOPIK 5 or IELTS 7.0).
- Medicine or dentistry: Not closed: Yonsei and Korea University list medicine in their 2027 international admissions, with ‘a few’ places outside the regular quota.
- Nursing or health: Nursing is listed in the international admissions of Yonsei and Korea University.
- Art, design or music: Two screening rounds with auditions or portfolios; some majors need TOPIK level 4 or 5 (Korea National University of Arts).
Recent official changes for South Korea
- No rule change for South Korea has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare South Korea
See South Korea next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in South Korea?
Tuition at a public university is ₩5M to ₩8M / yr a year for a master’s and About ₩4.3M / yr for a bachelor’s. With the money you must show for the visa and health insurance, a 2-year master’s comes to about ₩38,880,000 in total (Diplonaut estimate).
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in South Korea?
₩20M (₩16M at universities outside the Seoul region).
Can I work while studying in South Korea?
Yes: 30 h / wk (Master’s, with Korean level TOPIK 4; 15 h without. No limit in vacations).
Can I stay in South Korea after graduating?
Up to 3 years (Job-seeker visa (D-10), renewed yearly).
Other destinations
Official sources
- Korean government policy portal: money to show for student visas
- Ministry of Justice: job-seeker visa (D-10) extended to 3 years
- Study in Korea: study costs
- Study in Korea: work rules for international students
- Korean Council for University Education (KCUE)
- Study in Korea (Ministry of Education)
- Korea University: international admissions, spring 2027
- Yonsei University: 2027 international admissions
- Korea National University of Arts: 2027 admissions guide
Information, not legal or immigration advice.