South Korea

Why Study in South Korea?

South Korea or the Republic of Korea is a country in East Asia. It is in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Towards the East is the sea of Japan and western border is the Yellow sea. The government of S Korea is a unicameral legislature, the National Assembly.

Over a few decades Korea has become one of the most popular destinations for study for many international students. Twelve years of schooling is compulsory in S Korea to enter tertiary level education. The Bachelors program is four years and Masters of two years followed by Doctorate degrees offered from Universities in S Korea.

For South Korean families, the academic success of their children is a matter of pride for Korean families. It is considered distinguished to graduate from top class S Korean University, and enter white collar professions with good marriage propositions for younger citizens in S Korea.

Why should you study in Korea?

The three tiered higher education levels ( Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral) under Korean Education System is one of the finest education with respect to the standard of Alberta, Canada. The foundation courses like Certificate, Diploma and short cycle associate courses also have a good hold in their quality of education and making paths for degree level programs in Korean Universities.

The most motivating factors as to why you must study in S Korea as international student are:

1. Dominating force in the digital industry world

   S Korea has a strong foot in the digital and telecommunications industry in the world. As a student of technology like Engineering, Information technology, Design, Space Science, Mechanics you are most definitely able to have a rewarding experience from Korean Universities of Science and Technology while studying formal academic qualifications.

2. Experience the Korean wave- a pop culture

   While studying in Korea you are most likely to get sweeped by their Korean Wave or Hallyu which has been raised since the 1990s in S. Korea. They perform K drama- Winter Sonata from their pop bands to entertain the crowd and there are occasions where students are able to get there and enjoy.

3. Korean Cuisines

   Korea has their own signature authentic dishes which are must try for students. The most popular foods invented by their people are Kimchi, bibimbap, red rice cakes, bulgogi, korean stew, korean fried chicken to name some of them.

4. Cost effective living expenses:

   The low living cost for international students in S Korea is also a plus factor. Food, transportation, lodging, supermarkets are all reasonably priced. Also public transportations is also affordable. Telecommunications like the internet, phone calls are inexpensive and fast which makes it a better place for international students to stay and complete their academic degrees.

5. Scholarship from Universities and S Korean Government

   Many Universities offer scholarships for international students. Government also invest in scholarship funding programs like the Ministry of Education Global Korea Scholarship as one of them.

6. You can earn while you learn in S Korea

   Life is never dull for international students who are studying in S Korea. Students have to work off campus and find one also. If you have a valid D2 study Visa you have a permit to work 20 hours per week and infinitely during the holidays.

Key Facts of South Korea for Nepalese Students

• International students can choose from these options to study in South Korea:

1. 1-2 study abroad program:

   This program is taught in English as a visiting student if you have enrollment in a University of the home Country.

2. Korean Language programs:

   Short summer courses of 10-60 weeks semester programs at Korean Universities.

3. Degree programs:

   Taught in English/Korean covering a wide range of programs of Korean Universities in tertiary education.

• The Korean Higher education is semester based with American credit system standards
• International students ratio have increased by 2.5 times in less than ten years
• South Korean Universities adhere with guidelines from Korea Council for University education
• There are six kinds of Universities in South Korea namely Public and national Universities, private UnIversity, Specialized Universities, Industrial University, and Cyber Universities.

Benefits in South.Korea for Nepalese Students

• Few Korean Universities are among the top ranking Universities of the world. Also Korea ranks among those academically sound and leader among OECD Country lists.
• Korea is a hub of innovation and cutting edge technological advancements. It is one of those Countries who spend heavily on research and development activities.
• Korea has an affordable cost of education which is comparatively less costly than studying in Japan.
• With rising income per capita Korean lifestyles are also rising and international students can be among the high quality of living of S Korea.
• You can work while you study and have allowances to pay your living cost

Top Universities to study in South Korea for Nepalese students

South Korea has world ranking Universities and academic programs for national and international students. Here are top Universities for Nepalese students to study at S Korea:

Universities	Popular Courses
Yonsei University	Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics
Korea University	Law, Medicine, Engineering, Business Administration
Chonnam National University	Economics, Psychology, Law, Engineering, Education, Science
Seoul National University	Clinical medicine, Pure Science, Social Science, Architecture
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Knowledge service Engineering, programming, material science, technology
Kyung hee University	Electrical and electronic engineering, Food Science and Technology
Sogang University	Engineering and law, technology, business studies, life science, computer science
Sungkyunkwan University	Clinical pre clinical health, business, Engineering and technology, law
Cheongju University	Architecture, science and technology, language, arts, business

Requirements in South Korea for Nepalese Students

If you are applying to study in Universities of South Korea for a specific program then you must fulfill these requirements:

• Prepare the required application documents such as transcripts, letter of recommendations, statement of purpose, passport size photos, health certificates, valid passport, personal statement, bank documents/statements.
• Submit application documents
• Pay the application fees usually between 20-200 USD
• English language proficiency requirements with TOEFL 71 and IELTS 5.5 for undergraduate and Master's levels, TOEFL 79 and IELTS 6 for PhD level are standard requirements in S Korea for higher studies.
• To study in Korean language minimum score level 3 in Test proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) and TOPIK level 4 at time of graduation.
• Wait to receive your application from Korean University

Documents that are required for VISA application to study in South Korea are:

• Valid passport
• IELTS score
• Bank balance statement
• Academic documents
• No objection letter
• Birth Certificate
• Property evaluation

Financial proofs

• Bank account with a minimum fund to cover study and living expenses for one year at least. Threshold is 20 million won.
• Proof of foreign student insurance
• Scholarship letter from University or recognized body in Korea
• Copy of paid Visa fees and paid initial registration fees.

Health insurance for Nepalese students in S Korea:

The monthly insurance fees from 2023 is 127510 KRW per month. The Korean government has discounted fees for international students up to 50 percent. This is on terms that student who didn’t pay any income tax in 2022, are not self employed insured whose contribution fee is above average contribution, household income of 3.6 million KRW or below.

Intakes in South Korea for Nepalese Students

The admissions in Korean Universities are twice a year:

Spring Admission	April	Apply from September to November of previous calendar
Fall Addmission	October	Apply from May to June of same calendar

The Universities open the intakes twice a year in Spring and Fall seasons. For Spring which starts from April the application will begin from September to November months of previous calendar/year and Fall which starts in October from May June of the same year, in which applying starts. S.Korean Universities have an online admission system.

Cost of Living in South Korea for Nepalese Student

Here is the general living cost breakdown in Korean Currency for Nepalese students living for studies in S. Korea

Categories	Cost
Restaurant (inexpensive)	2000 Won
Grocery	2968 to 25000 Won
Transportation	1400 to 60000 Won
Utilities	32226 to 235325 Won
Sports and Leisure	15000 to 66894 Won
Childcare	493571 to 25,883, 333.33 Won
Clothing	61587 to 168774 Won
Rent (Apartment single)	699171 to 1121394.85 Won

The cost of main cities are more expensive than other cities. For e.g Seoul. The restaurants, transportation, clothing costs are high as compared to other overheads of spending for an international student like Nepal to study in Korea.

Tuition Fee and Scholarships in South Korea for Nepalese Students

Here are some cost breakdown for Nepalese students who are looking forward to studying in S. Korea.

Programs	Tuition Fees
Bachelor's Degree	3700000 KRW-8600000 KRW per year
Master's Degree	2400000 KRW- 8800000 KRWper year
Doctorate Degrees	4964000 KRW- 6000000 KRW per year

The above prices are in Korean currencies for per year cost for studying Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. programs in different Korean Universities.

Admission criteria for international students in S Korea:

Master program:

Applicants must have completed 16 years of education. Should have a good undergraduate degree before commencement of Masters study programs in S. Korean Universities.

Bachelor program:

Should be a high school graduate or complete equivalent education. 12 years of formal education should have been completed for studying the Bachelor level programs. Korea Universities require a minimum TOPIK level 3 and test results should be submitted as part of the admission process.

Doctorate program:

Should have Masters degree or equivalent along with completed copy of admission form, personal introduction and study plan, Letter of Recommendation from previous Undergraduate and graduate Universities of the applicant, proof of nationality, English/Korean language proficiencies.

Scholarship:

Some of the fully funded scholarships for international students in S.Korea are these:

• UST Korea Scholarships 2024-2025
• High commission of the Republic of Korea full funded scholarship 2024-2025
• Global Korea Scholarship GKS-U
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and technology scholarships
• Seoul National University scholarships

Work Opportunities in South Korea for Nepales Students

There are numerous employers who are seeking for applying Nepalese citizens in their jobs some of them are:

• Teaching assistant
• Foreign language instructor
• Data Center technician
• Digital Art teacher
• Development internship
• Finance internship