South Korea: Postgraduate study

How does the higher education system work?

Universities in Korea are divided into national and private universities. Some of the universities have graduate schools, which are known as professional, general or open graduate schools. International students are welcomed, although study is usually in Korean and proficiency in the language is tested.

What courses are available?

The structure of postgraduate education is similar to that in the UK. Degrees can be academic or professional, the latter providing training towards a particular profession. Masters degrees are available in a broad range of subjects and take around two years to complete. PhDs are also widely available and take three years or more to complete.

Applicants are generally required to sit a Korean Proficiency Test (KPT), subject to certain exemptions. For further information, contact the university to which you are applying. Universities with an interest in internationalising university education are conducting about 30% of their classes in English, while some universities have international faculties in which all courses are taught in English. Contact the individual institutions for further clarification.

Where can I study?

There are many universities in South Korea which offer postgraduate study. These include:

• KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology  
• Korea University  
• Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)  
• Seoul National University  
• Yonsei University  

Details of all courses/institutions can be found on the Study in Korea  website.

Applying for postgraduate study

You will be expected to have completed 12 years of primary and secondary education, and to have a Bachelors degree (though usually no specific classification is requested).

It is not usually possible to enter a postgraduate programme from a foundation degree or HND.

Institutions have different closing dates for applications, though typically these are September to November for courses starting in March, and from May to June for courses starting in September. Check with individual institutions for closing dates.

There is no centralised application process; each institution must be contacted directly. Visit Study in Korea  for links to institutions.

Each institution has slightly different requirements but usually expect some or all of the following:

• completed application form;
• self-introduction statement and plan of anticipated study;
• a reference/letter of recommendation;
• proof of graduation and transcript of modules studied;
• passport, proof of Korean language ability (if required);
• proof of financial capability and that you have at least $10,000;
• proof of a financial guarantor;
• a portfolio or video illustrating your practical competence (for those undertaking an arts or physical education programme).

Usually applications are assessed on the basis of your documents. Interviews are rare for university entry.

Fees and scholarships

Fees vary between institutions, although not hugely. Typically, private universities’ fees are around 30-50% higher than at state universities.

The Study in Korea website offers estimates of costs to international students. These include:

• tuition: national university, $2,500-$5,100 per semester; private university, $3,800-$7,000 per semester - fees depend on the course and level studied;
• application fee: $50-$150;
• Korean language course: $1,000-$1,400;
• meal costs: about $300 per month;
• monthly rent: about $300;
• monthly medical insurance: $20.

The South Korean government actively welcomes foreign students and has annual targets for their recruitment. Various ministries of the Korean government run scholarship programmes available to international students at postgraduate level. These include: the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Many of the scholarships are listed on the Study in Korea  website.

Specific scholarships are also provided by the universities themselves (which are usually set against the tuition fees). Contact individual institutions for details.

Are there any exchange programmes?

Some Korean universities have exchange agreements with universities in the UK, allowing students to study in South Korea for a certain period. Contact the international office at your university to see if they have an exchange programme. In addition, many South Korean universities run courses in the vacation period for international students.

Will my qualification be recognised in the UK?

UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom)  provides information about the equivalency of qualifications and skills from overseas to the UK’s national qualifications framework. Visit their website for more information on the services they provide.