How to Study in Seoul for International Students
Seoul, one of the beautiful cities in South Korea, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.
When it comes to the choices that are available, Seoul currently has 39 universities, from which 9 universities are a part of the public sector and 30 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Seoul you should definitely check out are Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University.
Being able to study in Seoul as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Seoul, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in Seoul
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Seoul, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 3,013,000 KRW to 21,888,300 KRW, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 4,170,000 KRW and 26,808,000 KRW.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Seoul
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Seoul, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Korea National University of Arts | 4,800,000 KRW | 4,800,000 KRW |
| Korea National Sport University | 7,633,000 KRW | 11,195,000 KRW |
| Seoul National University of Education | 6,377,600 KRW | 8,161,600 KRW - 8,671,700 KRW |
| University of Seoul | 4,774,400 KRW - 6,578,300 KRW | 6,239,100 KRW - 8,785,600 KRW |
| Dongguk University | 6,938,000 KRW - 9,136,000 KRW | 9,708,000 KRW - 12,822,000 KRW |
| Seoul National University of Science and Technology | 4,725,900 KRW - 6,725,900 KRW | 6,560,000 KRW - 7,974,000 KRW |
| Seoul National University | 4,884,000 KRW - 10,076,000 KRW | 6,556,000 KRW - 12,262,000 KRW |
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Seoul
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul Christian University | 7,600,000 KRW - 9,510,000 KRW | 10,380,000 KRW |
| Presbyterian University and Theological Seminary | 21,888,300 KRW | 24,679,800 KRW |
| Korean Bible University | 11,583,400 KRW - 14,857,600 KRW | 14,157,400 KRW |
| Chongshin University | 14,522,500 KRW - 19,363,400 KRW | 11,716,500 KRW - 16,296,000 KRW |
| Dongduk Women’s University | 3,013,000 KRW - 4,399,000 KRW | 4,194,000 KRW - 5,861,000 KRW |
| Seokyeong University | 10,010,000 KRW - 13,930,000 KRW | |
| Duksung Womens University | 7,673,000 KRW - 12,788,200 KRW | 10,230,600 KRW - 14,323,000 KRW |
| Sahmyook University | 8,302,800 KRW - 10,429,100 KRW | 10,697,800 KRW - 14,340,700 KRW |
| Gangseo University | 13,420,000 KRW | 16,017,000 KRW |
| Hansung University | 6,858,600 KRW - 9,314,900 KRW | 8,672,300 KRW - 11,077,800 KRW |
| Hongik University | 8,892,000 KRW - 11,036,000 KRW | 10,476,000 KRW - 14,032,000 KRW |
| Sangmyung University | 8,187,700 KRW - 12,120,800 KRW | 4,170,000 KRW - 5,840,000 KRW |
| Kwangwoon University | 6,488,000 KRW - 8,532,000 KRW | 9,868,000 KRW - 13,362,000 KRW |
| Sungshin Women’s University | 7,522,000 KRW - 10,692,000 KRW | 8,288,000 KRW - 11,544,000 KRW |
| Konkuk University | 8,510,000 KRW - 11,164,000 KRW | 10,114,000 KRW - 14,156,000 KRW |
| Chung-Ang University | 8,434,000 KRW - 11,368,000 KRW | 11,624,000 KRW - 15,826,000 KRW |
| Yonsei University | 8,074,000 KRW - 16,388,000 KRW | 9,708,000 KRW - 18,112,000 KRW |
| Hanyang University | 8,688,000 KRW - 12,870,000 KRW | 16,610,000 KRW - 23,313,900 KRW |
| Kyung Hee University | 9,673,800 KRW - 13,186,400 KRW | 10,743,400 KRW - 14,526,400 KRW |
| Ewha Womans University | 8,140,700 KRW - 11,347,600 KRW | 12,055,300 KRW - 14,876,700 KRW |
| Sungkyunkwan University | 11,648,000 KRW - 18,322,000 KRW | |
| Kookmin University | 8,618,000 KRW - 12,694,000 KRW | 10,272,000 KRW - 14,628,000 KRW |
| Hankuk University of Foreign Studies | 7,694,000 KRW - 9,658,000 KRW | 10,162,000 KRW - 11,842,000 KRW |
| Sejong University | 8,310,000 KRW - 11,544,000 KRW | 11,026,000 KRW - 14,452,000 KRW |
| Korea University | 8,600,000 KRW - 11,000,000 KRW | 9,928,000 KRW - 15,810,000 KRW |
| Catholic University of Korea | 8,538,000 KRW - 11,945,000 KRW | 9,284,000 KRW - 12,610,000 KRW |
| Soongsil University | 7,923,800 KRW | |
| Sogang University | 8,330,000 KRW - 10,884,000 KRW | 9,624,000 KRW - 26,808,000 KRW |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Seoul, check out the Cheap Universities in Seoul!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in Seoul for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Seoul, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In Seoul, English and Korean are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting TOPIK for Korean.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in Seoul and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Korea National University of Arts
Bachelor’s degree
Master’s degree
- TOPIK: 2
Korea National Sport University
Bachelor’s degree
Dongduk Women’s University
Bachelor’s degree
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in Seoul
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Seoul have online applications available on their websites, like Seoul National University and Yonsei University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Seoul.
Seoul National University
Yonsei University
Korea University
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in Seoul differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Seoul.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in Seoul
If you’re going to study in Seoul, you will need to apply for a student visa in South Korea
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in South Korea. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a D-visa .
To start your student visa application in Seoul, you will need to present the following:
- Valid passport
- Passport size photo
- Application form
- Certificate of Admission from the university
- Proof of payment of application fee
- ID card
- Invitation Letter from the Ministry of National Defense
- Proof of financing
- Previous school records
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in South Korea is 40 USD or 60 USD for Single Entry, 70 USD for Double Entry, 90 USD for Multiple Entry.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Check the details from your Korean embassy or consulate of the necessary visa requirements prepared
- Complete the application form in the visa portal
- Pay for the application fee
- Submit your application
- Wait for the results after the confirmation invitation, and reception & review of the visa application
- After the results are confirmed, you will receive a visa issuance which you will use to apply for a visa at the Korean embassy in your place.
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Seoul. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!