Study in 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Korean Language programs:

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

1. 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: 

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:

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

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.

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

Best course to study in South Korea

There are several best courses to study in South Korea for international students, especially Nepali students. There are thousands of courses to choose from at the South Korean University. 

You can either take programs in Korean or in English. Nepali students can take IELTS classes here in Nepal and go to South Korea to study the English language. Otherwise, you can take Korean language classes in Nepal or in South Korea before you start your university semester. 

Among the numerous best courses to study in South Korea, here are some of them that have great scope for international students: 

1) IT 

IT is one of the best courses to study in South Korea. Since South Korea is one of the technologically advanced countries, studying IT will open many doors for international students. 

International students, as well as Nepalese students, can major in Data Analytics, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Database Administration, Computer Programming,  Game Design, Data Science, and so on. The universities of South Korea offer Bachelor's, Masters, and Ph.D. programs in IT to international students. 

2) Engineering 

Another great program to study in South Korea is Engineering. It is regarded as one of the best courses to study in South Korea because thousands of engineering students are working in South Korea in big companies. 

A wide range of engineering courses is taught in Korean universities. There is a high demand for mechanical engineers, industrial engineers, chemical engineers, and electronic engineers in South Korea. The Korean universities have been generating brilliant engineers who are currently working in reputed companies around the world.  

3) Finance 

A finance course is also one of the best courses to study in South Korea. This course is suitable to enhance your financial skills. 

By studying finance in South Korea, you can become a financial manager, banker, NGO/INGO job holder, stockbroker, and more. You can easily get jobs in the financial sector with good income in South Korea.  

4) Medicine 

Medicine is tough as well as one of the best courses to study in South Korea. This course is practical-based and aims to produce qualified health professionals. International students can apply to study doctor, nurse, research, pharmaceutical, and many more Bachelor's and Masters's programs. 

Medicine can be comparatively more expensive than other courses but you will get a high salary in South Korea if you work in the medical sector.