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Student Visa Requirements to Study in Korea
To study in Korea, you typically apply for a D-2 Student Visa (for degree programs) at a Korean diplomatic mission in your home country. Here are key points to include:
- The university issues a Certificate of Admission (CoA), which you need to submit with your visa application.
- Required documents usually include: a valid passport, a recent photo, an admission certificate, the university’s business registration certificate, a financial affidavit, or proof of sponsoring professor (if applicable).
- Note: Entering Korea on a short-term tourist/visitor visa and then changing to D-2 is not generally possible.
- Once you arrive in Korea, you will also typically need to register for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) at immigration if your stay is over 90 days.
Scholarships for Nepalese Students to Study in Korea
Scholarships are a key way for Nepalese students to make studying in Korea more affordable. The flagship Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) offers full or partial funding, including tuition, allowances, and airfare. Many Korean universities also provide merit-based tuition waivers for outstanding international students. Additionally, special scholarships reward high proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) or English, helping reduce costs even more. Always check eligibility, deadlines, and whether you must apply separately for a scholarship.
| Scholarship | Description | What it covers / Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) | A Korean Government program open to international students (including Nepal) for undergraduate and graduate study in Korea. | Covers full or partial tuition, monthly living stipend, round‐trip airfare, and often a year of Korean language training. |
| University-specific Merit Scholarships | Many Korean universities offer scholarships/tuition waivers for international students based on academic performance. | May cover 30%-100% of tuition; criteria vary by university and programme. |
| Language/Entry Proficiency Scholarships | Some programmes reward students who demonstrate high proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) or English, with discounts or waivers for meeting certain levels. | Example: Full-tuition waiver or half-tuition waiver for TOPIK 5 or 6 at certain universities. |
Costs of Studying in Korea
The cost of studying in Korea for international students depends heavily on factors such as the type of university (public vs private), the level of study, the major (for instance, medicine or engineering tends to cost more), and the location (studying in Seoul is usually more expensive than in smaller cities). Below are typical ranges for both tuition and living expenses to help you get an approximate budget.
| Study Program / Expense Category | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (public universities) | ~ ₩ 4,000,000 – ₩ 8,000,000 per year (~USD 3,000-6,000) | For many majors in public universities. Costs may be higher for private or specialised majors. |
| Undergraduate (private universities) | ~ ₩ 6,000,000 – ₩ 12,000,000+ per year | Majors like medicine, engineering or private-institution premium may push costs higher. |
| Postgraduate (Master’s / PhD) | ~ ₩ 4,500,000 – ₩ 10,000,000+ per year (~USD 3,500-7,500) | Costs vary depending on research intensity, discipline, university. |
| Monthly living & other costs | ~ ₩ 750,000 – ₩ 1,000,000 per month (~USD 450-900) | Includes housing, food, transport, utilities. Can be higher in major cities. |
| Estimated annual total (tuition + living) | ~ ₩ 8,000,000 – ₩ 15,000,000 per year (~USD 6,000-11,500) | A rough ballpark for a typical student at a public university in a mid-cost city. |
Intakes in Korea
Similar to many countries, Korean universities generally operate two major intakes:
- Spring semester (often March)
- Fall semester (often September)
Language & Proficiency Requirements
- Many universities require proof of English proficiency (such as IELTS) or Korean proficiency (TOPIK), especially if the program is in English or Korean.
- Some scholarship/waiver schemes heavily favor applicants with good English/Korean proficiency, offering greater tuition discounts for higher scores.
- If your program is taught in Korean, you may need to have a certain TOPIK level (Korean language test) before or during admission.
Top Courses to Study in Korea
Popular fields among international students in Korea include:
- Engineering & Technology
- Business & Management
- Computer Science / AI
- Life Sciences, Biotechnology
- Social Sciences
- Languages, Korean Studies
Note: As with other destinations, programs in medicine, dentistry, and certain professional fields tend to cost more and may have stricter entry requirements.