Masters Study in South Korea – A Guide for 2026

South Korea has more than 300 universities offering Masters courses. A Masters in South Korea lasts two years and usually ends in a thesis. Tuition fees range from ₩2,056,932 (USD $1,550) to ₩16,229,862 (USD $12,265) per semester. International students pay the same fees as home students. However, they must submit a language test result and show proof of funds for a student visa.

Studying a Masters in Korea offers students the chance to get involved with one of the most vibrant and fast-moving higher education sectors in the modern world.

On this page, I will cover what you need to know about a Masters in Korea, including tuition fees, funding and visa requirements.

Masters degrees are usually offered at general research universities. More specialised technical colleges, industrial universities and universities of education tend to only offer undergraduate or equivalent qualifications.

Universities in South Korea are either:

• private institutions or
• public (‘national') universities administered by the local or national government

In recent years, international universities have established campuses in South Korea as well. Take a look at our article on international campuses for more information on this mode of study.

Graduate schools

As a Masters student in South Korea, you are also likely to find yourself based in one of the country's graduate schools. Some of these are affiliated with larger universities, while others operate independently. A large number focus primarily on Masters-level training in specialised fields, though some also offer the opportunity to proceed on to PhD research.

University rankings

South Korea's universities perform very well in all three main global rankings, appearing in the top 200 of each league table. This reflects their reputation for academic excellence. The top five universities in South Korea, according to the Times Higher Education rankings, are:

• Seoul National University
• Yonsei University (Seoul Campus)
• Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
• Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)
• Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)

Accreditation

The accreditation of South Korean universities is still developing to keep pace with the rapid expansion of its higher education sector. Currently, the Korean Council for University Education evaluates the performance of member institutions. This includes most of the country's top universities.

A Masters in Korea usually requires at least two years of study.

Course content will vary between institutions and across different fields, but you should generally expect to complete coursework to the value of 24 credits (roughly equivalent to 48 of the ECTS credits used by universities following the Bologna system) before passing a final examination.

You will then research and submit a thesis, which must be evaluated by three or more examiners before your degree can be awarded.

Masters in South Korea are longer and involve more assessments. The upside is that you'll come away with a qualification that demonstrates wide-ranging competence in your field! This will leave you well prepared to find work or carry out further research.

Academic year

The Korean academic year is divided into two semesters, with breaks from July to August and from December to February. This long winter break may be particularly attractive if you're hoping to travel home and visit family during seasonal holidays — or travel and explore within South Korea itself.

University in South Korea may appear expensive, but you should balance this with the fact that no additional fees are charged to international students. The South Korean government also offers several scholarships and funding programmes specifically for foreign postgraduates.

Exact fees vary between different institutions, but courses in subjects such as Medicine or Engineering are typically more expensive (and take the longest to complete). Humanities programmes usually incur lower fees.

A Masters in Korea will typically cost between ₩2,056,932 (USD $1,550) and ₩16,229,862 (USD $12,265) per semester. Private universities usually have higher fees than national universities.

Remember that fees are often given in amounts per semester. The cost for a full academic year will be twice these amounts.

Other costs

There are a few additional costs Masters students in South Korea should factor in:

• Application fees are usually between ₩26,540 and ₩265,410 (USD $20-200)
• National Health Insurance (NHI) is mandatory, costing around ₩26,540 (USD $20) per month
• A language course will typically cost around ₩1,061,650 (USD $800) for an intensive three-week course or ₩1,857,890 (USD $1,400) for a ten-week programme

Funding

Universities in Korea are generally keen to encourage high-quality international students and may offer full or partial fee waivers.

The South Korean government also runs its own scholarship schemes for international students like the Global Korea Scholarship. Offered by the Ministry of Education, the funding covers fees as well as some travel and living costs. It covers the entire period of a Masters degree along with one year of a language course in South Korea.

More scholarship programmes are listed on the Korean government's StudyinKorea website.

Working while studying

Another way to cover living costs is to find part-time work while studying. There are limits on how much work you can do if you're an international student. Once you've been enrolled for one semester (six months) you'll be eligible to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week). Applications for employment will need to be supported by a letter of recommendation from your university and the presentation of your student visa. You should contact your institution for advice on local employment opportunities and supporting documents.

The South Korean academic year is divided into a spring and an autumn semester. Your Masters course may start in either.

For entry onto a course starting in March, you will need to apply between September and November. For entry onto a course starting in September, the application period runs from May to June.

You will usually apply directly to your chosen university, but the Korean government also offers an online service for overseas students registered with the StudyinKorea website.

Eligibility

The requirements of individual institutions may vary, but you should hold an undergraduate degree (or expect to receive one before you start your Masters programme). Admission to some courses (particularly those at top domestic universities) may require a first-class undergraduate degree.

Application requirements

Most institutions will require you to submit the following materials as part of your application:

• A completed copy of your institution's application form.
• A personal introduction and outline of your study plan.
• A letter of recommendation, often from a faculty member where you did your undergraduate degree.
• Documentation of your existing academic record, confirming (if necessary) that you are expected to receive a Bachelors degree (or equivalent) of the required standard.
• A copy of your passport
• Proof of proficiency in English and / or Korean (as required by your course).

You’ll also need to provide proof of financial sufficient funds to cover you tuition and living costs. You need to show you have ₩19,905,586 (USD $15,000) if you’re studying in the capital region, or ₩17,251,508 (USD $13,000) if you’re studying anywhere else in Korea. You can also submit proof of scholarship or support by a sponsor.

Practical courses (such as those in creative arts or physical education disciplines) may also require a portfolio.

Language requirements

Many courses in South Korea are now taught wholly or partly in English. This is especially likely to be the case in graduate schools. However, some courses may still require knowledge of Korean.

You should confirm in advance what (if any) the language requirements there are for your Masters programme. Where necessary you may be asked to take a Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). The normal requirement in these cases is a score of Level 3 or above.

South Korea itself has a strong Anglophone tradition, and English is taught as a compulsory secondary language in schools. You will therefore find that many of the people you meet speak English at some level. However, gaining experience with a new language is a valuable opportunity to enhance your CV while studying a Masters abroad.

You will probably find that your university offers language education for international students. These usually take the form of intensive three-week courses or longer ten-week programmes.

The South Korean visa system has some very specific requirements, so you'll need to make sure you have your documents prepared when you apply.

Visa requirements

As an international student studying a Masters in South Korea you will usually need to acquire a Visa for Regular Educational Program (D-2). You should begin your application by contacting a South Korean embassy in your home country, with the following documents ready to submit:

• A passport, valid for the duration of your intended stay in South Korea.
• A completed visa application form.
• A processing fee, usually between USD $40 and USD $90.
• Confirmation of admission to your programme of study, provided by your institution. This should confirm your aptitude and financial capability.
• Certification of your educational record and qualifications.
• Financial verification, showing you have at least ₩11,730,150 (USD $10,000) available for your studies. This can be a current bank statement and / or confirmation of funding or other financial support.

Registration

You will need to visit the immigration office within 90 days of arriving in South Korea.

There you can apply for an Alien Registration Card, which you’ll need to carry at all times during your stay. The fee for this is now ₩35,000 (roughly USD $24). You will need to present a certificate of enrolment from your university, your passport and a passport-sized photo. You should also notify your country's embassy in South Korea of your arrival.

If you wish to leave and re-enter South Korea during your studies, you will need to submit a report form through your university. Absence during the period of your visa should not exceed 30 days, unless you need to travel as part of your programme.

Tips from the author

Beyond the formal requirements and processes I’ve talked about in this guide, here are some practical insights to help you get the most out of your time in Korea.

Be prepared for a different academic culture

Korean graduate study can feel intense, especially in the first semester. Professors often expect a high level of independence, long hours and deep respect for academic hierarchy.

Language skills will transform your daily life

Even if your degree is taught in English, learning Korean will dramatically improve your experience. Simple language skills make everyday tasks easier, help you integrate with local students, and signal respect for the culture.

Don’t limit yourself to the international student bubble

It’s easy to gravitate toward other international students, especially at first. While this provides comfort, actively seeking friendships with Korean students can be far more rewarding. Join clubs, attend lab dinners and participate in language exchange programmes. These are some of the best ways to build lasting connections.

Take time to explore the country

From Seoul’s energy to quieter university towns, mountains, beaches and historic cities, South Korea has far more to offer than many students initially expect. The excellent transport system makes weekend travel easy and affordable. These experiences often become the most memorable part of studying abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions