🇰🇷South Korea

South Korea has become an increasingly popular Asian study destination, led by Seoul National University, KAIST, and Yonsei, with growing government scholarship support (KGSP) for international students.

Popular Places

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Seoul

The largest of Seoul's Five Grand Palaces, built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, with a daily changing-of-the-guard ceremony.

Hotels from ~$50-180/night

Jeju Island

Jeju Province

A volcanic island known for waterfalls, beaches, and UNESCO-listed lava tube caves — South Korea's most popular domestic getaway.

Hotels from ~$50-220/night

N Seoul Tower

Namsan Mountain, Seoul

An observation and communication tower offering panoramic views over the city, especially popular at night.

Hotels from ~$50-190/night

Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul

A hillside neighborhood of hundreds of traditional hanok houses, many dating back over 600 years, nestled between two of Seoul's royal palaces.

Hotels from ~$45-170/night

Haeundae Beach

Busan

South Korea's most famous beach, backed by Busan's skyline and a lively boardwalk.

Hotels from ~$40-180/night

Universities in South Korea

Seoul

Seoul National University

South Korea's most prestigious national university, based in Seoul, SNU is particularly renowned across nearly all fields, with relatively low tuition for a top-ranked global university given its national-university status. Located in Seoul, South Korea. International students: Over 500 international students receive SNU scholarships annually (as of: reported 2024). Admission requirements — Academic: Not surfaced in this search pass; course-specific. English language: GENERAL: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0, or TEPS 269 (alternatively TOPIK Level 3+ Korean proficiency); BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: TOPIK Level 6 required Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students

Seoul

Korea University

One of South Korea's oldest and most prestigious private universities, based in Seoul, Korea University is known for law, business, and political science. Located in Seoul, South Korea. International students: Not surfaced in this search pass. Admission requirements — Academic: Applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean citizenship. English language: GENERAL: TOEFL PBT 550/CBT 210/iBT 80, IELTS 5.5+, or TEPS 600+ Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students

Seoul

Yonsei University

One of South Korea's oldest and most prestigious private universities, based in Seoul, Yonsei is known for medicine, business, and its fully English-medium Underwood International College (UIC). Located in Seoul, South Korea. International students: Not surfaced in this search pass. Admission requirements — Academic: Applicant and both parents must hold non-Korean nationality. English language: GENERAL: TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS 6.5 for most programmes; UNDERWOOD INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE: TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.0+ (fully English-medium) Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students

Seoul

Sungkyunkwan University

One of the world's oldest institutions of higher learning, founded in 1398, based in Seoul, SKKU today is known for business, engineering, and pharmacy, with strong ties to the Samsung Group. Located in Seoul, South Korea. International students: Not surfaced in this search pass. Admission requirements — Academic: Not surfaced in this search pass; course-specific. English language: BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION: TOEFL iBT 80+/ITP 550+, IELTS 6.0+, CEFR B2+, CET 4+, TOPIK 3+, or Duolingo 110+; GRADUATE GENERAL: TOEFL 530 PBT/197 CBT/71 iBT, IELTS 5.5, or TEPS 600+ Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students

Seoul

Hanyang University

Based in Seoul with a second campus at ERICA, Hanyang University is known for engineering and architecture, with strong industry ties reflecting its founding mission of applied, practical education. Located in Seoul, South Korea. International students: More than 3,000 international students annually, out of a total population exceeding 34,000 across both campuses (as of: reported 2024). Admission requirements — Academic: Not surfaced in this search pass; course-specific. English language: ENGLISH TRACK GENERAL: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 5.5+; INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: TOEFL iBT 89+ or IELTS 6.0+ Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students

Seoul

Ewha Womans University

The world's largest women's university, based in Seoul, Ewha is known for its history of women's education in Korea and strong programmes in the humanities, social sciences, and international studies. Admits female applicants only. Located in Seoul, South Korea. International students: Not surfaced in this search pass; no fixed entrance quota on the number of international applicants admitted (as of: reported 2024). Admission requirements — Academic: Not surfaced in this search pass; course-specific. English language: UNDERGRADUATE: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0, or New TEPS 326; GRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, New TEPS 266, or TOEIC 705 Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students

Daejeon

KAIST

South Korea's leading science and technology research university, based in Daejeon, KAIST is fully English-medium and consistently ranked among Asia's top technical universities. Located in Daejeon, South Korea. International students: Over 1,224 international students from 100+ countries, out of more than 11,000 total students (as of: reported 2024). Admission requirements — Academic: Not surfaced in this search pass; course-specific. English language: GENERAL: TOEFL iBT 83, IELTS 6.5, New TEPS 326, or TOEIC 720 (Listening and Reading) Acceptance rate: Estimated 7-10% for international undergraduates, 15-20% for international graduate programmes.

18%intl. students

Pohang

POSTECH

A smaller, elite science and technology research university based in Pohang, POSTECH is known for its low student-to-faculty ratio and close ties to the POSCO steel conglomerate that founded it. Located in Pohang, South Korea. International students: Not surfaced in this search pass. Admission requirements — Academic: Not surfaced in this search pass; course-specific. English language: GENERAL: TOEFL PBT 550/iBT 79, TOEIC 750, IELTS 6.0, TEPS 600, or New TEPS 327; UNDERGRADUATE: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+ recommended alongside strong academic performance Acceptance rate: Not surfaced.

18%intl. students