Best Universities in South Korea In 2024

Are you thinking about studying in South Korea in 2024?

South Korea has some of the top universities in the world, but picking the right one is a tough decision.

In this blog post, we help you to find the best universities in South Korea for Indian students. We will discuss their academic programs, tuition fees, rankings, etc.

Whether you want to study engineering, business, or something else, our blog post will give helpful information to help you choose the best universities in Korea.

Read on to learn more and make your dream of studying abroad come true!

Why study in South Korea?

Studying in South Korea can offer a unique and enriching experience for you for several compelling reasons:

• South Korea is renowned for its world-class education system, with many universities ranking high globally. Studying here provides access to top-notch academic programs and innovative teaching methods.
• South Korea has 370 higher education providers or universities, 48 public and 322 private.
• South Korea offers bachelor’s degree courses lasting 3 to 4 years and master’s courses lasting 2 years.
• South Korea offers various scholarships; you can receive up to 100% if you speak Korean proficiently.
• In South Korea, there are two semesters: spring and fall. The spring semester begins in March, and the fall intake starts in September. Some institutions may offer January and May intake.
• Most universities admit students twice a year in these semesters.
• South Korea offers various programs in both Korean and English.
• South Korea is much more affordable than the UK, USA, and Canada. The average tuition fee is from $6500 to $20,000, less than INR 5 lakh to INR 15 Lakh, and the average fee for Korean language courses is $1500 or INR 1.15 lakhs for a 10-week program.
• The average living costs are $800 to $1000 monthly, and rents are 38% lower than in Canada. This benefits international students if they are looking to rent an apartment in South Korea.
• In South Korea, you can work up to 20 hours per week and earn an hourly salary between 9000 Wons to 40,000 Wons or INR 500 to INR 2500.

Top university in South Korea

Some of the best universities in South Korea are recognised globally for their academic excellence, cutting-edge research, and vibrant campus life. 

If you are considering studying in South Korea, here is the list of some of the best universities in South Korea For Indian Students in 2024  for their welcoming environment, solid programs and diverse student communities:

Seoul National University

This university was established in 1946. Its central location is the Gwanak campus in Seoul, which also has a medical campus and a campus for agricultural education and research.

It ranks at 1st position in South Korea, #129 in Best Global Universities, #41 in QS World University Rankings 2024, and #20 in Best Global Universities in Asia.

The tuition fee is similar for both domestic and international students and can vary by the course you choose. The average fee is $7,000 to $15,000.

This university offers specialised courses for international students that can help them to transition easily into studying in South Korea in addition to UG, PG, and Doctoral programs. Here is the list:

International Summer Course:

The International Summer Institute (ISI) at Seoul National University offers a unique six-week program during the summer break. 

Students from leading global universities can attend lectures from SNU faculty and distinguished international scholars. This program is entirely taught in English, and the tuition fee for this course is $3,300.

Here are the documents you require to apply for this course:

• Online application form
• ID photo
• A copy of your valid passport
• Your current degree transcript

3-week intensive Korean Language Training:

This program is part of their Korean Language and Cultural Program (KCLP) called the Special Program. It operates in 6 levels, from level 1 to level 6.

Here are more details about this program:

• Training period: 60 hours
• Language of instruction: English
• Admission period: January, July and August
• Tuition fee: $700

Here are the documents you require to apply for this course:

• Your online application form
• Training plan
• Your resume or self-introduction
• Transcript of languages attended school or graduation certificate
• One copy of your updated and valid passport
• Application fee of 50,000 won.

Summer 5-week Short-Term Korean Language Training

It offers an intensive language learning experience to help you quickly enhance your Korean language skills. This can be the best course if you are a beginner looking to acquire basic conversational skills to refine your proficiency. This program has six levels, from level 1 to level 6.

Here are some more details about this program:

• Training period: 100 hours
• Language of instruction: English
• Admission period: June
• Tuition fee: $1400

Here are the documents you require to apply for this course:

• Your online application form
• Training plan
• Your resume or self-introduction
• Transcript of languages attended school or graduation certificate
• One copy of your updated and valid passport
• Application fee of 50,000 won.

Korean Language Education (Evening Class):

This program will equip you with the necessary language skills to communicate effectively in various social and academic contexts. 

Here are more details about this course:

• Training period: 10 weeks/60 hours/1 year and 4 semesters
• Language of instruction: English
• Admission period: March, June, September, and December
• Tuition fee: $580/10 weeks

Here are the documents you require to apply for this course:

• Your online application form
• Transcripts of the highest school attended or your graduation certificate.
• A copy of your valid passport
• Application fee of 15,000 won

Korean Language Education (Regular course)

Here are some of the details about this program:

• Training period: 200 hours 
• Tuition fees: $1260 to $1580/10 weeks
• Admission period: Every March, June, September and December

This university offers various programs in business, environmental studies, convergence science and technology, dentistry, international agriculture technology, international studies, law, medicine, public administration and public health.

The primary language of instruction is Korean, although 10-20% of courses are taught in English. The engineering and business colleges have the highest proportion of courses taught in English.

Sungkyunkwan University

Sungkyunkwan University, also known as SKKU, was established in 1398. It is a highly regarded private research university in South Korea.

It has two campuses: a humanities and social sciences campus in SEOUL and a natural sciences campus in Suwon, around 28 miles outside the capital city.

It is one of the most famous universities in South Korea, ranking #2 after SEOUL National University. It ranks #263 in Best Global Universities, #145 in QS World University Rankings 2024, and #45 in Best Global Universities in Asia.

It offers more than 30 dual-degree programs in partnership with universities worldwide, such as Fudan University in China and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

This university offers seven scholarships for international students. These scholarships can help you to start your study abroad journey at this university. 

Here is the list of scholarships that are available to international students to study in Korea: 

• Scholarship for Excellent Undergraduate Admission Scores, scholarship size 10-100% of your admission fee and your first-semester tuition fees.

• Samsung Global Sungkyunkwan Scholarship, scholarship size- 100% tuition fees + monthly living expenses + Dormitory expenses.

• Korean Government Invitation Scholarship: The scholarship size varies depending on the amount of support per person will receive.

• Scholarship for Excellent Academic Performance in Graduate School: This scholarship will cover 30-35% of your semester tuition fees.

• Graduate School Humanities/Social Sciences, Arts Admission Scholarship:  This scholarship will cover 10-100% of your admission and first-semester tuition fees.

• Scholarship for Outstanding Foreign Students in Graduate School of Science and Engineering (STEM): This scholarship will cover 100% of your tuition fees and monthly living expenses and provide you with settlement support.
• Scholarship for Excellent Undergraduate Academic Performance: This scholarship will cover 30-70% of your semester tuition fees.

This university also provides a unique course for international students: International Summer University. This program is usually for 4 weeks, and the language of instruction is English. You can apply for this course up to late June, and the tuition fee to apply for this course is 2200$.

Yonsei University

It is one of the top universities in Korea for International Students. Established in 1957, it has multiple campuses. One is the Sinchon Campus in Seoul, which is its central location. Other locations include the international campus in Songdo, which opened in 2010, and the Wonju Campus.

It is one of the most famous universities in South Korea, ranking #5. It also ranks #292 in Best Global Universities, #76 in QS World University Rankings 2024, and #53 in Best Global Universities in Asia.

The university has numerous academic divisions, including the College of Liberal Arts, Business and Economics, Science, Engineering, and Theology. This university’s primary language of instruction is Korean, but many programs are also taught in English.

For example, Yonsei University’s Underwood International College, a liberal arts institution, offers programs entirely taught in English, and the Yonsei Global MBA program is also taught in English.

Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST)

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) is a prestigious national research university in Daejeon, South Korea. Many government-or-school sponsored scholarships are also available to apply to this university, including some that cover your total tuition fees and other expenses.

It is one of the most famous universities in South Korea, ranking #3. It also ranks #282 in the Best Global Universities, #56 in the QS World University Rankings 2024, and #48 in the Best Global Universities in Asia.

KAIST has many colleges in natural sciences, life sciences, bioengineering, engineering, liberal arts, convergence science, and business. All the courses at this university are semester-based; most are taught in English, with some in Korean.

The university also has one of its research facilities, KAIST Institute, which is made up of five research institutes—KI for BioCentury, KI for Information Technology Convergence, KI for Robotics, KI for NanoCentury, and KI for Health Science and Technology—as well as two centres.

If you are pursuing an undergraduate course, you can participate in research activities through KAIST’s Undergraduate Research Participation Program and earn some credits. This will also provide you with financial support.

Korea University

It is one of the private universities in South Korea. Established in 1905 as Bosung College, it received its current name in 1946. It has two campuses: one in SEOUL and the other in Sejong, about 80 miles apart.

It is one of the most famous universities in South Korea, ranking #4. It also ranks #290 in the Best Global Universities, #79 in the QS World University Rankings 2024, and #52 in the Best Global Universities in Asia.

The SEOUL campus is the larger of the two. Tuition fees are the same for both international and domestic students, and some government-sponsored scholarships are also available for international students, so you can take advantage of them.

The university offers undergraduate and graduate courses, including liberal arts and sciences. It also has professional graduate schools in law, business, and medicine. 

The university is affiliated with the Ansan, Guro, and Anam hospitals; although Korean is the primary language of instruction, some courses are also taught in English.

The academic divisions that offer the most English-taught courses are the Division of International Studies and the Korea University Business School.

This university has various research institutes where you can participate, such as the KU Biodefense Research Institute, the Brain and Motivation Research Institute and the Research Institute for Information and Communication Technology. 

Pohang University of Science and Technology

Pohang University of Science and Technology, or POSTECH, is a private institution established in 1986 and a world-class research university in Pohang, Seoul.

It is one of the most famous universities in South Korea, ranking #8. It also ranks #409 in the Best Global Universities, #=100 in the QS World University Rankings 2024, and #81 in the Best Global Universities in Asia.

Like other universities discussed above, domestic and international students’ tuition fees are the same. You can also get a chance to win university or government scholarships and grants.

Here is an overview of the tuition fees:

This university offers two scholarships for international students:

Special Settlement Scholarship for Freshers:

You can apply for this scholarship if you are a new international graduate who did not live in Korea for 6 months before admission. This scholarship covers support per person from KRW 1.5 million to KRW 3 million.

Graduate School of Scholarship:

This scholarship covers a minimum monthly payment of 1,380,500 KRW for MS courses and 1,857,000 KRW for PhD courses.

As a new student at this university, you will receive a settlement allowance during your first semester. This will help you cover your relocation expenses. University housing is available for both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing their studies here.

The university comprises academic departments, primarily in science, engineering, and technology.

In a recent year, approximately 85% of courses eligible for undergraduate and graduate majors were taught in English. If you wish to improve their Korean language abilities, they can enrol in classes offered by the POSTECH Korean Language Program.

One of the university’s research facilities is the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, South Korea’s only synchrotron radiation accelerator.

Conclusion

South Korea has some great universities that are perfect for Indian students. Each university has something special to offer, like unique courses, different scholarships and a chance to meet people worldwide. Picking the right university is about finding a place that feels right for you and helps you reach your goals.

Interested in top universities in South Korea? Check them out and start planning your exciting journey today!