With its strong higher education sector and advanced health care system, South Korea can be an appealing destination for students interested in high-quality education and nursing.
To become a nurse in South Korea, students typically complete an approved nursing program and then meet the licensing requirements for the Korean national nursing examination. Internationally educated nurses should also review the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute procedure for overseas graduates.
International students can apply to nursing programs at some South Korean universities, but nursing courses and clinical training are often delivered in Korean. Applicants should check the latest Korean-language or English-language requirements directly with each university before applying.
Here is a guide to notable nursing schools in South Korea.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in South Korea
1. Yonsei University
- Study Program | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- Degree/s Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Medium of Instruction: Korean, with some English-taught courses and global learning opportunities
Studying nursing at Yonsei University means joining one of South Korea’s long-established private universities. Yonsei reports about 40,000 degree-seeking students across its Main and MIRAE campuses, and its College of Nursing describes itself as a pioneering institution that produced Korea’s first professional nurses.
The College of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a two-year full-time Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for students with a previous non-nursing bachelor’s degree, and graduate nursing tracks at the master’s, doctoral, and integrated master’s-doctoral levels.
Its programs combine academic coursework, practicums, simulation-based learning, and clinical placements connected with Yonsei University Health System.
2. Korea University
The College of Nursing at Korea University has roots in nursing education offered in the 1940s. Its history includes the launch of a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum in 1967, a master’s program in 1972, and a doctoral program in 1996.
The undergraduate program at this top nursing school in Korea lasts four years and culminates in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is focused on academic excellence, holistic care, clinical practice, and nursing research. Foreign undergraduate applicants must be judged to have an adequate command of the Korean language.
Korea University also offers graduate nursing programs, including master’s and doctoral study, as well as clinical nursing graduate options.
3. Seoul National University
The next nursing school in Korea is Seoul National University‘s College of Nursing, which traces its nursing education history back to 1907 and became a College of Nursing in 1992. The College of Nursing is located on the Yeongeon campus in Jongno-gu, alongside SNU’s medical and health science facilities.
SNU College of Nursing oversees bachelor’s, master’s, master’s-doctoral, and doctoral nursing programs. Its undergraduate nursing program is structured as a four-year program.
The college aims to develop nursing leaders who can combine knowledge with practical skills and contribute to sustainable and progressive health care.
4. Catholic University of Korea
Based in Seoul, the Catholic University of Korea is a private institution with a large affiliated medical network. Its nursing college page lists eight affiliated hospitals across Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Daejeon.
The Graduate School Department of Nursing offers master’s and doctoral programs, while the Graduate School of Clinical Nursing Science offers master’s programs in Home Care, Infection Control, Oncology, and Hospice.
The College functions under the Catholic spirit of truth, love, and service, adopting the philosophy of Florence Nightingale. It has educational goals aligned with these values, including fostering life-respecting nurses, professionally competent nurses, and nurses with global insight.
The Catholic University of Korea also houses the JONAS Center for Integrated Nursing Skills, where students can practice foundational nursing skills. The START Center offers simulation-based training for clinical skills, standardized patient practice, and high-fidelity simulator exercises.
5. Dankook University
Dankook Universtiy has campuses in Yongin and Cheonan and was established in 1947. Dankook University’s College of Nursing is based on the Cheonan campus.
Dankook’s international admissions information lists English-track undergraduate majors in fields such as mobile systems engineering, international business, biomaterial engineering, and Korean studies; nursing is not listed as an English-track major. Applicants to nursing should therefore check Korean-track admission and TOPIK requirements carefully.
Because current official English information for graduate nursing options is limited, prospective students should confirm graduate pathways directly with Dankook University before applying.
6. Hanyang University
Hanyang University is a private research university located in Seoul. Its College of Nursing is based on the Seoul campus, and Hanyang’s graduate nursing information lists Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science programs.
The nursing programs at Hanyang University combine classroom study, clinical practice, and research preparation. Applicants should verify the current curriculum and language of instruction directly with Hanyang before applying.
7. Ewha Womans University
Established in 1886 by Mary F. Scranton, Ewha Womans University is a private women’s university in Seoul, South Korea. Its College of Nursing traces its origins to 1903 and describes that beginning as Korea’s first nursing education program.
Ewha later launched Korea’s first four-year Bachelor of Nursing program in 1955, the first Korean master’s program in nursing in 1960, and a doctoral program in nursing in 1979. Degree-seeking international applicants should note that Ewha Womans University accepts applications from female applicants only.
FAQS About Studying Nursing in South Korea
Can International Students Take a Nursing Program in South Korea?
Yes, international students can study nursing in South Korea at some universities, but they should not assume that nursing programs are entirely in English. Many nursing curricula and clinical placements require Korean, and language requirements vary by university. Applicants should check each university’s latest admissions page and department requirements before applying.
Is it Expensive to Study Nursing in South Korea?
It can be relatively cheaper to live and study in South Korea than in some other developed countries, but costs vary by university, degree level, and program. Study in Korea reports average annual tuition for four-year universities at about KRW 4.3 million at national and public universities and about KRW 7.6 million at private universities. Nursing and health-related programs may differ by institution, so applicants should check each university’s current fee schedule.
To help reduce academic and living expenses, the Korean government and many universities offer scholarship options to international students. Eligibility, coverage, and application rules vary by scholarship.
How Long Is the Nursing Program in South Korea?
To earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing, students typically spend four years completing an undergraduate nursing program. Graduate study varies by university and program: a master’s degree may take about two years or four semesters, while doctoral study is usually longer and may be listed by semesters, credit requirements, and dissertation requirements rather than by a single fixed duration.
We hope that this article on nursing schools in South Korea was helpful! If you want to read more articles about studying in South Korea, check out Programs Available for International Students and Study in Korea pages!
