Online and distance learning is an established part of South Korea’s higher education landscape. Several institutions publish online or distance-learning options at the graduate level, although program formats, admissions requirements, and access for international applicants vary by university.
Students considering an online degree should review each university’s current program page before applying. Some programs are fully online, while others combine online study with offline activities or require applicants to reside in South Korea.
The following are several South Korean institutions with graduate-level online or distance-learning options. They are presented as starting points for research rather than as a formal ranking.
Top Schools Offering Online Master’s Degrees in South Korea
South Korea has several universities with online or distance-learning graduate options. The universities below publish official information about these programs and their admissions processes.
1. Kyung Hee Cyber University
Kyung Hee Cyber University (KHCU) states that it is authorized as a four-year university by the Ministry of Education and offers official online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Its English-language overview also highlights mobile access to more than 97% of lectures and its in-house e-learning production infrastructure.
The university’s English admissions page currently lists tuition at KRW 84,000 per credit. Because tuition schedules and their applicability can vary by program and intake, prospective master’s students should confirm the current graduate tuition directly with the university before applying. KHCU states that 60% of its enrolled students receive a scholarship and publishes additional scholarship information.
KHCU may suit students seeking an online university with mobile-accessible lectures and scholarship options. Applicants should use the university’s current admissions guidance to confirm the available master’s programs, eligibility requirements, and total cost.
2. Korea National Open University
Korea National Open University (KNOU) operates U-KNOU Campus, its distance-education platform. Its English-language website states that the platform allows students to take courses anytime and anywhere on compatible devices. KNOU’s official overview lists 20 master’s degree programs.
International applicants should read KNOU’s admissions notice carefully. The university states that it does not issue student visas for foreign students, that international applicants must have a registered residence in South Korea, and that applicants should have sufficient Korean-language ability to complete their programs even though TOPIK scores are not required.
Program options should be confirmed on KNOU’s current graduate-school pages. The undergraduate transfer rules published on KNOU’s website should not be treated as entry requirements for a master’s degree.
3. Cyber University of Korea
The university’s current English-language website uses the name Korea Cyber University (KCU). Its official introduction describes KCU as Korea’s first accredited online university and states that it was established in 2001. KCU opened its Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies in 2013.
The graduate school’s Department of Convergence Informatics focuses on data and information science. Its current curriculum includes a foundational area in big data analysis and three advanced tracks: Data Science Convergence, AI Business Convergence, and Human Science Convergence.
The graduate program uses a mix of online and offline learning. Applicants should consult KCU’s official graduate-school and admissions pages for current tuition, application procedures, and intake-specific details.
4. Seoul Cyber University
Seoul Cyber University (SCU) publishes graduate admissions information for international applicants. Its graduate admissions page states that applicants need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, regardless of their previous undergraduate major, and that applications are completed online with supporting documents submitted by mail or in person.
SCU’s notice for Spring 2026 listed master’s and doctoral recruitment in Social Welfare, Psychology & Counseling, Beauty Industry Studies, Music, and AI Convergence Technology. Since departments can vary by intake, applicants should check the current graduate-school notice before applying.
SCU publishes scholarship information, including categories for overseas Korean nationals and foreign nationals. Prospective students should confirm current tuition, scholarship coverage, eligibility criteria, and any in-person requirements directly with the university.
FAQs: Online Master’s Programs in South Korea
Can International Students Take Online Master’s Programs in South Korea?
International students can apply to some online or distance-learning master’s programs in South Korea, but eligibility and delivery formats vary by institution. For example, SCU publishes graduate admissions requirements for foreign nationals, while KNOU states that international applicants must have a registered residence in South Korea and that it does not issue student visas for foreign students.
Before applying, students should check whether a program is fully online, whether any campus visits or interviews are required, whether courses are taught in Korean or another language, and whether the university can support the immigration status they need. A program’s academic availability does not automatically mean that it can be completed from outside South Korea.
Technology has expanded access to higher education, but students should compare official university pages carefully. Program availability, tuition, scholarships, delivery methods, and international admissions rules can change.
We hope this article helps you make an informed choice about where to pursue an online master’s degree in South Korea. You may also find information about other countries that offer distance-learning programs on our Online Degrees page. Visit our Available Programs for International Students and Study in Korea pages for more study options.
