Studying abroad in Korea is the dream of many people, but going through the admission process can turn the dream into a nightmare. Gathering the paperwork, sending the documents, preparing for the interview, writing an essay, and then doing it all again if you want to apply to more than one university can be overwhelming.
However, the toughest part for many international students is budgeting and having enough money to pay for the whole process. In Korea, many universities ask applicants to pay an application fee during the admission process.
As we know, every penny counts, especially as a student. Here, we’ll give you a hand by sharing a list of Korean universities that don’t have application fees.
Application fees in Korean universities vary by institution and program. Current examples include fees from about KRW 50,000 to KRW 200,000, which is roughly $33 to $133 at recent exchange rates.
After doing their research and deciding which universities they will apply to, students usually have a list of five to eight universities. If they pay application fees for all of them, their budget for the admission process can easily reach hundreds of dollars.
If you want to save some money and have a quality education at the same time, check our list of Korean universities that don’t have application fees. There aren’t many universities that have no application fees, but we’ve managed to find some. If you find any other institutions, please feel free to comment, and we will add them to the article.
Universities in South Korea with No Application Fee
1. Pukyong National University
First, we start in Busan, Korea’s second-largest city after Seoul. Here, you’ll find Pukyong National University (PKNU), a national university formed in 1996. PKNU currently has four campuses, including Daeyeon Campus and Yongdang Campus in Nam-gu, Busan, as well as Gijang Campus and Goseong Campus. Students can use campus libraries and research facilities, and the university also has facilities such as the PKNU Museum.
The admission process is explained in detail in the admission guidebook, available on their website. After checking the current semester’s guide, applicants should prepare all required documents and follow the university’s document-submission instructions. Documents that are not in Korean or English generally need a notarized Korean or English translation.
The process starts with a review of submitted documents. Depending on the program and screening process, applicants may also be evaluated through an academic ability review, interview, or additional documents. Once admitted, students follow the university’s enrollment instructions and prepare for the D-2 student visa process.
In the official admission guide, the application fee is listed as waived for international students. PKNU also offers scholarships and Korean language programs for international students.
If you are interested, check out how Pelinsu Yıldırım and Amir received admission and scholarships at Pukyong National University.
No application fee for Pukyong National University
2. Kumoh National Institute of Technology
Kumoh National Institute of Technology was founded as a university specializing in engineering in 1980. Today, its academic offerings include areas such as architecture, civil and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, big data and industrial engineering, materials science and engineering, electronic engineering, computer engineering, chemical materials engineering, optical engineering, biomedical engineering, IT convergence, liberal studies, and business administration.
The university’s campus life pages list dormitories, welfare facilities, student activities, and campus guide information. KIT also has facilities and support services for international students, including Korean language classes and scholarship opportunities listed in its admission guidelines.
If you’d like to study at KIT, the admission process starts with the online application. Undergraduate applicants then submit the required documents and go through document screening and interview evaluation. Graduate applicants must complete the online application and submit original application documents by the stated deadline. Documents must be written in Korean or English, or submitted with a notarized Korean or English translation.
The current undergraduate and graduate admission guidelines both state that the application fee is free. The university also lists scholarships for international students, though scholarship availability and amounts may change depending on the university budget.
If you are interested, check out how Alivia and Hope received admission and scholarships at Kumoh National Institute of Technology.
Kumoh National Institute of Technology no application fee screenshot
3. Korea University (SK Global Scholarships Only)
- SK Global Scholarships Page
- No application fee for students applying through the SK Global Scholarship Program only.
- Verification: Confirmed through Korea University Graduate School’s official SK Global Scholarship page, which states “No Application Fee” for this scholarship program. Last checked May 2026.
Korea University is a well-known private university in Seoul. Its SK Global Scholarship Program is intended for students who wish to pursue a master’s degree in semiconductor or AI/IT-related fields at Korea University Graduate School in Seoul. For the AI/IT track, available departments and majors include Computer Science and Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. For the semiconductor track, the scholarship page lists participating departments and labs in fields such as Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science and Engineering, and Chemical and Biological Engineering.
The scholarship is open to applicants from selected regions. The current eligibility list includes 19 European countries, 11 Southeast Asian countries, India and Pakistan in South Asia, and Japan and Taiwan for the semiconductor field only.
The application fee is waived only for applicants applying through the SK Global Scholarship Program. Students applying to other Korea University graduate programs or undergraduate programs should check the relevant admissions page, as standard Korea University applications list separate application fees.
No application fee screenshot for SK Global Scholarships
There are only a handful of universities in Korea that do not charge application fees. Try applying to these universities, which are also well-known institutions in Korea.
We hope this article encourages you to submit your application to these Korean universities. Go over our Study in Korea Page for valuable tips and insightful articles about Korea. And if you are looking for available courses, head over to our Available Programs for International Students page.
