South Korea is well known for the quality of its higher education. Indeed, there are plenty of Korean universities that are considered world-class or are prominent all over Asia. Additionally, two Korean universities are among the top 100 in World University Rankings and more may join soon as institutions strive to exceed global standards.
Thus, studying in Korea is a dream of many students. However, it can be costly. Fortunately, there are several options for international students to study in Korea for free. This article will introduce you to them, so read on and discover how to start your education at Korean universities in the most affordable fashion.
What It Takes to Study in South Korea for Free
Studying in South Korea without a financial burden is achievable through fully funded scholarships like the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) and other government or university-sponsored programs. Based on real scholarship recipients’ experiences, here’s what it typically takes to win these opportunities:
1. Strong Academic Performance
This is quite self-explanatory, but a solid academic record is crucial for scholarship success. Nabila Azzahra from Indonesia graduated from a vocational high school majoring in Analytical Chemistry with a GPA of 89/100. Her excellent academic standing, combined with national science competition experience, helped her win the GKS to study Pharmaceutical Engineering at Gyeongsang National University. Sara Nuruddin Panjawani from India graduated from The Aga Khan Academy with an International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 39, reflecting her strong academic foundation, which significantly enhanced her Global Korea Scholarship application.
2. Language Proficiency in Korean or English
Proficiency in Korean or English will definitely help your application although they don’t require it. Nabila achieved a TOEIC score of 790, strengthening her GKS application. After dedicating a month to intensive preparation, Sara Nuruddin Panjawani achieved a 7.5 on the IELTS, a score that significantly strengthened her Global Korea Scholarship application to Yonsei University by demonstrating her English proficiency and commitment to academic excellence.
3. Compelling Personal Statements and Recommendations
A strong personal statement that clearly expresses your goals and motivations is key. Souad Bimekliouen from Morocco, currently pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Sogang University, stressed the importance of writing a genuine personal statement that reflects your true passion.
4. Alignment of Academic Interests with Program Offerings
Choosing a field that aligns with your background and aspirations increases your chances. Nabila‘s goal of working in pharmaceutical research matched her chosen major in Pharmaceutical Engineering, helping to reinforce her application’s relevance.
By focusing on academic excellence, language readiness, authentic storytelling, early preparation, and strategic program selection, these students successfully earned full funding to study in South Korea — and so can you.
Studying a Bachelor’s for Free in Korea
Several universities and external scholarships offer undergraduate international students the chance to study in Korea for free. However, tuition-free scholarships depend heavily on the type of bachelor’s degree program you’re enrolled in. Still, it’s important you know about them.
Tuition-free programs at the undergraduate level include Global Korea Scholarships, Yonsei University Underwood International College Admissions Scholarship, and Korea University Global Leader Scholarships. Undergraduate international students are selected based on their merits or needs. Also, each scholarship application has its own admission criteria for international students. For the best advice and most recent details, visit the scholarship page of the university or home institution.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a bachelor’s degree in Korea for free!
- Nunnalin from Thailand earned the Ewha Global Partnership Program (EGPP) at Ewha Womans University, covering full tuition, admission fee, monthly stipend (₩550,000), dormitory, airfare, NHIS, and additional course refunds to study a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering.
- Munkh-Erdene Munkhbat from Mongolia earned the Samsung Global Hope Scholarship at Seoul National University, covering full tuition and a ₩800,000 monthly stipend to study a Bachelor’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
- Deepak Kumar from India earned the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) at Korea University, covering full tuition, airfare, monthly living stipend, health insurance, and research funding to study a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering.
Here is what Bachelor’s Scholarship Recipients in South Korea Say:
“GKS is fully funded and covers tuition fees, monthly living allowance, round-trip airfare, and a year of intensive Korean language training before beginning the degree program.”
Afra Rafilah Khansa
“I applied for GKS through the University Track, submitting my application directly to Dongseo University.”
Olivia Ofni Tanisaputra
“From my experience, I would strongly advise anyone applying for scholarships to plan ahead and keep all their documents and achievements organized.”
Juju San
Studying Master’s for Free in Korea
Besides bachelor’s studies, there are several tuition-free scholarship options for international master’s students. Notable organizations or universities have generous offers for successful international students pursuing a master’s degree in Korea.
Some of the most prestigious tuition-free programs in Korea for master’s students include the Global Korea Scholarships and the Kyungpook National University International Graduate Scholarship. For more information about scholarship offers, eligibility, and the application process, you may inquire with your institution or the organization funding the scholarship.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a Master’s degree in Korea for free!
- Hope Leticia from Uganda earned the Professor Scholarship at Kumoh National Institute of Technology, covering full tuition, health insurance, and a monthly stipend to study a Master’s in Internet of Vehicles, Blockchain, and Metaverse Research
- Ufairah from Indonesia received the Global Korea Scholarship at Pusan National University, covering full tuition, round-trip airfare, monthly stipend, and Korean language training to study a Master’s in International Trade.
- Santiago Bravo from Ecuador earned the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Scholarship at Yonsei University, covering tuition, living stipend, research grant, cultural activities, and language training to study a Master’s in Public Health (Global Control of Infectious Diseases).
Here is what Master’s Scholarship Recipients in South Korea Say:
“The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is widely known as the best scholarship in South Korea, as it fully covers airfare, tuition fees, and living expenses.”
Angela Michelle Gunawan
“There are two application tracks: the Embassy Track, where documents are submitted through the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the applicant’s home country, and the University Track, where documents are submitted directly to a university in South Korea. I took the university track and submitted my documents directly to Korea University.”
Islamuddin Alimurrijal
“Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I self-studied intensively, driven by a genuine curiosity and deep interest in the language itself, and successfully achieved TOPIK Level 6 in just six months. This accomplishment allowed me to complete the required language training in half the time after joining under the GKS scholarship.”
Kounen Fathima
Studying Ph.D. for Free in Korea
Lastly, there are many options for prospective Ph.D. students to study in Korea for free and pursue their research activities. Most doctoral scholarships include full tuition and living expenses. However, for the most accurate information, it’s important to contact the admissions office regarding the application requirements and scholarship grants.
Some of the most notable tuition-free Ph.D. programs include the SNU President Fellowship Program, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Scholarships, and Chung-Ang University Young Scientist Scholarships.
Here are some of the students who were able to study a Ph.D. degree in Korea for free!
- Ayu Fitri Izaki from Indonesia earned the Global Korea Scholarship at Pukyong National University, covering full tuition, round-trip airfare, monthly stipend, health insurance, and Korean language training to study a PhD in Marine Biology.
- Jennifer Callanga from the Philippines earned the Seoul National University President Fellowship (SPF) at Seoul National University, covering full tuition, a KRW 1.5–2.0 million monthly stipend, round-trip airfare, National Health Insurance reimbursement, and Korean language training to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering
- Omer Tariq from Pakistan earned the KAIST International Student Scholarship at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), providing full tuition and a monthly advisor stipend to complete an Integrated Master’s and PhD in Computer Science (Machine Learning & AI).
Here is what PhD Scholarship Recipients in South Korea Say:
“This fellowship offers one of the most comprehensive support packages for international scholars. Benefits include full tuition coverage for six semesters, a monthly stipend of KRW 1.5–2 million for three to four years, reimbursement under the National Health Insurance system, Korean language training, round-trip airfare, and childcare support for those with children enrolled in daycare.”
Jennifer Callanga
“My advice is to carefully prepare all the required documents and make sure everything is complete and accurate before submission. Equally important, be authentic and true to yourself throughout the process, especially during the interview. Scholarship committees value sincerity and a clear sense of purpose.”
Mohamed Atwair
“Don’t focus solely on achieving a high GPA or test score. While academic performance is important, what truly sets you apart is your personal story- one that reflects your passion, purpose, and potential.”
Thai Quynh Anh Nguyen
“Start early and reach out to potential advisors with a tailored research proposal.”
Dr. Sangram Keshari Mohanty
The chance to study for free in Korea, especially in the country’s most prestigious universities, will open doors for you. Thus, don’t forget to apply for the scholarships above when you apply for admission!
FAQs: Studying in South Korea as an International Student
Are there Opportunities for International Students to Study in Korea for Free?
Yes, international students have several opportunities to study for free in South Korea. These opportunities include scholarships and low-tuition universities. When these opportunities are then stacked upon each other, it may be revealed that the student is already studying for free.
Since the international student population is increasing in Korea, the number of tuition-free opportunities has risen to attract skillful and determined students from all over the world. The important step for foreign learners is to be aware of the opportunities they could take advantage of and apply to the programs that can provide financial assistance. They can also be a bridge to help find scholarship options for the student.
How Much is the Annual Academic Cost in Korea?
The annual academic cost at Korean universities differs depending on the university or program. For instance, studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a public university in Korea has an average annual cost of ₩8,000,000 ($6,000), whereas, for private universities, the fees can go up to ₩13,000,000 ($10,000) per academic year.
However, many prestigious universities have below-average annual tuition fees. An example is the Seoul National University, which has a minimum annual tuition fee of ₩2,442,000 ($1,860) for undergraduates and ₩6,556,000 ($5,000) for postgraduate programs.
We hope this article has given you many ideas on how to receive a Korean education for free. Now, if you need more information relating to studying in Korea, check out these Study in Korea articles and currently Open Courses in the country!
