Do you want to study in a competitive space and enjoy a lot?
Well, South Korea is exactly what you're looking for!
It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular study-abroad destinations in Asia, especially among Indian students seeking to pursue higher education at the best universities. South Korea has surpassed its ambitious goal of having 300k overseas students by 2025, two years early!
The doubling of enrollments in India from 2020 to 2024 created extensive peer networks that aided newcomers in their social and intellectual incorporation. You can expect lenient immigration regulations, with scholarship opportunities, and more accommodating labor policies.
Depending on the university's ranking and the chosen major, undergraduate bachelor's programs can cost anywhere from INR 2.5 lakh to INR 10 lakh per year. But here’s the deal: with a monthly income of INR 25,000 to INR 50,000 from part-time jobs, and living expenses of just INR 75,000 to INR 1.5 lakh, studying abroad in Korea is both feasible and affordable.
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Category |
Details |
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Top Universities |
Yonsei University (QS Asia Rank: 11), Korea University (QS Asia Rank: 12), Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) (QS Asia Rank: 16), Seoul National University (QS Asia Rank: 17), POSTECH (Pohang University of Science & Technology) (QS Asia Rank: 18), Hanyang University (QS Asia Rank: 20) |
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Undergraduate Tuition (Annual) |
Public Universities: INR 1 to 4 lakhs per semester Private Universities: INR 3.5 to 8 lakhs per semester |
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Postgraduate Tuition (Annual) |
Public Universities: INR 2.5-7 lakhs per semester Private Universities: INR 4-10 lakhs per semester |
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Best Courses for International Students |
Computer Science & IT, Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Robotics), Business Administration, Healthcare, Design, International Relations, Korean Language & Culture |
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Student Visa Type |
D-2 Visa (for degree-seeking students, valid for duration of study) |
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Visa Processing Time |
5-10 business days (express processing available) |
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Academic Intakes |
Spring Semester: February-March; Fall Semester: August-September |
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Application Deadlines |
Spring intake: September-November of previous year; Fall intake: May-June of same year |
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Total Monthly Cost (Including Accommodation) |
INR 25,000-35,000 for budget living; 50,000-80,000 for comfortable living |
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Annual Total Cost (Tuition + Living) |
Approximately INR 8-10 lakhs (varies by university and lifestyle) |
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Post-Graduation Work Visa |
D-10 Job Seeker Visa: Valid for up to 6 months to search for employment after graduation |
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Top Employers for Graduates |
Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK Group, Korean Air, CJ Group, Naver, Kakao, POSCO, Global tech and manufacturing companies with Korean offices |
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Number of Universities |
Approximately 370+ higher education institutions; 103 universities in QS Asia Rankings |
Five Universities got featured in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2025! Based on academic rigor & research facilities, KAIST ranked 53rd, Yonsei University ranked 56th, Korea University ranked 67th, and POSTECH ranked 98th! These institutes offer scope for academically strong Indian students to earn globally recognized degrees.
If you are a graduate student from India, we have some excellent news for you! You will receive a fully funded scholarship program that includes tuition and a monthly stipend of 55k-133k, depending on your program, thanks to the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)! More than 1,000 graduate scholarships were awarded to Indian students in 2025.
Will I get a job in East Asia after studying in South Korea? We know you are thinking this, but let’s clear your wrong idea now! If you are a recent graduate, you will receive a 3-year work visa, with the possibility of further extensions. 71% of overseas students want to stay in South Korea after graduation! Samsung, Hyundai, and Lotte are just a few of the significant businesses that recruit foreign college grads for positions in R&D, sales & strategic planning.
But what about the language? Well, things have changed, and you need not worry. If you are in engineering, computer science, or business management, you will get comprehensive programs taught entirely in English at many different universities. Although students are expected to have TOPIK 4-level Korean proficiency to graduate, institutions offer a year of Korean language training before starting their academic program as part of the scholarship perks.
Coming to the most-awaited part! South Korean student life strikes an excellent mix between studying hard & having fun with friends. Seoul is full of excitement & great networking opportunities, Busan is beautiful & affordable, and Daejeon is tech-focused & offers lower living costs. You can balance your academic & personal lives perfectly thanks to excellent public transit, safe neighborhoods, and a vibrant culture!
Field of Study |
Undergraduate Programs |
Postgraduate Programs |
Why This Matters |
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Computer Science & IT |
Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, AI, Web Development |
Robotics, Master's in AI/ML, Specialized research in Tech |
Avant-garde scopes for innovation; Samsung, Kakao hire graduates from here |
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Engineering |
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Robotics, Chemical, Aerospace |
Master’s in specialized engineering, research programs in PhD |
Real-world learning; strong collaboration with Industry; affordable tuition fee INR 4-9 lakh (UG) to INR 7-9 lakh (PG) |
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Business & Management |
HR, Finance & Accounting, International Business, Marketing |
MBA, Executive Master's in Business, Finance specializations |
Global Network with expertise in Korean business culture & competitive placements |
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Natural Sciences |
Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry |
MS/PhD in specialized sciences and research programs |
Strong research & strong publication opportunities, with demand in the pharmaceutical industry |
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Healthcare & Medical Sciences |
Nursing, Biomedicine, Health Management |
Master's in Public Health, Biomedicine, and Clinical research |
Better Scholarship with growth in the Healthcare industry & future professional practice |
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Design & Creative Arts |
Animation, Industrial Design, Graphic Design & Fashion |
Master's in UI/UX and Design specializations |
Multiple internship & job opportunities from the creative industry |
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International Relations & Humanities |
History, Korean Studies, and International Languages |
Master's in International Relations and Diplomacy programs |
Understanding the diplomatic career pathways, and cultural exchange opportunities, along with the Korean context |
University |
QS Ranking (2025) |
Location |
Top Programs |
Annual Tuition (INR) |
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31st |
Seoul |
Engineering, Medicine, Business, Natural Sciences |
UG: 2-3 lakh; PG: 2-3.5 lakh |
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53rd |
Daejeon |
Computer Science, Engineering, Material Science |
UG: 3-4 lakh; PG: 3-4.5 lakh |
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56th |
Seoul |
Business, Engineering, Medicine, Law |
UG: 8-10 lakh; PG: 8-12 lakh |
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67th |
Seoul |
Engineering, Business, Law, International Studies |
UG: 7-9 lakh; PG: 7-10 lakh |
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98th |
Pohang |
Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials |
UG: 3-6 lakh; PG: 4-6.5 lakh |
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162th |
Seoul |
Engineering (primary), Business, Design |
UG: 5-8 lakh; PG: 5-8.5 lakh |
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123th |
Seoul |
Engineering, Business, Humanities, Medicine |
UG: 6-9 lakh; PG: 6-9.5 lakh |
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511th |
Seoul |
Liberal Arts, Engineering, Business, Medicine |
UG: 5-7 lakh; PG: 5-8 lakh |
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524th |
Busan |
Engineering, Natural Sciences, Business |
UG: 2-4 lakh; PG: 2-4.5 lakh |
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266th |
Ulsan |
Engineering, Science, Design |
UG: 4-5 lakh; PG: 4-5.5 lakh |
Selection Guidance: Aim for SKY schools (Seoul National, Korea University, Yonsei) if you want to boost your scholarship chances. We highly recommend KAIST and POSTECH for their excellent technological programs & abundant research opportunities.
Expense Category |
Monthly Cost (INR) |
Annual Cost (INR) |
Details |
|
Accommodation |
18,000-50,000 |
2.1-6.0 lakh |
You will get university dorms at INR 21,000-40,000; a shared apartment will cost INR 30k-55k; and Goshiwon will cost INR 19k-36k. |
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Food & Groceries |
20,000-35,000 |
2.4-4.2 lakh |
You can get budget meals at around INR 300-450 each; groceries INR 25,000-38,000/month |
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Transportation |
3,500-4,750 |
42,000-57,000 |
One can get a monthly subway/bus pass at INR 3,100-4,750, and the best option will be the Seoul “Climate Cloud Card.” |
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Utilities & Internet |
6,000-10,000 |
72,000-1.2 lakh |
Electricity costs will be higher in winter. Phone charges are around INR 2000-4000. |
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Personal & Academic |
8,000-15,000 |
96,000-1.8 lakh |
It includes the books, supplies, entertainment, clothing, and miscellaneous items. |
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Health Insurance |
4,000-5,500 |
48,000-66,000 |
Required by universities; often covered partially by scholarships |
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TOTAL MONTHLY |
65,000-1 lakh |
7.8-12 lakh |
Conservative estimate for comfortable student living |
Undergraduate (4 years): INR 28-48 lakh (tuition + living)
Masters/Post-Graduate (2 years): INR 14-22 lakh (tuition + living)
PhD (3-4 years): INR 21-32 lakh (tuition + living), often fully covered by GKS scholarships
You need to complete 12 years of education, which is Class 12 in India. You need a high school average of 70-80%. But elite schools such as Seoul National University and Korea University often require scores above 80%. If you are applying to the postgraduate program, you need a bachelor's degree with an average of at least 75%.
You will be asked for the standardized test scores when applying to English-language programs. Generally, elite schools prefer 7.0. But if you have a 6.0 in IELTS band score, you will be eligible for undergraduate programs & for postgraduate programs, it is 6.5.
If you are applying through the TOEFL, you need 80-100 on the iBT for undergraduate programs, and it will be higher for graduate programs. Several schools require a minimum score of 53 on the Pearson Test of English. This is an absolute must-have if your program uses just English as its medium of instruction (unless you are a native English speaker).
Many people get this component mixed up. It is not necessary to have Korean language skills to be admitted to a program taught solely in English. But to graduate, you need to achieve level 4 on the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean). For this reason, and particularly for students receiving merit-based scholarships such as GKS, the majority of colleges offer a year of rigorous Korean-language instruction before the start of the core curriculum.
It is common practice to require TOPIK Level 3 upon entry to Korean-taught programs and Level 4 upon graduation. Level I of the TOPIK test costs 1,200 INR, and Level II costs 1,500 INR. The exam is regularly offered in India with multiple slots.
You need to keep all of your official academic documents, including high school graduation certificates, bachelor's degree or provisional diploma, and grade reports, handy with proper certifications. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended date of entry. Create an SOP of 500-800 words, stating your academic goals, reasons of choice, and how this education will help you achieve those goals.
Get a letter of recommendation from 2-3 lecturers highlighting academic consistency! Now sort everything out and arrange it in order, with a bank statement showing a balance of at least INR 30–50 lakh, or, in the case of a GKS application, scholarship award letters. Also, take a Tuberculosis test certificate before the visa process.
When it comes to funding opportunities, GKS is the most all-encompassing. You will receive a full tuition waiver, a monthly living stipend (INR55,000-INR69,000), round-trip economy travel, and a one-time settlement allowance of INR12,000. And if you apply for a master's, it will include funding for all four semesters of tuition, a stipend ranging from 92,000 - 1,23,000 INR/month, full coverage of flights, and grants to help students finish their degrees.
You can choose one of two pathways through GKS: the Embassy Track or the direct route to individual universities, with separate schedules & prerequisites for each. You have to be under 25 & 40 for the undergraduate & graduate programs. You need to have excellent grades, usually in the top 5-10% of your class. Strengthen your application with English proficiency exam scores. You will get priority if you are from science or engineering!
If you are going to Seoul National University, you can get full tuition fees and a living stipend. You can also receive full tuition for master's or PhD students, with department-specific monthly stipends, through the KAIST International Graduate Scholarship. Outstanding students can apply for one of several merit-based scholarships offered by Yonsei University, which can pay all or part of their tuition costs. For exceptional overseas students, Korea University has scholarship programs that cover tuition in whole or in part.
If you are willing to apply under GKS, it will open in February or March, and for spring admission, in September or October. Scholarships offered by individual universities typically follow distinct admission cycles. For the March admission, you have to apply from September to October, and for the September admission, you have to apply from April to May.
Intake Period |
Start Month |
Application Window |
Decision Timeline |
Which Programs |
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Spring Intake |
March |
Sep-December |
December-Jan |
Language programs, limited degrees, specific majors |
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Fall Intake |
September |
April-July |
July-August |
Most undergraduate & graduate programs |
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GKS Special Intake |
March/September |
Feb-March (Sept intake); Sept-Oct (spring intake) |
April-May |
All academic levels through scholarship |
Fall Intake: You can apply from March to April; results will come by late July
Spring Intake: It will start from September to October; results by December
If you are willing to join in March 2026, start your application in September 2025! Because many universities practice rolling admissions, i.e., the earlier you provide the application, the better your chances of admission!
There are 2 primary terms in the academic year at South Korean institutions: Spring (March-June) and Fall (September-December), with additional summer and winter sessions available as needed. You need to complete a specific number of credits & course requirements to graduate from most programs.
There are a variety of grading scale formats used in universities. While there are 4.0 and 4.5-point systems, the most popular is the 4.3-point scale. The following is a breakdown of the individual grades:
Grade |
Point Scale |
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A+ |
4.3 |
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A |
4 |
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A- |
3.7 |
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B+ |
3.3 |
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B |
3 |
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B- |
2.7 |
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C+ |
2.3 |
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C |
2 |
Letter grades represent percentages; an A+ is earned between 95% and 100%, an A is earned between 90% and 94%, a B+ is earned between 85% and 89%, and so on.
You can find your semester GPA by adding up all of your course grades by their respective credit hours, then dividing the total by the number of credit hours. Your performance across all semesters is reflected in your cumulative GPA, and this process repeats each semester. For continued attendance, most institutions require a 2.0 GPA (equal to a C average), while scholarships usually have substantially higher requirements, generally 3.0 or higher.
You need 12-18 credit hours in a semester. If you have high GPAs, you can register for more credits, and you will be advised appropriately on course load decisions during the first semester!
You will get the essence of both modern comforts & cultural immersion. You can expect to pay INR 22,000 to INR 50,000/month for dorms or shared housing, based on location. This is where the majority of international students choose to live. The usual school day runs from 9 am to 5 pm, and you will get collaborative learning activities!
You can get various options at INR 250 to INR 400 at on-campus cafeterias, with lots of nearby affordable cafes. You can earn 400-500 INR/hour after the first semester working as tutors, in cafes, restaurants, or on campus, with just 20-30 hours/week!
With thousands of Indian students here, you will have ample networking opportunities. You will receive valuable updates on residence, food, transportation, and academic issues from student clubs and other peer groups in India!
South Korea's Asian setting is more familiar to Indian students than Western countries, but you will still need to make specific adjustments due to the country's unique culture. You can have Indian food, thanks to the abundance of Indian restaurants!
You need a valid D-2 visa to pursue an international degree program, which usually lasts between one and four years. Compared to the tourist visas, this one allows you to work part-time under certain circumstances.
You have to show that you have at least 20 million won (approximately 12,30,000 INR) in liquid assets by 2025. Earlier, it was around INR 20 Lakh, which the government has cut to make the process smoother for the middle-class students! If you are going to colleges outside the Seoul metropolitan areas, it will be just 16 million won (roughly INR 9.84 lakh). You need to have the financial records for the three months preceding your application, stating account ownership, and include no unexpected activity.
You need a Passport (with at least 6 months of validity beyond your planned arrival date), a visa application form, two passport-sized color photos, and your Korean university's Certificate of Admission. Be sure to include authentic English translations of all of your academic documents, including transcripts and certificates. This is a non-negotiable requirement: you must submit a tuberculosis test certificate no later than 3 months after you apply for your visa.
If you are an Indian citizen, you can submit your application at the Korean consulate or embassy in your region. It usually takes 2-4 weeks for processing. You will need an Alien Registration Card (ARC) to open bank accounts, sign apartment leases, and access services, which you can obtain by registering with the immigration office within 90 days of arrival!
Some requirements must be satisfied before an international student with a D-2 visa can lawfully work part-time without further authorization. You need to maintain satisfactory academic standing (usually a B+ average or 3.0 GPA) and complete the 1st semester. You must provide written verification of your eligibility from your university.
During the semesters, students can work anywhere from 20 to 25 hours per week (25 hours if they achieve language proficiency standards or excellent academic performance). If you are in the postgraduate program, you may work 25–30 hours per semester (with a maximum of 35 hours allowed for exceptional students). Every student is allowed to work as many hours as they like during vacation. There are no limitations for work on weekends and public holidays!.
If you are good at a language, you can offer tuition in that language, whether it's English or an Indian language, which pays between INR 25,000 and 50,000 per month. You can work whenever it's convenient for you & earn between 12,000 and 25,000 INR/month plus tips in the restaurant & cafe industries. Jobs offered through campus often pay between INR 15,000 and INR 30,000 per month and are more accommodating to students' schedules.
You can earn a monthly salary of INR 30,000 to INR 50,000 and have a meaningful job teaching your regional language (Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, or Bengali) through private institutes. You can also earn additional income from retail jobs, office support, and app-based gig economy scopes. As of 2025, the hourly minimum wage is approximately 400-500 Indian rupees.
You need to have a passport, a residence card, academic transcripts, a business registration certificate, and an employment contract. The entire processing time is generally between one and two weeks.
Advantages |
Challenges |
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Affordable Education: You can expect tuition fees 40-60% lower than in the US, UK, and Australia |
Language Barrier: Korean is required for some services despite English-taught programs, as daily life requires basic Korean |
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Excellent Scholarships: GKS and other university funds make education financially accessible |
Cultural Adjustment: Hierarchical society differs from Western individualism, and you need to respect others. |
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World-Class Academics: Universities in the top 100 globally with strong research & education methods |
Limited Post-Study Options: You can expand the work visa, but it is less generous than Canada or Australia |
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Strong Employment Prospects: Government initiatives, company recruitment, extended job-search visas |
Degree Recognition: Korean degrees are actually less internationally recognized than the US/UK credentials in some fields |
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Safe, Developed Environment: Low crime, modern infrastructure, and excellent healthcare system |
Competitive Academics: You get a high workload and have to maintain the GPA for scholarships to continue |
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Tech Hub Ecosystem: It’s innovation-focused; superior for tech, engineering, and design fields |
Small Market: You will get limited diversity of job opportunities compared to larger English-speaking countries |
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Vibrant Student Life: Active campus culture, affordable entertainment, easy travel across Asia |
Homesickness: The Asian context doesn't eliminate distance, and the reintegration to India can be challenging |
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Career Networking: Access to big MNCs like Samsung, Hyundai, and other global corporations |
Credential Portability: You need TOPIK level 4 for graduation, and the language requirement adds to the academic load |
City |
Best For |
Living Cost Level |
Job Market |
Student Experience |
|
Seoul |
Best universities, networking, and diverse opportunities |
High (INR 75,000-1.5L/month) |
Abundant across all sectors |
Metropolitan energy, and it’s the 3rd best student city globally (QS ranking), with a diverse food culture |
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Busan |
Most affordable with coastal lifestyle & experience |
Moderate (INR 50,000-1L/month) |
Moderate; tourism, logistics, port industries |
Beaches and cafes with ocean views, a warm climate. So, feels like a younger with less competition |
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Daejeon |
Tech and research focus, KAIST ecosystem |
Low-Moderate (INR 40,000-75,000/month) |
High in the tech and research sectors |
Hub for innovation; suburban comfort; less tourist-oriented; strong corporate presence |
|
Daegu |
Affordability, culture, and a balanced way of living |
Low (INR 30,000-60,000/month) |
Moderate; local manufacturing, retail |
Warm-weather city with cultural heritage, friendly locals, and a proper student environment |
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Incheon |
International exposure, moderate costs, airport proximity |
High (INR 60,000-1.2L/month) |
Strong international companies, aviation, and logistics |
It’s the gateway to Korea with diverse food options and overall less saturation |
Get a head start on learning the basics of Korean before you even arrive. Basic language skills are essential for everyday life, and you can get them sorted with apps like Duolingo. With this, you will demonstrate dedication and get into college life more quickly.
You must have well-organized digital copies of all documents, including passports, bank records, academic transcripts, medical records, and insurance policies. You should save digital copies in a safe place and upload the originals to the cloud. With a well-organized process, you can save time and avoid administrative hassles.
Upon your arrival in Korea, you should open a bank account (typically through your university, within the first week). To maximize efficiency, it is helpful to understand the exchange rate: 1 KRW = 0.062 INR. And you must be very cautious with money!
Do not miss a single orientation and become involved with student organizations right away. Instead of wasting your first semester attempting to fit in, focus on creating a community. Make friends with both Korean and international students to better understand each other's cultures and provide real-life support.
Be ready to get used to Korean academic culture, which places a strong emphasis on group projects and active engagement. Time will be required to participate in class discussions, group projects, and presentations. Stop by your professor's office early in the semester to meet with them and get a feel for what they anticipate from you.
Health is wealth, as we know! So, find out what your health insurance covers right away. Visit university health centers for minor ailments before seeking other clinics; many common drugs require prescriptions at pharmacies (different from India).
Make sure you don't lose your student status! Visa eligibility will be at risk if you have an enrollment gap, prolonged leave, or academic suspension. Make sure your Alien Registration Card is up to date and notify immigration authorities of any changes to your address.
Yes, you can do it for 20-35 hours/week and earn 20-50k INR/month, but that will only happen after your 1st sem!
Korean is not required initially for English-taught programs. But to graduate, you need to reach TOPIK Level 4. You can fit this into your program schedule, as most universities offer a year of training for it.
You can get in, but it's tough. To apply, you must have completed 12th standard and scored at least 70-80% on an English proficiency exam (IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+), in addition to providing full supporting evidence.
If you have a degree from an accredited university in South Korea, you can study or work in India. A Korean degree is valued by employers, particularly in the engineering and technology sectors.
There may be visa repercussions and academic probation. Maintaining a GPA (often a minimum of 3.0) is required for scholarships. It is necessary to inform both the university and the immigration office.
Yes, the new regulations have increased the maximum time international graduates can stay in South Korea to look for opportunities to 2-3 years.
You can complete a bachelor's degree program in four years for INR 28-48 lakh; a master's degree program in two years for INR 14-22 lakh; and a doctoral program in three to four years for INR 21-32 lakh.
Yes, you can. There is a lot of competition for scholarships, so meeting the basic standards is just the beginning. Your prospects improve when you combine outstanding grades, strong test scores, and an impressive application.
Throughout your time at university, you will have many opportunities to take the TOPIK exam. Universities may offer additional tests or extended deadlines to students who have not yet passed Level 4 as graduation approaches.
No, it’s not! You will find many Indian students there, and with a real-life collaborative learning program, you can build real networks!
