How to choose a Korean university: entry requirements and study costs

To find a Korean university that fits you, start with your education, intended degree and major, language of instruction, intake and budget. Then compare the entry requirements and first payments for each programme.

What should I prepare before choosing a university?

• Your highest qualification and graduation or expected graduation date
• Your intended route: Korean language study, associate degree, bachelor's degree or postgraduate study
• Your interests and current Korean or English test results
• Your preferred intake and region
• The amount available initially and your budget for later semesters

If you have not chosen a major, describe the subjects you enjoy and the work you would like to do after graduation. If you have no language score yet, explain your current preparation.

A real university example: business-related programmes can use different teaching languages

Dong-A University provides separate undergraduate Korean-track and English-track information. Its English-track overview lists 융합경영학과, a business-related department. The Korean-track overview excludes that department from Korean-track recruitment.

The phrase “business at Dong-A” is therefore not enough to identify an application route. Record the exact department name, degree and teaching language before comparing language requirements and documents.

Dong-A Korean-track information · English-track information

A real cost example: tuition is not the same as the first amount to prepare

GEA's published Suncheon Jeil College Korean-language course example for entry through December 2026 covers three terms, or 30 weeks, of tuition. The accommodation charge covers 20 weeks.

• Tuition: KRW 3,600,000 for three terms / 30 weeks
• Application fee: KRW 50,000, once
• Accommodation: KRW 800,000 for 20 weeks
• First invoice subtotal for these three items: KRW 4,450,000
• Second invoice after arrival: KRW 800,000 — student management 400,000; textbooks 150,000; insurance 150,000; other charges 100,000
• Combined total of the two invoices: KRW 5,250,000

Tuition alone is KRW 3,600,000, while the two invoices total KRW 5,250,000. Study lasts 30 weeks but the accommodation payment covers 20 weeks, so accommodation for the remaining 10 weeks needs a separate plan. Airfare, living expenses and document preparation are outside this invoice total.

Basis: 2026 Korean-language course invoices; currency KRW; second invoice dated 4 September 2026. Published itemised example

For each cost, record the amount, the number of terms or weeks it covers, and when it is payable. For a later intake, compare the cost schedule for that intake.

How should I compare scholarships?

Check whether your department is eligible, whether you meet the academic or language conditions, and whether the award reduces the first payment. Calculate scholarships based on later university grades separately from the first-semester amount. Use the chosen department's tuition information rather than a university-wide average.

What does GEA university matching include?

GEA university matching includes a comparison report covering three universities and a one-hour online video consultation. The report compares majors, tuition and scholarships, accommodation and living information, application dates and documents. The consultation reviews the recommendations and your next steps, in Vietnamese or English.

To compare options, view GEA university matching and how to apply. The application journey guides you to the enquiry or application route for your circumstances.

If you are still organising your intake, major and budget, create a free study roadmap.

Prepared by GEA · Sources checked: 21 October 2026