South Korea’s hyper-modern cities and reputation for technological innovation make it an ideal place to undertake research. Education is highly valued in South Korea and thousands of international students from around the world flock to the country’s renowned universities each year, making it a good option to pursue a PhD in South Korea.
On this page you will find everything you need to know about PhD studies in South Korea, from funding opportunities and the application process to student visas and the South Korean university system.
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PhD Opportunities in South Korea: What’s on Offer for 2024?
Chances are you’re viewing this article on a display device designed and developed in South Korea. Korean expertise and ingenuity may also be responsible for your stereo, your mobile phone, or even your car. And the universities that have helped fuel South Korea’s burgeoning scientific and technological success offer some compelling reasons to pursue a PhD in South Korea.
The same period that has seen the global successes of Samsung, LG, Hyundai and Kia has also seen South Korean higher education climb the global rankings. South Korea is home to some of the top-ranked universities in Asia – and the world. In addition, the city of Seoul has been named one of the best university cities by Times Higher Education.
As the country’s government views international student recruitment as a key strategy to further develop its higher education system, now is a good time to consider studying for a PhD in South Korea.
- Generous Government Scholarships for International Students – Tuition fees, living expenses, flights, and more are covered by the prestigious Global Korea Scholarships.
- World-class universities – several South Korean universities are ranked among the top 100 in the world.
- Technological innovation – South Korea’s reputation for innovation is well-deserved and the country enjoys some of the fastest internet speeds in the world.
- Vibrant cities with ancient traditions – Cities like Seoul, Busan and Incheon combine cutting-edge culture with stunning heritage sites.
South Korean universities
Not surprisingly, given its status as a world leader in the production of high-tech industrial and consumer products, many of South Korea’s universities specialize in scientific and technological fields. However, other subjects are also popular, such as major arts, humanities, social sciences, and medical disciplines. South Korea is also interested in developing research into its own local and regional culture and history, and has some specific funding for this work.
South Korean higher education follows a three-tier system, similar to that used in the Bologna Process. Bachelor’s degrees are followed by master’s and doctoral degrees, but it should be noted that the duration of study at each stage is comparatively long.
A PhD at a South Korean university typically lasts a minimum of two or three years, but depending on your previous graduate experience in your field, you may require a longer enrollment period to complete the necessary coursework and examination elements before writing a thesis.
The accreditation of South Korean universities continues to develop in step with the rapid expansion of its higher education sector. Today, the Korean Council for University Education operates as a private organization that evaluates and accredits the performance of a large number of member institutions, including most of the country’s leading universities.
National universities
South Korea’s higher education institutions are divided into several categories, and in turn, into private and public (or “national”) institutions. This variety may seem confusing at first, but don’t worry: from your point of view as a future PhD student, these universities will be distinguished primarily by their specialties and by what they offer in the desired field. Both private and public institutions can award PhDs and are well represented in national and international rankings.
Listed below are some of the top-ranked South Korean institutions internationally, all of which offer various PhD programs:
- Seoul National University (public) – South Korea’s top-ranked university is located in its capital: the high-tech megacity of Seoul.
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (public) – KAIST is one of South Korea’s leading scientific and engineering research universities, located in the central city of Daejon.
- Pohang University of Science and Technology (private) – Located on the east coast of the country, Pohang (or POSTECH) specializes in scientific and technological research, with a large number of professional graduate schools.
- Yonsei University (private) – Yonsei is one of Korea’s oldest universities and one of its most prestigious private institutions. It is located in Seoul.
- Korea University (private) – Another of South Korea’s oldest institutions, Korea University is also located in Seoul, where it specializes in a large number of research disciplines and offers several graduate divisions.
International universities
In recent years, Korea’s national universities have been joined by a growing number of international campuses established by foreign institutions.
Many of them are housed at the Incheon Global Campus, which includes branches of:
- The State University of New York (SUNY)
- George Mason University
- Ghent University
- The University of Utah
Graduate Schools
South Korea also offers a number of graduate schools, some of which are affiliated with larger universities, while others are independent institutions, specializing in specific disciplines at the advanced level.
Some graduate schools are practice-based, focusing on master’s-level training, and others are geared toward doctoral research. The choice between a specialized graduate school and a larger university will likely depend on the specific resources and expertise available in your area of expertise.
Ranking of South Korean universities
In recent years, South Korean universities have become increasingly successful in global (as well as regional Asian) university rankings.
PhD structure in South Korea
The Korean academic year is divided into two semesters, with breaks from July to August and from December to February. This long winter break can be especially attractive if you want to travel home and visit family during the seasonal holidays, or simply get to know South Korea better.
PhD content and examination
PhD studies in South Korea typically consist of three phases:
- Depending on your Master’s degree, you will be required to complete research training and taught courses worth 36 credits (approximately equivalent to 72 ECTS credits used in the Bologna System).
- You may then have to pass a written exam (sometimes called a “comprehensive exam”).
- Finally, you will complete a thesis under the supervision of one or more designated supervisors.
Once submitted, your thesis will be assessed by at least five examiners. An oral defence of the work may not be required, provided the judgement of these examiners is approved, but you should contact your prospective institution for specific information about the course requirements and examination procedures of their PhD programmes.
Rates and financing
University fees for studying for a PhD in South Korea can be relatively expensive, but the government and individual universities offer a number of scholarships and other funding options to attract students from abroad. Additionally, unlike many other options for studying abroad, South Korea does not impose additional tuition fees on international students.
Rates
Tuition fees vary between universities and between private and domestic institutions. Courses in subjects such as engineering and medicine tend to be the most expensive (and take the longest to complete), while courses in humanities disciplines tend to have lower fees. In general, graduate programs at South Korean universities can cost between $1,550 and $12,230 per semester.
When looking at fees and costs, it is worth bearing in mind that they are usually quoted per semester – the cost for a full academic year will be double these amounts.
Other costs
Depending on the institution you attend, you may be required to pay an application fee of between $20-$200.
Language courses typically cost around $800 for a three-week intensive course and $1,400 for a ten-week program.
National Health Insurance (NHI) is required as a condition of residency and will cost you around $20 per month. For information on the cost of accommodation and other general living expenses for PhD students in South Korea, please see our guide to living in South Korea as a PhD student.
Scholarships and funding
Many universities offer a full or partial fee waiver (usually between 30% and 100% of the tuition fee) to suitably qualified international students. As you might expect, these are usually awarded on a competitive basis, so it’s worth checking with your institution to see what kind of support is available to you and what the application process is.
In addition to the scholarships available at each university, there are general schemes established by the South Korean government in order to encourage and support foreign students. These include:
- Global Korea Scholarship – Flights, tuition fees, medical insurance, language classes and living expenses are all covered by this prestigious funding program.
- Self-Supporting Student Support Program – Provides $385 per month for living expenses for students who support themselves during their stay in Korea.
Information about these and other scholarship programs is available on the Korean Government’s StudyinKorea website.
How to apply for a PhD in South Korea
Graduate courses at South Korean universities can begin in any of the spring and fall semesters that make up the South Korean academic year:
- To access a course that starts in March, you must apply between September and November.
- To access a course starting in September, the application period runs from May to June.
Applications can be made directly at the chosen university, but the Korean government also offers an online service for foreign students who register on its StudyinKorea website.
Ratings
The qualification requirements for admission to a PhD programme in South Korea vary between institutions. Typically, you will need a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, but a good bachelor’s degree may be sufficient.
Other admission requirements
The South Korean government stipulates some basic admission standards for all universities, but individual institutions are free to develop their own specific requirements. As a general rule, you will need to submit the following:
- A completed copy of your institution’s application form.
- A personal introduction and a summary of your study plan.
- A letter of recommendation, usually provided by a faculty member at the institution where the bachelor’s or master’s degree was earned.
- Documentation of your academic record at the university (if you have not yet graduated from a bachelor’s or master’s program, you may submit a letter confirming your expected graduation).
- Proof of your nationality (a photocopy of your passport is usually sufficient).
- Proof of proficiency in English and/or Korean (if required by the course).
You will need to prove that you have sufficient financial means to cover the cost of your course and your living expenses while studying for your PhD in South Korea, and you may be asked to sign a personal commitment to this effect. You may also need to prove that you or your financial sponsor have sufficient funds to support you – the Korean Government requires evidence of a bank balance of USD 10,000.
Practical courses (such as those in creative arts or physical education disciplines) may also require a portfolio or other proof of your competence.
Language requirements
More than one-third of classes at South Korean universities are taught in English (this proportion is higher in graduate schools). If your course requires some knowledge of Korean, you may be asked to sit the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). The normal requirement in these cases is a score of level 3 or higher.
South Korea itself has a strong Anglophone tradition and English is a requirement of its education system from an early stage. This means that many of the Koreans you will meet during your PhD will already be able to speak English, but there will also be opportunities for you to return the favour.
Whether out of curiosity or because of the demands of your course, you should be able to sign up for Korean classes through your university. These are usually offered in two formats: three-week intensive courses and more relaxed ten-week programs.
Student visas
If you want to study for a PhD in South Korea, you will need to go to the Korean embassy or consulate in your home country to apply for a student visa.
As an international PhD student, you will need to apply for a regular educational program visa (D-2). During your application, you will need the following documents:
- A valid passport
- A completed visa application form (provided by the local Korean embassy or consulate)
- A passport-sized photo
- A letter of admission from the university you want to attend
- Certified copies of your academic record
- Proof that you have financial resources of at least USD 10,000
There is also an application fee of USD 60 for single-entry visas and USD 90 for multiple-entry visas.
Residence permit
Once you have arrived in South Korea, you must register at the local immigration office within 90 days to apply for an Alien Registration Certificate. The fee is US$9. You will receive an Alien Registration Card that you must carry with you at all times during your stay in South Korea.
Next steps
A PhD from a South Korean university will especially qualify you for those technical and engineering fields where South Korean expertise and innovation are world-renowned.
Can I work in South Korea after my PhD?
If your goal is to pursue a career in South Korea after graduation, your South Korean PhD will be especially valuable. A large number of foreign scholars already work in the South Korean higher education system and there are indications that a domestic PhD may be advantageous for promotion and advancement within its universities.
You will first need to change your D-2 student visa to a D-10 job-seeking visa. Once you have found a job, you can begin the process of acquiring a professional visa in South Korea.
