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Plan with real numbers
What studying in Korea really costs
Tuition is only part of it. Here's what a first year costs, the bank balance you need for the visa, and how students bring the total down.
The short answer
Language program
₩5–8M
Tuition for one year (4 terms) at a university Korean language institute. Seoul is at the top of the range.
Bachelor's tuition
₩5–13M
Per year. National universities and junior colleges cost least; top private universities in Seoul cost most.
Living costs
₩1–1.5M
Per month in Seoul for a modest life, including rent. Less in other cities.
Estimate your first year
K-Admission's estimate from published 2026–2027 fees and typical living costs. Not an official figure; your real costs depend on the university and your lifestyle.
Typical tuition by type of school
| Type | Tuition per semester | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Top private universities in Seoul | KRW 5–7 million | Highest fees and strongest competition |
| Mid-level private universities (Seoul and nearby) | KRW 3.3–4.5 million | The most common choice for international students |
| National universities | KRW 2.5–3 million | Lowest fees, but places can be competitive |
| Junior colleges (2–3 years) | KRW 3.2–3.6 million | Career-focused, some with work-visa pathways |
| University language institutes | KRW 1.2–2 million per 10-week term | Four terms a year; usually two paid up front for the visa |
Ranges from 2025–2027 official guidelines of the universities we track. Medicine, arts and some engineering majors cost more.
The bank balance: the number most students miss
To get a student visa you must show a bank balance in your or your parents' name. It isn't a fee and it stays your money, but it has to be real and stable, and some universities and embassies ask for it to have been held for several months.
Language program (D-4)
₩8–10M
Often stated as USD 10,000. Some universities lower it for their own language students.
Bachelor's degree (D-2)
₩16–20M
Most universities ask for about KRW 20 million; a few ask more. Some special programs waive it for students with TOPIK 3.
Part-time work helps with daily costs, but it can't replace the bank balance for the visa.
How students lower the cost
Learn Korean first
Many universities give 20–60% off the first semester for TOPIK 3–4, and up to 100% for TOPIK 5–6.
Study outside central Seoul
Rent and daily costs in Gyeonggi, Busan or Daejeon are noticeably lower, and many universities there have generous scholarships.
Use the same university's language institute
Some universities give extra scholarships or lower visa-balance rules to graduates of their own Korean program.
Work part-time
Students can usually work about 20–25 hours a week at university, and after 6 months on a language visa, with permission.
Keep reading
Universities by group
Top, mid-level, affordable and scholarship-friendly universities.
Language program to university
Why starting at the same university's language institute pays off.
College to a Korean work visa
Career-focused junior colleges and the new work-visa route.
Sources and verification
Tuition ranges from official 2025–2027 admission guidelines of the universities and language institutes K-Admission tracks (checked October 2026). Living costs and the calculator are K-Admission's own estimates, not official figures. USD shown at about KRW 1,380.
K-Admission is independent and not affiliated with any university. Always confirm fees in the university's official guideline.