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Korean language program
Sungkyunkwan University Sungkyun Language Institute (SLI)
Two campuses: central Seoul near the palaces, and a cheaper Suwon campus with a dorm. The clearest route of any program here into a degree: for students SKKU admits on a deferred basis, SLI level 4 counts instead of TOPIK 4.
Next intake for overseas applicants: Spring 2027
Spring 2027: Mar 8 – May 17, 2027. Applications Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 22, 2027 (earlier for Nepal, see below).
Last verified Oct 14, 2026
Quick facts
- Campuses
- Seoul (Jongno) and Suwon
- Term
- 10 weeks
- Morning
- 9:00–12:50
- Afternoon
- 14:00–17:50 (all level 1)
- Class size
- 10–15
- Levels
- 1–6
- Tuition
- Seoul KRW 1,780,000 / Suwon 1,550,000
- Application fee
- KRW 80,000
Fees: 2026 fees; Suwon KRW 1,550,000 from Spring 2027.
Terms and deadlines
| Term | Classes | Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 | Mar 8 – May 17, 2027 | Dec 7, 2026 – Jan 22, 2027. Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam: by about Dec 31, 2026 |
| Summer 2027 | Jun 7 – Aug 12, 2027 | Mar 15 – Apr 30, 2027 (those countries: Apr 9) |
| Fall 2027 | Sep 6 – Nov 22, 2027 | Jun 14 – Jul 30, 2027 (those countries: Jul 9) |
| Winter 2027 | Dec 6, 2027 – Feb 18, 2028 | Sep 8 – Oct 29, 2027 (those countries: Oct 8) |
SLI also asks students from Nepal and Myanmar to apply two weeks before their deadline so they can arrive on time. SLI's pages give Dec 31 and Jan 1 for the Spring 2027 early deadline; use the earlier date.
What you need to apply
Bank statement of at least KRW 10,000,000 held in the past 30 days.
Regular high school diploma, age 18 or older, not a Korean citizen or permanent resident.
Nationals of the Ministry of Justice's designated countries, including Nepal, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Mongolia and Nigeria, send parents' family, income and employment documents.
D-4 applicants register for at least 2 terms. An interview may be required.
Housing
No dorm for language students in Seoul; SLI refers students to a partner housing agency nearby. Suwon has a university dorm at KRW 1,200,000 per term (six-person units), not guaranteed.
Route to a degree
SKKU can give a deferred (preliminary) offer to applicants with excellent results whose Korean isn't ready. You then have two years to reach TOPIK 4 or complete SLI level 4, and reapply to the same admission unit. First-semester degree scholarships: 100% for SLI level 6 (overseas high school graduates), 50% for level 5, 25% for level 4 (top performers). See our SKKU guide.
Refunds
If your visa is refused, SLI refunds your tuition. Otherwise refunds fall from 87% in week 1 to nothing after day 40. Application and insurance fees aren't refunded.
Our view
What this really means
If your goal is an SKKU degree, this is the most direct path in Korea. Applicants from Nepal face one of the earliest deadlines among the Seoul programs, so start documents now for March.
Compare and prepare
How it works
Ten steps from choosing a program to your first class, and how long each takes.
Documents
What to prepare, how to certify it, and the extra papers for some countries.
Costs
Tuition, housing, the bank balance you need and what a first year really costs.
D-4 visa
Who qualifies, how to apply, part-time work, attendance and extensions.
Before you apply
The mistakes that cost students their visa or their money.
From language school to university
How a year of Korean leads into a degree, and which universities reward it.
Compare institutes
Nine university language institutes side by side, with 2027 dates and fees.
From Nepal
Consular confirmation, the NOC, and which institutes add extra rules.
From Uzbekistan
Apostille, the 3-month bank balance rule, and when you need a CCVI.
Sources and verification
Sungkyun Language Institute English pages (regular program, application, refund, lodging, undergraduate admission), sli.skku.edu, checked Oct 14, 2026. An older SLI page shows lower fees; we used the newer figures.
K-Admission is independent and not affiliated with any university or language institute. Rules change every term; always confirm in the institute's official guide before you apply.