South Korea is home to some of the best universities in the world. Its education system is characterized by public and private institutions both funded and supported collectively by the South Korean government.
The country spent 7.6% of its GDP on all levels of education and high academic performance in 2010 according to the ICEF Monitor.
South Korean Government Scholarship Scheme
The South Korean Government offers a yearly scholarship scheme for international students to study at its higher institutions.
This is known as the Global Korea Scholarship, which is a scholarship program founded by the Korean government and implemented by the National Institute for International Education.
The objective of the scholarship program is to provide international students with an opportunity to conduct advanced studies at higher educational institutions in Korea.
The aim of this is to promote international exchanges in education and mutual friendship between the countries.
Over 170 undergraduate and 700 postgraduate scholarships are to be awarded to students.
Selection of Applicants will be strictly based on necessary documentation such as;
- Transcript indicating that you possess above 80% (out of 100%) cumulative grade point average (C.G.P.A.), or must be within 20% (out of 100%) in the rank during your entire high school period. GPA must be between 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, 3.23/5.0 or higher.
- Letter of Motivation.
- Study plan.
- Certificates of language proficiency in Korean and English (Level 5 in TOPIK, IELTS).
- Letters of recommendation.
- Medical certification.
- Birth certificate
- International passport specifying citizenship.
- Necessary visa and travel supporting documents.
The Total Value of this Scholarship Benefit is worth:
- Airplane ticket or airfare: The grantees will receive an airplane ticket or be paid an economy class airfare on the shortest route between their country and Korea when they come to Korea, and, thereafter, when they leave Korea after the completion of their studies.
- Monthly Stipend: 800,000 won per month.
- Tuition: The tuition fee of up to 5 million won is exempted by the Korean Government, and if any, the tuition fees exceed 5 million won and the entrance fee for the first semester by the host university.
- Settlement Allowance: 200,000 won upon arrival.
- Repatriation Allowance: 100,000 won upon completion of studies.
- Korean Language Training Expenses: The full costs are up to 1 year (NIIED pays directly to the language training institution).
- Medical Insurance: The grantees will receive health insurance for major accidents and illnesses during their scholarship period.
- The grantee who has level 5 or higher in TOPIK will receive 100,000 won per month after being enrolled at a university in his/her higher degree.
Criteria for getting into High Ranking South Korean Colleges and Universities
- Good grades from previous educational institutions.
- Adequate financial support either by scholarships or financial aid or personal funding.
- Well-completed coursework.
- Proof of English and Korean language proficiency such as IELTS and TOPIK.
- Standardized official entrance test scores on SAT, GRE, or GMAT.
- A properly written statement of purpose.
- Reference letters.
- Honors and awards.
- Admission application fee.
Please note that the admission application process is via online account registration. The South Korean university’s admission timeline is March and September.
10 of the best schools in South Korea
- Seoul National University: This is a national research university located in Seoul, the capital of Korea. Its academic structure is divided into 16 colleges that offer 83 undergraduate degree programs. Master and doctoral programmes are grouped under one graduate school with 99 programs from five fields of study.
Programmes and courses link: https://en.snu.ac.kr/academics/programs/graduate
Admission link: https://en.snu.ac.kr/admission
Scholarship Link: https://en.snu.ac.kr/admission/undergraduate/scholarships/before_admission
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology: This is a public research university located in Daedeok Innopolis, Daejeon, South Korea. The university is organized into 6 colleges, 2 schools, and 33 departments.
Programmes and courses link: https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/html/edu/03.html
Admissions application link: https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/html/admission/0201.html
- Yonsei University: This is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea. It is one of Korea’s most prestigious in the country. Yonsei was established in 1885 and is the oldest university in South Korea.
Programmes and courses link: https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/en_sc/admission/dep.jsp
- Pohang University of Science and Technology: This is a private research university in Pohang, South Korea which is dedicated to research and education in science and technology.
Programmes and courses link: https://international.postech.ac.kr/inbound-programs/exchange-program/
- Korea University of Science and Technology: This is a group of public universities and research institutions in Seoul, Suwon, Changwon, Ansan, Seongnam and Daejeon, in South Korea. The university offers unique courses in technical business administration, economics, strategies, communication, writing, theories of research, planning, and management, venture start-ups, etc
Programs and courses link: https://www.ust.ac.kr/eng.do
- SungKyunKwan University: This is a private research university with campuses in Seoul and Suwon. The university is divided into 12 schools and 4 colleges that offer degrees at the bachelor’s level, and 12 graduate schools that offer various degrees at both the master’s and doctoral levels.
Programmes and courses links: https://www.skku.edu/eng/edu/graduateSchool/graduate_school.do,
https://www.skku.edu/eng/International/StudySKKU/CourseInformation.do
Admissions application link: https://admission-global.skku.edu/
- Hanyang University: This is a private research university situated in Seoul and Ansan in South Korea. The university consists of 23 colleges and 15 Graduate schools which include 1 regular Graduate School, 7 Professional Graduate Schools, and 13 Specialized Graduate Schools.
Programmes and courses link: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/global_s
Admissions application link: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/admissions-guide
Scholarship Link: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/web/eng/scholarships
- Ewha Woman University: This is a private women’s university in Seoul, South Korea.
Programmes and courses link: https://www.ewha.ac.kr/ewhaen/bachelor/exchange01.do
Admissions application link: https://www.ewha.ac.kr/ewhaen/admission/admission.do
- KyungHee University: This is a private, research university with campuses in Seoul, Suwon, and Gwangneung, South Korea. It has 24 colleges, 71 departments and majors, 65 master’s and 63 doctorate programs, 18 professional and special graduate schools, and 43 auxiliary research institutions.
Programmes and courses link: https://www.khu.ac.kr/eng/sub/tab.do?MENU_SEQ=1000709
Admissions application link: https://www.khu.ac.kr/eng/sub/tab.do?MENU_SEQ=1000680
- Kyung Pook National University: This is a national university located in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongbuk Province in South Korea.
Programmes and courses link: https://en.knu.ac.kr/campus/life03.htm
Admissions application link: https://en.knu.ac.kr/campus/life03.htm
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