It is quite a fascinating experience to study in South Korea. Lots of international students have always desired to study there, especially those who enjoy Korean drama. K-drama must have been a deciding element in young people’s desire to visit to Korea to experience its culture and thrills, especially students. Famous Korean TV programs have exposed their standards and culture, which attracts foreign students to Korean life and colleges. Being able to live and study in such a stunning and lively nation as Korea is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
Korea has developed into a dominant force in digital technology despite political upheaval. The nation has made significant advancements in both medical technology and medical tourism. We shall examine the top universities in Korea for international students in this article.
Why should you study In Korea?
It Is a Hub of Innovation.
South Korea, which has the fourth-largest economy in Asia behind China, Japan, and India, is described by Lonely Planet as having a “indefatigable, can-do mentality.” As a result, it’s not difficult to comprehend why it has emerged as a leader in innovation on a global scale. The meteoric rise it has experienced over the last 50 years is even more astonishing. The nation routinely places high in rankings for innovation, taking second place on Bloomberg’s 2020 Innovation Index and ranking eleventh on the 2019 Global Innovation Index, respectively.
Expert in innovation and entrepreneurship Tim Mazzarol claims that the top-down innovation system in South Korea, which is characterised by “close collaboration between government, industry, and the academic community in the process of nation building,” is the source of the country’s research and development strength.
Although some of South Korea’s most well-known companies include Samsung, Coupang (known as the “Amazon of South Korea“), KPMG, and Hyundai, there are many more, including relative newbies like Woowa Brothers.
Korea Has Open Arms For International Students.
More governments are working to draw international students as they continue to recognise the enormous value of international interchange in everything from dollars to diversity of thought. One of them is the government of South Korea. International student enrolments hit a record high last autumn, showing a 13% year-over-year growth and a 30% jump from two years prior, propelled by the government’s 2015 aim to bring 200,000 international students to Korea by 2023. This expansion strengthened a pattern of ongoing growth that had begun in the school year 2014–2015.
The availability of scholarship opportunities for international students is a major selling element in addition to the comparably inexpensive tuition and living expenses. More than 6,550 scholarships have been awarded by the Korean government to students abroad since 1969, coming from approximately 150 different nations. Each year, about 2,000 students are supported by government scholarships. Additionally, a lot of colleges and institutions provide their own funding options for international students.
High Standard of Living
The fourth-largest economy in Asia and one of the top financial centres in the world is South Korea. It has experienced tremendous economic growth and mostly escaped unharmed throughout the recession, making it a viable location for living, working, and attending school.
South Korea performs better than average across a range of indicators on the OECD’s Better Life Index, including housing, civic involvement, education and skills, jobs and incomes, and personal security.
It’s also important to note that international students in South Korea express a high level of life satisfaction. Students who were asked what elements contributed to their satisfaction mentioned safe and pleasant lodging and transportation, a variety of cultural events, and the chance to interact with individuals from varied backgrounds as important reasons. Making the list as well? Fantastic weather, top-notch teaching, delicious cuisine, and beautiful scenery. The great standard of life the students enjoyed while in South Korea also thrilled the students.
South Korea is considered to be the safest country in Asia, and street crime such as muggings are rare, especially among foreigners. It is one of the most dynamic and modern nations, and studying there will expose you to world-class instruction and fresh experiences. Many international students in South Korea are particularly pleased with the country’s excellent healthcare, technology, transportation, and entertainment options. South Korea can be a wonderful option if you’re seeking for an excellent education in one of the most fascinating countries for the money.
Best Universities In South Korea For International Students
University education in South Korea is well-recognised. Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University also known as (SKY) are the three biggest and best universities in South Korea. All of the universities have outstanding reputations and good postgraduate employment rates. This post will discuss the “SKY”; best universities in South Korea and other universities in South Korea you can consider if you want to get the best of the best universities in South Korea.
Seoul National University
One of the best universities in south Korea for international students is Seoul National University, which has been leading academic achievement in the nation since 1946. It is a member of the exclusive SKY universities, a trio of the best institutions in Korea. It contains sixteen colleges that offer a variety of programs in fields like engineering, medicine, and humanities. Its professional graduate schools offer training in subjects including public administration and data science. Every year, there are more courses taught in English, numbering over 700. Additionally, SNU is renowned for its innovative research, particularly in the fields of engineering and natural sciences.
Leading the way in fostering democracy and peace on the Korean peninsula has been SNU. This mission encompasses cultivating global talent and worldwide relationships. Tours of SNU’s stunning, contemporary campus are available.
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
KAIST, also referred to as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, is a public university that was established in 1971. It is one the best universities in South Korea and also among the SKY universities. More than 90% of students attend classes at the university’s main campus in Daejeon, South Korea, which focuses on science and technology. Around 85 miles separate Daejeon from Seoul, the nation’s capital. Most of the time, domestic and overseas students pay the same tuition rates. For KAIST students, there are a variety of government- or institution-sponsored scholarships available, some of which fully cover tuition and fees. Along with a few apartment buildings for married students, the university runs more than 20 dorms for students.
Natural scientific, living science, and bioengineering colleges, as well as engineering, business, liberal arts, and convergence science colleges, are all available at KAIST. Although certain courses are given in Korean, the university’s academic calendar is semester-based and English is used as the primary language of teaching. The KAIST Institute, which consists of five research institutes – KI for BioCentury, KI for Information Technology Convergence, KI for Robotics, KI for NanoCentury, and KI for Health Science and Technology – as well as two centres, is one of the university’s research facilities.
At the KAIST Institute, 350 students and researchers work alongside 220 academic members to conduct interdisciplinary research. Through the university’s Undergraduate Research Participation Program, which also offers financial aid to participants, undergraduates can receive credit for taking part in research activities. Every year, 200 or more students take part in the URP program.
Yonsei University
Yonsei University has been associated with international education and exchange in Asia since its inception in 1885. It is one of the best universities in South Korea. The SKY universities in South Korea are three and they are KAIST, Seoul National University and Yonsei university. These universities are collectively called the sky universities and they are regarded as the best universities in South Korea. With more than 660 partner institutions in 70 countries, Yonsei University has the highest international student population among Korean universities, with more than 4,500 foreign students in 2017. In the QS World Institution Rankings, it has consistently held the title of top private university in Korea.
Kyung Hee University
Kyung Hee is also one of the best universities in south Korea. It is a member of a system that offers instruction from pre-kindergarten through graduate courses. The College of Medicine at KHU is renowned in traditional Asian medicine as well as other medical specialties. The Department of Physical Education at KHU is the top university in Korea for Taekwondo, coaching, sports medicine, and physical education. The university’s top program is in hospitality and leisure management.
There are many international partnerships for Kyung Hee University. The United Nations Academic Impact initiative on human rights and conflict resolution is one example among many. KHU collaborates with more than 400 sister universities throughout the world.
Hanyang University
Hanyang University is one of the best universities in South Korea especially for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). It began as an engineering school in 1939 and has a reputation for organising the campaign for independence in Korea. HYU currently provides graduate and undergraduate degrees in a variety of subject areas. Numerous university ratings place its engineering programs among the best in all of Korea.
It has a number of STEM research successes and works together with government agencies on a variety of projects. Globally, HYU partners with more than 700 universities. It accepts 3000 foreigners and helps Korean students who desire to participate in exchange programs.
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Pohang University of Science and Technology was established by the Korean steel corporation POSCO. POSTECH is a new private research institution that consistently receives high rankings as one of the best universities in South Korea and it enjoys a lot of respect in the scientific and technological communities. As a result, the students obtain the best education possible to pursue careers in engineering and science. As a result, a lot of international students apply for its master’s and doctoral programs. To encourage innovation, POSTECH keeps positive working connections with both domestic and foreign institutions. Additionally, POSTECH and KAIST co-host the annual Science War, a forum for academic discussion among students.
Dong-A University (DAU)
Dong-A University, a non-profit private school of higher learning situated in a suburban area of the city, was founded in 1946. DAU is a sizeable coeducational South Korean higher education institution that has received official recognition from the Ministry of Education of Korea. It offers classes and programs that lead to higher education degrees like bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in a variety of fields of study. It is also just one of two private universities in Busan that have both a law school and a medical school. The fact that it is situated in Korea’s most well-liked vacation spot makes it the ideal option for international students.
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS)
In 1954, the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies was founded. From a historical perspective, HUFS had a big influence on Korea’s recovery from the Korean War. It was one of the most significant institutions in preparing students to work as CEOs and diplomats, shaping the modern South Korea. Today, the university places a strong emphasis on globalisation and draws an increasing number of international students. As a result, there are many different English courses from which students can select. Additionally, they will receive care from the worldwide office. For cultural interaction, HUFS, for instance, conducts tandem programs for internationals and Koreans.
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
One of the four organisations focused on science and technology research is UNIST. It was established in 2007 to meet the expanding need for higher education in Ulsan, the nation’s industrial hub. Despite being relatively new, UNIST is regarded as one of the best universities in South Korea. It was listed in the 201-250 range of the World University Rankings ten years after it first opened. It currently holds the 20th-best ranking among young universities worldwide. The institution offers undergraduate programs in several engineering disciplines, as well as in business administration, life sciences, and natural sciences. Additionally, it has graduate programs in interdisciplinary management, technology & innovation management, and creative design engineering.
Sungkyunkwan College (SKKU)
Private university SKKU dates its beginnings to 1398. It was the greatest academic institution of the Joseon Dynasty and provided instruction in Chinese and Confucian classics. It is known as one of the top universities in the region and is the oldest university in East Asia. Campuses for SKKU are located in Suwon and central Seoul (Humanities & Social Science) (Natural Sciences).
SKKU provides unique programs like the International Summer Semester and Winter International Student Experience due to the large number of international students it enrols. Additionally, it provides a Global MBA, the first MBA program in the country to be taught entirely in English. Sungkyunkwan University has been listed as one of the best Korean universities for international students because of the large number of foreign students who attend this institution.
The International Summer Semester and the Winter International Student Experience are only two of the various programs available at SKKU to assist international students. It also provides a Global MBA, the first MBA program taught in English in the country. Due to the large number of foreign students that attend Sungkyunkwan University, we have listed it as one of the finest universities in Korea for foreign students.
Frequently Asked Questions
In South Korea, what are SKY Universities?
The three most esteemed universities in South Korea, Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University, are collectively referred to as SKY. Both the media and the colleges themselves frequently use the phrase in South Korea. Admission to one of the SKY colleges is frequently seen as a predictor of the best career and social position in South Korea. One of the SKY universities has produced a large number of the most important policymakers (bureaucrats), lawyers, doctors, engineers, journalists, academics, and politicians in South Korea.
South Korea Has How Many Public Universities?
There are over 180 private universities and 43 national universities together. Typically, undergraduate programs endure four years (six years for medicine and dentistry). There were 83,842 international students studying in South Korea in 2010 from 171 different countries.