Country guide
Quick answer
South Korea suits students who want a modern, technology-focused education and are ready to learn Korean. You can join a degree program on a D-2 student visa, or start with a Korean language program on a D-4 visa. Both are applied for at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu once you have your admission.
Key takeaways
- Degree programs usually start in spring (March) or fall (September), and language programs usually have several intakes a year
- Degree students apply for a D-2 visa. Korean language students apply for a D-4 visa
- Korean ability (TOPIK) matters for daily life, part-time work and jobs, even in English-taught programs
- Part-time work is allowed only with permission, and the hours usually depend on your program and Korean level
- Study visas (D-2 and D-4) are completely different from EPS-TOPIK work visas
Studying in South Korea: an overview
South Korea offers a high standard of education in a safe, modern and well-connected country. Its universities have close links with major Korean companies, and fields such as engineering, IT, business, design and hospitality are popular with international students.
Two ways to study in Korea
- Degree programs (D-2 visa): bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs at Korean universities. Some are taught in English, and many are taught in Korean.
- Korean language programs (D-4 visa): courses at a university's Korean language institute. Many Nepali students start here, build their Korean, and then apply for a degree.
Why Korean matters
Even if your degree is taught in English, you will use Korean every day: in shops, at the bank, in a part-time job and in most workplaces. Korean ability is measured by TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean). A good TOPIK level opens up more programs, more part-time work and better job options after graduation.
Who it suits
South Korea suits disciplined students who are excited to learn a new language and culture, and who want a career in technology, engineering, business or the creative industries. Plan your Korean study early, because it shapes almost every part of your journey.
Quick facts
- Intakes
- Spring (March) and fall (September). Language programs usually have several intakes a year
- Work while studying
- Part-time work only with permission from immigration. The hours allowed usually depend on your program, Korean level and grades. Check the latest rules with us.
- Post-study work
- Graduates can usually apply for a job-seeker visa (D-10) to look for work in Korea
- English requirement
- English-taught programs usually ask for IELTS or TOEFL. Korean-taught programs usually ask for TOPIK, often level 3 or higher.
- Average tuition
- Varies by university and program. Public and private universities can differ a lot. Ask us for a costing based on your shortlist.
- Living cost
- Depends on the city and your lifestyle. Seoul costs more than cities such as Busan, Daegu or Daejeon. We'll help you plan a realistic budget.
- Currency
- South Korean Won (KRW)
Why study in South Korea?
Strong in technology and engineering
Korea is home to global technology and engineering companies, and many universities work closely with industry.
Generous scholarships
The Global Korea Scholarship and university merit scholarships can reduce or even cover your study costs.
A clear language pathway
You can start with a Korean language program and move on to a degree once your Korean is strong enough.
Safe, modern cities
Excellent public transport, fast internet and low crime make everyday student life easy.
Career options after study
Graduates with good Korean can look for jobs in Korea, and Korean language skills are an advantage with Korean companies around the world.
- Main intakes
- Mar & Sep
- Degree visa
- D-2
- Language visa
- D-4
- Korean test
- TOPIK
Ready to plan your South Korea journey?
Popular courses
| Field | Levels | Career outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD | Mechanical, electrical, civil or materials engineer |
| Computer Science & IT | Bachelor's, Master's | Software developer, data analyst, AI and electronics roles |
| Business & Management | Bachelor's, Master's (incl. MBA) | Marketing, trade and management roles |
| Korean Language | Language program, Bachelor's | Translator, interpreter, roles with Korean companies |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Bachelor's | Hotel, tourism and airline services |
| Design | Bachelor's, Master's | Graphic, product, fashion or digital designer |
Cost of studying in South Korea
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Tuition: degree programs (per year) | Varies by university and program. Ask us for a costing based on your shortlist. |
| Korean language program (per term) | Depends on the language institute. We'll compare options for you. |
| Living costs (per year) | Depends on the city and your lifestyle. We'll help you plan a realistic budget. |
| Student visa application fee | Set by the Korean government. We'll confirm the current fee when you apply. |
| Health insurance | International students usually join Korea's National Health Insurance. We'll explain the current rules. |
Figures are indicative and change with fees, exchange rates and policy. Your counsellor will confirm current costs for your course.
Eligibility by background
| Your background | Options | Academic minimum | English score |
|---|---|---|---|
| After +2 (NEB) / A-Levels | Korean language program then a bachelor's, or a bachelor's taught in English or Korean | Completed +2 with good results. Each university sets its own minimum. | English-taught: usually IELTS or TOEFL. Korean-taught: usually TOPIK 3 or higher. Language programs usually accept beginners |
| After bachelor's | Master's or PhD in English or Korean, or a Korean language program first | A recognised bachelor's degree. Minimum grades vary by university and program. | Usually IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programs, or TOPIK for Korean-taught programs |
Requirements
Academic
- Completed +2 for undergraduate study, or a recognised bachelor's for postgraduate study
- Academic documents usually need to be verified for use in Korea. We'll guide you through the current process
- Study gaps should be explained with supporting documents
English
- English-taught programs usually ask for IELTS or TOEFL
- Korean-taught programs usually ask for TOPIK, often level 3 or higher
- Korean language programs usually accept beginners, and many students take TOPIK while they study
Financial
- Proof that you can pay tuition and living costs for the period required by the visa
- Funds or loans from acceptable sources, with a clear paper trail
- Sponsor's legitimate income sources documented (tax clearance, salary, business registration)
- A bank balance certificate covering tuition and living costs, as required by your university and the embassy
Documents checklist
- Valid passport
- SEE, +2 and (if applicable) bachelor's transcripts, certificates and character certificates
- English or Korean test results (IELTS, TOEFL or TOPIK), if your program asks for them
- Certificate of admission from your Korean university or language institute
- Statement of purpose or study plan
- Bank balance certificate and sponsor's income documents
- Relationship verification certificate (if sponsored by family)
- Visa application form and recent passport-size photographs
- Work experience letters and gap explanation (if applicable)
Application & visa process
- 1
Free counselling
Decide between a degree program and a Korean language program, based on your goals and Korean level.
- 2
Choose a university or language institute
Shortlist universities or language institutes and check their intakes and requirements.
- 3
Prepare and verify documents
Collect your academic, financial and identity documents. Academic documents usually need to be verified for use in Korea.
- 4
Apply and receive admission
Submit your application. Once accepted, pay the tuition and receive your certificate of admission.
- 5
Obtain your NOC
Obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Education in Nepal so you can transfer funds.
- 6
Apply for the D-2 or D-4 visa
Apply at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu with your admission and financial documents. An interview may be part of the process.
- 7
Pre-departure
Plan housing, travel and insurance. After you arrive, register for your residence card (Alien Registration Card) within the required time.
Scholarships in South Korea
South Korea is known for generous scholarships for international students.
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): a Korean government scholarship that can cover tuition, living costs, flights and a year of Korean language study. Nepal usually has a small number of places each year through the embassy track, and more places are offered through the university track. It is very competitive, and the deadlines are strict.
- University merit scholarships: many universities reduce tuition for strong applicants, and some reward a high TOPIK level or good grades each semester.
We help you check the current GKS notice, prepare a strong application and find the university scholarships that match your profile.
FAQs about studying in South Korea
No. D-2 and D-4 are student visas for studying at a Korean university or language institute. EPS-TOPIK is a separate government program for workers (the E-9 work visa), with its own test and selection process. Studying in Korea does not give you an EPS job, and passing EPS-TOPIK does not give you a place at a university. We help with study visas only.
Yes, through English-taught degree programs or by starting with a Korean language program. Even so, Korean is important for daily life, part-time work and jobs, so plan to learn it from the start.
If your Korean is basic, a language program (D-4 visa) is a good first step. Many students move on to a degree (D-2 visa) after reaching the TOPIK level their university asks for. We'll help you plan the route that fits your goal.
Yes, but only with permission from immigration. The hours you can work usually depend on your program, your Korean level (TOPIK) and your grades, and language students usually need to study for a while before they can apply. Check the latest rules with us before you take any job.
TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) is the official Korean language test, with levels from 1 to 6. Universities use it for admission to Korean-taught programs, and a higher level helps with part-time work and jobs.
Graduates can usually apply for a job-seeker visa (D-10) to look for work in Korea. Good Korean and relevant experience make a big difference. The rules change from time to time, so check the latest with us.