Introduction
Hi everyone, it’s Edu Scholar, and I’m your host! I hope you’re all doing well, and everything is going great. Today, we’re going to see the cost of studying and living in South Korea for international students. So, let’s get to it!
Why South Korea?
South Korea is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international students. It’s known for innovation, prestigious universities, quality education, and an overall enjoyable study environment. The country’s blend of traditional landmarks and technologically advanced cities offers international students a diverse cultural experience.
The Importance of Understanding Costs
Most students studying abroad carry the burden of financing their studies, which is why it’s important that students understand the cost of living and studying in South Korea. So, let’s see what kind of expenses you can expect from this country.
Academic Costs
First, of course, we have academic costs like tuition fees, which vary according to the university and study level. Here are five of the most popular universities in South Korea for international students and their approximate tuition fees for each study level:
- Seoul National University: 5 million to 10 million W for Bachelors and 6 million to 12 million W for graduates.
- Yonsei University: 8 million to 16 million W for Bachelors and 10 million to 15 million W for graduates.
- Korea University: 9 million to 11 million W for Bachelors and 10 million to 16 million W for graduates.
- Dongguk University: 7 million to 9 million W for Bachelors and 10 million to 13 million W for graduates.
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST): Around 7 million W for Bachelors and 20 to 25 million W for graduates.
Additional Expenses
Other than tuition, we have expenses like application fees, healthcare, accommodation costs, transportation, and living expenses. Some of these are fixed, while others vary depending on your circumstances. For instance, as an international student, you will need to obtain private insurance coverage or enroll in the national health insurance. The cost will depend on your selected insurance plan. Accommodation costs also vary based on whether you choose an apartment or a dormitory.
Living Costs
When it comes to living expenses like accommodation, food, transportation, and such, there are many tools and websites you can use to get a somewhat accurate estimation. However, these estimations might not be tailored to a student’s life. It’s better to get information directly from universities for more accurate insights.
University-Specific Estimations
Here are a couple of cost estimations from popular universities:
- Seoul National University (SNU):
- Accommodation: 130,000 to 300,000 W (on-campus) or 400,000 to 800,000 W (off-campus).
- Local Transportation: 50,000 to 80,000 W.
- Telecommunication: 30,000 to 100,000 W.
- Books and Supplies: 150,000 W.
- Meals: 400,000 W.
- Other Expenses: 300,000 W.
- Total: 1 million to 2 million W ($700 to $1,400 per month).
- Korea University:
- Accommodation: 400,000 to 500,000 W (school dorm).
- Food: 110,000 to 150,000 W.
- Telecommunication: 30,000 to 110,000 W.
- Transportation: 70,000 to 110,000 W.
- School Supplies: 30,000 W.
- Recreation: 180,000 to 250,000 W.
- Total: 820,000 to 1,160,000 W ($570 to $810 per month).
Affordable Options Outside Seoul
If you’re looking for more affordable universities, consider schools outside of Seoul. For example:
- POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology): Expenses are around $350 per month.
- KAIST (Daejeon): Dormitory fees and meals cost less than $300 per month.
Final Thoughts
I highly advise you to research other universities for more estimations.
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