10 Cheap Universities in Korea for International Students

Even as South Korea is known for a lot of things, many people these will agree that K-Pop or Korean Pop Culture has caught the attention of people around the world. Aside from this sensation, Korea is also famous for its rich history and year-round festivals. Moreover, Korea has always been on the bucket list of many foodies around the world.

The rich history and culture of the Land of the Morning Calm have attracted people to visit this Asian country. But South Korea also has a notable education system that is ranked among the best in the world. Due to this, it has become a destination for international students looking for something new. In this article, we will be looking at the cheapest universities in Korea for international students.

Cost of Studying in Korea

International students looking to study in Korea will find out that the cost of education in this Asian country is not as expensive as countries in the west. In fact, the tuition of Korean universities starts at around 2,442,000 KRW or $2,100 USD per semester depending on the course and university.

When it comes to accommodations, students can expect to spend around 320,000 KRW ($300 USD) to 1,500,000 KRW ($1,300 USD) per semester if they live in a dormitory. If they opt to live in a private boarding house, they can spend up to 530,000 KRW or $500 USD per month.

South Korea is not as expensive as Western countries when it comes to general living costs. The cost of food can range from 320,000 KRW ($300 USD) to 650,000 KRW ($600 USD) per month. This depends on the city and where the student chooses to eat every day.

Are Universities Free in Korea?

While universities in Korea are not free, scholarships are available for students who qualify for them. In any case, tuition in Korean universities is cheaper compared to their Western counterparts.

What are the languages of instruction for universities in Korea?

The Korean language is normally used as the language of instruction in higher learning institutions, such as universities. But there are instances when some programs are taught in English.

Cheapest Universities in Korea for International Students

1. Seoul National University

Seoul National University is the most prestigious national university in South Korea. Established in 1946, it is the first comprehensive university in the country and had nine colleges and one graduate school when it opened. The university established itself as the flagship university of Korea as it continued to expand its program offerings following the Korean War. With the tuition fee starting from $2,100 USD and $2,900 USD for undergraduate and graduate students respectively, Seoul National University is one of the cheapest university in Korea for international students.

Today, the university has 15 colleges offering a wide array of programs for local and international students. These programs include Architecture, Aerospace Engineering, Design, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Consumer Science, and Nursing.

The university has four campuses, namely the Gwanak Campus, Yeongeon Campus, Pyeongchang Campus, and Siheung Campus. Each campus caters to the different academic and research needs of the university and the students.

2. Korea National University of Arts

Popularly known as K-ARTS or ‘KNUA, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Korea conceptualized the Korea National University of Arts in 1990 when it announced the creation of a national art school. The school itself was established in 1993 but was officially confirmed in 1992, which was officially the foundation of the university.

The university has six academic schools, namely the School of Drama, School of Music, School of Visual Arts, School of Korean Traditional Arts, School of Film, TV, & Multimedia, and School of Drama. The different departments under each school are tasked in providing the necessary education for each student to obtain a degree at the end of the program.

The university has a dormitory that does not only serve as the accommodations of the students it also gives them all the necessary conveniences to make their stay productive and enjoyable. The health and welfare of the students are also taken care of through the School Health & Physical Therapy Services of the university.

3. Yonsei University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 3,537,000 KRW ($3,100 USD) to 6,052,000 KRW ($5,300 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • 4,854,000 KRW ($4,200 USD) to 7,793,000 KRW ($6,800 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

Yonsei University was originally established as the first modern hospital in Korea in 1885. It was initially named Gwanghyewon before it was called Chejungwon by King Kojong two weeks after it opened. In 1899, the first medical school was opened. The school later became the foundation of what is now known as Yonsei University. It was the result of the merge of Yonhi College with the Severance Union Medical College in 1957.

The university offers a wide array of programs for local and international students. These programs include History, Psychology, Comparative Literature, Economics, Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Theology, Social Welfare, and Education. It should be noted that Yonsei University is one of the cheap universities in Korea.

The university has three campuses catering to the different needs of the students. These campuses are the Main Campus-Sinchon, International Campus-Songdo, and the Mirae Campus. The different facilities found in each campus include IT facilities, health and wellness facilities, and stores and other services.

4. Seoul National University of Science and Technology

Popularly called SeoulTech, the Seoul National University of Science and Technology was established in 1906 as the Royal Engineering Research Center. It was later reorganized into the Gyungsung Public Vocational School and Gyunggi Public Technical School before being renamed into Gyunggi Technical High Special School and Gyunggi Technical High Special School. By 1974, the institution became the Gyunggi Technical College. It later received its current name in 2010.

The university offers several undergraduate and graduate courses through its six colleges. The six colleges of the university are the College of Business and Technology, College of Art & Design, College of Information and Communication Engineering, College of Engineering, College of Energy and Biotechnology, and College of Humanities & Social Sciences.

The university boasts of a park-like ambiance where nature and technology coexist. Students can look forward to a relaxing environment surrounded by trees, lawns, ponds, and a lot of greenery. Moreover, the university promotes the health and wellness of the students through the different facilities available on the campus.

5. Handong Global University

The Handong Global University, next on our list of cheapest universities in Korea, was officially established by the Ministry of Education in 1994. The university initially had ten departments, which eventually grew as years went by. Aside from increasing the number of programs it offered, the university also worked on several programs with the government of Korea.

The university currently offers a broad range of programs under its different academic schools These schools include the School of Law, School of Life Science, School of Communication Arts, School of Contents Convergence Design, and the Global Leadership School.

The university has several facilities that meet the different needs of its students. These facilities include the Student Union Cafeteria, the Handong Lounge, the Library Convenience Store, an image station, an art shop, and sports facilities.

6. Pusan National University

Also known as Busan National University, Pusan National University was initially established in 1946 as a two-year college. By 1953, it changed its status into a regular university offering four-year programs. It is the second-best among the ten South Korean national universities. The university is widely known for its engineering department, particularly its mechanical engineering program.

The university currently offers a host of programs through its 13 colleges. These programs include Archeology, Language and Information, Psychology, Oceanography, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Special Education, Art Culture and Image, Nanoenergy Engineering, Business Administration, and Economics.

Even as the students focus on their academics, they also have the opportunity to explore the city of Busan. It is the second-biggest city in Korea and is located at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. The city is famous for the Haeundae Beach, the Nurimaru APEC House, the Gamcheon Culture Village, and the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

7. Sogang University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 4,830,000 KRW ($4,200 USD) to 5,442,000 KRW ($4,700 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

Sogang University started as an initiative of the Korean Catholic Hierarchy, which planned to create a higher learning institution in 1948. This initiative later resulted in the establishment of the Sogang College in 1960. It gradually grew until the Ministry of Education granted the college its university status in 1970. The university celebrated its 50th anniversary with the creation of the Institute for Biological Interfaces and the Multi-Phenomena CFD Engineering Research center.

The undergraduate program of this cheap university in Korea consists of nine schools and 27 departments. On the other hand, the graduate program has one graduate school, five special graduate schools, and six professional graduate schools.

Sogang University is committed to creative convergence in its pursuit of new knowledge and perspectives. Being a Jesuit school, it aims to provide education following the Jesuit philosophy while conforming to Korean traditions.

8. Kangwon National University

When the Kangwon National University was established in 1947, it was initially an agricultural college called the Kangwon Provincial Chuncheon Agricultural College. By 1951, the name was changed to Chuncheon Agricultural College before becoming the Kangwon College in 1970. In 1978, it became a university and was given its present name.

This cheap university in Korea currently has 19 colleges on two campuses offering a wide variety of programs. The programs offered by the university include Chemical Engineering, Architecture, Business Administration, Horticulture, Sociology, Pharmacy, and Design, among others.

The two campuses of the university offer all the facilities students need to focus on their academics. These facilities include a medical and health center, sports facilities, a library, a student counseling center, lounges, and convenience shops.

9. Kyungpook National University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 1,981,000 KRW ($1,700 USD) to 2,670,000 KRW ($2,300 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • 2,511,000 KRW ($2,200 USD) to 4,622,000 KRW ($4,000 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

Established in 1946, the Kyungpook National University came after the upgrading of the Colleges of Education, Medicine, and Agriculture in Daegu into a National University. The university was formed after the Colleges of Agriculture, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Law, Medicine, and Political Sciences were merged in 1951. In 2008, the Sangju National University was merged with the university as well.

The university currently has 17 colleges offering a broad array of undergraduate programs through its 68 departments and 26 schools. It also offers over 200 masters and doctorate programs to local and international students. Moreover, the university also has one professional graduate program along with ten specialized graduate programs.

The university has two campuses providing all the necessary support the students need while studying. Aside from suitable dorm facilities, the university also offers vocational field training, student counseling services, and welfare facilities. To make their free time productive, the students can also join volunteer programs to assist the elderly and disabled, among others.

10. Chungnam National University

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • 1,807,500 KRW ($1,600 USD) to 2,572,000 KRW ($2,200 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • 2,215,000 KRW ($1,900 USD) to 4,561,000 KRW ($4,000 USD) per semester
  • Tuition Fee Link

We end our list of cheapest universities in Korea with Chungnam National University. Established in 1952, the Chungnam National University was among the flagship national universities of Korea. It started with only three colleges when it started as the Chungnam Provincial University. The school created its graduate school in 1957 before merging with the Chungbuk Provincial University to create the Chungnam National University in 1962.

The university has several colleges offering several courses through its various department. The colleges of the university include the College of Humanities, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Nursing, and College of Education.

Life on the campus has become easier with the different facilities available for the students to use. These facilities include a bank, a bookstore, a clinic, a post office, and even a travel agency. Moreover, the students can also explore Daejeon and check out the restaurants and shopping centers located in the city.

I hope that this article on the cheap universities in Korea for international students was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Cheap Tuition Category!