United States
Canada
Australia
Netherlands
Ireland
CyprusCost of a first year
Japan vs South Korea: what a year of study costs
The two cost about the same for a first year.
EUR 10,200 to 10,900
EUR 9,900 to 11,900
fromup to Tuition, 12 months of living costs and the visa fee.
Side by side
| Figure |  Japan |  South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition a year | EUR 3,000 to 3,600 | EUR 4,000 |
| Living costs, 12 months | EUR 7,100 | EUR 5,900 to 7,900 |
| Student visa fee | EUR 85 | Not published |
| First year, all in | EUR 10,200 to 10,900 | EUR 9,900 to 11,900 |
| Money to show for the visa | Not published | EUR 13,190 |
| Work during term | 28 hours a week | 10 hours a week |
| Stay to work after | 1 year | 2 years |
| Figures checked | 2026-09-24 | 2026-09-24 |
Every figure is from the Japan and South Korea guides, where each one links to its official source with the date we checked it. Living costs are the published monthly range times twelve. Converted at the day's rate (2026-11-08). Rates by Exchange Rate API.
Questions
Is it cheaper to study in Japan or South Korea?
The two cost about the same for a first year. A first year in Japan costs about EUR 10,200 to 10,900 and in South Korea about EUR 9,900 to 11,900, counting tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee, from each country's official sources.
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Japan and South Korea?
Japan: no fixed national amount is published. South Korea: EUR 13,190 a year.