Quick answer: Seoul is South Korea’s academic capital with the SKY universities (SNU, Korea, Yonsei) and KAIST nearby. The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) fully funds international students. Monthly cost of living: ₩900,000–₩1,400,000 (about €630–€990).
Top universities in Seoul
Seoul National University (SNU) — top 30 globally in Asia. Korea University — strong business, law, engineering. Yonsei University — medicine, business, international programmes. Sogang University — humanities and social sciences. Hanyang University — engineering and architecture. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) — partnership with Samsung. Ewha Womans University — leading women’s university in Asia.
Tuition, fees and scholarships
National universities: ₩2.5–₩4 million per semester (about €1,800–€2,800). Private universities: ₩4–₩7 million per semester. KGSP fully funds master’s, PhD and undergraduate programmes for selected applicants — covers tuition, travel, and ₩900,000–₩1,000,000/month stipend.
Cost of living and student life
Rent: ₩400,000–₩700,000 for a one-room (small studio) or dorm. Food: ₩300,000. Transport: ₩60,000 (T-money student rate). Total: ₩900,000–₩1,400,000 per month. Sinchon, Hongdae, Seongbuk and Gangnam are popular student districts.
FAQ
Are English-taught programmes available? Yes — most SKY universities offer 30–40% of master’s programmes fully in English, plus international colleges (Yonsei UIC, Korea International College).