What will a year really cost?

From the country guide: tuition, living costs and the visa fee, plus the money you must show. The part you lose if the visa is refused is marked.

In short: a first year in South Korea costs about USD 11,100 to 13,300: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show USD 14,700 before it is decided.

Last checked: 24 September 2026, against the official sources linked below.

Country Show in

A year in South Korea

	In KRW as published	In USD
Tuition, one year	KRW 6,034,163	USD 4,440 Public university, international student
Living costs, twelve months	KRW 9,000,000 to 12,000,000	USD 6,630 to 8,840
Visa or permit fee	Not published
First year, all in		USD 11,070 to 13,280
Money you must show for the visa	KRW 20,000,000	USD 14,730 Held in your account before you apply; most of it then pays your living costs

Work while you study

10 hours a week in term

Stay after you graduate

24 months, D-10 job-seeker visa

If the exchange rate moves. Today 1 KRW = 0.000736 USD (rate of 8 November 2026). A 10% move either way changes this first year by about USD 1,220, and a whole three to four-year degree by roughly USD 3,650 to USD 4,870. Plan with a margin, and pay large sums when the rate suits you.

Worth knowing. Work hours range from 10 to 35 a week depending on level, TOPIK score and university, and the tuition figure is only Seoul National University's 2024 undergraduate average.

The full South Korea guide, with every source →

South Korea: what a year costs next to

Tuition, living costs and the visa fee side by side, in your currency.

Japan vs South Korea

Leaves out flights, deposits and insurance unless the guide includes them. Currency: Rates by Exchange Rate API, 8 November 2026.

Questions

How much does it cost to study in South Korea for a year?

a first year in South Korea costs about USD 11,100 to 13,300: tuition, twelve months of living costs and the visa fee. The visa also asks you to show USD 14,700 before it is decided.

How much money do I need to show for a student visa in South Korea?

KRW 20,000,000 a year (about USD 14,700), from the official source in the South Korea guide.