Study in South Korea
Most students start with a university language course: you do not need any Korean beforehand, and there are four intakes a year. With TOPIK 3 you can enter a bachelor’s and get a tuition discount. Here are six universities, the fees, the visas and how much money you need in the bank.
South KoreaTAS
Tashkent
ICN
Seoul
Why · South Korea
Korea’s ministries of justice and education certified all six universities for international students for 2026–2030, and Konkuk, Kyungpook, Sejong and Inha are among the 39 rated excellent. This matters for the visa: screening is simpler for certified universities.
University language institutes teach 10-week terms, 4 hours a day, starting from zero. A term costs ₩1,300,000–1,800,000, with intakes in March, June, September and December.
The higher your TOPIK, the less you pay. Kwangwoon gives 30–80% off the first semester, Baekseok 50% to freshmen, Konkuk up to 100% from the second semester by grades. Kyungpook pays for the dorm in the first semester.
Kyungpook National University in Daegu is a large national university, founded in 1946. A bachelor’s there costs $1,650–2,175 per semester, well below Seoul’s private universities.
Bachelor’s students (D-2 visa) with the required TOPIK level may work up to 25 hours a week in term and without limits in the holidays; master’s students up to 30. On the D-4 language visa you can work only after 6 months.
Levels of study
Ages are recommended: within these ranges admission and visas go most smoothly for students from Uzbekistan. If you are older, message us and we will look at your case.
Language course
Intakes in March, June, September and December. D-4-1 visa.
Bachelor’s
Starts in March or September. D-2 visa.
Master’s
Starts in March or September. D-2 visa.
Universities · South Korea
Cheonan · Private university
A private university in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. One of the most affordable private options, with 50% off for freshmen. It has a language institute, and its graduates can enter with TOPIK 2.
Requirements
Bachelor’s: TOPIK 3, or TOPIK 2 plus completion of the Baekseok language institute. Applications: October–December for spring, April–June for autumn. A bank statement for ₩8,000,000 issued within 30 days.
Discounts and scholarships
Freshmen get 50% off tuition. After that, 30–50% depending on TOPIK (levels 3–6), with a GPA of at least 2.5.
Daegu · National university, founded in 1946
A large national university in Daegu and the most affordable option on this list (OPAL’s notes call it "Kyungbuk"). It pays the dorm fee for new international students in their first semester.
Discounts and scholarships
New international degree students get their first-semester dorm fee paid.
Seoul · Private university, founded in 1934
A Seoul university strong in electronics, semiconductors and software. It has the most generous first-semester discount, up to 80% with TOPIK 4. Semiconductor System Engineering is also taught in English.
Requirements
Bachelor’s: TOPIK 3 or level 3–4 at the Kwangwoon language centre; for the English-taught programme, IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 71. Application fee ₩130,000; funds of ₩20,000,000.
Discounts and scholarships
First semester: 30% for everyone, 50% for language-centre graduates, 70% with TOPIK 3, 80% with TOPIK 4 or higher. After that, 30–100% by grades with TOPIK 4.
Seoul · Private university
A private university in Seoul’s Gwangjin district. It offers English-taught programmes (IELTS 5.5) and a separate college for international students, Sejong International College.
Requirements
Language course: a bank statement for at least ₩10,000,000 issued within a month. English-taught programmes: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 71.
Discounts and scholarships
Scholarships for international students of 20–80%, and a separate type of 100%.
Incheon · Private university, founded in 1954
A private university in Incheon, in the capital region. Its language institute has four intakes a year, and master’s students can get the Jungseok scholarship of 30–100%.
Seoul · Private university, founded in 1931
A private university in Seoul with an intensive language institute: 200 hours per 10-week term. From the second bachelor’s semester, scholarships of up to 100% by grades.
Requirements
2026 Korean terms start on 4 March, 4 June, 2 September and 2 December. Bachelor’s applications for spring 2027 run from 19 October to 13 November 2026.
Discounts and scholarships
From the second semester, 100%, 60%, 30% or 10% off depending on grades (GPA 3.0 or higher), plus ₩300,000 for reaching TOPIK 4.
Universities update fees and requirements every year. Before you apply, we confirm the current intake’s conditions with the university and give you the exact amount. Data checked:
Budget
Tuition from the universities’ sites (in won, ₩) and the government portal Study in Korea (in US dollars). There are two semesters a year.
In OPAL’s experience, six months of a language course with the dorm and fees come to about $3,500–4,200, or about $5,250 at top universities. TOPIK-based discounts lower bachelor’s tuition from the first semester.
Visa
D-4-1 is for a language course, D-2 for a bachelor’s (D-2-2) or master’s (D-2-3). The university first issues an admission letter, then you apply for the visa.
How we help
We work with every student personally — from choosing a country to the visa. We explain every step and name all costs upfront.
We look at your grades, English, budget and goals — and tell you honestly which countries and universities fit.
We prepare your file: translated school certificate or diploma, motivation letter, references, portfolio.
We apply to the universities you choose, help with tests and interviews and get your offer letter.
We help with financial documents and the visa form and advise on housing and flights.
Questions and answers
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