Korean universities for foreigners. Undergraduate scholarships. Higher education prospects in South Korea

South Korea has made a fantastic breakthrough in the development of its economy in a short period of time. Thanks to this, she earned the title of "Asian Tiger". According to its economic indicators, the state ranks 14th. This largely explains that studying for foreigners in South Korea is considered prestigious and attracts students from different parts of the world.

The local educational system is subdivided into several stages:

Primary education. It starts at the age of 6 and lasts for 6 years.
Average. Duration 6 years: 3 years in high school and 3 more years in high school.
Studying in higher educational institutions.

Preschool education is not considered compulsory here. Primary school includes Korean language learning plus some precision and liberal arts subjects. The country pays great attention to the spiritual and cultural education of the younger generation.

Primary education in South Korea can be obtained in public and private schools for 6 years. It should be borne in mind that in the first case, you will have to adhere to strict norms in shape, hairstyles, and so on, in the second, there are no such strict rules, but study will cost much more.

Lesson at Korean High School

The next stage is the transition to secondary school, where the child continues his studies for another three years. The final stage of obtaining secondary education is 3 years of study at an institution of higher education. The main focus is on the study of mathematics, physics and other exact sciences. The main task is to prepare students for admission to Institutes and universities of the state.

Higher education

An interesting fact: at the end of the Second World War, the total number of young specialists with a university education barely reached 2 thousand. Since then, the situation in the power has changed dramatically. If at that time local citizens had to go to Europe or the United States for quality education, today education here in terms of quality and prestige is not inferior to the most developed world states. We managed to evaluate training in Korea for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Kazakhstanis and other representatives of the countries of the former Soviet Union, and later the CIS.

There are many Institutes and Universities in the country. One of the largest is Seoul University, which has about 20 faculties.

The most popular and demanded specialties

Among local students and foreigners, it is especially popular in specialties that involve development and career growth in international and transnational companies.

These include:

doctors;
teachers;
programmers;
IT specialists;
economists;
lawyers;
notaries.

What do foreign applicants need to know?

Important - free education in South Korea for Russians has its own nuances that must be taken into account. First, collect a package of documents in advance. Secondly, in 2019, you can enter a Korean university for Russians after completing one or several courses at an educational institution in the Russian Federation. Therefore, it is recommended from the very beginning to enroll in the faculty, in the specialty of which studies in South Korea will be continued. Thirdly, it is first required to make an official request and clarify what educational programs are currently in force for the Russian applicant. By the way, the choice largely depends on the level of education received at the place of actual residence and knowledge of a foreign language. Fourth, find out what grants are available for and what is needed to receive them.

In addition, it is important to know and take into account that in public and private universities, conditions and the list of documents may differ significantly.

Standard list of documents required for an applicant:

summary;
motivation letter;
photocopies of certificates confirming a sufficient level of proficiency in a foreign language;
an extract from the educational institution.

Visa issue

Study in Korea for Russians is impossible without a special student visa.

To do this, you must provide:

civil and foreign passports (not expired);
a questionnaire;
an extract from the bank on the availability of the required amount of money on the account;
an officially certified photocopy of the diploma or certificate;
an extract of admission to a South Korean university;
pay for studies and provide receipts;
medical insurance policy;
2 photos;
for applicants after grade 9 or grade 11 who are under 18 years of age, an additional birth certificate will be required and
a notary-certified travel permit from the parents.

Accommodation features

It is quite rare for a subject of another power to study for free here, although in some cases it is possible. It is important to consider that the cost of services is not the same everywhere and does not always depend on the prestige of a particular educational institution. It is noteworthy that classes in provincial, but private universities, will cost more than in the most popular Seoul University.

At the stage of preparing documents, it is important to take care of accommodation. To do this, you need to send a request and clarify whether a place in the hostel is provided or not. If the student will live in a hostel, then you should be ready to eat in a cafe or a student canteen (cooking in hostels is prohibited). However, it should be added that the choice of dishes in local canteens is quite varied, and their cost is quite acceptable.

Employment of foreign students is also permitted. During the holidays, the time is not limited, and during the semester, it should not exceed 20 hours per week.

Exchange programs

There are very developed programs providing for the exchange of students. Most universities willingly accept students from different parts of the world, including Russia. Moreover, a feature of such programs is that the main emphasis is not on classical teaching in classrooms, but on a variety of joint activities. This helps to learn more about the culture, customs of another people, understand the mentality and learn the language.

There are various types of such programs. For example, on vacation, you can not only study the Korean language, but also combine it with your hobby or, on the contrary, do taekwondo, take calligraphy lessons, and get acquainted with the intricacies of preparing traditional dishes of the national cuisine. The student can draw up a schedule and choose classes to his liking.

Among the most interesting and relevant programs for this year are:

linguistic;
economic;
on management;
study of IT technologies;
sports.

A characteristic feature of most of them is that classes are conducted in English and free of charge. The typical duration of such programs is one month on average. To become a participant in one of them, you need to go through a competitive selection, provide all the necessary documentation and pass an exam in a foreign language.

The decisive criteria for the competitive selection are:

current academic performance;
knowledge of the language.

Studying in South Korea for the majority of Russian, Ukrainian and other foreign students is an excellent chance to receive a quality education and a diploma that is highly regarded in most countries. Another plus is the opportunity from student years to establish business contacts with representatives of different states, in a friendly and informal atmosphere.

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My adventure began with the decision to conquer a new foreign language. After my trip to the states, I solidified my English very well both in practice and in theory. And while studying at the institute in Khabarovsk (in management), I also learned French (though it faded a little due to non-use). Therefore, after working for a while, I decided that I want to add some oriental language to my piggy bank. After studying them all together and separately, my choice fell on the Korean language. In some ways, it seemed to me easier than the others, and the rapid economic development of South Korea and its close relationship with the Far East of Russia was another plus. And since then, the study of a new language and the search for the best universities and institutes began. Of course, ratings and advice from friends played an important role. It turned out that Yonsei was the first to teach Korean to foreigners, his textbooks are used by many other universities, his students pass TOPIK (Korean language copies) better and better, which is still in the first place among all schools in the world teaching Korean KLI Yonsei ...

So the choice was made 🙂 It remains only to enter. It was difficult at first, since the English version of the site had just been launched, and there were no documents, no comments or explanations to be found. I had to "reinvent the wheel" on my own. Collection of required documents, their notarized translation, sending and payment. I remember the excitement of anticipation and of the uncertainty of what lies ahead. But very soon I was informed of my enrollment. And I began to prepare a visa and a list of all the things I needed with me.

First impressions of Yonsei University

Arriving in Korea, I independently traveled from the airport to DMCVille (hostel). I remember how scary it was, since I didn't know Korean yet, and almost everything and everywhere was written in it, I diligently looked for signs in English, but it was in vain. After wandering around the neighborhood at night for about 20 minutes, while it was still raining in February, I still found my place, where they were waiting for me at the front desk for registration. Climbing up to the apartment, there I saw the Japanese classmates who had already settled in (by the way, since then I tried not to live with the Japanese, I have not yet met such pigs in the flesh). Of course, I was pleased with the first housing, 100 square meters, two bathrooms (it was a bathtub), a laundry room, balconies overlooking the mountains and the Han River, bedrooms, dressing rooms, a hall and a kitchen with the latest technology - which I still had to fight to learn this enjoy.
In a month I passed the 1st level, also with honors, I finished the best on the stream (fortunately, I worked in Khabarovsk with a tutor for a month - otherwise I would hardly have succeeded).
I write and think how cool it was in the beginning and the volley was more than enough, and strength, and time.

If you speed up the process, then over the next two years I studied (the further, the more time it took), lived, met, even starred in a reality show.

Accommodation in Seoul

I found out later, the thing is pretty expensive in Seoul. I managed to rent a room, and later an apartment near the university. It was much more important to get to the institute quickly than to live better, but further. By the way, for the entire period of study, I did not miss an hour, for which I was rewarded. Koreans always praise goodness and efforts, rather than excuses from many about how difficult it is to get up to 1 pair or how lazy to do homework. I came to study, also for my own money, so I had to give my best, and that's at least.

People in Korea

The more I got to know Koreans, the more I felt on myself that they often speak words to the wind. “Yes, of course, come on” - this phrase does not carry a real agreement to meet again or go to the movies, or even play tennis. They often say “yes” simply as a fact that they have received your information. I felt more comfortable and easier with the Americans / cami. Our mentality, it seems to me, is very similar, especially if we compare the environment of the Chinese and the Japanese. Russians? Honestly, I tried to avoid them, I came for Korean, not Russian. But, for the most part, it was ours who set up and deceived me. The feeling from them is that we are not studying in Korea, but in a war, where all methods are good, if only our beloved can do better. But even on these inhuman actions we learn to live.

Modern South Korea has one of the most powerful economies in the Asian region with a high level of development of advanced technologies and innovations. The country has a highly educated and skilled labor force, low unemployment and crime rates, excellent infrastructure and favorable conditions for life in general. The Korean government encourages the influx of foreign students in every possible way, including by introducing new scholarships and grants, providing places in dormitories, and helping to find work in South Korea both during and after graduation.

Studying in South Korea for Russians, Kazakhstanis, Ukrainians and other foreigners will allow you to get high-quality knowledge, and a prestigious and respected worldwide diploma will greatly simplify the process of finding a job in Seoul or other large Korean cities. Average salaries in South Korea in 2019 exceed $ 2.5 thousand per month, and in the capital the figures are even higher. It is also an opportunity to explore Korean history, culture and traditions. Next, we will consider the features of higher education in South Korea and highlight the best universities.

Higher education in South Korea

By analogy with China and Japan, the South Korean authorities set goals to increase the number of foreign students in local universities every year. By 2020, this figure should reach 200 thousand people. Today the country has over 370 higher education institutions, which are divided into universities and colleges. In the second case, the training period is usually 2-3 years and the training programs are aimed at obtaining professional education in a specific field.

There are 3 types of South Korean universities:

National (funded by the government)

State (funded by regional authorities)

Private (financed by the university's own funds)

Almost every South Korean university offers students 3 degrees:

Undergraduate (4-6 years old)

Master's degree (2 years or more)

Doctorate (3 years or more)

The main language of instruction at universities in South Korea is Korean, but many programs, especially master's, are taught in English. In addition, most universities offer intensive Korean language courses for international students, lasting from 3-4 to 10-40 weeks. The academic year in South Korea consists of two semesters, each lasting 16 weeks:

Spring (from February-March to June).

Autumn (from August to January).

The most prestigious areas of study in South Korea for foreigners are the field of information technology, as well as engineering and medical specialties.

Certificate of secondary education with duration of study not less than 12 years or a university diploma (as an equivalent).

Knowledge english or Korean at a level sufficient for training. In the first case, TOEFL (79-80 points) or IELTS (6.0 points or more) certificates are accepted, and in the second, TOPIK Korean language proficiency test. Testing is conducted 5 times a year (January, April, July, October, November) and is supervised by the National Institute of International Education under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the Republic of Korea.

Entrance examination (test) - College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). Testing takes place annually in November and includes a number of disciplines, depending on the chosen program. In most cases, CSAT scores must be excellent for admission to a Korean university.

To move to South Korea for the purpose of studying at a university, a foreigner must obtain student visa D-2 at the Korean Consulate in your home country.

As a reminder, the standard academic year in South Korea begins in March and the application deadline ends in September-November. Some universities are allowed to start studies in September. Despite the fact that about 25% of courses at universities in South Korea are taught in English, knowledge of Korean at least at the minimum level is essential for faster adaptation and integration into the local society.

Tuition fees in South Korea

South Korean university tuition fees vary by institution and course / program. In national and state institutions, the average cost is about 4000-9500 dollars per year... With rare exceptions, it is at least one and a half times more expensive to study in private Korean universities. It is worth noting that the tuition fees for South Korean citizens and foreigners are no different. The most expensive is to live in the capital of the state - Seoul, especially if you rent an apartment privately.

Many Korean universities offer full-fledged scholarships to gifted international students that cover 30 to 100% of the tuition fees. In addition, there are a number of government programs for foreigners in the country that fully or partially compensate for the costs of housing and studies. In addition to paying tuition fees, for a comfortable stay in South Korea, a foreigner will need at least $ 800-1000 per month for food and leisure.

Top Universities in South Korea

In the prestigious international ranking of the best universities in the world QS World University Rankings 2019 appear 30 universities from South Korea, while the first hundred includes 5 higher educational institutions of this country. Consider the TOP 3 best Korean universities.

Seoul National University

The largest and most prestigious institution of higher education in South Korea - Seoul National University was founded in 1946. In the QS World University Rankings 2019, it takes 36th place, which it shares with one of the best Japanese universities - Kyoto University. Two campuses are located in the central and southern part of Seoul. The structure of the university includes 16 colleges, 1 higher and 10 professional schools. The learning process of 28.3 thousand students is provided by 2.6 thousand teachers. More than 4 thousand foreigners study Korean at the university, and 699 are exchange students.

Tuition fees - from 2,611,000 to 5,038,000 won per semester (2,335-4,500 dollars)

Seoul National University official website - snu.ac.kr

Korea Advanced Technology Institute (KAIST)

The second largest university in the Republic of Korea is located in the city of Daejeon, which many call the country's science and technology capital. The Korean Institute of Advanced Technology was founded in 1971. It is ranked 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2019. The university has 5 colleges that train first-class specialists, mainly in the field of engineering. Today, just over 10 thousand students study within the walls of the educational institution. Foreigners have a wide range of scholarship programs at their disposal.

Tuition fee - 3,433,000 won per semester ($ 3,065)

The official website of the Korea Institute of Advanced Technology - kaist.edu

Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)

According to many authoritative publications, Pohang University of Science and Technology is the best private university in South Korea, located in the city of Pohang. Date of foundation - 1986. In the QS World University Rankings 2019, it occupies 83rd place along with the famous Belgian university - the Catholic University of Leuven. The prettiest campus in the city center includes a digital library, a state-of-the-art sports complex, a sculpture park, lush gardens and lakes. The structure of the university has 11 faculties, where more than 3.5 thousand students study and 281 professors teach.

Tuition fee - 3,062,000 won per semester (2,735 dollars)

Official website of Pohang University of Science and Technology - postech.edu

Korea University (KU) - entered the top three of the prestigious universities in Korea, along with the National University and Yongse.

Korea University (KU) - entered the top three of the prestigious universities in Korea, along with the National University and Yongse. It is also one of the oldest educational institutions. Koryo is included in the TOP 200 best universities in Asia. There are about 20,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 postgraduate students. Koryo University has 81 departments in 20 faculties and 17 high schools. It is not easy to enter this university - less than 6% of all who applied are accepted. In total, KU employs 1,500 full-time faculty members. Koryo's motto is "Salvation through education!"

History of Koryo University

The university has existed for over a century. Its history begins in 1905, when Boseong College was founded on May 5 by treasurer Lee Yong-Ik. The head of the educational institution was Shin He Yun, who, after the signing of the Korea-Japan Protocol, ended up in the ranks of the resistance and was expelled from the country. The director of Posong College continued to fight for the country's independence in exile.

At that time, the college faced financial difficulties. His fate would have been unenviable if the situation had not been saved by the coming to the leadership of Song Byung Hee, who was the leader of the national, religious and social movement of Cheongdogyo. Another financial test for Goryeo came in 1929 with the global financial crisis. Kim Sonsu, who replaced the former leader in 1932, helped the college stay afloat. At that time, Kim Sonsu headed the Chunggang Secondary School and the Ton Ilbo print edition.

In April 1944, the Japanese who colonized Korea forced the college to change its name and completely transferred it under their control. However, in 1945, after the overthrow of the Japanese oppression, the college not only regained its name, but also acquired the status of a university. Within 4 years, he graduated his first bachelor's degree. In the same year, graduate school began to operate.

In 1961, a new campus appeared with a museum, laboratories, even greenhouses. The construction of the famous university library began. Since then, Korea University has continued to expand both in composition and territory. Separate colleges that existed on the campus in 1071 were transferred under its jurisdiction.

Koryo's life today

Koryo University went down in the history of the country as the first educational institution to offer training in economics, law, and journalism. The most famous is the bachelor's degree in law. The faculties of foreign languages, institutes of continuous and international education, and a pedagogical center have also earned respect in Korean society and around the world.

Today, in addition to legal, pedagogical, and international faculties, the Institute of International Relations and the Center for Computer Technologies and Information Security are popular. On the basis of the University, there are 115 research institutes, including the Battelle KU laboratory.

Korea University has 2 campuses: in Seoul and in Sejong. The most famous is the central campus located in the Greater Seoul area. It is divided into 4 parts:

Science and technology.
Humanities and Social Sciences.
Medicine and life sciences.

In 2009, 280 thousand graduates graduated from the university with bachelor's and post-graduate certificates. During its existence, Koryo University has graduated many famous lawyers, engineers, scientists, and athletes. Among those who graduated were: 10th President of the Republic of Korea Lee Myung-baka and 34th Mayor of Seoul Oh Se-hun. Research has shown that among the top 500 top-performing companies in Korea, the majority are former students from Korea University.

Faculties and colleges

A huge number of disciplines, departments and programs allow us to cover almost all areas of political, social, humanitarian, natural and exact sciences. All educational programs operate on the basis of 17 colleges, of which the Korean University KU consists:

Jurisprudence.
Business.
Humanities.
Natural sciences and biotechnology.
Economics and Political Science.
General Sciences.
Engineering.
Medicine.
Pedagogy.
Nursing.
Information and communication.
Health Sciences.
Informatics and Computer Science.
Art and design.
International relations.
Journalism and Public Relations.
Interdisciplinary Research.

Admission procedure

It is not easy to enroll in Koryo University, but international students are welcome here. Over 1000 foreign students come here, despite the fierce competition. Admission involves filing documents and an interview. Those wishing to enter the university must register on the university website. In doing so, they must send:

Application form.
Resume (form).
Academic plan.

After considering the application, the secretariat makes a decision. In case of a positive result, the addressee is notified by e-mail. Next, he needs to collect the rest of the documentation. For admission to Korea University, you will need a package of documents:

Photocopy of your passport.
A photocopy of the ID-card (of the applicant and his parents).
Certificate of the last educational institution.
High school and high school certificates (with grades).
Letter of recommendation.
Parents' marriage certificate (if any).
Birth certificate of the applicant.
Certificate of completion of a language school or TOPIK.

If the applicant has already studied in Korea, he needs to provide a certificate of entry and exit from the country. If there are any merits and achievements in the future specialty, the applicant should also apply them. Applicants for the College of Art and Design must provide their portfolio of up to 10 sheets of A4 8.5: 11 format. It is possible to enter Korea University KU only with the 4th and higher level of language proficiency.

Tuition fees in Koryo

Despite its status and high rating, Korea University does not charge exorbitant amounts for studies. There will be a 70,000 won administration fee once per semester. The cost of studying in Koryo is average and depends on the specialization.

Humanities - 3,650,000 won.
Engineering & Science - 4,201,000 won.
Medicine and Pharmaceuticals - 5,000,000 won.

When registering an application for studies, a registration fee of 150,000 won must be paid. Some faculties, such as art design, charge 200,000 won. If the application is not approved or the student changes his mind, the registration fee is returned to the account.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Foreign and exchange students can receive various types of scholarships. One of them (KU Travel) is issued by the university itself. It can be of 3 types:

400,000 won per semester from freshman year.
One-time 1,500,000 won.
For merit 300,000 won per month.

To participate in the scholarship competition, you must apply for a Global KU scholarship, attach a photo and an academic transcript. For a scholarship in the spring semester, you must apply before January 30, for the fall - before July 30. In total, about 250 scholarships are awarded on a regular basis, totaling 11.5 billion won. Applicants can immediately apply for scholarships A and B:

A - payment of 100% of the tuition fee for 8 semesters.
B - Payment of 50% of the tuition fee for 8 semesters.

Students who are already studying at Koryo University can apply for 100% and 50% tuition fees on the university website: http://portal.korea.ac.kr under the Merit Scholarship and Based Schoarship programs, respectively.

In addition, international undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students can receive a scholarship from the state under the KGSP program. This scholarship is awarded monthly throughout the entire study in Koryo. It can be of 2 types:

800,000 won.
900,000 won.

The scholarship from the state also covers the language courses that the student will attend. Excellent academic performance and attendance can make studying in Goryeo free or cheaper. The university and its sponsors took care of this. With academic performance of more than 2.8 points on a 4-point scale, you will have to pay only 50% of the cost of training; with a set of 3.3 points, training becomes completely free.

Exchange training

Students can receive SEP exchange training if they are studying at a Koryo partner institution. There are many of them in the world: in Asia, Europe, America. You can also transfer from 33 institutions in Korea. Students applying for exchange studies must attach, in addition to the standard admission documents, the following:

Certificate from your university.
Certificate of admission to the university.
Certificate of completion of 4 semesters.

On exchange, students can study a full academic year or one of the semesters, lasting 14 weeks. Upon graduation from Goryeo, the student receives a report card with grades, which he can submit to his home university. Progress is assessed on a 100 point scale. Attendance for accreditation must be at least 70%.

Korean courses at Goryeo

https://klc.korea.ac.kr/
Every year about 4000 foreign citizens study at the courses at the university. They study Korean for 10 weeks each season: spring, winter, fall and summer. Many graduates of the language school later go to Koryo. Classes are held for 4 hours daily, except weekends. Korean language course fees and other costs are as follows:

Registration fees are 60,000 won.
Per semester fee 1,580,000 won.
Textbooks and manuals - 30,000 won.

Groups are recruited by 10-14 people. Student dormitory is not provided, therefore students rent accommodation nearby. Training provides 6 levels of language proficiency. After successfully completing the course, you must pass an exam. Then a certificate of completion of the course is issued, replacing the TOPIK testing. To enroll in Korean language courses in Goryeo, you will need documents:

Copy of the passport.
2 color photos (3 x 4).
Registration form.
Certificate or diploma.
Certificate of availability in the bank from $ 9000 and above.
Korean recommendation. (Send only upon request after verification of documents)
Help from his work.

Here you can learn Korean at a summer school, which attracts many foreign citizens every year. They are provided with a hostel and medical insurance. Language school tuition lasts 60 hours (4 weeks) and costs about 3,500,000 won, including hostel and insurance. You can enroll in summer courses, where a place in a hostel and honey is also given. insurance. They last 80 hours and cost approximately KRW 1,800,000.

The education system in South Korea is similar to ours: 4 years of bachelor's degree, 2 - magistracy, for doctors training for 6 years. This is where the similarities end, and the bottomless abyss of differences begins. How to enter a university in South Korea and is it worth it at all? Let's take a closer look.

South Korean Universities Where You Can Study

The best universities in Korea are abbreviated as SKY. It stands for:

Seoul National University, or SNU, as its name is often shortened, is the second-largest institution of higher education in Korea. Its campus can accommodate up to 3.5 thousand students. In 2011, it was ranked 42nd in the ranking of higher education institutions in the world. Many famous personalities graduated from SNU: the heads of Samsung and LG corporations, Kim Yongsam, many actors and politicians.
Korea University. A private university with a focus on the humanities. Gives the most complete and competent knowledge in the field of law and jurisprudence.
Yonsei University. By right, the best medical university in Korea. Here, training is conducted not only in medical specialties, but also technical and humanitarian. Its alumni are great scholarly minds working all over the world, politicians and actors.

In the aforementioned universities, student exchange programs are widespread, and the luminaries of science and art come to lectures. In addition to SKY, there are also famous universities in Korea:

Name	Location of the main building	brief information
Ewha	Seoul	The world's largest women's university. Consists of 11 faculties. Scranton Faculty conducts training on a special program, fostering leadership qualities.
Busan National University	Busan	The first university in Korea, includes 12 colleges and 6 high schools.
Kunming	Seoul	Conducts training in 15 specialties. Students undergo internships at the largest universities in the world. Japanese studies is the most powerful department. The Japaneseists of Kunming publish their own magazine.
Korea Leading Science and Technology Institute	Daejeon	Leading educational and research university of South Korea. Regularly employs foreign teachers, including Nobel laureates.
Foreign languages \u200b\u200bHanguk	Seoul	3 university in the world in terms of the number of languages \u200b\u200bstudied (45). In addition to foreign languages, sociology, geopolitics, economics and other humanitarian disciplines are taught here.

Benefits of Studying in South Korea

The main advantage is the quality of education. The teaching system here is built differently from ours: there are no seminars, and lectures are conducted in two types. In the first case, the student independently tells the audience the previously prepared material. The teacher corrects, pushes the rest of the students into discussion. In the second, the teacher asks leading questions to the audience, discusses with it. Usually, after researching an important topic, you are given 20-30 minutes to complete an assignment where you need to apply what you have learned.

High quality education consists not only of the professionalism of teachers, but also of technical equipment. The universities of South Korea are equipped with modern equipment and laboratories, and they regularly conduct additional courses and trainings.

Other benefits of learning here include:

Low crime rate in the country.
Low tuition and living costs.
More than 10 types of grants and scholarships that can significantly reduce costs.
Ability to study in English.
Friendly attitude towards Europeans.

A busy student life is a nice bonus of learning here. A wild mixture of American pop culture and millennia of tradition, the possibilities for fun and relaxation are almost endless. Each university has additional clubs, for example, playing the guitar, rock climbing and others, the monthly subscription fee of which varies within 500 rubles.

Every year, Korean companies participate in exhibitions where they post advertisements for the recruitment of foreign students. There will be no problems with employment after university even for humanitarian professions.

Small advantage: if you are fired from your job in Korea, then you can switch to a student visa and quietly look for a new one for 6 months. This is important for foreigners applying for a work visa, since it is lost with dismissal.

Learning difficulties

The main difficulty of studying in Korea is the need to know the language of the country. Of course, institutions in South Korea make programs for foreigners in English, but in order to live and work in this country, you have to learn the language. And of course, Korean is more difficult than English.

Another difficulty, especially for a Russian person, is the strict rules. Brought a girl to his dorm? Dismissal to both, deportation. Drank alcohol in the dorm? Eviction. There are more than a hundred rules, and it will not be possible to skip couples: for a low average grade, they are expelled and deported to their homeland.

Another challenge is work restrictions. A student can get a job after 6 months of study, having received official permission from the authorities. In this case, the number of working hours should not exceed 20 per week. This is compounded by the fact that the employer must sign a separate agreement that states your special situation. During the holidays, it is allowed to work full time.

Many students complain about differences in mentality, especially in relation to food and society. So, in Korea, food is too spicy, to which it is difficult for a European to immediately get used to. In Korea, there are about 4 grades of politeness, and appeals are selected based on the age and social status of the interlocutor. For example, a young person has no right to question the older generation about anything.

How to apply to universities in South Korea?

Before entering a Korean university, you need to spend a year at a university in your homeland. It is advisable to choose the specialty for which you want to continue your studies abroad: this will slightly simplify the study in another country. After entering the university, the further algorithm looks like this:

browse Korean universities for foreigners and choose one of them;
contact his department for international relations and find out the conditions of admission;
pass an exam for a certificate of a foreign language;
collect documents for admission;
wait for the enrollment response;

The enrollment response should be attached to the visa application documents. After obtaining a visa, you can fly to Korea for training.

Documents for admission

The list of documents, especially in private universities, may change, so it is better to clarify it 6-12 months in advance in the department responsible for international relations. You can find his postal address on the university website.

Approximate list of documents:

resume indicating the place of study;
copy of passport and international passport;
a certificate of study at a university, translated into English and certified by a notary;
an extract of the subjects listened to, indicating the hours;
copies of certificates of secondary education;
a motivation letter explaining your motives for admission.

Language proficiency certificate is a mandatory document. All universities in South Korea require at least IELTS or TOEFL certificates. It's great if you have TOPIK (certificate of knowledge of Korean): when accepting a foreigner, it plays a big role, helps to get around competitors. The presence of this certificate can provide a supplement to the scholarship.

Cost of education

Even in state universities, education is paid. The first stage of higher education (bachelor's degree) costs 100-300 thousand Russian rubles (for 1 semester). Master's degree - 150-350 thousand. The cost of training depends on the specialty and programs, and not on the prestige of the university. In comparison, a year of study at Seoul National University will be cheaper than at Yeongsei. Most of all, training is in medical faculties and engineering specialties.

Scholarships and grants will help to reduce, or even make it free, training. So, for excellent academic success, you can reduce the cost of training by 50-70%.

And yet, to enter or not?

Sounds like a pun, but Korea University is a really great school of life. Having passed it, you can become a worthy, competent and disciplined member of any society. Despite some difficulties, studying here is interesting. This has both the possibility of free education and the excellent equipment of universities.