Schools in South Korea offer many undergraduate and graduate programs in every academic field. After deciding (1) What your career goals are and (2) What academic programs can help you achieve those goals, it's time to do some research on which school is best for you! There are schools in South Korea that are looking for Filipino students just like you! Explore them here.

If you’re a Philippine passport-holder, you’re going to need a student visa to attend school in South Korea. Some documents that may be asked from you include:

• Visa application form
• A photocopy of the business registration certificate of your education institution
• Standard acceptance letter
• Family census

Note that you can’t start processing your student visa until you get accepted by a school in South Korea. For the full list of details, please visit the South Korean embassy website or contact the South Korean embassy in Manila.

 

Although Korean is the native language of South Korea, most colleges offer courses in English too. In fact, every foreign student who is unable to speak in Korean is required to submit proof that they are proficient in English through a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) test.

If you’re worried about your English language proficiency, check out our partner language centers that can help you improve your skills!

Although South Korea only has 370 official higher education providers, the country was able to land 54 representatives in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2016, 6 of which are in the list’s top 20 schools.

Along with the high quality of education, the academic environment in Korea is highly competitive. It inspires students both local and foreign to work hard and compete with other students to the best of their abilities.

Living costs in Korea, such as accommodation, transportation, and food are extremely cheap even in the country’s main cities such as Seoul. The most expensive part of your experience in Korea would most likely be your plane fees.

 

Generally, schools in South Korea will ask for your:

• Recommendation letters
• Self-introduction and study plan
• Application form
• Academic record
• Passport and proof of nationality
• Proof of Korean/English ability
• Documents proving financial stability

The specific requirements will vary depending on your school, course, and level of study.

Visit the Edukasyon profile of the school you like to find their specific requirements. For a list of schools in South Korea looking for Filipino students, see here.

 

There are many scholarships offered by the South Korean government and even the schools themselves. Visit the Edukasyon profiles of the schools you are interested in to check if they are offering any scholarships.

There are also some international student loans available from different loan giving bodies. University representatives usually work in tandem with their financial aid department that focuses on helping students find options to finance their education.

Explore our partner schools here, and inquire to get connected with your university representative.

If you choose to study in South Korea, you certainly won’t be alone! According to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, there are around 60,000 Filipinos living in South Korea, as of 2013.  

Immigration policies in South Korea are strict due to the increasing of illegal immigrants who work full-time in the country . But generally, international students are allowed to work while studying in campus for a maximum of 20 hours a week. However, during vacation time, students may work for as long as they want – be sure to ask your designated school representative for work options available.

Working part-time in South Korea would require a permit, or a license. The process involves submitting the following documents:

• Passport and foreign registration card
• Certificate of studentship
• Fee: 10,000 KRW (for foreign citizens)  
• Integrated form for part-time job (if working during the semester)
• Application form (if working during vacation time)

 

Living costs in South Korea vary depending on the location and your lifestyle. For large and densely populated cities like Seoul, average monthly costs would be higher. Renting a bedroom in an apartment would cost between 800,000-20,000,000 Won a month, while an average meal in a restaurant would cost around 2,600 Won per person.

University representatives are great resources to understand the cost of living in their school's city! Explore our partner schools here, and inquire to get connected with your university representative.

Graduating from a school in South Korea can greatly benefit your future career! Depending on your school and their industry connections, your university could connect you to some of your dream South Korean-based international companies and maybe even internships. Schools in South Korea are also generally high in quality and are recognized all over the world.