Source: www.studyinkorea.go.kr

I. School System

Ø  Education system: a single-track 6 (elementary school) - 3 (middle school) - 3 (high school) - 4 (university) system

Ø  Compulsory education: nine years including six years of elementary school and three years of middle school

Ø  School semesters: the first semester-from March to August, the second semester-from September to February

Ø  Vacation: the summer vacation-July to August, the winter vacation-December to February

II. Educational program of International Students

u Regular Semester Program (Undergraduate/Graduate Courses)

These courses involve attending classes in the regular semester program, together with domestic students over the regular spring and fall semesters. General courses are held in either Korean or in English language, therefore language proficiency of Korean or English is required.

*Language proficiency requirements depend on each university.

u Exchange Student Program

Most Korean universities mutually exchange students based on exchange agreements with sister universities. Students chosen as exchange students need to have grades and foreign language ability above a certain level.

*You should refer to your own universities as to partnership Korean universities and exchange programs.

u Vacation Period Programs

During the summer or winter break, foreign students may take classes, such as ordinary classes or Korean language classes.

*You should check out for the particular programs of individual universities 2 to 3 months before vacation.

u Korean Language Courses

Many universities run Korean language lectures for foreigners in their own language schools. There are various courses from Short Courses (3~4 weeks) to Long Courses (10~40 weeks).

*You need to refer to each university for specific information.

III. Benefits of Studying in Korea

u Education Competitiveness

In International comparison research of the academic achievements (PISA) by OECD, Korea took 3rd ~ 6th place in the recent years among 65 countries that were subjects of the survey. Especially, Korea was the first place in digital reading knowledge assessment. Based on such education competitiveness, Korea will be able to offer a higher level of education services to the students coming from abroad

u Advanced Country with Applied Science and State-of-the-art Technology

Korea was the first place among 152 countries that were subjects of the survey in ICT development index announced by International Telecommunication Union(ITU). The IT field of Korea is famous for its highest level in the world along with machinery, chemical, ship building and automobiles. Studying in Korea with the most dynamic technological power in the world will provide you the basis for success in the future. u Rich Culture & Dynamic Life

As a country that kept old tradition and culture, Korea has preserved many cultural heritage and traditions. Also, having started from Korean dramas and being extended to K-pop, resulting in the love of Korean culture and language, Korean-wave is taking a place as not only the culture of Korea but also as the culture of people all around the world that can be shared by everyone in the world. If you receive education and study in this environment, you will be able to develop the leadership and deep insight necessary as a leader of the human civilization in the future.

u Low Tuition & Living Cost

Compared to English speaking countries such as U.S, Canada, and Britain, Korea has relatively lower cost of study including tuition and living cost. Korea does not impose additional fee for foreign students, and there are many scholarship programs for foreign students, so you can study without a big economic burden.

v  University tuition (per semester):

Humanities-related: $2,000-4,000

Science-related $2,500-6,000

Fine Arts-related: $2,800-6000

Medicine-related: $4,300-7,000

v Korean language course: 10weeks about $1,000-1,400

v Dorm cost: 2 person room about $600-1,000(per semester)

u Scholarships

Ø  Scholarships from Universities

Many Korean universities run a variety of scholarship programs for foreign students. Most universities support foreign students for 30~100% of their tuition depending on their academic results.

See the websites of specific universities or other related sites for guidance on scholarships (www.studyinkorea.go.kr)

Ø  Scholarships from the Korean Government:

Various Ministries of the Korean Government run scholarship programs for foreign students and are gradually increasing their quotas. At present, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade run scholarships for foreign students.

«KOREAN GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM»

(Ministry of Education, Science and technology)

Purpose

To provide international students with the opportunity to conduct advanced studies of undergraduate & graduate programs at higher educational institutions in the Republic of Korea in order to promote international exchange in education mutual friendship between countries

Qualifications:

Both the applicant his/her parents must possess      the citizenship of the country of origin.      *Applicants should not be a holder of Korean citizenship.

Applicants should have adequate health, both mentally physically, to stay in a foreign country for a long time.

Should be under 25 years of age as of the date of entrance. (Undergraduate)

Should be under 40 years of age as of the date of entrance. (Graduate)

Have finished or is scheduled to finish formal education of elementary, middle high school courses as of the date of arrival. (Undergraduate)

Hold a Bachelor degree, a Master＇s degree as of the date of arrival. (Graduate) *Person who have enrolled in or graduated from a Korean university can not apply.

Possess a grade point average (G.P.A.) above 80% from the last educational institution attended.

Korean Government Scholarship Program for Graduate Students

Korean Government Scholarship Program for Undergraduate Students

* Educational Centre of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan Address:Almaty, Abay av. 159-a, Rozybakiev corner

Tel: 8 (727) 3929120, 3929123

IV. Issuing Visa and Immigration

u Procedures for Getting a Visa

After you have received acceptance from a regular educational program in Korea as a regular student or a language student, you must get a student visa by submitting the documents required for entry into Korea. As periods of stay can vary depending on the program, one should check related regulations concerning each one.

u Visa for Regular Educational Program (D-2)

v  Eligibility

Persons who intend to receive education in a standard course (Bachelors, Masters, Ph. D) or research specialist fields in junior colleges, universities, graduate schools established according to the Korean Education Law, or academic research institutions established under the provisions of a special law of a status as least as high as a junior college.

v  How to apply for visa & application requirements

u Visa for General Training (D-4)

v  Eligibility

For persons who study Korean at a university-run language school, persons who study in a qualified educational institute or an educational institute other than an academic research institute, persons who get technical training at national or public research institutes, training institutes, bodies etc. persons receiving payment from research institutes or who have industrial training system qualifications.

v  How to apply for visa & application requirements

* Contact for Visa Inquiries: Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of Kazakhstan (Consular department)

Address: Astana, Kabanbay batyr av., 6/1, «Kaskad» business center, 9^th floor

Tel: 8 (7172) 925-591, 92, 93 (ext. 131)

V. Useful link

The most recommendable website for general and particular information about universities (also served in Russian language): www.studyinkorea.go.kr (created by NIIED - National Institute for International Education). It provides you with:

v  Online consultation

v  Foreigner Counseling Service contact information (02-3668-1490)

v  Information about each university

v  Application procedure information

*For more information, you can contact the university you interested in directly by email or telephone.

FAQ

Source: www.studyinkorea.go.kr

FAQ 1: Language Center

There are many language centers in Korea. The admission procedures are different from each of the language center, so try to visit their website to get the information. We would like to suggest you some of the popular programs for international students in Korea. You can find further information about other language centers via website (www.studyinkorea.go.kr). Also this website will suggest you general information on studying in Korea.

*1 USD ~ 1100 KRW

FAQ 2: Application Requirements

(1) Application form

(2) Self-Introduction and Study Plan

(3) Letter of Recommendation

(4) Academic Record at previous institution and Proof of Graduation (or letter proving expected graduation)

(5) Photocopy of Passport or Proof of Nationality

(6) Proof of Korean and English Ability (if required)

(7) Documents proving financial capacity

-Proof of bank balance of at least USD 10,000(maintained for at least one month) by financial grantor or domestic remittance or currency certificate to that value

-Proof of current employment of financial grantor or proof of business registration

-Pledge to bear study expenses

(8) Portfolio, videotape, etc. which proves your practical competence (for arts and physical education applicants)

※Please refer to the particular university as the documents may differ.

FAQ 3: Expenses for Studying in Korea

*Flight ticket cost can vary depending on the seasons and companies.

FAQ 4: English-Taught Graduate Schools

u Seoul National University, GSIS

서울대학교 국제대학원 http://gsis.snu.ac.kr

u Yonsei University, GSIS

연세대학교 국제대학원 http://gsis.yonsei.ac.kr

u Korea University, GSIS

고려대학교 국제대학원http://gsis.korea.ac.kr

u Hanyang University, GSIS

한양대학교 국제대학원 http://gsis.hanyang.ac.kr

u Kyunghee University, GSIS

경희대학교 국제대학원http://gsp.khu.ac.kr

u Ewha Womans University, GSIS

이화여자대학교 국제대학원 http://gsis.ewha.ac.kr

u Sogang University, GSIS

서강대학교 국제대학원 http://gsis.sogang.ac.kr

u KDI School of Public Policy and Management

KDI 국제정책대학원 http://www.kdischool.ac.kr

u Aju University, GSIS

아주대학교 국제대학원http://gsis.ajou.ac.kr

u HUFS, GSIS

한국외국어대학교 국제대학원http://www.gsias.hufs.ac.kr

u Chungang University, GSIS

u 중앙대학교 국제대학원http://gsis.cau.ac.kr

FAQ 5: College& Grad. School Application Period

The deadline for spring semester (March entry) applications is usually from September to November, and for autumn semester (September entry) it is from May to June. Since this differs between schools you need to confirm individually the deadline for applications.

FAQ 6: Which university is suitable for me?

Each University has different requirements and study conditions (admission procedure, tuition fee, location, ext.). As for undergraduate application of some highly ranked universities, you need to meet the Academic/Language Proficiency Requirements.  For example, regarding undergraduate application, Korea University requires Eligibilities like Academic Qualification (official high school transcript), Language Proficiency Requirements (Level 4 of Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK)) and standardized English proficiency test score of TOEFL, TEPS, or IELTS.

For more information about Korean universities please refer to:

www.studyinkorea.go.kr