PhD in South Korea For International Students: Scholarship, Stipend, and More

Usually, South Korea is known for its technological advancement and influential cinema (K-dramas and K-pop). But the country is also fast becoming a popular hub for international students for higher education. Its world-class universities and thriving research landscape make it an ideal destination for a PhD. This blog will tell you all about pursuing a PhD in South Korea. We will cover all aspects, such as top universities, programs, tuition fees and other expenses, scholarships, and work opportunities. Read on to discover more!

Program Level	PhD
Program Duration	3-4 years (can vary for each university)
Research Strength	Fields like engineering, technology, natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences
Total Number of International Students	207,125 (as of June 2023)
Tuition Fees	Public universities: KWR 64,82,525/year Private universities: KWR 12,965,050 – 25,930,100/year
Admission Requirements	Master’s degree, strong academic record, research proposal, recommendation letters, language proficiency (Korean recommended, English sometimes accepted)
Living Expenses	Seoul ~ KWR 10,37,204 – 15,55,806/month;  Other cities ~KWR 7,77,903 – 10,37,204/month.
Funding Options	Government scholarships and University scholarships (Merit-based, research assistantships, teaching assistantships)
Stipend Amounts	KWR 12,96,505 – 25,93,010/month.
Career Opportunities	High demand for PhD graduates in academia, research institutions, and leading Korean companies

Also Read: Study in South Korea for Indian Students

Why Pursue PhD in South Korea?

We can list several reasons for international students to enrol in PhD in South Korea. The country is home to institutes ranked in the 100 top universities of the world and is known worldwide for its technological innovation. But you can also find a blend of this innovation with ancient heritage in cities like Busan, Seoul, and Incheon. In addition to this, the Korean Government also provides many scholarships and funding programs for international students to cover their academic and other expenses.

Top Universities For PhD in South Korea

Numerous public and private universities offer PhD in South Korea. These universities are among the top 100 institutes globally known for their courses in Engineering and Technology. So here’s a list of the top 5 universities in the country to pursue a doctorate in the field of your choice:

University	Type	QS World Ranking 2024
Seoul National University	Public	41
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)	Public	56
Pohang University of Science and Technology	Private	=100
Yonsei University	Private	=76
Korea University	Private	79

Also Read: Top Universities in South Korea 2024

Top Disciplines for PhD in South Korea

Given below is a list of some of the popular fields in which South Korean universities offer doctorates to international students:

1. Chemistry, General
2. Clinical Psychology
3. Education, General
4. Educational Leadership and Administration, General
5. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
6. Physics, General
7. Physical Therapy
8. Psychology, General

PhD Program Structure: 

The academic year for PhD in South Korea lasts from March to February. It is split into 2 semesters, the first from March to June and the second from September to November. Here’s a general overview of what pursuing a PhD in South Korea looks like:

1. You will be required to complete research training and taught courses to the value of 36 credits (or approximately equivalent to 72 ECTS Credits), depending on your Masters’ qualification.
2. You will then have to clear a written/comprehensive examination.
3. Ultimately, you will complete a thesis with one or more supervisors for guidance.
4. After submitting your thesis, a panel of 5 supervisors will evaluate it. You may not need to prepare an oral defence of your thesis if it gets approved by the supervisory panel.

Note: To get a more specific PhD program structure, contact the respective university you wish to apply to.

Tuition Fees and Funding

The tuition fee for PhD in South Korea is the same for international and domestic students, costing around KWR 2,056,932 – 16,229,862/semester. The Engineering and Medicine courses are more expensive compared to the Humanities discipline. Here are some other academic costs that aspiring researchers can expect in South Korea:

Application Fee	KWR 26,540 – 265,410
Language courses	KWR 1,061,650 (for 3-week intensive course) KWR 1,857,890 (for a 10-week program)
National Health Insurance (NHI)	KWR 26,540/month

Cost of Living in South Korea

Here are some living costs that international students can expect while doing their PhD in South Korea:

Particulars	Monthly Cost (in USD)
Accommodation	$40-USD 60/month (monthly pass)
Food & Groceries	$100-USD 200/month (electricity, water, internet)
Transportation	$300-USD 500/month
Utilities	$30-USD 50/month
Mobile phone	Cinema tickets: $10-USD 15, Museum entry: $5-USD 10. Costs can vary depending on activities and hobbies.
Dining out	Basic consultation: $20-USD 50 Public healthcare is relatively affordable, but private insurance might be desirable.
Entertainment	USD 6 10 (casual lunch), $15-USD 25 (mid-range dinner)
Healthcare	Basic consultation: $20-$50 USD Public healthcare is relatively affordable, but private insurance might be desirable.
Personal expenses	Depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Seoul

Scholarships

While tuition fees for a PhD in South Korea can cost quite a bit, there are also several scholarships available for international students. These scholarships come in the form of partial or full fee waivers, covering 30%-100% of the tuition costs. Some of these merit-based schemes are as follows:

1. Global Korea Scholarship – Covers medical insurance, tuition fees, flights, living costs, and language lessons.
2. Support Program for Self-Financed Students – KWR 500,000 worth of living expenses per month to self-financed students in Korea.

When to Apply for a PhD in South Korea?

South Korean universities generally have two intakes around the year: Spring and Autumn. Students going for courses starting in March should apply between September and November. Those seeking admission in courses starting in September must apply between May and June. Students can apply directly to the university of their choice.

Admission Requirements

To enroll for a Ph.D. in South Korea, students need to have a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field. Some universities also accept an undergraduate degree from a recognized university. Here are some other requirements that aspiring researchers need to fulfill:

1. Filled application form
2. A personal statement
3. A letter of recommendation from your previous alma mater.
4. Academic transcripts
5. Nationality proof of the applicant (copy of passport)
6. Language proficiency in English and/or Korean (TOPIK Level 3 or above)
7. Proof of financial means
8. Portfolio with certification in practical courses
9. A bank balance of USD 10,000

Student Visa

To get a student visa to South Korea, students will need to apply for the same at the Korean embassy in their home country. International students must apply for D-2 visa (Visa for Regular Educational Program) for PhD in South Korea using the following documents:

1. Completed visa application form
2. Valid passport
3. Passport-size photographs
4. Offer letter from the university applied to.
5. Academic transcripts (certified copies)
6. Proof of financial means (at least USD 10,000)

Also Read: South Korean Student Visa for Indians: Process, Requirements & Duration

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Best Country to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2023	Most Popular Bachelor Programs in Sports in Seoul, South Korea
Korean Government Scholarship Program	South Korean Education System

FAQs

We hope you got a complete overview of pursuing a PhD in South Korea from this blog. For more courses to study abroad, subscribe to Leverage Edu today. Thank you for reading!