STUDY IN SOUTH KOREA
Having split from North Korea in 1948 into a separately governed country, South Korea has diverged considerably from its neighbor, developing into an internationally recognized Asian powerhouse in the fields of technology, education and tourism, to name but a few of its strengths. Embracing both tradition and modernity, this ‘Asian Tiger’ has much to offer international students, and ¬¬capital city Seoul is currently ranked among the world’s top 10 student cities.
Investment in education and research has been at the heart of the South Korea’s growth into the world’s 13th largest economy and the third largest economy within Asia. It’s this investment and growth in innovation and technology that has meant the country is known as one of the four ‘Asian Tiger’ economies, alongside Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.
In 2004 the South Korean government set a target of attracting 100,000 foreign students to its universities by 2012, and by 2011 the country had enrolled over 85,000 international students from 171 different countries. Now the initiative has sets its sights even higher, with an aim of 200,000 international students by 2020.
As part of this ongoing focus on internationalization, several universities in South Korea, including Yonsei University, are opening new international campuses to meet growing demand, while five universities have opened branch campuses at the Incheon Global Campus (IGC), including the State University of New York (SUNY). Success Educational Consultancy And Job Solution (SEJS) at Banepa -8 Kavre Nepal is helping to the Nepali students who wish to have south Korean degree and welcome them without any hesitation.
Universities in South Korea
With over 370 official higher education providers in total, South Korea has plenty to offer interested students. The country boasts no less than six top-20 entries and 54 representatives in total in the QS Asia University Rankings 2018, and 29 ranked institutions in the QS World University Rankings 2018®. Here’s a closer look at some of the best performers.
Higher Education
According to government figures, 85 percent of Korean institutions of higher education are private. Approximately 78 percent of university students and 96 percent of professional school students are enrolled in private institutions. Government funding for Korean universities accounts for under 23 percent of total university revenue, significantly lower than the OECD average of 78 percent.
Unlike many other countries around the world, the perception of private institutions of higher education in Korea is on par with that of public universities, much like in the United States. However, the rapid expansion in access to higher education has led to concerns about the quality of university teaching and university graduates in general, a factor that has been one of the driving forces behind the exodus of Korean students to universities abroad.
The ministry recognizes seven different types of institution at the higher education level:
1. Colleges and universities
2. Industrial universities
3. Universities of education
4. Junior colleges
5. Broadcast and correspondence universities
6. Technical colleges
7. Other miscellaneous institutions
Programs are typically structured to offer 40 percent general subject content and 60 percent technical content, with an increasing emphasis on internships. Students are assessed by examinations taken in the middle and at the end of each semester.
Junior colleges are focused on training mid-level technicians, but students can also transfer credits to four-year programs (much the same was as community college students in the United States can) under junior college – university agreements.
Bachelor Degree (4 Years)
Korean bachelor programs (Haksa), offered at universities and colleges, are typically four years in length, although accelerated study programs can be completed in three years. Professional degrees tend to be longer, with architecture requiring five years, and dentistry and medicine being six years.
The standard four-year bachelor degree requires a minimum of 130 credits and is typically structured to include two years of general education and two years of specialized education. One credit point requires one hour of coursework (two hours lab/practical) over a 16-week semester. A thesis, project or comprehensive examination is required for graduation, in addition to an overall grade point average of at least C (2.00).
Master Degree
Offered at universities and four-year colleges, the master’s degree (Suksa) requires two years of full-time study, the completion of coursework and a thesis, 24 or more credits and a grade point average of B (3.0) or better.
Entry is based on the completion of a bachelor degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, qualifying exams in the intended field of study and English, and a selection interview.
Doctoral Degree
Doctoral programs are supervised by the Ministry of Education and require the completion of a thesis, 36 credits over at least two years full-time (four years after a bachelor degree – 60 credits). Students must also show proficiency in two foreign languages and maintain a grade point average of a B or better.
Entry is based on the completion of a master’s degree (in some cases, students can enter directly into a combined masters/doctoral program that requires twice the coursework of a standard doctoral program). Some research experience is typically required.
Why study in South Korea as an International Student ?
South Korea is, in many ways, similar to other destinations around Asia; it features advanced, modern cities and large populations that are always on the go. Since 1948, it has diverged considerably from its neighbor, North Korea. Sought Korea is an amalgamation of the old and the new, with many temples, palaces, and UNESCO World Heritage sites alongside modern buildings and densely populated residential areas. It is highly influenced by American culture, but still manages to hold onto its proud history and culture. Success Educational Consultancy And Job Solution (SEJS) at Banepa -8 Kavre Nepal is helping Nepali student in every steps to study in South Korea which makes easy to those students who are planning to study in south Korea.
Quality Education
The academic environment in Korea is highly competitive. Koreans take education – particularly higher education – very seriously. Academics in Korea are very competitive; students treat their teachers with respect and are extremely serious about their studies. Korea has a number of prestigious universities, and most of these are located in Seoul. Attending one of the universities is seen as a prerequisite for success in Korean society.
There are a variety of fields of study available for international students considering studying in Korea. The most popular fields of study in Korea are in the arts and science, closely followed by business-related courses. If you are an international student interested in any of these fields, enrolling in a South Korean university will ensure that you get the very best education Korea has to offer. If you are more interested in the culture or language of Korea, there are also a number of culture and language-based programs which will take you into the heart of South Korea’s cities and into the pastoral, more traditional countryside. Other unique educational programs include several intensive Korean language summer programs, as well as a National Science Foundation summer institute program for graduate students from the United States.
If you are interested in learning the Korean language, studying in Korea is your best option. Most universities in the United States do not offer Korean language programs, so international study is often your only option if you want to learn the language. Home stay programs have shown to be extraordinarily helpful for students learning a foreign language.
No matter what your field of interest, South Korea has a program to suit your needs as an international student.
Information and Communication Technology
Korea’s information and communication technology is considered as one of the best in the world. Korea is especially notable for its expertise in IT and Robotics. As an international student studying in Korea, you will be exposed to this technology, giving you a considerable edge over other students when you enter the work force. Additionally, this makes Korea a great place for international students with an interest in technology to study
Employment Opportunities
Studying in South Korea will open up a wide range of employment opportunities for you. Graduates from Korean universities are highly sought after by employers all over the world. In addition, the South Korean economy is extremely stable, assuring you a financially secure future.