Attending high school in South Korea gives students the opportunity to experience one of the world's most successful education systems, learn Korean at a young age and live in a country where technology, culture and tradition come together. With growing interest in Korean culture and language in recent years, South Korea has also become a country that attracts high school students from Turkey.
Students from Turkey usually attend high school in South Korea in one of two ways. In exchange programs lasting one semester or one academic year, students stay with a Korean host family and attend Korean high schools. Students aiming for an international diploma can choose international schools in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and Jeju.
Attending high school in South Korea offers students important academic and personal advantages.
South Korea is an East Asian country located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital is Seoul. The official language is Korean. The currency is the South Korean won.
South Korea is known for its advanced technology, modern cities, historic palaces and temples, and its internationally recognized culture industry. The country has four distinct seasons, with hot and humid summers and cold winters. The long-standing friendship between Turkey and South Korea means Turkish students are warmly welcomed in the country.
The education system in South Korea consists of six years of elementary school, three years of middle school and three years of high school. High school usually covers students between the ages of 16 and 18. The types of high schools in Korea are:
School days at Korean high schools are long, and students continue to study intensively after school. High school culminates in the national university entrance exam held every November. This disciplined learning culture gives students strong study habits.
The types of high schools international students can choose from in South Korea are:
There are different programs for high school education in South Korea depending on the student's goals and the length of stay:
Application requirements for high schools in South Korea vary depending on the type of program and the school. For exchange programs, students are usually expected to be within a certain age range, have a good academic record and be open to adapting to a different culture. Many exchange programs do not require prior knowledge of Korean; however, basic Korean makes settling in much easier.
The application usually requires report cards from recent years, a transcript, teacher references, student and family introduction letters and health information. International schools may also hold an English proficiency assessment, an entrance exam and an interview. Some international schools may have admission requirements relating to nationality and time spent studying abroad.
The school year in South Korea starts in early March and ends in February. It is divided into two semesters: the first runs from March to July, and the second from late August to February. The summer break runs from late July through August, and the winter break from late December to February.
At international schools, the school year usually starts in August or September and ends in June. Applications for exchange programs are usually made 6 to 12 months before the program starts. Since host family placement and visa processes take time, applying early is very important.
The city where you can attend high school in South Korea depends on the type of program. In exchange programs, students are placed in the city where their host family lives.
High school education at public high schools in South Korea is tuition-free. However, this right applies to students residing in Korea. It is usually not possible for a student living in Turkey to enroll full-time in a Korean public high school without moving to Korea with their family.
The most common way for students from Turkey to attend Korean high schools is through exchange programs. In these programs, no tuition is paid to the school or it is included in the program fee; a program fee is paid to the organizing institution for host family placement, organization, insurance and support services. International schools are fee-paying private schools.
The cost of high school education in South Korea varies widely depending on the type of program. Fees for exchange programs vary depending on the length of the program, host family placement and the services included.
Fees at international schools in Seoul and Jeju are among the highest education fees in South Korea. Boarding fees at schools in Jeju should also be taken into account separately. When planning your budget, you should account for airfare, health insurance, visa costs, pocket money and school trips in addition to the school or program fee.
At NGGlobal, we share the current prices of our partner institutions with you and work with you to choose the program that best fits your budget and goals.
The main accommodation options for high school students in South Korea are:
In all options, students' safety and wellbeing come first. Students receive support from local coordinators or school staff throughout the program.
Turkish citizens need a long-term student visa to attend high school in South Korea. Korea has a separate visa category for elementary and secondary school students. For students taking part in exchange programs, the application is usually made with documents issued by the program organization.
The application requires documents such as the letter of acceptance from the school or exchange organization, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means, health insurance, a parental consent form and documents showing the family relationship. Applications are made through South Korea's missions in Turkey. After arriving in Korea, students must complete their alien registration within a set period.
Since visa processing can take time, it is important to plan your application early. At NGGlobal, we support our students and their families at every step of the visa process.
Students who take part in a high school exchange program in South Korea or complete part of their high school education there must obtain recognition (denklik) from the Turkish Ministry of National Education to continue their education where they left off when they return to Turkey. Students who earn a Korean high school diploma or an IB diploma must also obtain recognition of their diploma to apply to universities in Turkey.
Because the Korean school year starts in March, moving between grades needs careful planning. For the recognition process to run smoothly, the courses taken and grades earned must be documented, and the documents must be certified and translated. It is advisable to speak with your school and the Provincial Directorate of National Education before the program starts to learn the recognition requirements.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to attend high school in South Korea and to their families. By assessing the student's age, academic background, goals and the family's budget, we identify the most suitable program.
Contact us to build your plan for high school in South Korea together.
Korean high schools teach in Korean. International schools in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and Jeju teach in English.
Many exchange programs do not require prior knowledge of Korean. However, basic Korean makes adapting to school and the host family much easier.
At Korean high schools, the school year starts in March and ends in February. At international schools, it usually starts in August or September.
Yes. In exchange programs, students stay with a Korean host family. For full-time international education, the boarding international schools in Jeju are a leading option.
Yes. If you prepare all the required documents, you can obtain recognition from the Turkish Ministry of National Education and continue your education in Turkey where you left off.
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