With its leadership in technology, its globally popular culture and safe living environment, South Korea has become one of the most popular countries for learning Korean. The global popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, Korean cuisine and Korean beauty leads thousands of international students to study the language in Korea every year.
In South Korea, Korean is mainly taught at Korean language institutes run by universities. These institutes offer high-quality, structured language education with systematic curricula, experienced teachers and student life on a university campus.
Studying a language in South Korea offers the opportunity to learn Korean in its most natural environment while experiencing one of the most dynamic societies in the world.
The language institutes of Korean universities usually follow a curriculum of six levels. The academic year is divided into four terms, each lasting about ten weeks, starting in spring, summer, fall and winter. After enrollment, students take a placement test and are placed in the right class.
In regular programs, classes are usually held every weekday in the morning or afternoon. Classes develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills together. Many institutes also organize cultural trips, traditional craft workshops and Korean culture activities outside class.
You can certify your Korean level with the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), administered by the Korean government. TOPIK results are used in applications to Korean universities, scholarship applications, visa processes and job applications.
Language institutes and language schools in South Korea offer a variety of programs to suit different goals:
There are many cities in South Korea where you can study the language:
Language school prices in South Korea vary depending on the institute, the city and the length of the program. University language institutes usually charge fixed fees per term. Institutes at well-known universities in Seoul charge slightly higher fees than those in other cities.
When planning your budget, you should account for the application fee, textbooks, accommodation, health insurance, the visa fee and airfare in addition to the term fee. You should also keep in mind that paying a deposit is common when renting a room in Korea.
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.
Language school students in South Korea can choose from accommodation options to suit different budgets:
In Seoul, there are many accommodation options for students in neighborhoods close to universities. Choosing accommodation close to your school and a metro line makes daily travel easier.
Turkish citizens attending short summer and winter programs in South Korea can study under short-stay entry rights. However, Korea may require nationals of many visa-exempt countries to obtain an electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) before traveling.
Long-term Korean studies require a D-4 language training visa. The D-4 visa application is made to the Korean mission in Turkey with the certificate of admission from the university's language institute. The application requires a passport, the certificate of admission, proof of financial means and educational documents such as an apostilled diploma.
After arriving in Korea, students must apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) and enroll in national health insurance within a set period. At NGGlobal, we support you at every step of your admission and visa process.
Students studying Korean in South Korea on a D-4 visa can work part-time for a limited number of hours after spending a certain period in the country, provided they obtain permission from the immigration office. This permission usually requires regular class attendance and a certain level of Korean.
However, since work permission cannot be obtained in the first months of language studies and income from part-time jobs is limited, it is important to prepare a budget that covers your expenses when planning language studies in Korea.
The cost of living in South Korea varies by city. Although Seoul is more expensive than other cities, it offers reasonable living costs compared with major Western European cities. Busan, Daegu and Daejeon are more affordable options. Public transport and food are generally affordable.
Korea's metro and bus systems are highly developed, clean and safe. Thanks to the high-speed rail network, you can travel between cities quickly. The fact that shops, cafés and restaurants stay open late into the night also makes daily life easier.
Social life in Korea is very colorful, with K-pop concerts, festivals, historic palaces, temples, mountain hiking, street food and café culture. The long-standing friendship between Turkey and Korea also ensures that Turkish students receive a warm welcome in Korea.
At NGGlobal, we offer free consultation to students who want to study Korean in South Korea. By assessing your goals, Korean level and budget, we identify the city, institute and program that suit you best.
Contact us to build your plan for language studies in South Korea together.
No. Language institutes in Korea teach students with no knowledge of Korean from beginner level. However, learning the Korean alphabet, Hangul, before you go helps you adapt to classes more easily.
University language institutes usually teach in four terms, each lasting about ten weeks. Terms start in spring, summer, fall and winter. Applications usually close a few months before the term starts.
The D-4 visa is the language training visa issued to students who want to study Korean long term at university language institutes in South Korea.
Students holding a D-4 visa can work part-time for a limited number of hours after spending a certain period in Korea and obtaining permission from the immigration office.
Yes. Many students apply to Korean-taught bachelor's and master's programs at Korean universities after reaching the required level on the TOPIK exam following their language studies.
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