South Korea is steadily gaining popularity among Indians, with many embracing Korean fashion, food, and culture. This cultural adoption extends to seeking education, as an increasing number of Indian students look to study in South Korea. However, reflecting this interest, the Indian government included Korean as one of the eight foreign languages in schools in 2020. Moreover, major renowned universities in India, such as Delhi University, Jamia Milia, Christ University, Nalanda University, and Manipur University, have introduced Korean language courses.
Despite this growing interest, the number of Indian students enrolled in Korean universities remains relatively low, primarily due to limited awareness of available opportunities. However, South Korea offers several advantages as a study destination. Furthermore, taking into consideration fees, tuition fees are comparatively affordable, with international students paying the same fees as domestic students. The average tuition fee for public universities is around KRW 248,000 per semester, while private universities charge approximately KRW 400,000 per semester.
Additionally, South Korea provides various financial assistance options, including scholarships. These scholarships are categorized based on university location:
- Scholarship Type A: Covers 30% of tuition fees for undergraduate students with outstanding GPAs. Graduate students recommended by faculty with excellent GPAs receive 80% tuition coverage, while those recommended without exceptional grades receive 50%.
- Scholarship Type B: Covers 50% of tuition fees for undergraduate students with outstanding GPAs. Graduate students recommended by professors, researchers, and research institutes receive full tuition fee exemptions, while those with outstanding GPAs get 50% coverage.
According to South Korea’s Ministry of Education, 1,328 Indian students were studying in the country in 2022, accounting for 0.8% of the total international student population. Experts attribute the low enrollment numbers to language barriers and South Korea’s limited recognition as a study destination among Indian students.
