Recently, South Korea has been thrust into the global limelight as an emerging study destination for international students. With at least 40 universities in the latest QS Rankings list, the 10th largest economy in the world is now becoming a go-to place for study abroad aspirants. For a small nation, South Korea, located in the centre of Asia, makes the news quite frequently.

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By Special Correspondent

New Delhi 

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South Korea consistently makes headlines, whether it's for its contentious history with its northern neighbour, the K-pop stars who are taking over the world, excellent Korean dramas, spicy and flavorful food, or its astounding 97% internet penetration rate.

The official name of the country is the Republic of Korea, and it is the birthplace of numerous global corporations, including Samsung, Hyundai, KIA, and others. It is also well known for its highly educated (98% literate) populace and professional workplace culture.

Highest standards for education

Particularly in higher education, South Korea is renowned for its uncompromising standards in education. The nation needs a skilled workforce to maintain its growth momentum as a global economic powerhouse.

In terms of the volume of Science Citation Index publications, South Korea was ranked 13th globally in 2021. Universities in South Korea offer a wide variety of courses in a variety of fields, including media and design, business and economics, STEM, and more. In South Korea, graduate schools, junior colleges, and universities all offer higher education. Universities offer master's and doctoral degree programmes.

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The universities are divided into three categories: public universities run by local governments, private universities founded by for-profit educational foundations, and national universities created and maintained by the national government.

The most international students attend Seoul National University, which is ranked 29th globally in the QS Rankings. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, and Korea University are just a few of the top universities in the nation.

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The education ministry specifies specific requirements for institutions with regard to, among other things, faculty composition, curriculum, facilities, and degree conferral in order to maintain the highest quality of education.

In the majority of universities, there are courses taught in English. For foreign students, many universities also provide basic Korean language courses. By 2023, 200,000 foreign students are expected to be accepted into Korean universities as part of the government's Study in Korea initiative.

Low living costs, reasonable tuition, and generous scholarships

In South Korea, living and studying expenses are affordable. Tuition is the main expense for all international students, which scholarships can assist with. Indian students can choose from a variety of scholarships to study in South Korea. Scholarships like the Global Korea Scholarship and the POSCO TJ Park Foundation Scholarship for Asian Students in Korea can assist Indian students with their tuition costs, living expenses, and other costs.

In order to manage expenses, students frequently take on internships and part-time jobs. Working up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and an unlimited number during breaks is permitted with a Korean D-2 Student Visa. Students can apply for a D-10 visa to begin looking for jobs after they graduate.

To facilitate migration for international students interested in entertainment- and culture-related education, the government plans to introduce the "Hallyu visa," which will be identical to the UK's HPI visa. The term "Hallyu," which means "Korean wave" in literal terms, is anticipated to pique the interest of more foreign performers.