IMA Study Abroad Guide 2026
Study in South Korea from India 2026 — GKS Scholarship & Complete Guide
South Korea has emerged as a top study destination for Indian students, combining excellent universities, affordable costs, and the prestigious GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) that covers full tuition plus ₩900,000 monthly stipend. Korean pop culture, technology, and K-drama have made Korean language one of the fastest-growing foreign languages in India.
March · September
Intakes
5.5–6.5
Min. IELTS
D-10 Job Seeker → E-7 Skilled Worker
PR Path
60+ students
IMA Placed
Why Study in South Korea? — Key Benefits
GKS — Korea's Fully Funded Government Scholarship
The Global Korea Scholarship covers full tuition, monthly living allowance of ₩900,000, round-trip airfare, health insurance, and Korean language training before your degree starts.
Affordable Cost of Living
Outside Seoul, monthly living expenses are ₩700,000–900,000 (₹45,000–58,000). Food, transport, and accommodation are reasonably priced compared to Western countries.
World-Class STEM Universities
KAIST, POSTECH, Seoul National University, and Yonsei consistently rank in global top 100 for science, technology, and engineering.
Korean Tech Industry Boom
Samsung, LG, Hyundai, SK Hynix, and Kakao are headquartered in Korea. Engineering and technology graduates have excellent internship and full-time opportunities.
Growing Korean Language Demand in India
IMA offers Korean language classes (A1–B2) in Faridabad. Korean skills open doors to K-pop industry, diplomacy, manufacturing, and tech companies operating in India.
D-10 Visa for Job Seekers
After graduation, you can apply for a D-10 Job Seeker Visa giving 2 years to find employment in Korea before converting to an E-7 Skilled Worker Visa.
Cost of Studying in South Korea from India
| Expense | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition — National University (per year) | ₹2.5L – ₹4L (₩4–6 million) |
| Tuition — Private University (per year) | ₹4L – ₹8L |
| Monthly living expenses (Seoul) | ₩1,000,000–1,500,000 (₹65,000–97,000) |
| Monthly living expenses (other cities) | ₩700,000–1,000,000 (₹45,000–65,000) |
| University dormitory (per month) | ₩200,000–400,000 (₹13,000–26,000) |
| National Health Insurance (per month) | ₩80,000–100,000 (₹5,200–6,500) |
| Return flight | ₹35,000 – ₹55,000/year |
* Estimates for guidance only. Actual costs vary by city, university, and lifestyle.
Scholarships for Indian Students in South Korea
GKS Scholarship (Undergraduate)
Full tuition + ₩900,000/month + airfare + insurance
Deadline: March 2026
GKS Scholarship (Graduate)
Full tuition + ₩900,000/month + extras
Deadline: March 2026
POSCO Asia Fellowship
$20,000/year for graduate studies
Deadline: Apr 2026
University-Specific Scholarships
20–100% tuition waiver
Deadline: Varies by university
💡 IMA's scholarship specialists have helped students win over ₹12 crore in total funding. Book a free scholarship session →
Top Universities in South Korea for Indian Students
Seoul National University (SNU)
QS #41Popular courses: Engineering, Medicine, Humanities, Law
KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)
QS #51Popular courses: Engineering, AI, Physics, Business
Yonsei University
QS #56Popular courses: Medicine, Business, Engineering, Humanities
Korea University
QS #74Popular courses: Law, Business, Humanities, Sciences
POSTECH
QS #87Popular courses: Engineering, Sciences, IT, Materials
Sungkyunkwan University
QS #111Popular courses: Engineering, Sciences, Business
Most Popular Courses for Indian Students in South Korea
- MS in Computer Science / AI / Robotics
- MS in Electrical / Semiconductor Engineering
- MBA at Seoul Business Schools
- MS in Materials Science
- Korean Language & Cultural Studies
- International Business & Trade
- Architecture & Design
- Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
South Korea Student Visa — Step by Step
Apply for GKS Scholarship (Embassy track in March or University track varies) OR apply directly to universities for self-funded admission
For GKS: Submit application at the Indian Embassy in Seoul through National Institute for International Education (NIIED)
Pass GKS document review, interview, and final placement at a Korean university
Receive Certificate of Admission from your Korean university
Apply for a Student Visa (D-2) at the Korean Embassy or Consulate in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata)
Submit documents: admission letter, financial proof, medical certificate, and police clearance certificate
Receive visa (usually in 5–10 working days) and travel to Korea for orientation
IMA's Visa Success Rate: 96%
Our visa team has successfully processed 1,000+ student visa applications for South Korea and 20+ other countries.
FAQs — Study in South Korea
What is the GKS Scholarship?
The GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) — also known as KGSP — is South Korea's flagship international scholarship. It provides full tuition, ₩900,000/month living allowance, round-trip economy airfare, health insurance, and 1 year of Korean language training before your main programme starts. It is highly competitive with thousands of applicants from 140+ countries.
Is Korean language required for studying in South Korea?
Not for English-taught programmes. However, GKS scholars attend a 1-year Korean language preparatory course at Korean Language Institutes before starting their degree. Many programmes are available in English at top universities. IMA offers Korean language classes (A1–B2) in Faridabad for interested students.
What is the minimum IELTS score for South Korea?
For English-taught programmes, most Korean universities require IELTS 5.5–6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80–90. For Korean-taught programmes, TOPIK Level 3–4 is typically required. GKS applicants need English proficiency proof.
How much does it cost to study in South Korea?
National university tuition ranges from ₩4–6 million/year (₹2.5–4 lakh). Living costs in Seoul average ₩1,000,000–1,500,000/month (₹65,000–97,000), while other cities are 30–40% cheaper. University dormitories are available from ₩200,000/month.
Can I work part-time in South Korea as a student?
Yes. Students on D-2 visa can work up to 20 hours/week during semesters and unrestricted hours during vacation. Average part-time wage is ₩9,620/hour (approximately ₹620/hour). Working at Korean companies is also valuable for career networking.
How can IMA help with my South Korea application?
IMA's counsellors specialise in GKS scholarship applications, university shortlisting for Korea, Korean language class preparation, visa documentation, and pre-departure briefing. We have placed 60+ students in South Korea. Book a free session to start your Korea journey.
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