Why choose Korea? Korea has been a popular destination nowadays. From local food to pop culture, there is always something trendy and quirky to look forward to in Korea. Aside from that, Korea’s educational system is highly competitive with international educational standards. You can expect top Korean universities to be among the best schools worldwide.
Studying nursing in Korea is completed in four years for undergraduate programs. Most universities and colleges offer bachelor’s up to doctoral degrees. If you choose to study a course in Korean, it is required to take a Korean language course in an accredited institution before you can be eligible for the program. Learning the language is highly essential for daily needs in stores and school conversations.
If you’re interested in taking a nursing program in Korea, you need to prepare beforehand. To help you with this, we listed down the steps to follow as you study in Korea.
Can International Students Take a Nursing Program in Korea?
Yes! International students can take a nursing program in Korea. Many Korean universities are offering various programs in nursing. If you’re planning to study here, kindly take note of the requirements needed, and you need to do a lot of research. You’ll be choosing your school, location, and other things. Additionally, you also need to be fluent in Korean and English languages.
The requirements and documents may vary depending on your chosen university, home country, and others. Please do thorough research on the things that you should prepare.
How Much Does it Cost for an International Student to Study Nursing in South Korea?
The cost of the tuition fee for an undergraduate nursing program in Korea may range from USD 4,000 to USD 7,000. The academic costs vary depending on your university, year level, degree, and others. Aside from the tuition fees, other expenses like books, insurance, and accommodation should also be considered when computing your expenses.
Steps to Study Nursing in South Korea
Step 1. Understand the prerequisites of becoming a nurse
To become a nurse in South Korea, one must hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Most schools in the country offer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing programs.
To study an undergraduate nursing program, the applicant must be a graduate of an accredited high school and must be proficient in the Korean language. Moreover, the applicants should hold good scores on scholastic aptitude tests and the activity and achievement records of the high school. After which, there will be a written examination and an interview.
At Seoul National University, for example, they require candidates to submit a high school diploma and a transcript of records. If you already earned a bachelor’s degree, your college diploma and transcript should also be submitted. Moreover, an English proficiency test and Korean language proficiency are also required. For international students, the applicant’s parents should not be Korean citizens.
Step 2. Research about the best nursing schools in South Korea
Before studying nursing in Korea, you have to do some research on the best nursing schools in South Korea. Depending on your location preference, you can choose nursing schools in the countryside or city. It is generally more affordable in the countryside than in the city. If lifestyle and budget are the least of your concerns, several universities and colleges are situated in the city. These institutions have a promising quality education, with affiliations in the hospitals and state-of-the-art facilities.
When choosing a nursing school, research the list of board examination passers of the school, the percentage, and if they are among the top students. This will help you give a general outlook on the school’s performance and quality of nursing education.
Step 3. Aim to get high marks in the Korean and English language requirements
As a rule of thumb, speaking the native language will help you throughout your entire stay in South Korea. You also have to look into the long-term advantages of learning more than two languages. In the future, when employers know you are knowledgeable in other languages, it is considered to be an advantage in your career. This is also beneficial if you plan to work in this country after studying nursing.
Most programs in South Korea are taught in Korean, with a few English-taught subjects. For instance, at Seoul National University, both Korean and international students are required to submit a National English/Korean Test Score and English certification from any of the following: TOPIK, IELTS, TOEFL, TEPS, AP, or SAT.
Step 4. Prepare financially
As part of the requirements, students need to prove they are capable of financing their studies in South Korea. This is essential to prove that you can pay for your daily expenses and the school tuition fees. On average, students spend about USD 2,500 per month, which includes rent, food, school supplies, and other personal expenses.
Moreover, the average cost of tuition in nursing schools is about USD 4,000 to USD 7,000, depending on the location, year, and type of school institution. At Yonsei University, the cost of tuition per academic year is around USD 4,400, including the admissions fee and tuition fee.
Step 5. Prepare all necessary documents
Prepare your application documents in advance and check if your documents are valid and complete. The university’s website states all the requirements.
For example, Kyungpook National University requires a completed application form, statement of purpose, and study plan, high school graduation certificate and transcript, English or Korean proficiency test results (TOPIK, IELTS, etc.), certificate of enrollment or completion at a Korean language school, and copy of a valid passport.
Step 6. Submit your application to nursing schools
When you have finished choosing a school and checking your eligibility to apply, you can start your application process. The application process for studying nursing in Korea generally involves submitting documents, evaluating documents, interviews, and/or examinations. Finally, upon acceptance by the university, an admission letter is given to you.
For instance, at Kyungpook National University, the application process starts with online application submission and documents. Afterward, you will be screened for qualification and conduct an interview. Upon moving to the next step, you are required to submit your financial documents and be screened again. Once you pass the initial screening, you are notified of the admission result and proceed with the tuition fee payment. Lastly, you will be issued a certificate of admission and attend an orientation.
Step 7. Apply for a student visa in South Korea
After a long dreary application process, you can now start applying for a student visa. Generally, the required documents for a student visa are a completed application form, passport with six months validity, passport size colored photo, visa documents from a Korean university, CoA or Confirmation of Visa Issuance, and visa application fee receipt. Keep in mind that each country may have different documents.
You can check the Korean embassy of your country to know more about it. In any visa you’re applying for, it is always a must to have enough finances in your bank to show the embassy that you have more than enough to support yourself while studying nursing in Korea. The school and the Korean embassy will have to make sure that you can financially support your studies in South Korea.
We hope this will serve as a guide when planning to study nursing in Korea. Make sure to also check out the Study in Korea and Available Programs for International Students for more study options!
