South Korea’s rise to become a trending study abroad destination

South Korea, nestled in the heart of Asia, is in the news fairly often for a small country.

Whether it's the chequered history with its northern neighbour, K-pop superstars conquering the world, superb Korean dramas, spicy and flavourful food, or its astonishing 97% internet penetration rate — South Korea is always making headlines.

Officially known as the Republic of Korea, the birthplace of many global corporate giants such as Samsung, Hyundai, KIA etc., it has also earned accolades for its highly educated (98% literacy rate) population and professional work culture.

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.

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Fun fact: Anupam Tripathi, the Indian actor who played Abdul Ali in the hit South Korean Netflix series Squid Game, studied at the Korea National University of Arts in Seoul on a scholarship.

According to the latest estimates from India's foreign ministry, more than 1,300 Indian students are studying in South Korea. So, what factors are behind its rise as the hottest new destination for international education?

Highest education standards
South Korea is known for its uncompromising education standards, particularly in higher education. The country is an economic powerhouse and needs a skilled workforce to keep its growth momentum.

South Korea ranked 13th in the world in the number of Science Citation Index publications in 2021. South Korean universities offer a wide range of courses across many subjects, from media and design, business and economics to STEM and beyond. Higher education institutions in South Korea are divided into junior colleges, universities and graduate schools. Masters and doctoral degree programs are available at universities.

The universities comprise national universities, established and operated by the central government, local governments run public universities, and private universities founded by private non-profit educational foundations. Seoul National University ranks 29th globally in QS Rankings and attracts the most international students. Other top universities in the country include Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yonsei University and Korea University, among others.

To maintain the highest quality of education, the education ministry defines specific requirements for institutions concerning faculty composition, curriculum, facilities, and degree conferment, among other things.

English-taught courses are available in most universities. Many universities also offer introductory Korean language courses for international students. The government’s Study in Korea initiative seeks to invite 200,000 international students to study in Korean universities by 2023.

Affordable tuition fees, cost of living, generous scholarships
Studying and living costs are reasonable in South Korea. Every international student's primary expense is tuition, which scholarships can help with. Multiple scholarships are available for Indian students to study in South Korea. Scholarships such as Global Korea Scholarship and Scholarship for Asian Students in Korea (POSCO TJ Park Foundation) can help Indian students with tuition fees, living expenses and other costs.

Students usually also turn to part-time jobs and internships to manage expenses. A Korean D-2 Student Visa permits working up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and an unlimited amount during breaks. After graduating, students can apply for a D-10 visa to start looking for employment.

The government is set to introduce the ‘Hallyu visa’, identical to the UK's HPI visa, to make migration easier for international students interested in entertainment and culture-related education. 'Hallyu' literally translates to 'Korean wave' and is expected to stir more interest among international talent.

Korean soft power, courtesy of K-drama and K-pop
The Korean media and entertainment industry enjoys immense popularity across the world. K-drama, K-pop, and Korean food have helped South Korean culture reach worldwide, especially in India. Bands like BTS and BLACKPINK have massive fanbases in India.

According to a recent study by Netflix, there has also been a 370% increase in Indian viewership for K-dramas. This soft power has driven curiosity among Gen Z to further explore South Korea by travelling to and studying in the country.

Other factors, such as safety, have also played a key part. South Korea is generally considered a safe country, and its capital Seoul ranked 25th in Safe Cities Index 2021.

South Korea is an industrialised nation and Asia's fourth-largest economy. It is known for technological innovation and research. The country's vast and varied corporate sector offers ample well-paid employment opportunities, making it an attractive and promising place to build an international career for aspiring students.