Higher Study at South Korea

Content:
1. Tertiary Education System
2. Korean Universities
3. Eligibility to apply
4. Scholarship opportunities
5. Factors influence obtaining scholarship
6. Application documents
7. Living Expense in Korea
8. How to make a start

Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 1
This document is prepared to provide basic information to Bangladeshi students seeking for Korean
scholarships. I would like to thank all the volunteers helping Bangladeshi students. Korean universities do
not have any agent. Please, do not spend money on any agent. You can succeed if you help yourself.
Tertiary Education System in Korea
Degree Usual
Duration
Credits Comprehensive
Exam required
Minimum Publication Required
(depends on supervisor)
Bachelor 4 years Varies Varies No
Masters 2 years 24 3 Courses 1 conference
PhD 3 years 36 5 Courses 2 domestic or 1 international
journal
Integrated 5 years 60 8 Courses 1 domestic and 1 international
journal
Integrated means Masters+PhD, however, only PhD degree will be conferred.
Usually, 1 course = 3 credits
Publication requirement depends on supervisors agreement. Usually Science
and Engineering major requires more publications.
In comprehensive exam, student demonstrates his/her knowledge on chosen
courses
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 2
Korean Universities
Please visit: http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/
Currently there are more than 370 official South Korean higher education
providers, including 179 private universities and 43 national universities.
Some Korean Universities, Bangladeshi students prefer
Seoul National University Korea University
KAIST Yonsei University
Pohang University of Science and Technology Sungkyunkwan University
Hanyang University Inha University
Pusan National University Ewha Womans University
Ajou University Sogang University
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Kyung Hee University
Chung-Ang University Soongsil University
Kyungpook National University University of Ulsan
Yeungnam University Konkuk University
Sejong University Kookmin University
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 3
Minimum Eligibility for Admission
Degree Admission Requirements
Bachelor 12 years formal schooling (like HSC or A level)
Masters 4-year Bachelor degree on closely related major
PhD 4-year Bachelor degree and at least 1 year Masters degree, Or
3-year Bachelor degree and a 2-year Masters degree, Or
4-year Bachelor degree and 2-year Masters degree
Integrated 4-year Bachelor degree on closely related major
Semester Application Period
Spring (March June)

October November (previous year)
Fall (September December)

April May (same year)
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 4
Scholarship Opportunities
Degree Total Duration Eligibility
Bachelor 5 years (1+4) Non-Korean parents
12 years formal schooling (like HSC or A level)
Masters
PhD
3 years (1+2)
4 years (1+3)

Non-Korean parents
Age below 40
A Bachelor degree or Masters degree
Minimum CGPA 2.64/4.0
Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP)
For detail information, http://www.niied.go.kr
Application can be submitted to either Korean Embassy (through Education Ministry) or directly
to Korean University. However, Korean university only accepts application with supervisors
recommendation.
1 year Korean language is mandatory where student must obtain TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in
Korean) level 3.
Minimum CGPA doesnt guarantee acceptance of application. In fact, KGSP is more competitive.
KGSP is not offered for integrated program.
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 5
Scholarship Opportunities
Degree Benefits
Bachelor
Masters
PhD
Round trip air ticket (economy class)
200,000 KRW upon arrival (settlement)
800,000 KRW (undergrad) and 900,000 KRW (Masters or PhD) per
month
210,000 KRW per semester for humanities and social sciences and
240,000 KRW per semester for sciences (Only for Masters and PhD)
Language training fee, Tuition fee, general student health insurance
(20,000 KRW per month)
Dissertation printing cost
Additional 100,000 KRW per month to TOPIK 5 or 6 holders

Korean Government Scholarship (KGSP)
For detail information, http://www.niied.go.kr
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 6
Scholarship Opportunities
Degree Eligibility
Bachelor Undergrad scholarships are very competitive without Korean
proficiency.
Some universities offer partial scholarship like SNU, KAIST etc.
Masters
PhD
Integrated
Non-Korean parents
A Bachelor degree or Masters degree in closely related major
Minimum CGPA 2.5/4.0 or more
IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 76 or TOEIC 700 or TEPS 600 or TOPIK 3 or more
Korean supervisors recommendation is preferred.
University Scholarship
Information is given on the university websites
Most of the university scholarships only cover tuition fee (100% or partial). Very few university
scholarships provide additional monthly allowances.
Science and Engineering major students can receive monthly allowance from lab/supervisors.
Thats why students are encouraged to contact a professor before application submission.
Monthly allowance (from supervisor) varies from 400,000 KRW to 1,500,000 KRW depending on
supervisors generosity and available funds.
Students may also get Teaching Assistantship or Lab Assistantship
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 7
Factors influence obtaining scholarship
Factors Score
Results or CGPA 20
English proficiency score 15
Korean proficiency score 15
Study plan including research experience and publications 20
Interview and Korean supervisors recommendation 20
Graduating Universitys position in World Ranking 10
Total 100
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 8
Each university has its own policy for scholarship. This is an example that generally
followed.
Science and Engineering majors are given priority for scholarships.
PhD and Integrated programs are given priority to Masters.
Factors influence obtaining scholarship
CGPA (on scale of 4.0) Marks (%) Score given
Not eligible 50~59 6
Not eligible 60~69 8
Not eligible 70~74 10
Not eligible 75~79 12
2.50~2.99 80~84 14
3.00~3.49 85~89 16
3.50~3.74 90~94 18
3.75~4.00 95~100 20
IELTS TOPIK Score given
Interview Interview 3
Interview Interview 5
Interview 2 or equivalent 7
5.5 3 11
6.5 4 13
7.5 5 or 6 15
Ranking Score given
600~ 4
401~600 6
201~400 8
1~200 10
Study plan including research experience and
publications are entirely assessed by the supervisor.
Thus, score is given by him.
Interview can be taken by the department or
supervisors recommendation (satisfaction) level is
considered as interview score.
Usually QS World ranking is considered.
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 9
Application Documents
(Masters or PhD)
Application form (usually online application, then printed)
Resume (usually designated form)
Photo
Degree Certificates
Transcripts
Letter of Recommendation (usually free format)
IELTS/TOEFL/TOEIC/TEPS/TOPIK score
Personal Statement/Study of Purpose/Motivation Letter (designated form)
Study Plan/Research Plan (designated form)
Copy of Passport
Bank Statement/Sponsorship from Supervisor
Letter of consent (permission for previous degree verification)
Passport/Nationality certificate of Parents
Copy of Certificates and Transcripts are to be verified and attested by university registrar,
then by Education Ministry followed by Foreign Ministry and finally by Korean Embassy.
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 10
Living in Korea
Korea is quite safe, even at night.
Korean people are kind to international students.
It is not wise to disobey supervisor. Supervisor is always right!!!
Public transportations are very convenient. No need personal car.
All the government offices (tax office, police, immigration) are helpful.
Part-time job is very difficult to get without Korean proficiency.
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 11
Housing Type Rent (KRW)
Single bedroom with shared kitchen and toilet 120,000 to 160,000 per month
A studio apartment (private bathroom) 200,000 to 350,000 per month
Dormitory (including breakfast and dinner) 900,000 to 20,000,000 per semester
Particulars Expense (KRW)
Food (if cooked at home) 130,000 to 200,000 per month
Lunch or Dinner at restaurant 3000 to 10,000 per person
Mobile (depends on package) 10,000 to 50,000 per month
Internet (depends on package) 15,000 to 35,000 per month, free in some houses
Transport (very convenient) 20,000 to higher per month
How to contact make a start
Go through the university websites
Check the research area of professors
Make a list of professors whose research areas are of your interest.
Contact them by e-mail with a concise resume (one page)
Your email address should be formal (full name is preferred).
Email title can be Seeking for PhD position Regarding PhD
research etc.
Dont send e-mail to many professors at a time of same
department and school.
Show your passion on particular research area and demonstrate
your ability to the professor. You may refer one of his published
paper that you read.
Wait a week for reply, then you may politely remind again. If no
reply yet, seek for another professor.
There are lot of tips you may find on internet.
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 12
Scholarship for Bangladeshi Students and HigherStudyAbroad
Bangladesh Chapter are two useful facebook groups to have
guidance.
in shikkhok.com can be useful to learn
resume writing, cover letter writing and research proposal writing
at the initial stage.
If you have any query, do not hesitate to ask in Scholarship for
Bangladeshi Students or HigherStudyAbroad Bangladesh
Chapter facebook group. There are many volunteers to help you.
Some useful links
Prepared by Belas Ahmed Khan 13