South Korea sends over 100,000 students abroad every year — one of the highest outbound rates in Asia relative to population. Korean students are sought after by universities worldwide for their strong academic preparation and high English test scores. This guide covers the best destinations, what each offers, and which English test you'll need.
Why Korean Students Study Abroad
- English proficiency development — TOEIC dominates domestic employment testing but is not recognised for overseas university admission; TOEFL/IELTS are the relevant tests
- International network and career advantage — particularly for careers in global companies, law firms, financial institutions
- Degree programmes not available in Korea — niche programmes in arts, humanities, environmental science, social policy
- Graduate school quality — for PhD and research, US, UK, and European universities offer exceptional research environments
- Language learning — many Korean students go to English-speaking countries specifically for language immersion before entering a degree programme
1. USA — The Top Destination
Korean students in the USA: Over 40,000 South Korean students are enrolled at US universities at any given time — one of the largest international student populations in the USA.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary English test | TOEFL iBT — 80–110+ depending on programme |
| Key visa | F-1 Student Visa |
| Top programmes | Computer science, engineering, business, biomedical, law, social science |
| Scholarships | Fulbright Korea (KAEC), university merit fellowships, funded PhD programmes |
| Post-study | OPT: 1 year (STEM: up to 3 years) |
| Popular universities | USC, NYU, Columbia, Cornell, UCLA, UT Austin, University of Illinois |
Korean community: Korean-Americans number over 1 million; Koreatown communities exist in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, and Houston. Korean students rarely feel isolated in the USA.
Cost: High — private US university tuition can be $55,000–$65,000/year; living in major cities adds another $18,000–$30,000/year. Funded PhD programmes are the exception — STEM PhDs typically include tuition waiver and a ~$20,000–$35,000 annual stipend.
2. Australia — Second Most Popular
Australia has been a consistently top destination for Korean students — partly for degrees, partly for English-medium living experience, and partly through the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) pathway that many Koreans use before or alongside study.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary English test | IELTS Academic 6.5–7.0 (PTE also accepted) |
| Key visa | Subclass 500 Student Visa |
| Post-study | Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate: 2–4 years |
| Top programmes | Engineering, business, education, health sciences |
| Notable feature | Working Holiday Visa (ages 18–30) popular before or between studies |
| Popular universities | University of Melbourne, Sydney, UNSW, UQ, ANU, Monash |
Korean community: Melbourne and Sydney both have established Korean communities. Strathfield (Sydney) is particularly well-known as a Korean enclave in Australia.
3. United Kingdom
The UK is growing as a Korean student destination, driven by the one-year master's advantage, strong university global rankings, and the Graduate Route post-study visa (2 years of open work rights).
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary English test | IELTS UKVI Academic 6.5–7.0 |
| Key visa | UK Student Visa |
| Post-study | Graduate Route: 2 years (master's), 3 years (PhD) |
| Scholarships | Chevening Korea (annual allocation); Commonwealth Exchange |
| Notable feature | One-year master's — full degree in 12 months |
| Popular universities | LSE, King's College London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Warwick, UCL |
Korean community: London has a significant Korean community (around New Malden in southwest London — the largest Korean community in Europe).
4. Germany
Germany is an attractive option for Korean students seeking high-quality education at low cost, particularly in engineering, sciences, and business.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary English test | IELTS 6.0–6.5 (English-taught programmes); German B2 (German-taught) |
| Key visa | German Student Visa |
| Post-study | Job Seeker Visa (18 months); EU Blue Card |
| Scholarships | DAAD Germany-Korea exchange programme |
| Tuition | Mostly free at public universities (~€350/semester admin fee) |
| Popular universities | TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, LMU Munich, TU Berlin, Heidelberg |
Why Korea–Germany is a natural fit: Germany and South Korea both have strong engineering and manufacturing traditions. Korean companies (Samsung, Hyundai, LG, SK Group) have significant European operations and value German engineering credentials.
5. Canada
Canada offers a clear post-study immigration pathway (PGWP and Express Entry) and is increasingly popular with Korean students who want a long-term immigration option.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary English test | IELTS 6.5–7.0; TOEFL 90–100 |
| Key visa | Canada Student Permit (SDS available) |
| Post-study | PGWP: up to 3 years; Express Entry PR |
| Popular universities | University of Toronto, UBC, Waterloo, McGill, Western |
| Notable feature | Strong permanent residence pathway after study + work |
6. Japan
Japan is a unique option for Korean students — geographically close, culturally connected, and with strong university research capacity. Bilateral student exchanges between Korea and Japan are extensive.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary English test | IELTS or TOEFL (varies by university and programme) |
| Key scholarship | MEXT Japan Scholarship (covers Korean students) |
| Notable feature | Proximity — cheap flights; Korean student community well-established in Tokyo, Osaka |
| Cost | Moderate — lower than USA, UK, or Australia |
English Test Guide by Destination
| Destination | English Test | Minimum Typical Target |
|---|---|---|
| USA | TOEFL iBT | 80–100 (graduate school) |
| Australia | IELTS Academic | 6.5–7.0 (postgraduate) |
| UK | IELTS UKVI Academic | 6.5–7.0 |
| Canada | IELTS Academic | 6.5–7.0 (postgrad) |
| Germany (English) | IELTS Academic | 6.0–6.5 |
TOEIC vs TOEFL vs IELTS — The Key Distinction for Korean Students
TOEIC is used in Korean workplace hiring — a TOEIC 900+ score is a standard resume credential for large Korean companies. But TOEIC is not accepted by any overseas university for admissions, and it is not a proxy for TOEFL or IELTS.
Korean students who have TOEIC 850 but have never prepared for TOEFL or IELTS frequently underestimate how much preparation the overseas admission tests require — particularly the academic writing and speaking components, which TOEIC does not assess.
For overseas study planning: set your TOEIC entirely aside and prepare specifically for TOEFL or IELTS depending on your target destination.
Scholarships for Korean Students Going Abroad
| Scholarship | Destination | Covers | IELTS/TOEFL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Korea (KAEC) | USA | Full — tuition + stipend | TOEFL 80+ |
| DAAD | Germany | Stipend + tuition free | IELTS 6.0–6.5 or German B2 |
| Chevening Korea | UK | Full — tuition + stipend | IELTS UKVI 6.5 |
| NIIED Global Korea Scholarship (outbound) | Various | Partial support | Per university |
| University merit aid | USA / UK / Australia / Canada | Varies | Per university |
Prepare for TOEFL with Gabble — If you're heading to the USA, TOEFL iBT 80–100 is your target. Or prepare for IELTS if your destination is Australia, UK, or Canada. AI-powered Speaking and Writing practice with instant band scores — tailored to the specific test format you're taking.