Study in South Korea: Costs, Visa, Universities and Scholarships for Pakistani Students

South Korea has become a strong choice for Pakistani students in engineering, computer science, semiconductors, biotechnology and business. Its universities are well ranked, research labs are well funded, and many graduate students are paid by their professors. The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is fully funded, and even self-funded students can cut costs sharply through tuition waivers linked to grades and Korean language ability.

All money figures use KRW 1,000 ≈ PKR 207 and US$1 ≈ PKR 278 (October 2026). Treat conversions as approx.

Quick facts	South Korea
Language of teaching	Korean for most bachelor's degrees; many English-taught master's and PhD programmes, especially in science and engineering
Academic year / intakes	Spring (March, main) and Fall (September)
Typical tuition (per year)	National universities: approx. KRW 4m to 7m (PKR 0.83m to 1.45m). Private: approx. KRW 8m to 14m (PKR 1.66m to 2.9m)
Monthly living cost	approx. KRW 0.8m to 1.7m (PKR 166,000 to 352,000)
Part-time work	Permitted with approval; hours depend on level and TOPIK score
Post-study work	D-10 job-seeker visa, then E-7 work visa or points-based residence

Budget options: what you can do on every budget

Budget	Route	What it looks like
Fully funded (zero cost)	GKS Graduate (embassy and university tracks), GKS Undergraduate, funded lab positions at KAIST, POSTECH, UNIST, GIST, DGIST and research universities (BK21 projects), KOICA master's (for government officials)	GKS pays tuition (up to KRW 16.56m a year), one year of Korean language training, airfare, medical insurance and a monthly allowance. GKS-U 2027 pays KRW 14.4m a year in the degree phase (about KRW 1.2m or PKR 248,000 a month).
Low fee with a partial grant	University entrance scholarships (30% to 100% of tuition for strong grades or TOPIK), graduate research assistantships, a national university in a regional city	Tuition reduced or waived; you pay some living costs. Own cost approx. KRW 6m to 12m a year (PKR 1.24m to 2.48m).
Self-funded, mid-range	National or private university outside Seoul (Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju), Korean language institute first	approx. KRW 15m to 22m a year all-in (PKR 3.1m to 4.6m).
Self-funded, premium	Top private universities in Seoul (Yonsei, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan, Hanyang), English-taught programme	approx. KRW 25m to 35m a year all-in (PKR 5.2m to 7.2m).

For master's and PhD applicants, the most reliable route is often not GKS at all but a funded lab position. Email professors whose work matches yours. Many cover tuition and pay a monthly stipend from their research grants.

University costs

Korean universities charge per semester (two semesters a year). Approx. ranges for 2026:

• National universities (Seoul National, Pusan National, Kyungpook, Chonnam, Chungnam): approx. KRW 2m to 3.5m a semester (PKR 414,000 to 725,000).
• Private universities: approx. KRW 4m to 6m a semester for humanities and business, KRW 5m to 7m for engineering (PKR 0.83m to 1.45m). Medicine and arts cost more.
• Science and technology institutes (KAIST, POSTECH, UNIST, GIST, DGIST): most admitted international students receive full tuition scholarships. KAIST's undergraduate international scholarship has historically included a monthly allowance (approx. KRW 350,000).
• Application fee: approx. KRW 100,000 to 150,000 (PKR 20,700 to 31,000).
• Korean language institutes (university-run): approx. KRW 1.6m to 1.9m per 10-week term (PKR 331,000 to 393,000).

Tuition waivers. Almost every university offers international student scholarships. Typical patterns: 30% to 100% off first-semester tuition based on grades or TOPIK level (for example TOPIK 4 might give 50%, TOPIK 5 or 6 might give 100%), then semester-by-semester renewal based on GPA. Graduate students in labs often receive full waivers through research projects. Check each university's international office page.

Living costs

Monthly estimates for a single student (approx., 2026). Dorms are cheaper than one-room flats.

City	Rent (dorm or one-room)	Food	Transport	Total per month
Seoul	KRW 350,000 to 800,000	KRW 400,000 to 600,000	KRW 60,000 to 90,000	KRW 1.2m to 1.7m (PKR 248,000 to 352,000)
Busan	KRW 250,000 to 550,000	KRW 350,000 to 500,000	KRW 50,000 to 70,000	KRW 0.9m to 1.3m (PKR 186,000 to 269,000)
Daejeon	KRW 200,000 to 500,000	KRW 350,000 to 450,000	KRW 40,000 to 60,000	KRW 0.85m to 1.2m (PKR 176,000 to 248,000)
Gwangju / Daegu	KRW 200,000 to 450,000	KRW 330,000 to 450,000	KRW 40,000 to 60,000	KRW 0.8m to 1.1m (PKR 166,000 to 228,000)

Totals include phone, utilities and National Health Insurance, which is compulsory for international students after arrival (approx. KRW 75,000 to 80,000 a month at the student rate; changes yearly). One-room flats often ask for a deposit (key money) of KRW 3m to 10m, so dorms are the safer first choice. Halal food is easy to find around Itaewon in Seoul and near mosques in Busan and other cities.

Scholarships and need-based funding

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS). Run by NIIED for the Korean government. It covers airfare, tuition, one year of Korean language study (skipped if you already have TOPIK 5 or 6), medical insurance, a settlement allowance and a monthly allowance.

• GKS Graduate (GKS-G), for master's and PhD. Apply online at Study in Korea. Age under 40, and at least 80% marks, top 20% of class, or CGPA 2.64/4.0 (or equivalent). For 2026, Pakistan's quota was 8 seats in the embassy track, 2 in the general university track and 15 in the R-GKS (regional universities) university track. The 2026 embassy window was 12 to 25 February 2026, with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Islamabad screening documents and interviewing shortlisted candidates. Embassy track applicants list up to three universities (at least one regional "Type B" university). University track applicants apply directly to one university, with deadlines set by each university, usually February to March. Expect the 2027 cycle at similar times (changes yearly).
• GKS Undergraduate (GKS-U), for bachelor's. Under 25, high school (FSc, A Levels or equivalent) completed or due. The 2027 embassy track opened on 15 September 2026; Pakistan's embassy quota has historically been very small (one seat in recent years). The university track runs through about November at participating universities, and the final announcement for 2027 is expected on 7 January 2027.

Other routes:

• University scholarships and tuition waivers described above.
• Funded lab positions (research assistantships, BK21 projects) for graduate students.
• KOICA scholarships for public-sector professionals from partner countries.
• Institute scholarships at KAIST, POSTECH, UNIST, GIST and DGIST.

There is no national need-based grant for international students, so merit, research fit and Korean language ability decide funding. See current listings at /scholarships?country=South%20Korea.

Student visa: steps, documents and fees

For degree study you need a D-2 student visa. Language institute students get a D-4 visa.

1. Admission. Receive your admission letter and the university's business registration certificate. Many universities issue a Certificate of Confirmation of Visa Issuance (CCVI) for you, which simplifies the process.
2. Attestation. Educational certificates must be attested by HEC (or the relevant board, via IBCC for school results). Korean universities and immigration also accept an apostille from MOFA. See our HEC degree attestation guide.
3. Apply at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Islamabad, in person, weekdays in the morning (check current hours).
4. Documents: application form, photo, passport valid at least six months, original admission letter, attested degrees and transcripts, English test certificate (IELTS preferred) or TOPIK, scholarship letter if any, TB test and medical certificate from an approved centre, and bank statements.
5. Proof of funds: six months of bank statements, with funds held at least one month and the statement issued within the last two weeks. Universities commonly require about US$20,000 a year (≈ PKR 5.56m) for self-funded students. A parent's affidavit with a family relationship certificate is accepted.
6. Fee: US$60 (≈ PKR 16,700) for a single-entry long-stay visa, non-refundable (approx., confirm with the embassy).
7. Processing: at least three weeks after submission.
8. On arrival: apply for your Residence Card (ARC) at the immigration office within 90 days, and register for National Health Insurance.

Use our document checklist, English test guide and visa and pre-departure checklist.

Working while studying and after graduating

During studies. You need permission from immigration and your university before starting any job. Rules depend on your level and Korean ability (approx., check HiKorea for current limits):

• Undergraduates: up to 25 hours a week on weekdays with TOPIK 3 (years 1 and 2) or TOPIK 4 (years 3 and 4); otherwise 10 hours.
• Graduate students: up to 30 to 35 hours a week with TOPIK 4; otherwise 15 hours.
• Usually a minimum GPA (around C or 2.0) applies, and some jobs (private tutoring, construction, manufacturing) are restricted.

Working without permission is treated as illegal employment and can lead to fines or visa cancellation.

After graduating. You can switch to the D-10 job-seeker visa (granted in blocks of about six months, up to approx. two years in total) to look for work. With a job offer you move to an E-7 professional visa, or to the points-based F-2-7 residence visa if you qualify. TOPIK 4 or higher and a Korean degree improve your chances a lot.

Month-by-month timeline (Spring and Fall 2027 intakes)

When	What to do
October 2026	Check whether the GKS-U 2027 embassy deadline for Pakistan has passed. Apply to GKS-U university track (open to about November). Last Spring 2027 deadlines at some universities.
November to December 2026	Contact professors for Fall 2027. Prepare attested documents, IELTS or TOPIK, study plan and recommendation letters.
January to February 2027	Spring 2027 starters apply for visas. GKS-G 2027 call expected (2026 embassy window was 12 to 25 February).
March to May 2027	Fall 2027 university deadlines (most between March and May). GKS-G university track deadlines.
June to July 2027	Admission results and GKS final results (late June). Receive admission letter, apply for the D-2 visa.
August 2027	Fly; Fall semester starts around 1 September.
September 2027	Watch for the GKS-U 2028 embassy call.

Common mistakes Pakistani applicants make

• Relying only on the GKS embassy track, which has very few seats for Pakistan. Apply to the university track and contact professors for funded lab positions at the same time.
• Choosing three Seoul universities for GKS-G. At least one must be a regional university, and regional choices are often more successful.
• Ignoring Korean. Even in English programmes, TOPIK opens tuition waivers, more work hours and jobs.
• Taking a one-room flat with a large deposit before seeing it, or paying deposits to strangers online. See avoiding scholarship scams.
• Submitting a bank statement older than two weeks, or one with funds deposited just before applying.
• Starting part-time work before getting permission from immigration.

Official links

• Study in Korea (GKS, NIIED): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr
• Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan, GKS-G 2026 notice: https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/pk-en/brd/m_3150/view.do?seq=762165
• Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pakistan, visa information: https://pk.mofa.go.kr/pk-en/wpge/m_3159/contents.do
• 2026 GKS-G Application Guidelines (NIIED, hosted copy): https://www.esteri.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-GKS-G-Application-Guidelines-English.pdf
• HiKorea (immigration and work permission): https://www.hikorea.go.kr
• Korea Immigration Service: https://www.immigration.go.kr
• Korea University visa guide (proof of funds and work rules): https://gsc.korea.ac.kr
• GKS-U 2027 overview (Korea JoongAng Daily): https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/gksu-2027-what-international-students-need-to-know-before-applying/12878569

Figures checked on 10 October 2026. Always confirm on the official sites before applying.