How Much Does It Cost to Study in Korea from Nepal? (2026) Complete Guide

Last updated: 31 May, 2026

Cost to study in Korea from Nepal is roughly NPR 9 lakh to NPR 25 lakh per year total. Covering tuition, accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, and other daily expenses. That range sounds wide because it genuinely varies. A student living in a university dormitory in Daejeon spending carefully sits at a very different number than a student renting a private studio in Seoul without any scholarship support.

Cost of Studying in Korea as a Nepali Student

• Public universities: NPR 4–7 lakh per year
• Private universities: NPR 6–12 lakh per year
• Living expenses: KRW 600,000–1,200,000 per month (NPR 60,000–1,20,000)
• Total cost (without scholarship): NPR 14–25 lakh per year
• With 50% scholarship: NPR 9–16 lakh per year
• With GKS scholarship: Almost zero cost

Annual tuition at public Korean universities runs approximately NPR 4 lakh to NPR 7 lakh. Private universities cost between NPR 6 lakh and NPR 12 lakh per year. Monthly living expenses in Korea average around KRW 600,000 to KRW 1,200,000, which translates to roughly NPR 60,000 to NPR 1,20,000 per month. Added together across a full year, a realistic total budget for a Nepali student in Korea falls between NPR 14 lakh and NPR 25 lakh annually without scholarship support. With a merit scholarship covering 50 percent of tuition, that annual figure drops to NPR 9 lakh to NPR 16 lakh. With the GKS government scholarship covering everything, the cost to the student is essentially zero.

Korea is significantly cheaper than studying in the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia. A master’s degree at a top Australian university can cost AUD 28,000 to AUD 45,000 per year in tuition alone. The same level of degree at Seoul National University or KAIST costs KRW 4,500,000 to KRW 8,000,000 per year. For Nepali families comparing study destinations, this cost difference matters enormously.

This guide breaks down every cost a Nepali student faces when studying in Korea including tuition by degree level and subject, accommodation, food, visa fees, airfare, health insurance, and how scholarships and part time work change the real numbers.

Before applying to Korean universities, use our NEB GPA calculator to check your GPA from your (+2) class 12 or bachelor’s result. Most Korean universities require a minimum GPA of 2.8 from (+2) class 12 for undergraduate admission. For full GPA requirements by university type and program, read our complete guide on how much GPA is required to study in Korea from Nepal.

For the full overview of studying in Korea from Nepal including admission requirements, visa process, and top universities, read our complete guide on study in Korea from Nepal.

Tuition Fees at Korean Universities for Nepali Students

Korean universities charge roughly the same tuition to international students including Nepali students as they do to domestic students. There is no international student premium in the same way that Western countries charge foreign students significantly more. This makes Korea genuinely affordable compared to most developed country study destinations.

Public national universities are the most affordable option. Annual tuition at public Korean universities ranges from approximately KRW 4,000,000 to KRW 7,000,000, which is roughly NPR 4 lakh to NPR 7 lakh per year. Seoul National University, Pusan National University, Kyungpook National University, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University all fall into this category. Their fees are subsidized by the Korean government which keeps costs lower than private institutions.

Private universities cost more. Annual tuition at private Korean universities typically runs between KRW 6,000,000 and KRW 12,000,000 per year, or roughly NPR 6 lakh to NPR 12 lakh. Yonsei University, Korea University, Sogang University, and Hanyang University are examples of private institutions with higher fee structures. Some private universities particularly in specialized fields like arts, design, or law charge even more than this range.

The field of study changes the tuition amount significantly regardless of whether the university is public or private. Humanities and social sciences are always the most affordable within any given university. Science, engineering, and technology programs cost more because of laboratory equipment and research infrastructure. Medical, law, and design programs sit at the higher end of the fee scale.

For a four year bachelor’s degree, total tuition without any scholarship falls between NPR 16 lakh and NPR 48 lakh across the full program depending on the university and subject. For a two year master’s program, total tuition ranges from NPR 10 lakh to NPR 24 lakh. PhD programs often have lower per semester fees and many PhD candidates receive full or partial tuition waivers as part of research funding arrangements.

Cost to Study a Bachelor’s Degree in Korea from Nepal

A bachelor’s degree in Korea takes four years for most programs. Medicine and dentistry run six years. Pharmacy, architecture, and veterinary science run five to six years depending on the institution. When you are calculating your total program cost, always multiply the annual figure by the actual number of years your specific program requires, not just four.

One of the most important things Nepali students need to know before comparing costs is that Korean universities do not charge international students a premium. A Nepali student and a Korean student studying the same program at the same university pay identical tuition. This is a fundamental difference from countries like the UK, Australia, and the United States where international student surcharges often double or triple the domestic fee. In Australia, a Nepali student might pay AUD 30,000 to AUD 45,000 per year in tuition. The same level of degree at a well ranked Korean public university costs a fraction of that amount.

Korean universities are divided into national public universities and private universities. National universities receive government funding and keep their fees lower as a result. Private universities rely more on tuition revenue and charge correspondingly more. Understanding which category your target university falls into is the first step in estimating your tuition cost.

Public National Universities

• Most public universities: KRW 4,000,000 – 6,000,000 per year
• SNU: ~KRW 6,034,163 per year (≈ NPR 6 lakh)
• Humanities/social sciences: lower end of range
• Science/engineering: higher end within same structure
• Other national universities (similar fees):
  • Pusan National University
  • Kyungpook National University
  • Chonnam National University
  • Chungnam National University
• Overall range: KRW 3,500,000 – 6,000,000 per year

At public national universities, annual undergraduate tuition runs approximately KRW 4,000,000 to KRW 6,000,000 per year across most humanities and social science programs. Seoul National University, Korea’s most prestigious institution and consistently ranked among Asia’s top ten universities, publishes an average undergraduate tuition of approximately KRW 6,034,163 per year based on its most recent figures. That is roughly NPR 6 lakh annually. For a student at SNU, humanities and social science programs sit at the lower end of that figure while science and engineering programs sit higher within the same institution. Pusan National University in Busan, Kyungpook National University in Daegu, Chonnam National University in Gwangju, and Chungnam National University in Daejeon all follow similar public fee structures ranging from KRW 3,500,000 to KRW 6,000,000 per year.

Private universities

• Semester tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 8,000,000
• Annual tuition: KRW 12,000,000 – 16,000,000 (≈ NPR 12 – 16 lakh)
• Major private universities (similar range):
  • Yonsei University
  • Korea University
  • Hanyang University
  • Sogang University
  • Sungkyunkwan University
  • Chung-Ang University
  • Ewha Womans University
• Private universities generally cost more than public universities
• Fees vary slightly by faculty

At private universities, the fee range is wider and the top end is noticeably higher. Yonsei University, one of Korea’s SKY group institutions alongside SNU and Korea University, charges approximately KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 8,000,000 per semester depending on the faculty. That puts annual Yonsei tuition at KRW 12,000,000 to KRW 16,000,000 or roughly NPR 12 lakh to NPR 16 lakh. Korea University, Hanyang University, Sogang University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Chung-Ang University fall into a broadly similar private fee range. Ewha Womans University, which is the top women’s university in Korea and internationally recognized, has comparable fees to other major private Seoul institutions.

The field of study matters as much as the university type when calculating tuition. Every Korean university charges different amounts for different faculties within the same institution, and the gap between cheapest and most expensive programs at one university can be significant.

Humanities, social sciences, Korean studies, and education programs

• Annual tuition: KRW 4,000,000 – 8,000,000 (NPR 4 – 8 lakh)
• 4-year total cost: NPR 16 – 32 lakh
• Reason for lower cost: No lab, medical, or technical equipment needed
• Common subjects: Korean language, international relations, economics, education, social work
• Considered the most affordable program category in Korean universities

Humanities, social sciences, Korean studies, and education programs are the most affordable within any institution. These programs cost approximately KRW 4,000,000 to KRW 8,000,000 per year at most universities, or NPR 4 lakh to NPR 8 lakh. Over a standard four-year degree, total tuition for humanities sits between NPR 16 lakh and NPR 32 lakh. These programs have the lowest infrastructure costs since they do not require expensive laboratory equipment or clinical facilities. For Nepali students interested in Korean language and culture studies, international relations, economics, education, or social work, humanities-level fees apply and are among the most accessible entry points into Korean higher education.

Science

• Fields: Biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, environmental science
• Annual tuition: KRW 5,000,000 – 9,000,000 (NPR 5 – 9 lakh)
• Higher cost than humanities due to lab and research facilities
• Reason for higher fees: Requires laboratories, equipment, and research infrastructure
• Korea is strong in: biotechnology, materials science, semiconductor research
• Students get access to advanced research labs and equipment in many universities

Science programs including biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and environmental science cost more than humanities at the same institution because of laboratory and research infrastructure requirements. Annual tuition for natural science programs runs approximately KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 9,000,000, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 9 lakh. Korea is a world leader in scientific research, particularly in biotechnology, materials science, and semiconductor technology. Students pursuing science degrees benefit from access to research labs and equipment that are genuinely among the best in Asia.

Engineering and IT

• Fields: engineering, computer science, IT
• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 (NPR 6 – 10 lakh)
• Korea University: ~KRW 15,400,000 per year (NPR 15 lakh)
• Hanyang University: similar range to Korea University
• Yonsei, Sogang, Sungkyunkwan: comparable private university fees
• KAIST and POSTECH: full tuition waiver for admitted students
• KAIST scholarship includes:
  • Monthly stipend: KRW 350,000 (NPR 35,000)
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Effectively free education
• KAIST (Daejeon): living costs 30–40% lower than Seoul
• Overall: significantly more affordable for scholarship students

Engineering and information technology programs are priced above science programs at most institutions. Annual tuition runs approximately KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000, or NPR 6 lakh to NPR 10 lakh. Korea University’s engineering faculty charges approximately KRW 7,700,000 per semester, which means annual engineering fees at Korea University reach approximately KRW 15,400,000 or NPR 15 lakh. Hanyang University, which has one of the strongest engineering reputations in Korea, sits in a similar fee range for its engineering programs. Private university engineering tuition at Yonsei, Sogang, and Sungkyunkwan is comparable. KAIST and POSTECH, which are the two premier science and technology universities in Korea and both ranked in the global top 100 for engineering, automatically waive full tuition for all admitted students. KAIST undergraduate scholarship recipients receive a monthly stipend of KRW 350,000 on top of the tuition waiver along with health insurance coverage. Studying engineering at KAIST or POSTECH as a scholarship recipient is effectively free. KAIST is located in Daejeon where living costs are 30 to 40 percent lower than Seoul, making the financial position even more manageable for admitted students.

Computer science and IT

• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 (NPR 6 – 10 lakh)
• Similar cost structure to engineering programs
• Strong tech economy with companies like Samsung, LG, SK Hynix, Kakao, Naver
• One of Asia’s leading technology-driven job markets
• High demand for CS and IT graduates
• Top universities for CS & IT:
  • KAIST
  • POSTECH
  • Yonsei University
  • Hanyang University
  • UNIST
  • Korea University

Computer science and IT programs follow engineering pricing closely. Annual tuition at most universities runs KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000, or NPR 6 lakh to NPR 10 lakh. Korea is one of Asia’s leading technology economies with major global companies including Samsung, LG, SK Hynix, Kakao, and Naver based in the country. Computer science graduates from Korean universities enter one of the most technology-dense job markets in Asia. Universities with particularly strong CS and IT programs include KAIST, POSTECH, Yonsei, Hanyang, UNIST, and Korea University.

Business, management, and economics

• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 9,000,000 (NPR 6 – 9 lakh)
• Fees are similar to engineering programs
• Strong focus on global career opportunities
• Korea University Business School is highly ranked in Asia and popular among international students
• Top universities:
  • Korea University
  • Yonsei University
  • Sungkyunkwan University

Business, management, and economics programs generally mirror engineering fees at most institutions. Annual tuition runs approximately KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 9,000,000, or NPR 6 lakh to NPR 9 lakh. Business programs at Korea University, Yonsei, and Sungkyunkwan University are especially well-regarded for global career outcomes. Korea University’s Business School is one of the most internationally recognized business faculties in Asia and is popular among international students applying for both undergraduate and graduate business programs.

Arts, music, and design

• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 9,000,000 (NPR 6 – 9 lakh)
• Fees are similar to engineering programs
• Strong focus on global career opportunities
• Korea University Business School is highly ranked in Asia and popular among international students
• Top universities:
  • Korea University
  • Yonsei University
  • Sungkyunkwan University

Arts, music, and design programs including fashion design sit among the more expensive undergraduate options in the Korean system. Specialized equipment, studio space, faculty expertise, and production costs push arts fees above humanities. Annual tuition for arts and design programs runs approximately KRW 7,000,000 to KRW 11,000,000, or NPR 7 lakh to NPR 11 lakh. Korea University’s arts faculty charges approximately KRW 7,800,000 per semester, putting annual arts tuition around NPR 15 lakh to NPR 16 lakh at that institution. Ewha Womans University has a well-known fine arts and design program. Hongik University is particularly renowned in Korea for visual arts, architecture, and design and is highly competitive for international applicants in creative fields. Annual fees at Hongik for arts programs sit in a similar range to other major private institutions.

Fashion design

• Category: Arts programs
• Annual tuition: KRW 7,000,000 – 11,000,000 (NPR 7 – 11 lakh)
• Part of Korea’s growing fashion and design industry
• Seoul is an emerging fashion hub in Asia
• Total cost is higher than tuition due to extra creative expenses
• Universities:
  • Yonsei University
  • Korea University
  • Specialized design schools in Seoul
• Additional costs:
  • Materials and fabric supplies
  • Studio and equipment use
  • Portfolio development expenses (not included in tuition)

Fashion design specifically is classified under arts programs at most Korean universities. Korea has a growing fashion and design industry and Seoul is increasingly recognized as an Asian fashion hub. Programs at Yonsei, Korea University, and specialized design schools offer fashion-related tracks. Annual fees for fashion design programs run approximately KRW 7,000,000 to KRW 11,000,000, or NPR 7 lakh to NPR 11 lakh. Students in fashion programs should also budget for material costs, studio supplies, and portfolio development expenses that fall outside the standard tuition fee.

Architecture

• Duration: 5 years (longer than most undergraduate programs)
• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 (NPR 6 – 10 lakh)
• Total cost (5 years): NPR 30 – 50 lakh (without scholarship)
• Longer program duration increases total cost
• Strong focus on design, planning, and technical training
• Overall cost depends on university and scholarships
• Top universities:
  • Hanyang University
  • Yonsei University

Architecture programs run for five years in Korea rather than four, which adds one year of tuition to the total program cost. Annual tuition for architecture sits in the range of KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000, or NPR 6 lakh to NPR 10 lakh. Total five-year tuition for architecture without scholarship support sits between NPR 30 lakh and NPR 50 lakh. Hanyang University and Yonsei University have particularly strong architecture programs in Korea.

Nursing

• Duration: 5 years (longer than most undergraduate programs)
• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 (NPR 6 – 10 lakh)
• Total cost (5 years): NPR 30 – 50 lakh (without scholarship)
• Longer program duration increases total cost
• Strong focus on design, planning, and technical training
• Overall cost depends on university and scholarships
• Top universities:
  • Hanyang University
  • Yonsei University

Nursing programs combine academic coursework with clinical training requirements. Annual tuition runs approximately KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 9,000,000, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 9 lakh. Beyond tuition, nursing students pay for clinical placement expenses, uniforms, and examination registration fees for nursing board qualifications. Korean nursing graduates are in high demand domestically and nursing programs have strong employment rates. Korea University offers a well-regarded nursing program that is popular among international students.

Physical education & Sports

• Annual tuition: KRW 5,000,000 – 8,000,000 (NPR 5 – 8 lakh)

Physical education and sports science programs cost approximately KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 8,000,000 per year in tuition, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 8 lakh. Korea has a strong sports culture and physical education programs at major universities include sports management, coaching, exercise science, and rehabilitation tracks.

Education & Teacher Training

• Annual tuition: KRW 4,000,000 – 7,000,000 (NPR 4 – 7 lakh)
• Falls under humanities-level fees
• Limited intake for international students at many universities
• Available mainly at national universities

Education and teacher training programs fall in the humanities fee range, approximately KRW 4,000,000 to KRW 7,000,000 per year, or NPR 4 lakh to NPR 7 lakh. These programs have limited international student intake at most institutions but are available at national universities.

Law

• Undergraduate (pre-law): KRW 7–12 lakh per year (NPR 7–12 lakh)
• JD programs: much higher cost than undergraduate
• Law is one of the most expensive study fields in Korea

Law programs are among the most expensive bachelor’s level options in Korea. An undergraduate pre-law or law-related program costs approximately KRW 7,000,000 to KRW 12,000,000 per year, or NPR 7 lakh to NPR 12 lakh. The professional three-year JD degree is significantly more expensive. Handong Law School charges approximately KRW 8,900,000 per semester, which puts annual JD fees around NPR 17 lakh to NPR 18 lakh. Yonsei University Law School and Korea University Law School have similar fee structures at graduate professional level.

Veterinary

• Annual tuition: KRW 5,000,000 – 10,000,000 (NPR 5 – 10 lakh)
• Program duration: 6 years (preclinical + clinical training)
• Total cost (6 years): NPR 30 – 60 lakh (excluding living costs)
• Limited to a few accredited universities; highly competitive
• Available at institutions like Seoul National University and Konkuk University

Veterinary science programs in Korea are limited to a small number of accredited institutions and admission is highly competitive. Annual tuition runs approximately KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 10 lakh. The program runs for six years covering a preclinical phase and a clinical training phase. Total tuition across six years of veterinary science in Korea sits between NPR 30 lakh and NPR 60 lakh before living costs. Konkuk University College of Veterinary Medicine and Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine are among the best known institutions in this field.

Medicine and MBBS

• Annual tuition: KRW 8,000,000 – 12,000,000 (NPR 8 – 12 lakh)
• Program duration: 6 years
• Total tuition: NPR 48 – 72 lakh (excluding living costs)
• Extremely limited or restricted admission for international students
• Very high academic requirements compared to other programs
• Some universities do not accept international students for medicine
• Students must directly confirm admission availability with each university

Medicine and MBBS programs are the most expensive undergraduate option in the Korean system. Annual tuition runs approximately KRW 8,000,000 to KRW 12,000,000, or NPR 8 lakh to NPR 12 lakh per year. The six-year medical degree means total tuition alone reaches NPR 48 lakh to NPR 72 lakh. Admission to Korean medical programs as an international student is extremely restricted. Most Korean medical schools have very limited international student quotas and the academic requirements are among the highest of any program in the country. Some institutions have effectively no international student admissions in medicine. Nepali students planning to pursue medicine in Korea should contact specific institutions directly and confirm whether international student admissions are actually open before investing time in preparation.

Cosmetology and beauty science

• Annual tuition: KRW 5,000,000 – 9,000,000 (NPR 5 – 9 lakh)
• Offered mainly at private colleges and vocational institutes
• Program quality, duration, and fees vary widely by institution
• Accreditation standards differ between schools
• Check recognition of qualification in Nepal or target country before applying

Cosmetology and beauty science programs exist primarily at private colleges and specialized vocational institutes in Korea rather than at mainstream national universities. Annual tuition at institutions offering these programs typically runs KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 9,000,000, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 9 lakh. Fee structures, program quality, accreditation, and duration vary more widely across cosmetology institutions than across standard universities. Before applying to a cosmetology program, confirming the institution’s accreditation status and whether its qualification is recognized in Nepal or other countries where you plan to work is important.

Textbooks and study materials

• Textbooks and study materials: KRW 100,000 – 500,000 per semester (NPR 10,000 – 50,000)
• Higher cost for engineering and medical subjects (NPR 80,000+ per book in some cases)
• Student activity fees: KRW 30,000 – 200,000 per year (NPR 3,000 – 20,000)
• Additional small but necessary expenses outside tuition and living costs

Textbooks and study materials are an additional recurring cost sitting outside tuition. Engineering and medical textbooks are particularly expensive, sometimes reaching KRW 80,000 or more per book. Budget approximately KRW 100,000 to KRW 500,000 per semester for study materials depending on your field. Student activity fees charged by universities run approximately KRW 30,000 to KRW 200,000 per year. These are smaller amounts but worth including in any realistic budget.

Over a standard four year bachelor’s degree at a mid-range private Seoul university without any scholarship support, total tuition alone ranges from NPR 32 lakh to NPR 56 lakh depending on the field. Adding living costs of NPR 10 lakh to NPR 14 lakh per year in Seoul brings the four year total to approximately NPR 72 lakh to NPR 1.12 crore. These numbers look large. They shrink dramatically with even a 50 percent tuition scholarship, and they drop to near zero with full GKS funding.

Cost to Study a Master’s Degree, MBA, and PhD in Korea from Nepal

Graduate programs in Korea operate on a fundamentally different financial logic than undergraduate programs. The listed tuition figure and the actual amount a student pays are often very different numbers. This is especially true in science, engineering, and technology fields where research funding mechanisms routinely eliminate tuition costs entirely and provide monthly stipends on top. Understanding how graduate funding actually works in Korea before you calculate your budget is more important than knowing the raw tuition figures.

A master’s program in Korea runs two years. A PhD runs three years. A combined master’s and PhD integrated program runs four to five years depending on the institution and field. All three levels receive government support through GKS and most major Korean universities have their own institutional scholarship programs that run parallel to GKS.

Standard master’s programs

• Annual tuition: KRW 5,000,000 – 9,000,000 (NPR 5 – 9 lakh)
• Duration: 2 years
• Total tuition: NPR 10 – 18 lakh (without scholarship)
• Lower research funding compared to science/engineering
• Mostly dependent on scholarships (GKS, university, Korea Foundation)

Standard master’s programs in humanities, social sciences, Korean studies, education, and liberal arts cost approximately KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 9,000,000 per year in tuition, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 9 lakh annually. Over two years, total tuition without scholarship runs NPR 10 lakh to NPR 18 lakh. These programs have the least automatic research funding attached to them compared to science and engineering. Humanities graduate students are more dependent on merit scholarships from the university, GKS support, or Korea Foundation scholarships, which specifically target postgraduate students in humanities and social science fields from developing countries including Nepal.

Science master’s

• Annual tuition: KRW 5,000,000 – 9,000,000 (NPR 5 – 9 lakh)
• Fields: biology, chemistry, materials science, environmental science
• More research funding available than humanities programs
• Lab-based students may get tuition covered through research grants
• Possible monthly stipend from professor’s research budget

Science master’s programs including biology, chemistry, materials science, and environmental science cost approximately KRW 5,000,000 to KRW 9,000,000 per year, or NPR 5 lakh to NPR 9 lakh. Research funding is more commonly available in science than in humanities because laboratory work generates grant income for universities. A student accepted into a funded research group often has their tuition covered by the research grant and receives a modest monthly stipend from the professor’s lab budget on top.

Engineering and technology master’s

• Annual tuition: KRW 7,000,000 – 11,000,000 (NPR 7 – 11 lakh)
• Many students pay little or no tuition through research assistantships
• Funding often provided by supervisor’s lab (covers fees + monthly stipend)
• Contacting professors before/during application for funding is common
• Engineering labs actively recruit international graduate students

Engineering and technology master’s programs cost approximately KRW 7,000,000 to KRW 11,000,000 per year in listed tuition, or NPR 7 lakh to NPR 11 lakh. In practice, a large proportion of engineering master’s students in Korea pay little to nothing because their fees are absorbed by research assistantship arrangements with their supervisor’s lab. This is the most important thing to understand about graduate engineering costs in Korea. Contacting potential supervisors before or during the application process to discuss funding availability is not unusual. Korean professors in funded engineering research groups actively recruit qualified international graduate students and are often willing to offer research assistantship positions that cover fees and provide monthly income.

KAIST

• KAIST graduate students receive full tuition waiver automatically
• Master’s (Korean Government Pioneer Scholarship):
  • Full tuition covered
  • Monthly stipend: KRW 1,000,000 (for 4 semesters)
• PhD students:
  • Full tuition waiver
  • Base stipend: KRW 350,000 – 500,000 per month
  • Additional research assistantship income: total KRW 700,000 – 1,500,000+ per month
• Location: Daejeon
• Dormitory cost: KRW 94,000 – 280,000 per month
• Meal cost: KRW 3,000 – 5,000 per meal
• Fully funded PhD students can live with minimal or no net cost and may save money

KAIST provides the most comprehensive illustration of how this works at the top end. All admitted graduate students at KAIST receive a full tuition waiver automatically. The KAIST Korean Government Pioneer Scholarship for master’s students covers full tuition and a monthly stipend of KRW 1,000,000 for four regular semesters. PhD students at KAIST receive full tuition waivers with a base monthly stipend of KRW 350,000 to KRW 500,000 from the institutional scholarship. Research assistantship income from the supervisor’s lab grant adds to this base, bringing total monthly income for a funded KAIST PhD student to anywhere from KRW 700,000 to KRW 1,500,000 or more depending on the research project and funding level. KAIST is located in Daejeon where dormitory costs run approximately KRW 94,000 to KRW 280,000 per month and cafeteria meals cost KRW 3,000 to KRW 5,000. A funded KAIST PhD student in Daejeon can genuinely live and study for free while saving a portion of their monthly stipend.

POSTECH

• POSTECH: full tuition waiver + monthly stipend
• Located in Pohang (lower living cost than Seoul)
• English-taught graduate programs
• Similar funding model to KAIST

POSTECH mirrors the KAIST model. All admitted students receive full tuition waivers and monthly stipends. POSTECH is located in Pohang, a city with lower living costs than Seoul, which stretches the value of stipend income further. Both KAIST and POSTECH offer all graduate programs in English, which removes the Korean language barrier that affects some other Korean graduate programs.

At private Seoul universities including Yonsei, Korea University, Hanyang, and Sogang, funded research positions are also common in science and engineering departments though they are not guaranteed for all admitted students the way they are at KAIST and POSTECH. The process involves applying to both the university’s graduate program and actively seeking a supervisor who has research funding available for an RA position. Students who secure both admission and a funded RA position at a Seoul private university effectively pay zero tuition and receive monthly income on top.

Business and economics master’s

• Master’s (non-MBA): KRW 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 per year (≈ NPR 6 – 10 lakh)
• MBA programs: KRW 12,000,000 – 23,000,000 per year (≈ NPR 12 – 23 lakh)
• Example programs (Korea University): higher-end fees exceeding NPR 25 lakh/year in some cases
• 2-year MBA total cost: NPR 40 – 50 lakh (before living costs)
• Partial scholarships: 30% – 50% available in some schools
• Full MBA scholarships: rare and highly competitive
• Funding varies; most MBA students should expect to self-finance part of the cost

Business and economics master’s programs outside MBA track cost approximately KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000 per year, or NPR 6 lakh to NPR 10 lakh. Research funding for non-MBA business master’s varies by institution and program.

MBA programs are the most expensive graduate option in Korea by a significant margin and they carry the least automatic funding. Top Korean business school MBA programs cost between KRW 12,000,000 and KRW 23,000,000 per year in tuition, or NPR 12 lakh to NPR 23 lakh annually. Korea University’s Business Analytics graduate program charges KRW 13,399,000 per semester, which means annual fees for that program exceed NPR 25 lakh. Mathematical Data Science at Korea University graduate school charges KRW 8,452,000 per semester. The total tuition cost of a two-year Korean MBA at a competitive business school sits between NPR 40 lakh and NPR 50 lakh before any living costs are calculated. SolBridge International School of Business is another popular MBA destination among South Asian students seeking English-medium Korean business education at competitive fees. Partial merit scholarships covering 30 to 50 percent of MBA tuition exist at several institutions. Full MBA scholarships are rare and competition for them is intense. Nepali students planning an MBA in Korea should budget for the real cost and treat scholarship income as a reduction rather than an assumption.

Computer science and AI master’s

• Annual tuition: KRW 7,000,000 – 11,000,000 (NPR 7 – 11 lakh)
• Fields: computer science, AI, data science
• Strong research funding from industry and government
• Many students in funded labs get full tuition coverage + stipend
• Top universities: KAIST, POSTECH, SNU, Yonsei, UNIST
• High demand due to AI and semiconductor industry (Samsung, SK Hynix, Naver, Kakao)

Computer science and AI master’s programs are among the most competitive and most funded in the Korean system. Annual listed tuition runs approximately KRW 7,000,000 to KRW 11,000,000, or NPR 7 lakh to NPR 11 lakh. Research funding from Korea’s thriving AI, semiconductor, and technology industry flows into university CS departments through grants, industry partnerships, and government research programs. Students in funded AI and CS research groups at KAIST, POSTECH, SNU, Yonsei, and UNIST routinely have full tuition covered and receive meaningful monthly stipends from their research lab. Korea’s semiconductor and AI sectors, driven by Samsung, SK Hynix, Naver, and Kakao, create strong demand for CS and AI graduates and fund significant research at Korean universities.

Healthcare related master’s

• Annual tuition: KRW 6,000,000 – 10,000,000 (NPR 6 – 10 lakh)
• Fields: nursing, public health, health sciences
• Clinical placements may add extra costs beyond tuition
• Research funding available but less common than engineering/CS
• Support mainly through select national health research programs

Healthcare related master’s programs including graduate nursing, public health, and health sciences cost approximately KRW 6,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000 per year, or NPR 6 lakh to NPR 10 lakh. Clinical placement components add costs beyond tuition. Research funding in these fields is available through Korea’s national health research institutions but is less universally accessible than in engineering or CS.

Law master’s

• LLM (master’s in law): KRW 9,000,000 – 14,000,000 per year (NPR 9 – 14 lakh)
• JD (3-year professional degree): KRW 15,000,000 – 18,000,000 per year (NPR 15 – 18 lakh)
• Little or no research assistantship funding available
• Most students are self-funded or scholarship-dependent
• Less funding support compared to science and engineering programs

Law master’s programs including LLM degrees cost approximately KRW 9,000,000 to KRW 14,000,000 per year, or NPR 9 lakh to NPR 14 lakh. The three-year professional JD is even more expensive at KRW 15,000,000 to KRW 18,000,000 annually or NPR 15 lakh to NPR 18 lakh. Law programs do not typically come with research assistantship funding in the same way that science programs do. Graduate law students in Korea are largely self-funded or scholarship-dependent with little access to the RA funding system that covers many engineering and science students.

Graduate medicine

• Annual tuition: KRW 9,000,000 – 18,000,000 (NPR 9 – 18 lakh)
• Fields: medicine, medical research, veterinary science
• Limited but available research funding (competitive)
• Requires strong academic/research background

Graduate medicine, advanced medical research, and graduate veterinary science programs cost approximately KRW 9,000,000 to KRW 18,000,000 per year, or NPR 9 lakh to NPR 18 lakh. Research funding in medical sciences is available through Korea’s national research institutions and hospital affiliated research programs but requires strong academic and research credentials to access.

Design and arts master’s

• Annual tuition: KRW 7,000,000 – 11,000,000 (NPR 7 – 11 lakh)
• Fields: design, arts, creative programs
• Limited automatic research funding compared to STEM fields
• Merit scholarships available but require application
• Extra costs: exhibitions, portfolio work, materials

Design and arts master’s programs cost approximately KRW 7,000,000 to KRW 11,000,000 per year in tuition, or NPR 7 lakh to NPR 11 lakh. These programs receive less automatic research funding than STEM fields. Institutional merit scholarships are available but must be actively applied for. Exhibition costs, portfolio production, and material expenses add to total program costs beyond tuition.

PhD

• Annual tuition: KRW 4,000,000 – 7,000,000 (NPR 4 – 7 lakh)
• Most funded PhD students in science/engineering/medicine pay no tuition
• Monthly stipend: KRW 500,000 – 1,500,000+ (can exceed this with RA funding)
• Teaching assistant roles provide additional income
• In well-funded labs, PhD can be fully free with living costs covered

PhD programs across most fields list tuition at approximately KRW 4,000,000 to KRW 7,000,000 per year, or NPR 4 lakh to NPR 7 lakh. In practice, most funded PhD candidates in Korea in science, engineering, technology, and medicine pay zero tuition because research grant funding absorbs it entirely. Monthly stipends for funded PhD positions across Korean universities range from KRW 500,000 to KRW 1,500,000 as a baseline from institutional sources, with additional income from research assistantship arrangements in well-funded labs pushing total monthly income above KRW 1,500,000 in many cases. PhD students who take on teaching assistant roles earn additional income on top of RA payments. A PhD student in a well-funded Korean engineering or science lab can genuinely complete the entire degree for free while earning enough monthly income to cover living costs without drawing on family funds.

Scholarship for master’s programs in Korea

GKS scholarship covers master’s programs with full tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend of KRW 1,380,000 as of 2026. It covers PhD programs on the same basis. The total three-year cost of a GKS-funded master’s program in Korea including tuition, monthly stipend, airfare, language training, health insurance, and all allowances represents one of the most complete graduate funding packages available to Nepali students anywhere in the world. For Nepali students who receive GKS graduate funding, the cost to the student is effectively zero while the monthly stipend covers living expenses with money to spare in most Korean cities outside Seoul. Our complete guide on GKS scholarship Nepal covers everything you need to know about the application process and eligibility from Nepal.

KOICA scholarships through the Korea International Cooperation Agency provide another fully funded graduate option for students from developing countries including Nepal. KOICA covers tuition, living allowance, and airfare for master’s programs at designated Korean universities and is specifically designed for students from countries like Nepal who want to pursue graduate education in Korea as part of development cooperation programs.

The POSCO Asia Fellowship is another scholarship specifically targeting Asian students for graduate study at Korean universities, covering full tuition and living expenses. The Samsung Global Hope Scholarship supports students from developing countries. The Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies scholarship funds outstanding students in science and technology fields. These parallel scholarship options mean that a well-prepared Nepali graduate applicant has multiple funding routes to explore beyond GKS alone.

Cost to Study Korean Language in Korea from Nepal

Korean language programs are the starting point for many Nepali students. The D-4 visa is issued specifically for students enrolling in university affiliated Korean language institutes. No prior Korean knowledge is required to apply for a D-4 language training visa.

Korean language programs run in terms of approximately 10 weeks each. Most institutes offer four terms per year. Tuition per term is approximately KRW 1,000,000 to KRW 2,000,000, which is roughly NPR 1 lakh to NPR 2 lakh per term. For a full year of language study covering four terms, total tuition runs between KRW 4,000,000 and KRW 7,000,000, or NPR 4 lakh to NPR 7 lakh annually.

An important rule specifically for Nepali students is that Nepal is classified as a country requiring minimum registration of one full year, which means four terms, for D-4 visa issuance. This means Nepali students applying for a D-4 language visa must register and pay for at least one full year of tuition upfront when applying. This is a Korean immigration requirement, not a choice.

Living expenses during the language year are the same as during regular degree study. Monthly costs for accommodation, food, transport, and daily needs run approximately KRW 600,000 to KRW 900,000, or NPR 60,000 to NPR 90,000 per month. Over a full year, living costs add roughly NPR 7 lakh to NPR 11 lakh on top of language tuition.

Total cost for one year of Korean language study in Korea including tuition, accommodation, food, transport, visa fees, and airfare typically comes to NPR 12 lakh to NPR 18 lakh for Nepali students when all expenses are counted.

Financial proof requirement for a D-4 visa from Nepal is NPR 8 lakh to NPR 15 lakh in a bank account. This amount should show stable transaction history rather than a sudden large deposit. The funds demonstrate you can cover tuition and living expenses for the language study period.

Many Nepali students use the D-4 language year as a stepping stone. After completing language training and achieving TOPIK Level 3 or above, they transition to a D-2 degree visa and apply to Korean universities for undergraduate or graduate admission. The Korean language skills gained during the D-4 year significantly expand university choices and improve scholarship competitiveness.

Cost to Study High School in Korea from Nepal

High school education in Korea for foreign students is a less common pathway but Nepali families occasionally explore it for younger students. The cost structure differs significantly from university programs.

Public high schools in Korea charge much lower tuition than private institutions. Annual tuition at Korean public high schools ranges from approximately USD 7,300 to USD 21,900, which translates to roughly NPR 8 lakh to NPR 24 lakh per year. Public schools teach primarily in Korean and are best suited for students who already have Korean language ability or are willing to immerse rapidly.

Private high schools in Korea cost considerably more. Annual tuition at Korean private high schools typically falls between USD 21,900 and USD 43,800, or roughly NPR 24 lakh to NPR 48 lakh per year. Private institutions often offer English medium instruction options and more structured support for international students.

International schools in Korea are the most expensive option. Top international schools in Seoul charge up to KRW 49,610,000 per year, which exceeds USD 37,000 or approximately NPR 50 lakh annually. These schools follow international curricula like IB or American curriculum and cater primarily to expatriate families rather than students on study abroad programs.

Accommodation costs for high school students studying in Korea from Nepal are a major additional expense. Most international high school students live either in school dormitories or with host families. Dormitory fees vary by school. Living with a host family can add KRW 500,000 to KRW 800,000 per month or more in additional costs.

The high school pathway from Nepal to Korea is less commonly used than the university route. Most Nepali students who want to study in Korea complete their (+2) class 12 in Nepal first and then apply for Korean university undergraduate programs or language training programs.

Living Expenses in Korea for Nepali Students

Tuition is only one part of the total cost. Living expenses are the other major component and they vary significantly based on the city, accommodation type, and personal spending habits.

Seoul is the most expensive city for students in Korea. Monthly living costs in Seoul including rent, food, transport, utilities, and personal expenses run approximately KRW 800,000 to KRW 1,200,000, or roughly NPR 80,000 to NPR 1,20,000 per month. Over a full academic year of 12 months, Seoul living costs add approximately NPR 10 lakh to NPR 14 lakh to total expenses.

Cities outside Seoul are noticeably cheaper for student living. Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and other regional cities have monthly student living costs of approximately KRW 450,000 to KRW 800,000, or NPR 45,000 to NPR 80,000 per month. Annual living costs in these cities run approximately NPR 5.5 lakh to NPR 10 lakh.

Accommodation is the biggest single monthly expense. University dormitories are the most affordable option and cost approximately KRW 200,000 to KRW 500,000 per month, or NPR 20,000 to NPR 50,000. Dormitory spots are competitive and not guaranteed, especially at popular Seoul universities. Goshiwon style small study rooms cost approximately KRW 300,000 to KRW 500,000 in Seoul, or KRW 200,000 to KRW 350,000 in other cities. One room studio apartments cost approximately KRW 400,000 to KRW 700,000 per month in Seoul, or KRW 250,000 to KRW 450,000 in regional cities.

Food costs for students in Korea average approximately KRW 250,000 to KRW 400,000 per month if you cook most of your meals. University cafeterias offer subsidized meals for enrolled students, typically at KRW 3,000 to KRW 5,000 per meal, which helps keep food costs manageable.

A monthly transport pass in Korea costs approximately KRW 55,000. Mobile phone and internet service runs approximately KRW 75,000 per month combined. National Health Insurance Service premiums for international students are approximately KRW 70,000 to KRW 80,000 per month as of 2025 and 2026. These are mandatory contributions that all enrolled international students pay.

One Time and Annual Fees Beyond Tuition

Several costs fall outside the regular tuition and living budget but must be planned for in advance.

Airfare from Kathmandu to Seoul on a one way economy ticket typically costs NPR 50,000 to NPR 90,000 depending on the season and how far in advance you book. Budget approximately NPR 1 lakh to NPR 1.5 lakh for a return ticket if you plan to travel home during breaks.

The D-2 student visa fee at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu is approximately NPR 2,400 to NPR 3,200 for a single entry student visa. The application fee for Korean university admission is usually KRW 50,000 to KRW 100,000 per university, or approximately NPR 5,000 to NPR 10,000 per application. If you apply to multiple universities, this cost multiplies.

A registration or entrance fee called iphaggeum is charged once at the beginning of your program at many Korean universities. This one time fee runs approximately KRW 100,000 to KRW 800,000 depending on the institution. Some universities including Seoul National University have abolished this fee.

The Foreign Registration Card, known as ARC, must be applied for within 90 days of arriving in Korea. The issuance fee is KRW 35,000 as of 2025.

Settlement costs when you first arrive in Korea add another KRW 200,000 to KRW 500,000 for initial expenses like a local SIM card, basic kitchen supplies, bedding, transport card deposit, and the first month’s rent or dormitory deposit.

Financial proof requirements for the D-2 degree visa from Nepal are approximately NPR 12 lakh to NPR 20 lakh in your bank account. For the D-4 language visa, the requirement is approximately NPR 8 lakh to NPR 15 lakh. This money must be demonstrated in your bank account as stable funds, not a sudden single deposit. It is proof, not a payment you send to anyone. The money stays in your account.

Getting your NOC from Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology is mandatory before officially enrolling in a Korean institution. This is done through noc.moest.gov.np and takes approximately 10 to 15 working days. The NOC process involves a small administrative fee. Only universities on the NOC approved list qualify, so verifying your target university is on that list before applying is essential.

Your NEB transcript must be collected from the NEB office in Sinamangal and then attested by Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs before submitting to Korean universities or the Korean Embassy. Budget at least two to four weeks for this process and factor in the attestation fee.

How Scholarships Change the Real Cost

The figures above describe costs without scholarship support. In practice, many Nepali students who study in Korea receive at least partial scholarship assistance, and a meaningful number receive full funding through the GKS government scholarship.

The GKS scholarship is the most complete funding option available. It covers 100 percent of tuition, provides a monthly living stipend of approximately KRW 900,000 for undergraduates and KRW 1,380,000 for graduate students in 2026, pays for a return economy class flight, funds a full year of Korean language training, covers health insurance premiums, and provides additional allowances for settlement, research, and degree completion. A student on full GKS support pays nothing out of pocket. The annual cost to the student is zero. For more details on GKS scholarship eligibility and the application process for Nepal, read our complete guide on GKS scholarship Nepal.

University merit scholarships are available at most Korean institutions independently of GKS. These typically cover 30 percent to 100 percent of tuition for students with strong academic records. A student with a GPA qualifying for a 50 percent tuition scholarship roughly halves the tuition component of their annual budget. Many Korean universities offer tiered scholarships that automatically adjust each semester based on your academic performance in Korea.

KAIST and POSTECH are notable because they automatically waive full tuition for students admitted to scholarship tracks. Both universities also provide monthly stipends ranging from KRW 300,000 to KRW 1,000,000 for undergraduate and graduate students depending on program and academic standing.

KOICA scholarships through the Korea International Cooperation Agency provide another fully funded option for graduate students from developing countries including Nepal. KOICA scholarships cover tuition, living expenses, and airfare for master’s programs at designated Korean universities.

With proper scholarship research and a strong application, the effective annual cost to a Nepali student in Korea can be reduced from NPR 14 lakh to NPR 25 lakh down to NPR 5 lakh to NPR 9 lakh or lower. For the highest achieving students who receive full GKS or similar funding, the real annual cost is genuinely close to zero beyond minor personal spending.

Part Time Work and How It Affects Your Budget

International students in Korea on D-2 degree visas are legally allowed to work part time during their studies. The current limit is 20 hours per week during semesters. During vacation periods, there is no weekly hour cap. Masters and PhD students with TOPIK Level 4 or above may qualify for up to 30 hours per week under certain conditions.

The 2026 minimum wage in Korea is KRW 10,320 per hour. A student working the full permitted 20 hours per week during a semester earns approximately KRW 800,000 to KRW 900,000 per month before tax. Over a 30 to 35 week semester period, this adds up to roughly KRW 2,400,000 to KRW 3,150,000 or approximately NPR 2.5 lakh to NPR 3 lakh per semester.

Part time income in Korea typically covers a meaningful portion of monthly living expenses. It does not fully replace tuition funding but it reduces the financial burden on Nepali families significantly when combined with even a partial scholarship.

Jobs commonly available to international students in Korea include university cafeteria work, convenience store shifts, tutoring English or other subjects, cafe work, delivery support, and campus administrative jobs. Korean language ability above TOPIK Level 2 expands the available job options considerably.

Students on D-4 language training visas are also eligible for part time work, though the rules and hour limits differ. Checking the current Korean immigration regulations on work rights for D-4 holders at the time of application is recommended as these rules are updated periodically.

Sample Annual Budget for a Nepali Student in Korea 2026

Three realistic budget scenarios help illustrate what the total annual cost looks like in practice.

Frugal Scenario (Regional city, 50% scholarship, dormitory)

• Tuition (after scholarship): KRW 2,000,000 – 3,500,000
• Living costs: KRW 500,000 – 600,000 per month
• Total yearly cost: KRW 8,000,000 – 10,500,000
• Approx. NPR: 8 – 10.5 lakh

The frugal scenario assumes a regional city university like Pusan National University or Chonnam National University, a dormitory room, cooking most meals, and a 50 percent tuition scholarship. Annual tuition after 50 percent scholarship is approximately KRW 2,000,000 to KRW 3,500,000. Monthly living costs in a regional city dormitory run approximately KRW 500,000 to KRW 600,000. Total annual cost including tuition, living, health insurance, and transport comes to approximately KRW 8,000,000 to KRW 10,500,000, or roughly NPR 8 lakh to NPR 10.5 lakh per year.

Mid Range Scenario (Seoul, no scholarship, dormitory)

• Tuition: KRW 8,000,000 – 10,000,000
• Living costs: KRW 9,000,000 – 12,000,000 per year
• Total yearly cost: KRW 17,000,000 – 22,000,000
• Approx. NPR: 17 – 22 lakh

The mid range scenario assumes a Seoul university with no scholarship support, dormitory accommodation, and careful spending habits. Annual tuition of approximately KRW 8,000,000 to KRW 10,000,000 plus Seoul dormitory and living costs of approximately KRW 9,000,000 to KRW 12,000,000 brings total annual cost to approximately KRW 17,000,000 to KRW 22,000,000, or roughly NPR 17 lakh to NPR 22 lakh.

Comfortable Scenario (Private university, studio apartment, no scholarship)

• Tuition: KRW 10,000,000 – 15,000,000
• Living costs: KRW 12,000,000 – 16,000,000
• Total yearly cost: KRW 22,000,000 – 31,000,000
• Approx. NPR: 22 – 31 lakh

The comfortable scenario assumes a private Seoul university, renting a studio apartment, eating out regularly, and no scholarship. Annual tuition of KRW 10,000,000 to KRW 15,000,000 plus private apartment and higher living costs of KRW 12,000,000 to KRW 16,000,000 brings total annual cost to approximately KRW 22,000,000 to KRW 31,000,000, or roughly NPR 22 lakh to NPR 31 lakh.

These figures use a mid 2026 exchange rate of approximately 1 KRW equal to 0.10 NPR. Exchange rates fluctuate so always verify the current rate when calculating exact NPR amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions