Study in South Korea from Nepal
#6 destination for Nepali students · 9 consultancies handle it
Low tuition, generous government scholarships and a fast-growing intake of Nepali students : with TOPIK or an English-taught programme as the entry route.
At a glance
Costs & visa
| Tuition / year | Rs 4.5 lakh – Rs 11 lakh |
|---|---|
| Living cost / year | Rs 8 lakh – Rs 13 lakh |
| Visa fee | Rs 12,000 |
| Funds to show | Rs 18 lakh |
| Processing time | 2–4 weeks |
| After study | D-10 job-seeking visa, then a work visa |
| Work while studying | 20–25 hours per week after the first six months |
Demand & outcomes
| Popularity rank | 6Among Nepali students going abroad |
|---|---|
| Consultancies | 9In Nepal handle this destination |
| Popular universities | 7Targeted by Nepali students |
| Intakes / year | 2Admission start periods |
| Tests required | 1English / language exams |
| Post-study work | D-10 job-seeking visa, then a work visaStay-back after graduation |
Rupee figures are indicative conversions of South Korea's own requirements and move with the exchange rate. Confirm the current amounts with the university and the embassy.
Highlights
Post-study work
D-10 job-seeking visa, then a work visa
Part-time work
20–25 hours per week after the first six months
Intakes
March, September
Top exams
TOPIK
The honest picture
South Korea has moved from a niche destination to a mainstream one for Nepali students in the space of a few years. Tuition at national universities is a fraction of the English-speaking destinations, the Global Korea Scholarship funds a meaningful number of international students completely, and universities outside Seoul actively recruit to fill seats.
There are two distinct routes and it matters which one you are on. Korean-taught programmes need TOPIK level 3 for undergraduate and level 4 for graduate study, and usually involve a year of language study first. English-taught programmes : increasingly common in engineering, business and IT : need IELTS or TOEFL and no Korean at admission, though you will need Korean to work part-time or to be employed after graduation.
Note the separate track that confuses many applicants: EPS-TOPIK is the employment permit route, not a study route, and the two have nothing to do with each other.
Why South Korea
- Tuition at national universities well below Western destinations, often with a 30–50% scholarship for good grades
- Global Korea Scholarship covering tuition, living stipend and airfare
- Strong programmes in engineering, IT and design at internationally ranked universities
- D-2 visa permits part-time work after the first six months
- March and September intakes
Tests South Korea asks for
| Test | Typical requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TOPIK Usually required | Level 3 undergraduate, level 4 graduate | Waived for English-taught programmes. EPS-TOPIK is a separate employment test. |
The visa route
After receiving a Certificate of Admission, apply for the D-2 study visa at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kathmandu with the admission certificate, business registration certificate of the university, academic documents, financial evidence (typically USD 10,000–20,000 held in your or your sponsor's account), and a tuberculosis test from a designated hospital. Processing usually takes two to four weeks. A Ministry of Education NOC is required before departure.
Working during and after study
Part-time work is permitted after the first six months, with a TOPIK-linked hour limit : commonly 20–25 hours per week during term for undergraduates, more during vacations. Graduates may apply for a D-10 job-seeking visa and then a work visa.
Frequently asked
1 Do I need TOPIK to study in South Korea?
For Korean-taught programmes, yes : level 3 for undergraduate and level 4 for graduate study. English-taught programmes accept IELTS or TOEFL instead.
2 Is EPS-TOPIK the same as studying in Korea?
No. EPS-TOPIK is the Employment Permit System route for work, administered separately, and it does not lead to a student visa.
3 What is the Global Korea Scholarship?
A Korean government scholarship covering tuition, a monthly stipend, airfare and a year of language training. Applications go through the Korean embassy or directly to a university.
What it costs to study in South Korea
Indicative first-year figures in NPR. The chart shows how tuition, living costs and one-time visa, flight and insurance expenses split; the table gives the range.
| Expense | Range / year (NPR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | Rs 4.5 lakh – Rs 11 lakh |
| Living | Rs 8 lakh – Rs 13 lakh |
| Visa, flights & insurance | Rs 2.1 lakh – Rs 3.6 lakh |
"The Nepali students who do best in South Korea are the ones who treat the financial file as seriously as the offer letter. Tuition and living costs are only half the story: the proof of funds and a clean visa history are what turn an admission into a granted visa."
Scolar Research Team
Based on analysis of Nepali student applications
What Nepali students say about South Korea
"Moving to South Korea felt overwhelming until I broke it into steps: test, offer, NOC, visa. Keeping every cost in NPR front and centre stopped me from losing track of the budget."
Asha P.
Studying in South Korea
"I compared South Korea against two other countries side by side. Seeing the post-study work rights and the proof-of-funds requirement together made the choice obvious."
Bibek S.
Graduate in South Korea
Scholarships for Nepali students going to South Korea
Fully funded and partial awards worth checking before you self-finance. Confirm current eligibility and deadlines on the official site, as they change yearly.
| Scholarship | Coverage | Official site |
|---|---|---|
| KGSP (Global Korea Scholarship) | Full tuition + stipend | Visit |
Related pages
Consultancies handling South Korea
All 9
Alight group Consultancy
Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Alight group Consultancy is an education consultancy based in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Career Changers Education Consultancy
Kumaripati, Lalitpur
Career Changers Education Consultancy is an education consultancy based in Kumaripati, Lalitpur, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Success Path Educational Consultancy
Baneshwor, Kathmandu
Success Path Educational Consultancy is an education consultancy based in Baneshwor, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Global Education and Migration Services
Chabahil, Kathmandu
Global Education and Migration Services is an education consultancy based in Chabahil, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
NIMAS Education
Bagbazar, Kathmandu
NIMAS Education is an education consultancy based in Bagbazar, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.
Nepal Education Consultancy
Putalisadak, Kathmandu
Nepal Education Consultancy is an education consultancy based in Putalisadak, Kathmandu, working with Nepali students on studying abroad. Counselling, university shortlisting, application filing, document attestation, NOC assistance and visa filing are the standard services on offer. Confirm the details and current fees with the office directly.