South Korea on its Way to Attract International Students
2 Min Read
At the same time as leading Western destinations – e.g., Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom – are applying brakes to slow or reverse the expansion of their foreign enrolment, several Asian destinations are doing the opposite: chasing policies to grow international student numbers to all-time highs.
Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea have all established new goals for increasing their international enrolment.
Japan: 400,000 by 2033
Malaysia: 250,000 by 2025
Taiwan: 320,000 by 2030
South Korea: To reach 300,000 by 2027 will require more effort in admission, retention, attainment, and more surrounding student support services. The strategy is to make South Korea one of the top ten choices for study-abroad students by 2027.
The top markets for each of the four Asian destinations are indicated in the table below. It also shows how Vietnamese students prefer studying in Asia to studying in Western countries, contrary to other Asian countries. For instance, more Vietnamese students study in South Korea than in Canada (17, 175) and the USA (21, 900) together.
How is South Korea Attracting International Students?
Also, in 2023, the financial proof increased for international students to receive a D-2 visa (for degree studies) to 20 million won (approximately US $15000). Earlier, this value was set at US$20,000. The selection criterion was based on the age of the firm and the amount of capital available at the time of application for this program. In addition, the number of degree-seeking international students applying to universities outside of the Seoul metropolitan area is still lower: About KRW 16,000,000.
To this end, in 2025, the South Korean government will permit international students to stay in the country for up to 3 years in search of a job, in contrast to the current policies that allow international students six months and possibly extend their stay up to 2 years.
Also planned for next year are liberalizing the kind of jobs that international students may seek and increasing the length of stay for job holders. Foreign graduates are only now allowed to work in the country under a small set of visa types that grant access to specialized positions.
The expansion of the government’s GKS programme is in the pipeline to increase the number of scholarships for STEM students to 2700. It also now offers 6,000 scholarship places for postgraduate international students for subject areas outside of STEM, up from about 4,500 for 2018-19.
STEM graduates are also to be given priority for permanent residency, and graduate and postgraduate students graduating from Korean universities will have the years to meet their permanent residency application requirement cut from 6 to 3 years.
Many Korean universities have opened the door for international students to demonstrate their proficiency in the Korean language through a wider band of tests, and there is a debate about raising the bar for TOPIK. (Some academics fear that it may diminish international students’ capacity to excel in their programmes taught in Korean.
Source: ICEF MONITOR
Top Stories
Cambridge University Announces Their IELTS Assessment
August 21, 2024 | By Advay
University of Leeds Launches India Anniversary Masters Scholarship 2024
August 5, 2024 | By Ezra
UCAS to Introduce New Questions in Personal Statements from September
August 2, 2024 | By JaceMore Articles
Shift in Indian Students’ Course Choices, with Public Health and Nursing on the Rise
Over 1.3 million Indian students will be studying abroad in 2024, making them one of…
By Aahana
New Funding Initiative from Imperial College London for India Connect Fund
Imperial College London has announced increased funding for collaborative scientific research…
By Jace
Sheffield University Reveals New Pharmacy Degree, Open to Indian Applicants
The University of Sheffield, UK has announced a new four-year Master of Pharmacy degree programme, set to…
By Siya
Denmark’s Strategy to Boost Study Exchanges with Africa Amid Decline in International Students
The strategy aims to increase study exchange programmes, driven by the desire ‘to see more…
By Neerav
UK Visa Approvals for Nepalese Students Surge by 65%
The UK granted over 432,000 sponsored student visas to international students as main applicants…
By Daniel
Apply for Visiting Fellowships 2025 at the British Academy for Humanities and Social Sciences
The British Academy’s Visiting Fellowships scheme offers invited scholars, affiliated with a…
By Ezra
UK Visas and Immigration Announces Major Overhaul in English Testing with Global Reach
The government is gearing towards a new concession model, distinct from the current multiple…
By Siya
USCIS Revises OPT Guidelines: Key Updates on Online Study and School Transfers
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revised its Policy Manual…
By Vaidant
Work Permit Policy Change: Foreign Visitors in Canada Face New Requirements
Foreign visitors who arrive in Canada on a visitor visa can no longer apply for…
By Aahana
First UK University to Set up Campus in India
Southampton University has become the first university in the United Kingdom to open…
By Neerav
Become a Global Change-Maker: UK’s Chevening Scholarship Applications Now Open!
On Tuesday, the United Kingdom opened the application for Chevening Scholarships…
By Henry
Manhattan College Rebrands as Manhattan University to Boost Global Appeal and Program Diversity
Manhattan College recently announced its decision to change its name to Manhattan University. The New York State…
By Advay
University of Strathclyde Becoming Centre for Sustainable Development
International students from all over the globe still have the opportunity to apply for the University of Strathclyde in…
By Kai
New Restrictions on Polish Study Visas to Curb Misuse and Improve Diploma Verification
In his interview with the TV broadcaster TVN 24, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski…
By Vaidant
Shiv Nadar University and Arizona State University Launch New Dual BSc Programme
Shiv Nadar University and Arizona State University (ASU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to…
By Henry
23% Drop for Indian Students in UK for Abroad Studies
India has reported a 23 percent drop in students seeking education in the UK despite them constituting…
By Daniel
Canada to Invest $128 Million in Bilingual Workforce and Minority Institutions
The Canadian Government has pledged to spend millions of dollars to assist…
By Ezra
Berlin University Announces Application Process for April 2025 Master’s Programme in International and Development Economics
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft (HTW Berlin) is accepting applications for its Master’s Programme in…
By Jace
Denmark University Opens Scholarships for Non-European Students in MSc Programmes
Denmark University is inviting students from outside Europe to apply for scholarships in Master of…
By Advay
Cambridge University Announces Their IELTS Assessment
Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUPA) released the latest exam preparation material…
By Advay
India-Japan Education Conference to Create an Impact
The Indo-Japan Business Council (IJBC) plans to organize the “India-Japan Education Conference” during…
By Henry
UK Opens Applications for 2025 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships
The Ministry of Education has opened online applications for the fully funded 2025…
By Jace
Advisory Issued for Indian Medical Students on Recent Amendments to Philippine Medical Act
Medical aspirants considering studying in the Philippines should read the advisory issued by…
By Aahana
Singapore Eases PR Path for International Students with New National Exam Requirements
According to the new laws, student pass holders who wish to obtain permanent residency (PR) in the city-state must…
By Siya
DAAD Scholarship 2025: Eligibility Criteria for International Students
The Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), or German Academic…
By Siya
Dreaming of a Master’s at Strathclyde? Discover How You Could Win One of 35 Prestigious Scholarships
The Strathclyde Business School in Glasgow, Scotland has announced multiple scholarship…
By Ezra
University College London launches global undergraduate scholarships for international students
University College London (UCL) offers the Global Undergraduate Scholarship…
By Vaidant
Why are International Students in Ireland Excited About these Part-time Work Opportunities!
In recent years, Ireland has become one of the most attractive countries for students…
By Henry
Apply for MSc Social Network Analysis at University of Manchester
The program will help students gain essential tools and knowledge for understanding…
By Neerav
University of Leeds Launches India Anniversary Masters Scholarship 2024
The University of Leeds has released the India Anniversary Masters Scholarship 2024,…
By Ezra
Germany’s Technical University of Munich to Raise Tuition Fees for International Students
As a recent development, the German government has recently agreed to raise PoF, proof of funds…
By Vaidant
Updated Financial Criteria for German Student Visas Announced
The German government has once again confirmed a marginal increase in the proof-of-funds…
By Aahana
UCAS to Introduce New Questions in Personal Statements from September
UCAS, a central agency between universities and applicants, and a registered…
By Jace
Harvard Announces 2025 Rowland Fellowship for Young Scientists and Engineers
The Rowland Institute, based at Harvard University, is encouraging young scientists and…
By Advay
Swiss Government Announces Excellence Scholarships for 2025-26 Academic Year for Young Scholars
The Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships are designed for international scholars…
By Siya
University of Sheffield offering £2,000 scholarship for computer science programme
The University of Sheffield, located in the United Kingdom, is offering…
By Aahana
Study Permit does not Guarantee Permanent Residency in Canada, says Government
The Canadian government, for instance, has provided a provision to international students…
By Daniel
Strathclyde University Awards £6,000 Scholarship for Physics Master’s Programme
This scholarship is available to international applicants in the Faculty of Science at the University of Strathclyde…
By Advay
Australia Visa Flexibility: Extended Grace Period for Migrant Workers
Relief for migrant employees working in Australia! The Aussie government has said that the restrictions placed…
By Henry
Thailand Visa Rules: Expands Visa-free Status to 93 Countries
The Thai government has recently made several changes to Thailand’s visa policies. The modifications are to increase…
By Siya
Australia Visa Fee Hike: Does it Affect International Students?
International students who are planning to choose Australia as their study-abroad destination may face some…
By Neerav
Poland Launches Online Study Visa Applications for Indian Students
Starting from July 2, Indian students wishing to study in Poland must apply for their study…
By Daniel
New Internship Facility Launched for Indian Students by Indian Consulate in New York
The Consulate General of India in New York on Wednesday launched a new facility to help…
By Henry
Raffles University Announces Degree Courses Assessed by AI
Raffles University, located in Malaysia, plans to offer a degree course…
By Vaidant
New Zealand New Visa Rules for Foreign Workers
New Zealand has implemented changes in its visa regulation process impacting foreign workers, their spouses…
By Siya
146 Indian Students Awarded Erasmus Mundus Scholarships for 2024-2025 Master’s Programmes in Europe
Continuing their excellent progress, as many as 146 Indian students, including 75 female…
By Vaidant
Germany Announces ‘Opportunity Card’ to Attract International Students
This programme enables applicants to gain entry into Germany and look for any form of employment…
By Aahana
Rising Global Demand Fuels 22% Growth in English-Taught Programmes
In the report “Mapping English-taught Programmes Worldwide” by the British Council and Studyportals, it was…
By Henry
Proposed Policy Changes Open New Career Avenues for Indian Students in Philippine Medical Practice
As per the proposed provision, Indian students who complete their Doctor of Medicine degree from…
By Siya
UK University Provides a Variety of Scholarships for Indian Students Studying Abroad!
Scholarships are granted based on academic excellence, providing successful applicants with reduced tuition fees…
By Advay
UK Government: Graduate Visa Remained Under Review
The UK government announces the retention of the UK Graduate Visa for international students…
By Daniel
UK PM Rishi Sunak Abandons Plan to Restrict Graduate Visas After Backlash
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reversed course on his proposal to impose restrictions on graduate visas…
By Ezra
Canada Restricting Working Hours may Impact Indian Students
Indian students in Canada, the largest group of international students, are likely to face…
By Jace
University of Strathclyde Launches New LLM in Law, Technology, and Innovation
The University of Strathclyde Law School is currently accepting applications for its newly introduced…
By Aahana
IRCC Announces 2024 Study Permit Allocations
The Government of Canada is implementing a two-year cap on international student permits…
By Kai
Canada Post-Graduation Work Permit Program Expansion
The Canadian government has implemented changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit…
By Jace
Netherland Working on a Strategy to Curb International Students
With the intention of curbing and regulating the increasing number of international students, fourteen…
By Henry