Ph.D. studies in South Korea
South Korea is a developed and modern country that has become one of the destinations of international students every year due to its grand innovations and advances in technology. South Korea has always had a lot to say in areas such as car and mobile technologies and has quite large companies in these areas. That is why international students choose to study for a Ph.D. in South Korea. In this article, we want to discuss this matter and provide you with accurate and up-to-date information.
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Requirements for Ph.D. application in South Korea
Ph.D. studies in South Korea take between two and three years, and the applicants may only need a relevant master’s degree. However, all universities are not the same. Admission requirements for the Ph.D. program are slightly more complex than for other courses, and each university may require different qualifications. On the other hand, the students must first find a supervisor, the field of interest for the Ph.D. studies, and send their resume and previous educational background to South Korea. After the supervisors review the students’ conditions and conduct the necessary interviews and correspondence, the supervisors will introduce the students to the university if the students’ plan is accepted and have all the necessary conditions for admission.
Ph.D. studies in South Korea have in three stages:
- Depending on your type of master’s degree, a research course with certain credits must be taken
- Perform a written test
- Submitting a dissertation under the supervision of a supervisor
Required documents for visa and Ph.D. admission in South Korea
There may be different conditions for obtaining a Ph.D. in South Korea at each university. But, the applicants must provide the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Preliminary introduction of your plan for Ph.D. studies
- Submission of a recommendation letter by a faculty member of an institution issued at the undergraduate and postgraduate level
- Documents from previous courses to show that you have completed your study or that your education will end soon.
- Copy of passport
- Proof of English or Korean language skills depending on the course
- In some arts or sports, you must have a work sample or certification
Finding a Ph.D. Supervisor in South Korea
One of the most critical steps in admission to a doctoral program is to find a supervisor. Therefore, the applicants should research in their desired field and take their Ph.D. course. The applicants need a supervisor in that field with the necessary research background to support their project. They must find more active universities in their fields. Then, they must identify the relevant professors and correspond with them. The applicants should read their supervisor’s background to know the supervisor’s areas of interest before taking any action. They can connect with the supervisor’s previous students to know how to work with one and the critical points for being accepted. If you go through such steps, you will have a high chance of getting a Ph.D. in South Korea.
The Ph.D. study expenses in South Korea
There are different tuition fees for Ph.D. studies in South Korea. However, this cost varies in private and public universities. The study expenses in engineering, medicine, and dentistry in South Korea are the most expensive ones. Engineering and medical courses are the longest Ph.D. courses. However, humanities have the lowest costs. A Ph.D. semester can cost between 1,100 and 22,000 dollars for a semester. You have to pay twice for one year if you do not have a scholarship or allowance.
South Korea Ph.D. Scholarship
Most countries offer Ph.D. scholarships. South Korea has several scholarships in the Ph.D. program than in other courses because it mostly has practical and research courses. Various educational institutions and governments have allocated large budgets for research and development. Many scholarships in South Korea can cover student expenses from 30% to 100% of the total costs. However, receiving these scholarships is competitive. Students with better conditions and better resumes have a better chance of receiving scholarships. The South Korean government offers other scholarships to encourage international students, such as:
- South Korea World Scholarship
It covers tuition, language courses, student living expenses, medical insurance, and flight expenses.
- Support program for students who pay for their studies
The students will receive 500,000 Korean won to cover their living expenses.
Top Ph.D. South Korean Universities
You can see the top South Korean universities with their national and global rankings in the table below.
| City | University | Ranking in the country | Global ranking 2021 |
| Seoul | Seoul National University | 1 | 60 |
| Daejeon | Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | 2 | 96 |
| Seoul | Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) | 3 | =101 |
| Pohang | Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | 4 | 151 |
| Seoul | Korea University | 5 | =167 |
| Ulsan | Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) | 6 | =176 |
| Seoul | Yonsei University (Seoul campus) | 7 | =187 |
| Seoul | Kyung Hee University | 8 | 251–300 |
| Seoul | Sejong University | 9 | 301–350 |
| Seoul | Hanyang University | 10 | 351–400 |
Companion visa for Ph.D. studies in South Korea
Married Ph.D. students in South Korea or those with children below 18 can apply for their families’ visas after obtaining a South Korean student visa. Students can immigrate to South Korea with their families if they are married. However, the applicants’ family members can receive a South Korean visa if the student has proven that one can afford to live in South Korea for at least one year. The students must cover these costs by themselves or their scholarships in South Korea. The students must show that they can afford their family members’ living expenses in South Korea for at least a year. If they have the requirements, South Korea will grant this visa to the companions.
Working conditions and citizenship after graduation in South Korea
One of the most critical issues for international students is working conditions and residency after graduation. The students can live and work in South Korea for up to two years after graduation. If a student finds a job and lives for five consecutive years with no criminal background in South Korea, one can apply for South Korean citizenship. South Korea has an almost low unemployment rate. South Korean unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in the second month of 2021 in the last recorded acceptable rate for graduated employment.
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