English-Taught Degree Programs in South Korea for American Students
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Jul 11, 2026 • Study Abroad
Korean universities run English-taught bachelor's and master's tracks, and the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers tuition, a monthly stipend, and a Korean language year for students it selects. Apply directly to universities for self-funded study, or through the embassy or university GKS track for a funded seat, then get a D-2 student visa once you have an admission letter.
🎓 English-taught majors concentrate at large universities in Seoul and a handful of other cities.
💵 GKS covers tuition (up to about 5,000,000 won a semester), a monthly stipend, flights, and insurance.
📩 GKS undergraduate applicants must be under 25 for the current cycle, and most scholars complete a year of Korean language study first.
⏱️ D-2 student visa needs a Certificate of Admission from the university before you apply.
Finding English-Taught Programs in Korea
A growing number of Korean universities run bachelor's and master's tracks fully in English, concentrated in business, engineering, and international studies. Study in Korea , the government's official portal, lists participating universities and their English-taught programs, and is the best starting point for building a shortlist.
Seoul National University, Yonsei, Korea University, and KAIST run some of the largest English-taught offerings, though many regional universities also run English tracks with lower tuition and living costs than the capital.
Applying Without a Scholarship
Apply directly through each university's international admissions office. Requirements typically include a high school or bachelor's transcript, an English proficiency score such as TOEFL or IELTS if your prior education was not in English, a personal statement, and sometimes an interview or portfolio for certain fields. Korean language ability is not required for English-taught tracks, though many programs recommend basic Korean for daily life and part-time work.
Self-funded tuition varies widely between national and private universities. Confirm the exact figure with your target school's international office, since published rates change between academic years and vary further by major.
The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)
The Global Korea Scholarship funds undergraduate and graduate international students through South Korea's National Institute for International Education (NIIED). Scholars receive tuition support (up to roughly 5,000,000 won a semester), a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare, medical insurance, and settlement funds on arrival.
You apply through one of two tracks. The embassy track runs through the South Korean Embassy in the US, which screens applicants before forwarding them to NIIED. The university track runs through a specific Korean university that holds a GKS partnership and nominates its own applicants. Undergraduate GKS applicants must meet an age limit, generally under 25 for the current application cycle, so check the exact cutoff date in the current year's guidelines before you apply.
Most GKS undergraduate and many graduate scholars complete a mandatory year of Korean language training before their degree program starts, unless they already hold a high TOPIK score. Build this extra year into your timeline when you plan your overall degree length.
D-2 Student Visa Steps
Get an official Certificate of Admission from your Korean university, or a GKS scholarship notice if you applied through that route.
Gather your passport, admission certificate, financial proof, and a completed visa application form.
Apply for the D-2 visa at the nearest South Korean consulate in the US.
After arrival, register for an Alien Registration Card at your local immigration office within the required window, a step every international student in Korea completes.
Cost of Living
Seoul costs more than regional cities, particularly for rent and transportation. GKS stipends are built to cover living costs for scholars, while self-funded students should budget separately for housing, food, transit, and Korea's National Health Insurance, which is mandatory for international students on a long-term visa.
Application Timeline
GKS embassy track: applications typically open in early spring for a scholarship that starts the following academic year, so start gathering documents well ahead of the deadline.
University track and self-funded applications: deadlines vary by school and by intake semester (spring or fall), so confirm directly with your target university.
Universities in Korea generally run spring and fall intakes, similar to the US academic calendar.
Choosing a City and Field
Seoul hosts the largest concentration of English-taught programs and the biggest international student community, though cities like Busan, Daejeon, and Gwangju run English tracks with lower tuition and living costs. Business and engineering programs tend to have the most developed English-taught offerings and the clearest path to internships with Korean and multinational employers based in the country.
After Graduation
South Korea runs a job-seeking visa (D-10) that graduates can use to search for employment after finishing a degree, along with employment visa pathways for graduates who secure a job offer from a Korean employer. Confirm current eligibility and visa length with Korea's immigration authority or your university's career office as you approach graduation, since requirements shift periodically.
Weigh the D-10 route against returning to the US for your career search, particularly if your target industry hires primarily through US-based recruiting cycles. Talking to your university's international career office early, rather than waiting until your final semester, gives you more runway to compare both paths.