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School in Korea, Made Clear: K-12 to University for International Families

A clear guide to Korea’s education path—from K-12 to university admissions and job prep. Routes (CSAT, English-taught, exchange), timelines, and campus-area housing tips.

Evan Han
Evan Han
CEO & Founder of FOHO, a housing platform for foreigners in Korea. Experienced in rental market trends, proptech innovation, and foreign tenant support.
TIPRegionSeoul
School in Korea, Made Clear: K-12 to University for International Families

Table of contents

Schooling in Korea, Made Clear: A Parent’s Field Guide (From K-12 to University & Jobs)

Don’t just ‘move and hope.’ If school is why you’re coming, plan the path—and match your home to that path.
This guide is for international families and students preparing to study in Korea now—not a museum tour of how things used to work. You’ll get a clean overview of the K-12 system, concrete routes into Korean universities (exchange, full-degree, English-taught options), and what it takes to convert those years into interviews and a job. Along the way, we highlight the housing choices that make the school plan actually work—because commute, contracts, and costs matter just as much as admissions.

Quick Map of the System

Stage (KR name)
Typical Ages
Compulsory?
What Parents Should Know
Housing Implications
Pre-school (유치원)
3–5
No
Public & private options; fees vary; popular schools fill quickly.
If language is a concern, look for bilingual/English programs. Proximity > space.
Primary (초등학교)
6–12
Yes
Local public schools are free; English starts early; after-school care is common.
Address determines school. Pick the home before term so zoning aligns.
Middle (중학교)
12–15
Yes
Grades matter for high school placement; private tutoring (학원) is common.
Expect later evenings; safe routes + transit access matter.
High (고등학교)
15–18
Near-universal
Academic vs. vocational vs. special-purpose tracks; university prep intensifies.
Long study hours; quiet, well-lit study spaces beat “big rooms.”
University (대학교)
18+
No
Admissions via CSAT, school records, or international track; more English-taught options yearly.
Decide: dorm vs off-campus. Commute time + reliable internet trump everything.

International Families’ First Decision: Local School vs. International School

Option
Best For
Language
Curriculum
Admissions Snapshot
Cost Signal
Local Public
Younger kids who can pick up Korean
Korean (English as a subject)
National curriculum
Zoning + documents (residency, immunizations)
Tuition-free; pay for meals/materials
Local Private
Families wanting smaller classes or a particular ethos
Mostly Korean
Varies by school
School-by-school process (tests/interviews)
Moderate to high
International School
Moves mid-stream (Grade 5+), continuity with IB/AP
English (or other global languages)
IB / AP / US/UK variants
Competitive; tests & interviews; limited seats
High (plan early)
Reality check: If your child is under 10, immersion into a local public school can work surprisingly well—kids learn fast and make local friends. Over age 12, language and curriculum continuity start to matter more; many families choose international schools or a bilingual bridge year.

High School → University: Three Practical Routes

Route
Who It’s For
Language Path
Typical Requirements
Notes
CSAT + Korean-taught degree
Students fully integrating into KR system
TOPIK 4+ (or native)
CSAT or school-record track, transcripts, essays/interview
Most majors; most competitive path into “SKY” and top regionals.
English-taught degree
International students aiming for KR degree in English
IELTS/TOEFL (or school criteria)
HS transcripts, recommendations, statement, proof of funds
Common in Business, Int’l Studies, some Engineering/AI tracks.
Exchange (1–2 semesters)
Uni students abroad wanting KR campus experience
English or Korean per course
Partner nomination, GPA threshold, visa docs
Credits transfer back; great trial run before a full degree.
Pro tip: If long-term work in Korea is the goal, invest in Korean language alongside an English-taught major. University life is bilingual; the job market is mostly not.

University Application Timeline (Working Backwards)

When
What to Do
Why It Matters
12–15 months out
Shortlist universities/majors; check language policy
English-taught vs. Korean-taught affects tests, prep, and even housing location.
9–12 months out
Prep tests (IELTS/TOEFL or TOPIK); gather transcripts; draft essays
Most schools run Spring and Fall intakes; documents take time.
6–9 months out
Submit applications; line up proof of funds & visa documents
Some majors/faculties fill early.
3–6 months out
Decide dorm vs. off-campus; secure housing; plan arrival
Popular campuses see rental spikes 4–8 weeks pre-semester.
1–3 months out
Course registration, insurance, phone/bank, transit card
Avoid first-week chaos—handle admin before orientation if possible.

Exchange vs. Full Degree: A Clear Comparison

Question
Exchange
Full Degree
Commitment
1–2 semesters
4 years (UG), 2+ (grad)
Language Flexibility
Many English options
Stronger mix; more Korean in core majors
Cost Profile
Tuition at home + living in Korea
KR tuition + living
Career Impact (KR market)
Cultural fluency; limited KR work signals
Internship options; alumni network; stronger recruiting visibility
Best Use Case
Test-drive Korea & credits
Korea as a base for study → job hunt

From Campus to Interview: How Students Actually Get Jobs Here

What employers look for (typical order):
  1. Major fit + university brand
  1. Project/Internship work (show, don’t tell—GitHub, portfolios, case comps)
  1. Korean fluency (TOPIK level helps, workplace fluency matters more)
  1. Communication under pressure (panel interviews, presentation rounds)
  1. Team evidence (clubs, lab work, hackathons, service)
International students: you improve odds dramatically by combining (a) internship during study, (b) conversational-to-fluent Korean, and (c) a major that maps cleanly to hiring tracks (dev, data, design, finance, logistics, hospitality). Multinationals and startups hire in English more often; large local firms still prefer Korean-dominant candidates.

Paperwork Parents Always Ask About (K-12)

  • Residency & zoning: Your address determines your child’s public school. Move before term starts to avoid mid-semester transfers.
  • Immunization records: Bring originals + translations; local clinics update the system for the school.
  • Guardianship: If one parent remains abroad, prepare a notarized letter naming the in-Korea guardian.
  • Student ID logistics: School lunch payments, transit cards, and parent portals are easier once you have a bank account + phone line. Plan a weekday window for this.

The Housing Piece Most Guides Skip

Getting the school right but the home wrong is how families end up stressed, late, and exhausted. Use this as a quick filter when choosing a place:
Must-Have
Why It Matters
≤ 30–40 min door-to-door to campus/school
Late nights at labs/학원 are normal; short commutes reduce burnout.
Noise profile after 9pm
High-schoolers and undergrads study late. Thin walls = lost sleep.
Lighting + desk space
“Bigger” isn’t better than “usable.” A good study nook beats extra floor.
Internet stability
Lecture capture, Zoom office hours, coding labs—unstable Wi-Fi is a hidden tax.
Contract clarity (English + Korean)
Avoid surprise fees or deposit traps; insist on bilingual terms.

Practical FAQs (Short, Honest Answers)

Q. Can my Grade-schooler handle Korean public school?
If under ~10 and you commit to language support, yes—many do well. Over ~12, consider international or a bilingual bridge.
Q. Are there enough English-taught uni programs?
Yes, and growing—especially in Business, Policy/International Studies, and selected STEM. Still, Korean helps for campus life and part-time work.
Q. Dorm or off-campus?
Dorms are simpler the first term. After that, most students prefer off-campus for privacy, cooking, and group projects. Decide by course load and commute.
Q. Realistically, can a foreign graduate get a job in Korea?
Yes, with the right mix: degree-fit, portfolio/internship, and Korean. Multinationals/startups are the most accessible starting points.

Ready to Study Here? Don’t Gamble on Housing.

If school is the plan, your home should serve it—not fight it. FOHO keeps the move simple and safe for students and families.
  • Campus-zone search: Filter by university and real commute minutes so late labs and early classes aren’t a marathon.
  • Fraud-screened listings: We actively flag and remove suspicious posts—no wild goose chases.
  • Deposit & rent support: Clear, escrow-style payment flow with PG-backed rails to reduce transfer risks.
  • Move-in made practical: Checklists, key handover basics, and utility guidance aligned to semester timing.
  • Straightforward communication: Clear listing facts, no guesswork.
Bring us your school and move month. We’ll line up a short list that fits the calendar, the commute, and the study hours.
Start here: foreignerhome.com
Browse listings: foreignerhome.com

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