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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# China or Korea for Studying: Costs, Language, Admission, Scholarships and Work Compared

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In short: taught in the local language, leading universities in both countries cost about the same, but China asks for much less money in the bank at admission, while Korea is far more generous to students who want to work. Average bachelor's tuition in Korea in 2026 is $5,325 a year ($3,113 at national universities, $6,029 at private ones). China publishes no national average, but the published Chinese-taught fees of strong public universities are mostly $2,950–4,500 a year, up to $6,262 for medicine. English-taught programmes range widely in both countries: from $3,429 a year at Wuhan University to $12,015 at Yonsei UIC and $14,909 at Tsinghua. Korea's D-2 visa lets bachelor's students work up to 25 hours a week in term with the required TOPIK level; China's rules allow up to 8 hours a week, arranged through the university. For Russian citizens there is one more difference: Russia and China have a 1995 agreement on mutual recognition of education documents, while no such agreement exists with Korea.

Below is a comparison of money, language, admission, scholarships, visas, work and degree recognition with figures from official sources, a "which suits whom" table, common mistakes and links to detailed guides for both countries. Facts were checked on 23–24 September 2026; dollar amounts use ECB rates of 23 September.

The IF Zone study area in the Dongguk University Central Library, South Korea. Photo: 바벨도서관 / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%EB%8F%99%EA%B5%AD%EB%8C%80_%EB%8F%84%EC%84%9C%EA%B4%80_IF%EC%A1%B4.jpg), [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0).

## Side-by-side summary {#section-1}

| Criterion | South Korea | China |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's tuition | Average $5,325 a year (2026); national $3,113, private $6,029; SNU $3,577–4,392, Yonsei $6,674–8,795 | Set by each university; Chinese-taught $2,952–4,473 at the seven leading universities we checked, medicine and arts up to $6,262 |
| Language of most programmes | Korean, usually TOPIK 3 | Chinese, usually HSK 4 (HIT asks for 210+) |
| English-taught options | KAIST (with its university scholarship), Yonsei UIC at $12,015 a year, individual programmes elsewhere | HIT $3,876, Wuhan University $3,429–5,964, Tsinghua $14,909 a year |
| Entrance test | None nationally; document review and interviews | CSCA required for bachelor's applicants to government-scholarship host universities (2026 and 2027 intakes), for everyone from 2028 |
| Government scholarship | GKS: tuition, a language year, airfare and KRW 14,400,000 ($10,547) a year, from which housing and insurance are paid | CGS: tuition, dorm or housing subsidy, insurance and CNY 2,500 ($373) a month for bachelor's students |
| Student visa | D-2; $80 fee for Russian citizens | X1; residence permit within 30 days of entry |
| Part-time work in term | 10–25 h/week depending on year and TOPIK; weekends unlimited | Up to 8 h/week and 40 h/month, with university approval; off campus only after a year at that university |
| After graduation | D-10 job-seeker visa for up to 3 years | Master's or higher from a Chinese university may get a work permit within a year of graduating |
| Recognition in Russia | No agreement; government list or recognition procedure | Intergovernmental agreement of 1995 |

## Tuition {#section-2}

Korea. The Ministry of Education publishes averages every year. In 2026, four-year universities charge on average $5,325 (KRW 7,270,300) a year: national and public $3,113, private $6,029, capital region $6,057, other regions $4,848. For international students each university sets its own fee, which depends on the college.

China. There is no published national average for international students; each university sets its own fees, usually in two or three bands: humanities, science and engineering, and medicine. Student insurance at Chinese universities is CNY 800 ($119) a year.

For a fair comparison, the table below lists published bachelor's fees per year at specific universities. For Korea we double the 2026 semester fee: SNU's entering-student fee and Yonsei's fee from the second semester (Yonsei's first semester is KRW 214,000 higher). For China, the annual fees universities publish on their websites.

| University | Local language, per year | English-taught, per year |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Seoul National University (Korea, national) | $3,577 humanities, $4,392 engineering (KRW 4,884,000 and 5,996,000) | No separate English-taught bachelor's |
| Yonsei University (Korea, private) | $6,674 humanities, $8,795 engineering (KRW 9,112,000 and 12,008,000) | UIC $12,015 (KRW 16,404,000) |
| KAIST (Korea) | — | $5,029 (KRW 6,866,000), covered for admitted international students by the KAIST Scholarship |
| Harbin Institute of Technology, HIT (China) | $2,982 (CNY 20,000) | $3,876 (CNY 26,000) |
| Wuhan University (China) | $2,982–4,473 (CNY 20,000–30,000) | $3,429–5,964 (CNY 23,000–40,000) |
| Zhejiang University (China) | $2,952–4,443 (CNY 19,800–29,800) | — |
| Nanjing University (China) | $3,131–3,578, medicine $6,262 (CNY 21,000–42,000) | All bachelor's programmes are Chinese-taught |
| Fudan University (China) | $3,429–3,876, medicine $6,262 (CNY 23,000–42,000) | Separate programmes with their own fees |
| Beijing Language and Culture University, BLCU (China) | $3,847 (CNY 25,800) | — |
| Tsinghua University (China) | $3,876–4,473 (CNY 26,000–30,000) on Chinese-English taught programmes, arts $5,964 | $14,909 (CNY 100,000) |

"—" means we did not verify a fee or the university's notice lists no such programme.

What the table shows: in the local language, national SNU and leading Chinese universities cost about the same, $3,000–4,500 a year. Private Seoul universities cost noticeably more; Yonsei charges $6,700–8,800. English-taught fees vary hugely in both countries, from $3,400–3,900 at HIT and Wuhan to $12,000–15,000 at Yonsei UIC and Tsinghua, while KAIST is free for admitted international students. Compare programmes, not countries. Detailed budgets: [cost of studying in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-korea) and [cost of studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china).

## Living costs and financial proof {#section-3}

| Monthly cost | Korea | China |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dorm | About $164 for a place in a double room, national average (NIIED 2026 guidebook, 2024 data) | HIT CNY 800–1,000 ($119–149); Tsinghua CNY 30–40 a day ($134–179 a month) |
| Private rental | About $439 rent plus $56 utilities near major Seoul universities (NIIED, 2024) | Universities publish no averages; depends on the city |
| Food, transport, phone | About $366, the average Korean student's spending (NIIED) | CNY 1,000–2,000 ($149–298), Wuhan University's estimate; the CGS stipend assumes CNY 2,500 ($373) |
| Health insurance | KRW 76,390 ($56), the national health insurance premium in KAIST's 2026 budget | CNY 800 ($119) a year, about $10 a month |

Korea asks for much more money in the bank at admission. Yonsei requires a balance of KRW 22,000,000 ($16,113) for spring 2027 and Pusan National University KRW 16,000,000 ($11,719). Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) asks self-funded applicants for a deposit certificate of at least CNY 20,000 ($2,982).

Chinese campuses have their own catch: dorm places are limited and must be booked. At Tsinghua rooms are booked online within set dates, and anyone who misses them finds housing off campus. See [student life and housing in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-life-and-housing-in-china) and [student housing in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-korea).

## Language: TOPIK or HSK {#section-4}

Most programmes in both countries are taught in the local language. Korean universities typically ask for TOPIK 3: for spring 2027, Seoul National University accepted TOPIK 3 or English (TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.0). At Yonsei, Korean-track students need TOPIK 3 before declaring a major and TOPIK 4 to graduate.

In China the benchmark is HSK 4: HIT asks Chinese-taught bachelor's applicants for HSK 4 with at least 210 points, and English-taught applicants for IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 80. Korean script (Hangul) is quicker to learn than Chinese characters, but reaching academic level takes a long time either way. Korea's GKS budgets a full year of Korean before the degree; in China the same role is played by preparatory programmes whose length the university sets. Check your real pace with practice tests.

Without the language, the route is the same in both countries: a year of university language courses, then admission. In Korea that means a D-4 visa and programmes like those in [Korean language programmes in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-korean-language-programs-in-korea); in China, language and preparatory programmes: see [Chinese language programmes in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-chinese-language-programs-in-china) and the [foundation year in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-foundation-year-in-china). Exams: [TOPIK guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-topik-exam-guide) and [HSK guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide).

If you need English from day one, compare [English-taught degrees in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-china) with [universities in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-korea-for-international-students). In Korea, the core English options are [KAIST](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kaist) and [Yonsei](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-yonsei); in China, individual programmes at HIT, [Wuhan University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-wuhan), [Tsinghua](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tsinghua) and other universities.

## Admission {#section-5}

Korea. There is no national exam for international applicants. Each university runs its own process: online form, apostilled and translated diploma, language certificate, essay, citizenship documents for you and your parents, bank statement. Windows are short: SNU took spring 2027 applications on 6–9 July 2026, and KAIST's early round runs from 22 September to 22 October 2026. Step by step: [applying to Korean universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-korean-universities) and [bachelor's in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-korea).

China. A standardised test, the China Scholastic Competency Assessment (CSCA), run by the China Scholarship Council, now applies. For the 2026 and 2027 intakes, all international bachelor's applicants to universities that host Chinese Government Scholarship students must take it; from 2028, all bachelor's applicants. Mathematics is compulsory for everyone. Applicants to Chinese-taught programmes also take Professional Chinese (humanities or STEM version), and those applying for science, engineering, agriculture or medicine take physics or chemistry. The test runs five times a year and costs CNY 450 ($67) for one subject or CNY 700 ($104) for two or more. See [applying to Chinese universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities) and [bachelor's in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-china).

For master's programmes, neither country usually sets an exam; your degree, grades, language and research plan decide. Compare [master's in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-korea) and [master's in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-china).

## Scholarships: GKS vs CGS {#section-6}

| Feature | GKS (Korea), 2027 undergraduate | CGS (China) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Administered by | NIIED, Korean Ministry of Education | China Scholarship Council (CSC) |
| How to apply | Via a Korean embassy or a participating university | Via a Chinese embassy (Type A) or a university (Type B) |
| Tuition | Up to KRW 5,000,000 ($3,662) per semester from NIIED; the university covers the rest | Covered |
| Housing | Paid from the monthly allowance | University dorm or subsidy |
| Living allowance | KRW 14,400,000 ($10,547) a year during the degree; KRW 13,560,000 ($9,932) in the language year | CNY 2,500 ($373) a month for bachelor's, 3,000 ($447) master's, 3,500 ($522) doctoral |
| Insurance | Paid from the allowance | CNY 800 ($119) a year |
| Language | Korean year included (unless TOPIK 5–6) | Depends on the programme |
| Places for Russia | 3 on the 2027 embassy track: 1 general, 1 for regional universities (R-GKS), 1 for overseas Koreans; embassy applications 15–30 September 2026 | Set annually by country and university |

In cash terms GKS looks larger, but housing and insurance come out of it, and the 2027 undergraduate round has only 286 places worldwide. CGS pays less in cash but adds housing and insurance and can be applied for directly through a university. See the [GKS guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-gks-scholarship-korea).

Both countries also have university scholarships. In Korea they are typically 30–100% tuition reductions based on grades and Korean; KAIST gives a full waiver plus KRW 350,000 ($256) a month. In China, HIT, for instance, awards tuition waivers of 100%, 50%, 30% or 20%.

## Visa and first weeks {#section-7}

Korea: D-2 visa on the basis of the admission letter. The fee for Russian citizens is $80. According to the Korean Consulate General in St Petersburg, a bank statement and certified diploma are additional documents only for applicants to universities without IEQAS certification. Register as a foreign resident within 90 days of arrival. See the [D-2 visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-korea).

China: the X1 visa for study longer than 180 days is issued on the basis of the admission notice and the competent authority's form (JW201 or JW202). Within 30 days of entry you must apply for a residence permit at the local exit-entry administration. See the [Chinese student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china).

## Working while studying {#section-8}

|  | Korea (D-2) | China (X1 and study residence permit) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Who approves | Immigration, via the university's international office | The university; off-campus work also needs a police annotation on the residence permit |
| When you can start | Degree students as soon as permission is granted; language students (D-4) after 6 months | On campus under university rules; off campus after a year at that university, aged 18+, with a residence permit valid for 6 more months |
| Hours in term | Bachelor's: 10 h/week without TOPIK 3, 25 h/week with it (TOPIK 4 in years 3–4); master's: 15 or 30 h/week | Up to 8 h/week and 40 h/month |
| Vacations and weekends | Unlimited once the language threshold is met | Up to 16 h/week and 80 h/month |
| Location | Any approved workplace | Only within the city where the university is |
| Pay | At least the minimum wage: KRW 10,320 ($7.56) an hour in 2026 | At least the local minimum wage |

If you plan to cover part of your costs by working, Korea offers far more room. In China, part-time work is designed as supervised practice, although the budget to cover is usually smaller. See [working while studying in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-korea) and [work and internships for students in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-work-and-internships-for-students-in-china).

## After graduation and careers {#section-9}

Korea. Since 29 October 2025, the D-10 job-seeker visa is granted for up to a year at a time and up to three years in total, and an internship with one company in this status can last up to a year. A work visa then usually follows an employer's offer.

China. 2017 rules let foreigners who earned a master's or higher at a Chinese university obtain a work permit within a year of graduating, with an average of at least 80/100 (or B+/B) and an employer: the job must match the graduate's field and pay at least the local average wage. The number of such permits is limited by quotas. The rules contain no equivalent fast track for bachelor's graduates, who follow the general procedure.

Practical takeaway: to stay and work right after a bachelor's, Korea's rules are more direct. If you plan a master's and a job in China, the master's route works. For returning home, your language, internships and how well your employer knows the university matter more than the country itself.

## Degree recognition in Russia and Kazakhstan {#section-10}

Russia. An intergovernmental agreement with China on mutual recognition of education documents and academic degrees dates from 26 June 1995; it covers state-standard documents. The National Information Centre's list contains no such agreement with the Republic of Korea, so a Korean degree is recognised without a procedure only if the university is on the Russian government's list of foreign institutions; otherwise it goes through recognition by Rosobrnadzor (via Gosuslugi, the NIC personal account or post).

Kazakhstan. The procedure is the same for both countries: apply for recognition through eGov.kz or a Public Service Centre (TsON) to the National Center for Higher Education Development. The fee for a higher-education document is 10 MCI (monthly calculation indices), and processing takes from 15 working days (eGov, apostilled document) to 45 (TsON, no apostille). Bolashak scholars do not need recognition. Recognition does not automatically grant the right to practise: doctors and other regulated professions need separate admission.

## Rankings {#section-11}

Forty-three Korean universities appear in QS 2027; the top three are Seoul National University (38th), Yonsei (42nd) and Korea University (52nd). Tsinghua University reports its QS 2027 position as 14th. In both countries the strongest universities are close to the global top; the real difference lies lower down, in the choice of department. Guides: [universities in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-korea-for-international-students), [universities in Seoul](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-seoul), [universities in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-china-for-international-students), [universities in Beijing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing) and [universities in Shanghai](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-shanghai).

## Which suits whom {#section-12}

| Your situation | Usually the better fit | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| English from year one on a moderate budget | Compare programmes, not countries | China has affordable English-taught tracks (HIT $3,876, Wuhan from $3,429 a year); in Korea the route is KAIST with its scholarship; Yonsei UIC and Tsinghua cost $12,000–15,000 |
| Ready to learn the language for affordable study at a strong university | Either, depending on which language interests you | Chinese-taught programmes at leading universities mostly cost $2,950–4,500 a year; SNU $3,577–4,392 |
| Limited family budget, no large sum in the bank | China | Much smaller balances required at admission: HIT from $2,982, Yonsei from $16,113 |
| Main goal is a scholarship that includes housing | Apply to both | GKS pays more cash; CGS adds a dorm and accepts university-track applications |
| Need to work during studies | Korea | Up to 25 hours a week in term versus 8 in China |
| Want to stay and work after a bachelor's | Korea | D-10 for up to three years without needing a master's |
| Medicine with plans to practise at home | Compare specific universities | Check recognition and licensing; see [studying medicine in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-medicine-in-china) |
| Degree must be recognised in Russia without a procedure | China, or a Korean university on the government list | China has an intergovernmental agreement; Korea does not |

## Common mistakes {#section-13}

- Comparing one country's average with another's top university. Compare like with like: national with national, Chinese-taught with Korean-taught.
- Forgetting the CSCA. For bachelor's study at Chinese government-scholarship host universities, you must sit it before applying.
- Treating the GKS allowance as spending money. Housing and insurance come out of it.
- Expecting Korean-style part-time work in China. Eight hours a week will not cover living costs.
- Not checking degree recognition early. This matters especially for Korean degrees in Russia.
- Not checking a Korean university's visa status. From the autumn 2026 semester, visa issuance for students of 16 institutions on the strict visa screening list is restricted for a year; the list is in the IEQAS results.
- Booking a Chinese dorm too late. Campus places are limited: at Tsinghua they are booked online within set dates, and latecomers find housing themselves.
- Postponing language study. In both countries, language shapes admission, work and daily life.

## StudyU guides for both countries {#section-14}

South Korea: [studying in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-korea) · [applying](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-korean-universities) · [bachelor's](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-korea) · [master's](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-korea) · [GKS scholarship](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-gks-scholarship-korea) · [language programmes](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-korean-language-programs-in-korea) · [TOPIK](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-topik-exam-guide) · [D-2 visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-korea) · [costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-korea) · [work](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-korea) · [housing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-korea) · [universities in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-korea-for-international-students) · [universities in Seoul](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-seoul).

Korean university profiles: [SNU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-snu), [KAIST](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kaist), [Yonsei](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-yonsei), [Korea University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-korea-university), [SKKU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-skku), [Hanyang](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hanyang), [Kyung Hee](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kyung-hee), [Chung-Ang](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-chung-ang), [Ewha](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-ewha), [POSTECH](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-postech), [Pusan National University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-pusan), [Sogang](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sogang), [HUFS](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hufs), [Kyungbok](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kyungbok-university).

China: [studying in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-china) · [bachelor's](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-china) · [master's](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-china) · [applying](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-chinese-universities) · [foundation year](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-foundation-year-in-china) · [costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-china) · [medicine](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-medicine-in-china) · [X1 visa](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-china) · [HSK](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-hsk-exam-guide) · [language programmes](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-chinese-language-programs-in-china) · [work and internships](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-work-and-internships-for-students-in-china) · [universities in China](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-china-for-international-students) · [universities in Beijing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-beijing) · [universities in Shanghai](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-shanghai) · [English-taught degrees](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-china) · [student life and housing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-life-and-housing-in-china).

Chinese university profiles: [Tsinghua](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tsinghua), [Peking University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-peking), [Fudan](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-fudan), [Zhejiang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-zhejiang), [Shanghai Jiao Tong](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-shanghai-jiao-tong), [Tongji](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-tongji), [BLCU](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-blcu), [Wuhan University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-wuhan), [Xiamen University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-xiamen), [Nanjing University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-nanjing), [Sun Yat-sen University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-sun-yat-sen).

## FAQ {#faq}

### Is it cheaper to study in China or Korea?

It depends on the programme. In Korea, the average national university costs $3,113 a year and a private one $6,029. At leading Chinese universities, Chinese-taught bachelor's fees are mostly $2,950–4,500 a year, up to $6,262 for medicine. English-taught fees vary widely in both countries: from $3,429 at Wuhan University to $12,015 at Yonsei UIC and $14,909 at Tsinghua. China usually asks for a smaller bank balance at admission.

### Which language is easier to learn for university, Korean or Chinese?

Hangul is quicker to learn than Chinese characters, but academic level takes time in both. Local-language programmes usually require TOPIK 3 in Korea and HSK 4 in China; GKS, for example, allots a full year of Korean before the degree.

### Where is a scholarship easier to get?

There is no simple answer: CGS places by country are set each year, and the 2027 GKS undergraduate round has 286 places, 3 of them for Russia on the embassy track (one general). You can apply to both programmes in parallel.

### How much do I need for living costs?

In Korea, according to the NIIED guidebook, a dorm costs about $164 a month, everyday spending about $366 and insurance about $56. In China, Wuhan University estimates living costs at CNY 1,000–2,000 ($149–298) a month excluding housing, and a dorm place at leading universities costs $119–179 a month.

### Can students work part-time in China and Korea?

In Korea, up to 25 hours a week in term with the required TOPIK and without limit in vacations. In China, up to 8 hours a week and 40 a month in term and up to 16 and 80 in vacations, through the university; off campus only after a year of study.

### Are Chinese and Korean degrees recognised in Russia?

Russia and China have a 1995 mutual recognition agreement. There is no agreement with Korea, so a recognition procedure is needed unless the university is on the Russian government's list.

### Do I need an entrance exam?

Korea has no national exam for international students. In China, the CSCA is compulsory in 2026–2027 for bachelor's applicants to government-scholarship host universities and for all bachelor's applicants from 2028.

### Can I stay and work after graduating?

In Korea, graduates can get a D-10 job-seeker visa for up to three years. In China, the fast track is for master's and doctoral graduates: a work permit within a year of graduation with an average of at least 80.

## Sources {#section-16}

- [Korean Ministry of Education: tuition, April 2026 disclosure analysis](https://www.moe.go.kr/boardCnts/viewRenew.do?boardID=294&boardSeq=106020&lev=0&searchType=null&statusYN=W&page=1&s=moe&m=020402&opType=N)
- [Seoul National University: spring 2027 admissions notice (2026 fees)](https://en.snu.ac.kr/admission/overview/notice?md=v&bbsidx=170606)
- [Yonsei University: 2026 undergraduate fees for international students (PDF)](https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/sites/en_sc/down/2026_fee1.pdf)
- [Yonsei University: spring 2027 international admissions guide (PDF)](https://admission.yonsei.ac.kr/seoul/upload/guide/20260529144906YVFHLB.PDF)
- [Pusan National University: spring 2027 undergraduate admissions](https://international.pusan.ac.kr/bbs/international/2089/1459481/artclView.do)
- [KAIST: cost of attendance](https://admission.kaist.ac.kr/intl-undergraduate/support/coa)
- [Tsinghua University: fees for international undergraduates](https://international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn/Admission1/Fees.htm)
- [Tsinghua University: rankings](https://international.join-tsinghua.edu.cn/Discover_Tsinghua1/Advantages.htm)
- [Tsinghua University: dorm and insurance](https://yz.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/Costs/Miscellaneous_Expenses.htm)
- [Harbin Institute of Technology: 2026 bachelor's requirements and fees](https://studyathit.hit.edu.cn/18338/list.htm)
- [Harbin Institute of Technology: university scholarships](https://studyathit.hit.edu.cn/18367/list.htm)
- [Wuhan University: fees and expenses](https://admission.whu.edu.cn/FRESHMEN_RELATED/FEES.htm)
- [Zhejiang University: fees for international students](https://iczu.zju.edu.cn/admissionsen/weeswwwwankwwccountwwnfo/list.htm)
- [Nanjing University: tuition](https://hwxy.nju.edu.cn/English/StudyatNJU/Costs/Tuition/index.html)
- [Fudan University: 2026 Chinese-taught undergraduate fees](https://iso.fudan.edu.cn/isoenglish/51327/list.htm)
- [BLCU: bachelor's admissions](https://admission.blcu.edu.cn/en/384/list.htm)
- [Shanghai Municipal Government: Chinese Government Scholarship](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQs-StudyinShanghai/20241015/239b38683117430d9e5a1376214699bc.html)
- [Shanghai Municipal Government: CSCA FAQ](https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-FAQs-StudyinShanghai/20251218/134bb78943f640519e2185ff83051f5d.html)
- [Chinese Embassy in Mongolia: CSCA notice (schedule, fees)](https://mn.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zytz/202510/t20251030_11743700.htm)
- [Study in Korea (NIIED): 2027 GKS undergraduate notice](https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/plan/gksNoticeRead.do?bbsId=BBSMSTR_000000000461&nttId=4522)
- [NIIED: 2026 guidebook for international students (PDF, hosted by KECLA)](https://www.kecla.org/uploads/board/attach1/20260127135736.pdf)
- [KAIST: scholarship for international undergraduates](https://admission.kaist.ac.kr/intl-undergraduate/support/scholarships/kaist)
- [Korean Consulate General in St Petersburg: D-2 study visa](https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/ru-stpetersburg-ru/brd/m_7886/view.do?seq=759264&page=2)
- [National Immigration Administration of China: exit and entry regulations](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155970/content.html)
- [National Immigration Administration of China: Exit and Entry Administration Law (art. 30)](https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147458/c155978/content.html)
- [easylaw.go.kr: part-time work for international students in Korea](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=2853&ccfNo=3&cciNo=6&cnpClsNo=1)
- [Chinese Ministry of Education: rules on part-time work for international students, 2022](http://www.moe.gov.cn/srcsite/A20/s7068/202201/t20220121_595550.html)
- [Chinese Government: regulations on admitting and training international students (Order No. 42, 2017)](https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/2017-06/02/content_5713392.htm)
- [Beijing Municipal Government: notice on employment of foreign graduates (2017)](https://www.beijing.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengcefagui/qtwj/201912/t20191211_1034128.html)
- [Korean Ministry of Justice: D-10 changes, 27 Oct 2025 (PDF)](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration/214/486421/download.do)
- [Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Education: IEQAS results, 12 Feb 2026 (PDF)](https://www.immigration.go.kr/bbs/immigration/214/490761/download.do)
- [Korea JoongAng Daily: Korean universities in QS 2027](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/snu-leads-korean-campuses-in-latest-qs-world-rankings-as-yonsei-ku-hit-historic-highs/12727249)
- [Russian National Information Centre: Russia–China recognition agreement (1995)](https://nic.gov.ru/ru/docs/foreign/confirmation/idokb_2577_225553)
- [Russian National Information Centre: recognition agreements](https://nic.gov.ru/ru/docs/foreign/confirmation)
- [Russian National Information Centre: recognition procedure](https://nic.gov.ru/ru/proc/nic)
- [Kazakhstan's National Center for Higher Education Development: recognition FAQ](https://enic-kazakhstan.edu.kz/faq)
- [Minimum Wage Commission of Korea](https://www.minimumwage.go.kr/)

Dollar amounts use ECB reference rates of 23 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411 = KRW 1,558 = CNY 7.6538; $1 ≈ KRW 1,365 ≈ CNY 6.71), rounded.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. [Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Bachelor's Degrees in Korea: How to Apply After High School and What It Costs](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-korea)
- [TOPIK Exam Guide 2026–2027: Levels, Scores, Test Dates and Where to Sit It](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-topik-exam-guide)
- [KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kaist)
- [Studying in South Korea for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-korea)
- [Seoul National University (SNU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-snu)
- [Kyungbok University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kyungbok-university)

Updated: September 2026