Cheapest University in South Korea
South Korea is a safe country with a generally excellent standard of living. These factors, together with the country’s long tradition of academic distinction, make the Asian country an excellent choice for international students.
South Korea has established itself as one of the top academic locations in the world, thanks to strong government backing and groundbreaking research and development. South Korea offers a learning utopia at an extremely low price, thanks to modest tuition rates – as you can see in these cheap universities in Korea.
Here is a list of Cheap Universities in South Korea
1. Chonnam National University
Undergraduate tuition fees start at $2,454 per year.
Graduate tuition fees start at $5,667 per year.
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link http://medicine.jnu.ac.kr/english/sub/page.php?page_code=academics_03_02
Chonnam National Institution, or CNU, is Southwest Korea’s flagship university. It was established in 1952 and is now headquartered in Gwangju. It also has a satellite campus in the old Yeosu National University’s facilities. Chonnam National University is the cheapest university in South Korea for overseas students, with undergraduate tuition fees starting at $2,454 per year.
2. Sejong Cyber University
Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs: from $2,605 per year
(Undergraduate programs only)
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link https://home.sjcu.ac.kr/eng/cms/FR_CON/index.do?MENU_ID=130
Sejong Cyber University was founded in 2014, following the signing of a Remote Educational Agreement with the Dasomi Foundation. It also saw the first batch of students graduate – an event that has since become an annual event for the distance-learning institution.
3. Woosong University
Undergraduate tuition fees start at KRW 3,198,600 ($2,890) each year.
Graduate tuition fees start at KRW 6,345,600 ($5,735) each year.
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link http://english.wsu.ac.kr/page/index.jsp?code=english030504
Woosong University first opened its doors in 1954 and reopened in 1999. It is located in Daejeon and offers a unique curriculum that incorporates technology and foreign languages.
Studying in South Korea on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in South Korea. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: South Korea issues a student visa after you hold an offer, and in many Asian systems the institution files part of the application on your behalf. Requirements typically include the admission letter, proof of funds, medical clearance and authenticated academic certificates. Confirm the exact document list with your university — it varies a lot between institutions.
Language of instruction: most degree programmes in South Korea are taught in the local language, with a smaller selection available in English — usually at postgraduate level. Check the language of instruction for your specific programme before anything else, because this single detail rules out more applicants than tuition cost does. Where an English-taught programme exists, ask whether an IELTS or TOEFL waiver applies to Nigerian degree holders.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in South Korea, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from South Korea itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in South Korea?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in South Korea subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in South Korea and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in South Korea?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for South Korea shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for South Korea before you apply or pay anything.