Republic of Korea

Higher Education System

Higher Education

Higher education institutions in Korea consist of junior colleges (2~3-year courses), universities (4-year courses) and graduate schools. A Junior college confers an associate degree. If a person who was admitted to an advanced major program or a 4-year course designed to train medical personnel and has completed the courses determined by school regulations, junior college could award a bachelor’s degree. In recent years, with the development of information and communication technologies, cyber colleges that deliver education via of e-learning have also increased in number. Graduate-level courses (master’s and doctor‘s degree courses) are generally provided at 4-year universities. However, graduate school universities have established to exclusively offer graduate programs with no affiliations to universities.

Legal Basis

Overall responsibility for education in the Republic of Korea lies with the Ministry of Education. Korean higher education has its legal basis in the Higher Education Act and other related laws.

For further information, refer to:

Access to Higher Education

Admission Qualifications for Higher Education Courses

Admission to higher education institutions is of two types; general and special admission. General admission is designed to select students according to universal educational standards for ordinary students. Special admission is designed to select students based on standards presented by universities, such as special experience or aptitude, or those who need to be selected based on differential educational compensation standards. Overseas Koreans and foreigners are subject to special admission.

Students may enter courses under early admission or regular admission. For early admission, students are evaluated based on their school records and other extra-curricular activities from high school. For regular admission, students are evaluated based on the results of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). Most universities and colleges implement regular admissions on the basis of a combination of student records (School Activities Record) and CSAT scores. Some universities also use essays, interviews or in-house entrance examinations for additional screening purposes.

College Admission Information Portal

CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test)

The CSAT is run and administered by the Korea Institute of Curriculum and Evaluation (KICE). The CSAT is taken once a year, normally in mid-November, and lasts a full day. The CSAT consists of tests in Language Arts, Mathematics, English, Korean History, Social Studies/Science/Vocational Education, and second foreign languages/Chinese characters & classics. Students may select all or some of the five tests, as well as specific subjects.

The CSAT is not mandatory, but most high school students in Korea choose to take the test to meet the requirements of universities.

Credit and Grading System

Credit System

Under Article 21 of the Higher Education Act, the completion of a course of study is based on the grade and credit system. Under Article 14 of the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act, Credit hours are determined by schools for each class subject, based on the characteristics of the relevant curriculum, but should be at least 15 hours each semester. Mostly, 1 credit is given when taking a course over more than 15 hours in a semester and a student is able to take approximately 17–20 credits per semester under school regulations.

Two or more semesters constitute each school year, and the number of school days must exceed 30 weeks per year.

Grading System

The grade for each subject is given as a Grade Point Average (GPA). The grading method follows school rules. The completion of a subject is accepted as a credit if the grade is above a certain level. A failed subject will be excluded from one’s earned credits. Some schools allow students to take additional credits if their average score in the previous semester is higher than a certain standard, and restrict students to register for the maximum number of credits if they are placed under academic probation. The minimum credits required to obtain a degree are subject to the school regulations of individual universities.

Most Korean higher education systems follow the grading system below.

Recognition of Credits

Under Article 7 of the Act on Recognition of Credits, etc., any of the following categories of students may be deemed to have earned credits at relevant schools.

Where a student has earned credits in any other domestic or foreign school
Where a student earned credits at lifelong education centres that offer education courses and degrees that are deemed equivalent to those offered by junior college or university graduates
Where a student has completed a curriculum equivalent to university courses in any domestic or foreign high school and in any domestic school
Where any person who takes a leave of absence to enlist in the military or to complete mandatory military service has earned credits after taking distance learning courses
Where credits are recognized by the Minister of Education
Where the fact that a student studied, conducted research or practiced at other schools, research institutions, industrial enterprises, etc. or worked for any industrial enterprises is recognized (limited to industrial colleges and junior colleges)

Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act

Act on Recognition of Credits, etc.

Academic Credit Bank System (ACBS)

The Academic Credit Bank System is an open educational system which offers lifelong learning opportunities. It recognizes diverse learning experiences both within and outside of school. A person who earns 80 credits can obtain an associate degree and a person who earns 140 credits can obtain a bachelor’s degree.

(Source: National Institute for Lifelong Education)