University admission in South Korea

Official entry requirements

As classified by the country with UNESCO (ISCED 2011), reference year 2021. Universities may set higher requirements.

School-leaving qualification (upper secondary)

• General High School3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Diploma

• Autonomous High School3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Diploma

• Special-purposed High School(excluding Meister High School)3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Diploma

• High School Course, Special School3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Diploma

• High School Course, Miscellaneous School3 years, from age 15

  Minimum entry: Completed lower secondary (ISCED 244)

  Awards: Diploma

Bachelor's or equivalent (first degree)

• University4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Long-term Course, University6 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Industrial University4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• University of Education4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Undergraduate Course, Technical College4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Undergraduate Course, Miscellaneous School4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Undergraduate Course, College in the Company4 years

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Bachelor's Degree-conferring Intensive Course, Junior College1 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 550)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Four-year Course, Junior College4 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

• Bachelor's Degree-conferring Intensive Course, Polytechnic College1 years, from age 20

  Minimum entry: Completed short-cycle tertiary (ISCED 550)

  Awards: Bachelor's degree

Short-cycle tertiary (diplomas)

• Junior College2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Junior College Course, Technical College2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Junior College Course, Miscellaneous School2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Junior College Course, College in the Company2 years

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Junior College Course, Polytechnic College2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Associate degree

• Specialized College2 years, from age 18

  Minimum entry: Completed upper secondary (ISCED 354, 344)

  Awards: Associate degree