South Korea

How to Study in South Korea from Bangladesh: Steps and Costs

7 min read · Checked against official sources in October 2026

Language track or degree track?

There are two main routes. In the degree track, you apply to a bachelor's, master's or doctoral program and get a D-2 student visa. In the language track, you join a Korean language program at a university and get a D-4 visa. Study in Korea describes D-2 as the visa for degree programs and D-4 as the visa for non-degree training.

The language track does not give you a degree seat. You would apply again for a degree later. The degree track needs proof of language ability. For Korean-taught programs, universities usually ask for TOPIK, and for English-taught programs they ask for an English score. Requirements vary by university and department.

Think about the extra time and cost before you choose the language track.

Scholarships: GKS and university awards

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) is the Korean government program. Study in Korea says it covers airfare, Korean language training fees, tuition and a monthly allowance. For the undergraduate level, applicants must be under 25, both parents must be non-Korean citizens, and the academic requirement is a score of 80 percent or higher, or a similar standing. For graduate GKS, the age limit is under 40 and a GPA of at least 80 percent is asked.

For the 2027 undergraduate round, the Korean Embassy in Bangladesh announced 3 Embassy Track places (2 General and 1 R-GKS), with applications from 15 to 30 September 2026. That window has closed. Watch the embassy and Study in Korea pages for the next round. Competition is high and no outcome is certain.

Many universities also offer their own scholarships to international students. Amounts and rules differ widely, so check each university's page. We have not listed amounts here because they change every year.

Visa: D-4 or D-2, and what Bangladesh applicants face

You apply to the Korean Embassy in Dhaka. An embassy notice says the online e-Form on the Korea Visa Portal has been mandatory for study visa applicants since May 2025. You print it with the barcode and visit the embassy with your documents.

Study in Korea lists these for D-2: passport copy, photo, the school's registration certificate, the standard admission letter, proof of highest education, proof of financial ability, a tuberculosis test result if it applies, and family relationship documents if your parents' bank statements are used. The embassy may ask for more.

Yonsei University's Mirae campus language program lists Bangladesh among the countries needing a family relation certificate and an apostille or consular confirmation of academic papers. It also lists Bangladesh among high-burden TB countries needing a TB test for D-4, and among countries paying four semesters of tuition in one lump for D-4. Other universities differ.

Study in Korea says a D-2 visa allows up to two years per issuance, and you must register as a foreigner within 90 days of entry.

Bank balance and documents

The Dhaka embassy notices read for this guide do not state a bank balance amount. The amount usually comes from the university and it differs, so follow your own admission guide.

• Yonsei Mirae language program: a bank deposit certificate over KRW 8 million in the applicant's name. A parent's certificate is accepted with a family relation certificate.
• Korea University Korean Language Center: a minimum balance of KRW 10 million, an original statement with the bank's signature or stamp, issued within one month of applying.
• Documents not in Korean or English need translation and notarization or apostille, as Yonsei asks.
• Use funds that really belong to you or your family and can be explained with bank records.
• Universities say submitted documents are not returned, so keep copies.
• Universities and the embassy may ask for extra documents during review.

What it costs

Study in Korea reports average yearly undergraduate tuition of about KRW 6.8 million across Korea, about KRW 4.3 million at national and public universities and about KRW 7.6 million at private ones. By field it lists about KRW 6.0 million for humanities and social sciences, KRW 7.3 million for engineering and KRW 9.8 million for medicine. These are averages, and international fees can differ.

Examples from university pages: Yonsei lists 2026 international undergraduate tuition per semester from about KRW 4.6 million for liberal arts to about KRW 6.0 million for engineering, with the first semester a little higher. Incheon National University lists KRW 2.56 million to KRW 3.55 million for international students, depending on field and track. Check the unit on its page.

Language programs: Yonsei Mirae lists KRW 1,600,000 tuition plus an 80,000 application fee. Korea University's Korean Language Center lists KRW 1,800,000 per semester plus a 120,000 admission fee, and says tuition is adjusted every year.

Living costs: Study in Korea estimates KRW 750,000 to 1,000,000 a month, with housing at KRW 500,000 to 700,000, food at KRW 200,000 to 300,000 and transport at KRW 50,000 to 100,000. Korea University lists a double dormitory room at KRW 1,450,000 per term for its regular program. Convert at the current rate and add flights.

Intakes, timeline and steps

Degree programs usually have a spring intake in March and a later intake in the year. For example, Korea University's Spring 2027 international undergraduate round ran online applications from 3 to 31 August 2026, gave results on 27 November, planned registration for January 2027 and starts in March 2027. Fall 2027 dates were still to be announced. Yonsei Mirae says a D-4 visa takes about 2 to 4 weeks and advises applying at least 2 months before you leave. Korea University says its admission letter for D-4 can be issued about a month before the semester.

• Choose a track and a university, and read its admission guide and fee page.
• Prepare language proof (TOPIK or an English score such as IELTS) and your SSC, HSC or degree papers with the verification the university asks for.
• Apply online and send documents before the deadline.
• Receive admission, pay tuition as instructed and collect the standard admission letter.
• Fill the e-Form, take a TB test if required, and visit the Dhaka embassy.
• After arrival, register as a foreigner within 90 days.

What IGC counsellors check with you

IGC counsellors review your results, language plan and funds. We help you compare the language and degree routes honestly, including the extra year and cost, and we explain which documents your university and the embassy ask for. We cannot promise admission, a scholarship or a visa.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know Korean to study in Korea?

Not always. Korean-taught programs usually ask for TOPIK, while English-taught programs ask for an English score. Requirements vary by university and department, so check the admission guide of the program you want.

Is GKS open for Bangladesh now?

The 2027 undergraduate Embassy Track in Bangladesh closed on 30 September 2026. Study in Korea lists February as the announcement month for graduate GKS. Watch the embassy and Study in Korea notices. Selection is competitive and the result is never certain.

How much bank balance is needed?

No single amount appears in the embassy notices read for this guide. Universities set their own, for example KRW 8 million at Yonsei Mirae's language program and KRW 10 million at Korea University's Korean Language Center. Use your admission guide and confirm with the embassy.

What is the difference between D-2 and D-4?

D-2 is for degree programs and D-4 is for non-degree training such as Korean language courses. Moving from a language course to a degree needs a separate admission. Ask your university how the visa change works in your case.

How much do living costs run in Korea?

Study in Korea estimates about KRW 750,000 to 1,000,000 a month, including housing. Real costs depend on the city and your lifestyle. Convert at the current rate, and add tuition, flights and insurance.

If you are weighing the language and degree routes in Korea, book a free profile assessment with IGC. A counsellor will go through your results, funds and documents and tell you honestly what to expect.