Language Immersion Courses in South Korea

South Korea is one of the main places in Asia to learn Korean. According to Ministry of Education figures published on Study in Korea, the government's official study portal run by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED), 58,764 of the 253,434 international students in Korean higher education in 2025 were in language training, almost a quarter of the total. Among the five largest sending countries, Vietnam has by far the most language students, with 33,629 in 2025.

Most Korean teaching for international students takes place at university-affiliated Korean language institutes, which offer courses for general learning, university admission and business Korean. Our directory currently lists one programme in this category: the International Summer Session in Korean and Asian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul, a summer school taught in English rather than a Korean language course.

How Korean language programmes work

Study in Korea describes Korean language training programmes as courses designed to teach Korean to foreigners. They are generally divided into long-term courses of 10 weeks or more and short-term courses of 4 weeks or less.

The standard proof of level is TOPIK, the Test of Proficiency in Korean. It has two levels, TOPIK I (listening and reading) and TOPIK II (listening, writing and reading), and is offered as a paper-based test, an internet-based test and a speaking test. Scores are valid for two years from the date they are announced. Korean universities use TOPIK for admission and graduation, employers use it in hiring, and it is also used in some visa applications and in applications for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).

Outside Korea, the government supports Korean teaching through the King Sejong Institutes, run by the King Sejong Institute Foundation under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and through Korean Education Centers run by the Ministry of Education. For Korean-taught programmes, some universities accept a King Sejong Institute completion certificate or results from the Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) of the Ministry of Justice instead of TOPIK.

Summer and short programmes

The International Summer Session (ISS) at HUFS has run since 2003. It offers intensive courses on Korea and Asia taught in English, for students interested in Korean and Asian Studies who do not yet speak enough Korean to enrol as regular students at a Korean university. The 2026 session ran from 9 July to 7 August 2026, with all classes on the Seoul campus; international students could apply until 5 June 2026.

Recent courses include "Food, Film, and Korean Society" and "K-Movie Days: Learning about Korean Culture through Movies", which uses Korean films to build understanding of the Korean language and culture. The programme is open to anyone, not only university students. During the session HUFS offers double rooms in its international houses for 650,000 KRW. HUFS does not issue visa documents for the ISS: participants who are eligible apply for a K-ETA themselves, and others contact the programme office.

Visas for language students

For a long Korean course you need a visa. Students in non-degree programmes need a D-4 (general training) visa, with the sub-type D-4-1 for Korean language training; degree students need a D-2 visa instead. You apply at a Korean embassy or consulate, and the documents include:

• A passport copy and a recent photo
• The institution's business registration certificate and standard admission letter
• A certificate of enrolment or proof of your highest level of education
• Proof of financial ability
• A training plan

The processing fee for a single-entry visa for a stay of 91 days or more is around US$60, according to Study in Korea (checked October 2026). Language students on a D-4 visa can work part time only with permission from the local immigration office; for language training programmes, permission is possible after six months and requires TOPIK level 2 or an equivalent certificate.

Costs

Each institute sets its own course fees. For living costs, Study in Korea estimates an average of about 750,000 to 1,000,000 KRW a month, including housing at 500,000 to 700,000 KRW and food at 200,000 to 300,000 KRW. A monthly public transport pass in Seoul costs around 61,300 KRW. Living in a dormitory or sharing an apartment keeps housing costs down.

How to choose a programme

• Goal: a long course of 10 weeks or more if you plan a Korean-taught degree, a short or summer course for a first contact
• Exam preparation: whether the course prepares for TOPIK, and at which level
• Language of instruction: Korean language classes or English-taught area studies such as the HUFS summer session
• Visa support: whether the school issues the admission documents needed for a D-4 visa
• Housing: dormitory places, with their dates and price

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to study Korean in South Korea?

For a long Korean language course, yes: language students need a D-4 visa (sub-type D-4-1, Korean language training), applied for at a Korean embassy or consulate. For a short summer programme such as the HUFS ISS, eligible participants apply for a K-ETA instead.

What is TOPIK?

TOPIK is the Test of Proficiency in Korean, with two levels (TOPIK I and TOPIK II). Universities use it for admission and graduation, and scores are valid for two years.

How much does it cost to live in Korea while learning Korean?

Study in Korea estimates average living expenses of about 750,000 to 1,000,000 KRW a month, plus course fees, which each institute sets.

Can I work while on a Korean language course?

Only with permission from the immigration office. Students in language training programmes become eligible after six months and need TOPIK level 2 or an equivalent certificate.

Can I learn Korean before going to Korea?

Yes. King Sejong Institutes and Korean Education Centers teach Korean in many countries, and some universities accept a King Sejong Institute certificate as proof of Korean for admission.