Secondary Education in South Korea

Secondary education in South Korea begins after six years of primary school and is divided into two stages.

• Middle School — ages 12 to 15. This is a compulsory stage that everyone goes through.
• High School — ages 15 to 18. It's no longer compulsory by law, but almost everyone attends — over 95% of students continue their education.

In 2025, the total number of students enrolled in primary, middle, and high schools was 5.55 million. For the first time in the country's history, the number of first‑graders fell below 300,000. According to Ministry of Education projections, the total number of school students will drop below 5 million as early as the 2026 academic year — from 5.01 million to 4.83 million. By 2031, the figure is expected to fall below 4 million.

Types of High Schools

High schools in Korea come in different forms, and the choice here is not just a formality.

• General high schools — the classic academic path.
• Specialised high schools — with in‑depth study in sciences, foreign languages, the arts, or international relations.
• Vocational high schools — with a focus on practical skills and preparation for specific professions.

Admission to the best high schools is competitive, with academic performance playing a central role. Nothing here happens without a reason.

Key Facts and Figures

• Education is compulsory for 9 years — from age 6 to 15.
• As of 2025, there are 2,387 high schools, 3,292 middle schools, and 6,192 primary schools in South Korea — 20,374 schools in total across all levels.
• Average class size is 24.9 in middle school and 23.4 in high school.
• The number of students from multicultural families in primary and secondary schools reached 202,208 — 4.0% of the total.

South Korea consistently ranks among the world leaders in PISA international assessments in mathematics, science, and reading literacy.

The Korean education system is known for its intensity — long study hours and a strong emphasis on university entrance exams, particularly the national CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test). In 2025, 554,174 applicants registered for the CSAT — the highest number in seven years. Of these, 67.1% were high school graduates, and 28.9% were re‑taking the exam to improve their scores. The atmosphere is intense, and for good reason.

Higher Education in South Korea

South Korea is one of Asia's leading educational centres — with innovation, technological progress, and high academic competitiveness. There are 421 higher education institutions in the country as of 2025 — 189 universities, 10 teachers' colleges, 130 vocational colleges, 44 graduate universities, and others. But the demographic decline is already making itself felt: since 2000, 22 universities and colleges have closed.

Key Features

• A bachelor's degree typically lasts 4 years (6 for medicine and dentistry), and a master's takes 2 years.
• There's a strong emphasis on research, technology, and international partnerships, and the number of English‑taught programmes is growing.

Enrolment Figures

Approximately 2.34 million students are enrolled in South Korean higher education institutions. The number of undergraduate students reached approximately 2.646 million — a record.

International students are at a record high. According to Ministry of Justice data, as of December 2025, there were 308,838 international students in the country — 17.1% more than a year earlier. Ministry of Education data from April 2025 shows 253,512 international students enrolled in universities. South Korea achieved its "Study Korea 300K" target of attracting 300,000 international students nearly two years ahead of schedule.

Among international students, the largest group comes from Vietnam (37.6%), followed by China, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and Nepal. The proportion of international students choosing STEM fields has risen to 23.9%.

South Korea is among the world leaders in R&D investment as a percentage of GDP. Universities are particularly strong in engineering, IT, business, robotics, artificial intelligence, and design. The demographic decline is pushing universities to attract international students more actively. The government is introducing support programmes — including regional visa initiatives and scholarships for STEM students.

Summer Programmes and Language Courses

South Korea offers a wide range of short‑term academic and cultural programmes — Korean language courses and summer schools at universities.

Programme Format

• Korean language classes — 15–25 hours per week.
• Cultural workshops — K‑pop, film, traditional arts, cooking.
• Summer academies with a focus on technology and business.
• Excursions to Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, and historical sites.
• Accommodation in university dormitories or host families.

Programme Examples

Yonsei University's International Summer School (YISS) traditionally welcomes students from around the world — the exact number of participants in 2025 is best checked on the official website.

The University of Ulsan ran a three‑week Korean Language and Culture Program (KLCP) from 7 to 22 August 2025, with 57 students from partner universities in Japan taking part.

Chosun University launched a 10‑day "CSU Summer School" programme for prospective international students, including intensive Korean language study, campus tours, traditional cultural activities, and a trip to Everland. In 2025, 126 students from partner universities in Mongolia participated.

Facts and Context

There are hundreds of accredited Korean language institutes across the country. South Korea has become one of the fastest‑growing study destinations in Asia. The number of international students arriving on language programmes (D‑4‑1 visa) in 2025 was 88,661.

Summer programmes in Korea combine academic rigour with dynamic contemporary culture. They often serve as a stepping stone to full‑time study in the country. Participation in such programmes allows students not only to improve their language skills but also to gain insight into Korean society, the technological environment, and the university system from within.

If you're considering South Korea for your child — we'll help you navigate every stage, from choosing a school and qualification type to document preparation and visa application. Get in touch — we'll tell you where to start.