Studying Computer Science and IT in South Korea

Computer science and IT in South Korea

Computer science, software, AI and data fields are among the most sought-after study areas in South Korea, and most top universities run them as a distinct department separate from electrical or general engineering. Several also operate dedicated graduate schools of AI.

International students enter at undergraduate level through a document- and test-based admission process, and at graduate level through a research-lab model built around individual professors.

This guide is field-specific: it covers where computer science is taught in English, what background departments look for, and how the application works. It does not rank universities, and every figure it points to is set and updated by the university — verify it on the official page.

English-taught CS: undergraduate vs graduate

At undergraduate level, fully English-taught computer science is more limited than at graduate level. KAIST teaches its computing programs largely in English, and some comprehensive universities offer English tracks; many other undergraduate CS programs are delivered mainly in Korean and expect TOPIK.

At graduate level, English-taught options are broader. Research is often published and supervised in English, and many master's and PhD programs — including AI graduate schools — admit international students who do not read Korean, though individual courses may still use Korean.

Confirm the real language of instruction on each department's official course and admissions pages before applying, rather than assuming a program is English-medium because the field is technical.

What background CS departments look for

Departments generally want evidence that you can handle the mathematics and programming a CS degree demands — typically through your prior transcript, and at graduate level through your research or project experience. Specific prerequisites, such as expected maths courses, are defined by each program.

English-taught programs usually require IELTS or TOEFL, and some accept Duolingo or PTE; Korean-taught programs require TOPIK. Graduate applicants may be asked for a statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and sometimes GRE scores, depending on the program.

Because exact prerequisites and score expectations differ by department and change over time, treat what you read as a starting point and confirm the current requirements on the official site.

The professor- and lab-based graduate route

For a master's or PhD in CS or AI, admission usually centres on joining a specific research lab. You choose labs by research area — for example machine learning, systems, security, human-computer interaction or computer vision — and often contact the professor before or during the application.

A supervisor's interest and available funding strongly influence the outcome, and many graduate students are funded through their lab or a research project. The formal requirements still come from the graduate school's admission guide.

No one can promise you a place or a supervisor. Be wary of any service that guarantees admission to a top lab in exchange for a fee — treat such claims as a red flag.

How to research and apply

Begin by narrowing your interest within computing, then find departments and labs active in that area. For each, verify the language of instruction, the admission requirements for international applicants, and the deadlines for your intended intake.

Application rounds for international students frequently close well before the semester begins, and undergraduate and graduate timelines differ. Prepare your documents — transcripts, language proof, statement of purpose and, for graduate study, a research direction — early.

Use the government Study in Korea portal to search programs by field and language, and confirm every detail on the individual university page.

• Pick a sub-field (ML/AI, systems, security, HCI, data, and so on)
• Match it to departments and labs, not just university names
• Confirm English vs Korean instruction per program
• Note international-round deadlines early; they often close first

Funding and next steps

Funding options include the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), university scholarships, and — for graduate students — research and teaching assistantships. Coverage and eligibility are set by each scheme and revised yearly, so read the official terms directly.

Daily life is easier with some Korean even in English-taught programs, and Korean-taught departments will expect TOPIK. Visa steps follow an admission offer and should be treated as official facts to verify — this is general information, not immigration advice.

To compare directions, read the engineering guide for hardware and semiconductor-heavy paths, the natural-sciences guide for maths- and research-focused options, and the business guide if you are weighing a management or analytics direction.