Study in South Korea from Bangladesh

Yes. Korean universities admit international students, including from Bangladesh, and the Korean Embassy in Dhaka publishes its own document checklist for student visa applications. Admission is decided by each university against its own criteria.

The Korean academic year has two semesters: Spring, which starts in March, and Fall, which starts in September. Universities open their application windows several months before each semester, but the exact dates differ from university to university — always take the deadline from the university itself.

It depends on the programme. Study in Korea (NIIED) states that language requirements are set by each university and department. Korean-taught programmes generally ask for a TOPIK score, and some universities also accept alternatives such as a KIIP or King Sejong Institute completion certificate. English-taught programmes ask for English evidence instead. Check the specific programme.

Some Korean universities offer degree programmes taught wholly or partly in English, but this varies by university and by department, and English-taught options are not available in every subject. We check the language of instruction for each programme we shortlist with you.

There is no single national rule, and two separate requirements are easy to confuse. The first is ADMISSION: each university and department decides what English evidence it accepts, and for a Korean-taught programme it may ask for TOPIK instead. The second is the VISA: the Korean Embassy in Dhaka publishes its own document checklist for D-2 and D-4 applications from Bangladesh, and that checklist lists an approved TOEFL or IELTS score taken within the last two years as a required document, without stating an exemption. That is this mission's checklist rather than a rule that applies to every student everywhere, and the published version is dated February 2021 — so treat it as a strong indication that you will need an English test for the visa stage and confirm the current requirement with the embassy before you book anything. We check the university's admission requirement and the embassy's document list separately for every student.

D-2 is Korea's student status for degree study at a higher education institution, with subcategories covering associate, Bachelor's, Master's, doctoral, research and exchange study. The right subcategory depends on the programme you are admitted to.

D-4 is Korea's general trainee status, which covers study that does not fall under D-2. The relevant subcategory for most students is D-4-1, for Korean language training at a university-affiliated language institute.

Yes — the government-funded Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), administered by NIIED, and scholarships run by individual universities. All are competitive, with eligibility, coverage and deadlines set by the provider and revised each year. No scholarship is guaranteed to any applicant.

Part-time work is possible but is not automatic. Students on D-2 or D-4 status must obtain part-time employment permission from their local immigration office in advance, and must meet a Korean language proficiency condition that varies by study level and year. Weekly hour limits apply during term time and differ by level and proficiency. These rules change, so confirm the current ones with Korean immigration — never assume you can fund your studies from part-time work.

Most universities operate dormitories, which are usually the most affordable option, but places are allocated by application rather than guaranteed. Off-campus alternatives include one-room studios, share houses and goshiwon.

Typically a passport, academic certificates and transcripts (attested as required), language proficiency evidence, a study plan or personal statement where asked for, financial documents and any further items the university lists. The visa stage adds its own checklist from the Korean Embassy in Dhaka. Requirements differ by university, programme and visa category.

A study gap does not automatically disqualify you. Korean universities assess each applicant's academic history individually, and some ask for an explanation of the gap or evidence of what you did during it. We review your record honestly and tell you where it is likely to be accepted rather than promising that any gap is fine.