How to Move to South Korea Through School as an African

South Korea is no longer just a K-drama dream. For many Africans, it is now a serious study abroad destination, thanks to a government scholarship that pays tuition and gives you a monthly allowance. However, the route has strict rules, and one wrong assumption can cost you a whole year.

So, here is how it works, step by step, using the latest official figures I could verify.

Can You Really Move to South Korea Through School?

Yes. Studying is one of the most direct legal routes, because a university admission lets you apply for the D-2 student visa. Importantly, you can get in through two main doors: a fully funded scholarship or direct admission where you pay your own way.

Neither is easy, but the scholarship route is the one that changes your finances, so let’s start there.

Route 1: The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

The Global Korea Scholarship is run by Korea’s National Institute for International Education (NIIED). For the 2027 intake, the undergraduate call is already open, and the official application guidelines are summarised on the GKS 2027 guideline document, which itself says to verify details on the official Study in Korea website.

What GKS Covers

• Tuition: NIIED pays up to 5 million KRW a year, and the university covers the rest plus the admission fee.

• Airfare: an economy ticket, but not if you already live in Korea.

• Monthly allowance: it covers living costs, accommodation, health insurance and a settlement allowance. The total is 13.56 million won a year (about $9,914) during language training and 14.4 million won a year during your degree.

• Language year: you start with one year of Korean training, then a four to six year bachelor’s. A TOPIK Level 5 or 6 lets you skip the language year.

Who Can Apply

• You must be under 25, meaning born after March 1, 2002.

• You must have finished, or be about to finish, high school. People with a bachelor’s degree cannot apply for the undergraduate call.

• Your grades must meet one of the listed thresholds, such as 80%, the top 20% of your class, or 2.64 out of 4.0.

• You and your parents must not hold Korean citizenship, and past Korean government degree scholars are ineligible.

The 2027 Timeline

This is where timing matters. The embassy track ran from September 15 to September 30, 2026, so it has closed. However, the university track stays open through November, and each school sets its own deadline. The final announcement is expected on January 7, 2027.

Also, there is a catch. The embassy track has 156 places across 74 countries, while the university track has 130, and both are very competitive. In the embassy track, applicants who fail the first round may still try the university track, so check both deadlines early.

 In 2022, a Korean Embassy notice said Nigerian applications for the 2023 intake went through the Korean Cultural Center in Abuja, not the embassy itself. That may have changed, so please confirm with the center directly.

Moreover, the embassy track is limited to countries NIIED has designated, while the university-track international programme is open to all countries. So, if Nigeria is not on the 2027 list, the university track is your door.

Route 2: Apply Directly to a Korean University

If you miss the scholarship, you can still apply straight to a university. Many offer their own scholarships, but you should expect to pay at least part of your fees.

According to the Study in Korea cost page, average annual tuition ranges from about 6.0 million KRW for humanities and social sciences to 9.8 million KRW for medicine. Engineering is around 7.3 million KRW. The page does not list dormitory or living costs, so check each university’s website.

Before you apply, confirm that the school holds Korea’s official quality certification, and ask whether your course is taught in English. Also note that GKS scholars cannot change majors after enrolling.

The D-2 Student Visa

Once you have an admission letter, you apply for the D-2 visa at the Korean mission, or through Hi Korea for changes and extensions. According to this D-2 visa guide, you will need:

• A passport valid for at least six months

• A standard certificate of admission from your university

• A passport photo and the visa form

• Proof of funds, or a scholarship confirmation

That guide lists the funds requirement as $20,000 a year in the Seoul area and $18,000 elsewhere. Scholarship holders usually show their award instead, but confirm this with the embassy, because it is a law-firm summary and not an official page.

Also, a D-2 stay is granted in blocks of up to two years, and financial capacity and academic progress are checked again at each extension.

Can You Work While You Study?

Yes, but only with permission, and you must not start before it is granted. From the Korea University international office page, weekday hours depend on your Korean level:

• Years 1 to 2: 10 hours a week below TOPIK 3, and up to 30 hours with TOPIK 3 or higher.

• Years 3 to 4: 10 hours below TOPIK 4, and up to 30 hours with TOPIK 4 or higher.

• GPA: at least 2.0 in the previous semester.

• Banned jobs: delivery and driving, tutoring, door-to-door sales and remote work, among others.

Importantly, these are one university’s published rules for D-2 undergraduates, and other schools may differ. So, check with your own international office.

Your Step-by-Step Plan

• Now: collect your transcripts, parents’ documents and recommendation letter, and get documents apostilled where needed.

• This month: check the university-track list on the Study in Korea site and each school’s deadline.

• Meanwhile: start learning Korean and aim for TOPIK 3 or higher, because it helps with both scores and work rights.

• After admission: apply for your D-2 visa and prepare funds or scholarship proof.

• On arrival: register at immigration, as required for your visa, and request work permission only when eligible.

Avoid These Mistakes

Never pay an agent who guarantees a scholarship or visa, because GKS is free to apply for and decided by NIIED and universities. Moreover, always use the official university and Study in Korea addresses, and double check the age limit before you start.

Compare Your Other Study Options

Korea is one option among many. These guides can help you compare.

• Earning a degree in Europe without paying tuition

• Studying in the UK as an African

• Studying in Canada

• Moving to New Zealand without studying

Korea can be a life-changing route, but only if you start early, read the official guidelines and avoid shortcuts. For more guides, visit our adventure desk.

Quick FAQs

Is the Global Korea Scholarship free?

It is free to apply for, and covers tuition, airfare and a monthly allowance for selected scholars.

Do I need Korean to apply?

Not for GKS, because scholars start with a language year. However, TOPIK 3 or higher adds points and helps with work permission.

Can I still apply for 2027?

The embassy track has closed, but the university track runs through November, depending on the school.

How old can I be?

You must be under 25, born after March 1, 2002, for the undergraduate call.