Education and Schools in South Korea

South Korea’s legacy of hard work and achievement continues to shape education in South Korea, which regularly outperforms Western countries in science and mathematics. The country has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, largely thanks to a fierce focus on education.

As an expat parent looking to educate your children in Korea, you should prepare yourself for a society that puts enormous emphasis on academic performance – an emphasis that also spills into the international schools in South Korea.

South Korean parents treat education as a top priority, with private education spending reaching record levels in recent years. A typical school-going child in South Korea spends about eight hours a day in school and several additional hours reviewing school work at private institutions called hagwons, with high school students often studying 12 to 16 hours daily.

There are several good international schools, especially American-curriculum schools, due to the presence of various United States Army bases and a sizeable expat community.

Children usually begin preschool at three or four years old, continue into Grade 1 at six years old, and complete Grade 12 – the final year of schooling – at 18 years old.

Public schools in South Korea

While the standards of education at public schools are excellent, most expats don’t send their children to public schools as the language of instruction is Korean.

The public education system is divided into three parts: six years of primary school, followed by three years of middle school and three years of high school. Attending primary and middle school is compulsory, and public schooling is provided for free.

High school attendance is not mandatory in South Korea, but the government introduced free high school education in 2021, as the country has almost universal high school enrolment. High schools in South Korea are placed in one of four main categories: general, autonomous, vocational, and special-purpose schools that focus on areas such as science, foreign languages, the arts or physical education.

Public schools in South Korea often focus almost solely on academics, and many don’t have excellent sports facilities. Rote learning is emphasised, and particular attention is given to science, maths, Korean and English.

Useful links

• Ministry of Education
• Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education

Hagwons (private academies) in South Korea

Private academies in South Korea, known as hagwons, are not what many people imagine private schools to be. Korean children attend public schools for a regular school day, followed by further learning at hagwons.

Attending hagwons can be seen as a form of extra tutoring, as they function as further school assistance. Parents pay for their child’s attendance at these schools, which can be rather expensive.

Useful links

• Schooling in Korea: Information on Hagwons and Extracurriculars

International schools in South Korea

Due to the presence of Westerners in the US Army bases as well as the large English teaching community, there are several high-quality international schools in South Korea, particularly in Seoul. Many are American-curriculum schools or follow an international curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB).

International schools are fairly pricey, but they provide the benefits of English-language instruction and allow for a continuous learning experience, as many expat children will continue following the curriculum from their home country.

International Schools in Busan
International Schools in Seoul

Special-needs education in South Korea

By law, children in South Korea cannot be refused admission or discriminated against by any school because of their special needs. The law also stipulates that there must be at least one school in every province that caters specifically to special learning needs, but many children with disabilities attend mainstream schools. Education is also free for children with physical and intellectual disabilities from the ages of five to 18 in South Korea.

For your child to attend a school for special needs, they must first be registered as a child with a disability at your local district office. You can then apply to the school of your choice. There are over 190 special-needs schools in the country and more than 12,000 special-needs classrooms. Seoul is home to over 30 special-needs schools, so you will have a variety to choose from.

Not all international schools in South Korea cater for children with special educational needs, and you should check with the relevant school.

Useful links

• National Institute of Special Education (NISE)

Tutors in South Korea

Education in South Korea is extremely competitive. Parents place a lot of pressure on their children to achieve high marks. Owing to this, hiring a tutor in South Korea is a common practice. It would be more uncommon for a child not to have a tutor than to have one.

Tutors can be useful for your children when transitioning into a new school environment. They can be hired for anything from general assistance with school subjects to helping maintain proficiency in your child’s mother tongue or helping them learn Korean. Differences in education systems may result in your children being behind in some areas of their new curriculum, and tutors are an excellent way to catch up.

The tutoring industry in South Korea is well established, so you will have plenty of options. You should research different options thoroughly before deciding on a tutor. Tutoring can be done one-on-one, through online classes and videos, or by attending a hagwon (private after-school academy). Many schools will have a list of tutors or hagwons they can recommend.

Useful links

• MyPrivateTutor
• Tutoroo Seoul
• Schooling in Korea
• Expat Kids Korea

Tertiary education in South Korea

The fiercely competitive Korean job market means that going to the right schools, networking and maintaining relationships is paramount. The university that a potential employee attended can make or break a job application, and competition for places in the best South Korean universities is exceptionally fierce.

There are a fair few state universities and many private institutions in the country, including several vocational polytechnics. University entry is usually based almost entirely on grade scores.

If you’re applying to an English university, you will need to show proof that you have received an English education or qualification. Those applying to a Korean university will have to demonstrate an ability to speak Korean sufficiently (typically via an official transcript from a Korean language programme).

Useful links

• Study in Korea
• Asia Exchange: Top Korean Universities for International Students