Japan vs Korea – where to study? Comparing countries

When it comes to selecting higher education institutions in East Asia, Japan and South Korea have a lot in common: high-quality and affordable education, rich culture, an actively developing economy, prestigious universities and diplomas that are valued on the international labor market.

1. Criteria for admission to universities
2. Required documents
3. Terms of admission
4. The cost of education
5. Scholarships for international students: the opportunity to study in Japan and Korea for free
6. The best universities
7. A job for students 
8. An Immigration Policy
9. Japan vs Korea. Which country should I choose for admission?
10. How Univibes advisors chose the country for admission

Making a choice between two similar countries can be difficult. Let’s look at how Japanese higher education differs from Korean and how to enroll in universities in Korea and Japan, if you are thinking about studying in Asia.

The table shows the main criteria for evaluating the education system in Korea and Japan

Criteria for admission to universities

Attitude towards foreign students:

In Japan, applicants from other countries have lower admission requirement than their local counterparts. In South Korean universities, foreigners study with Koreans on almost the same terms, competing with them for places.

Admission after school:

You can enroll in Japanese universities right after school. Especially if you choose an English-language educational program. If you want to study in Japanese, but the language level is not enough, you can go through a foundation program in the country before admission.

Korean universities also take applicants after the 11th grade of school. The level of Korean can be improved during education: most universities offer language courses lasting 1–3 months.

Additional exams:

Many universities in Japan require foreign applicants to take the language exam JLPT or a standardized entrance exam EJU.

In Korea, there are no entrance exams at most universities. Applicants are evaluated according to documents.

Language proficiency:

In both Korea and Japan, it is important to have a good level of the language in which you will study. In most cases, this is the official language, but programs in English are also common in both countries.

Required documents

For admission to universities in Japan and Korea, you need a similar list of documents:

• notarized translation of the document on the previous level of education
• the average score of the certificate or diploma (GPA)
• copies of identity documents and their translation
• certificate confirming the proficiency in Japanese / Korean or English at a high level 
• motivation letter
• CV

In some cases, a portfolio, an additional essay, a biography, letters of recommendation, a positive result of entrance exams, and a study plan are required.

Terms of admission

Japan

The academic year traditionally begins in April. You need to apply for the spring semester in November-December. Applications for the fall semester are accepted in February and March. Entrance exams are held twice a year.

Korea

You can apply twice a year – in spring and autumn. From April to the beginning of May, applications are accepted for the fall semester, in October – for the spring semester.

Documents to universities in Japan and Korea should be submitted in advance. 

The cost of education

Higher education in South Korea and Japan is paid for both local residents and foreign students. The cost depends on the chosen university and program.

Japan: an average of $3,500 per year.

Korea: an average of $6,000 per year.

Also, many universities in Asia are asked to pay a fee for reviewing documents.  It costs $20-200.

Scholarships for international students: the opportunity to study in Japan and Korea for free

Japan:

The Japanese government scholarship MEXT includes tuition, flights and accommodation in the country. Monthly payments: for undergraduates – ¥117,000, for master students  and PhD – from ¥143,000.

Honjo International Scholarship Foundation – scholarships for masters and PhD students in the amount of ¥150,000.

JASSO – payments up to  ¥48,000 per month. You can apply for this scholarship while already in Japan

Korea:

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) includes tuition fees, flights and accommodation in the country. Monthly payments: $850 per month.

Scholarship programs of Korean universities partially or completely cover the cost of education. Thus, Seoul University automatically awards scholarships to first-year students with the best academic performance, covering from 50% to 100% of the tuition fee.

The best universities

Japan

In total, there are more than 600 universities in the country. Japanese universities are traditionally among the best universities in the world.  There were 5 Japanese universities in QS World University Rankings ® 2023, and 14 universities were included in the top hundred universities in Asia.

The University of Tokyo ranks 23rd in the world ranking. Tokyo Institute of Technology, Kyoto University,  Osaka University also hold prestigious positions in the rankings.

Tokyo is on the 7th place in the ranking of the best student cities in the world.

South Korea

There are more than 300 higher educational institutions in Korea. The 100 best universities in the world include 6 Korean universities, and the top 100 universities in Asia – 15 universities in the country.

Seoul National University is ranked 29th in QS World University Rankings® 2023. In addition to him, the most prestigious and popular educational institutions in South Korea include: Korea University, KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology), Yonsei University

A job for students 

Universities in Japan and Korea have a system designed to help foreign students find a job. Students can earn extra money in their free time, but it is important that at the same time they maintain high performance at the university.

Japan: Foreign students can work up to 28 hours a week.

Korea: Students can get a part-time work permit from the immigration service. Foreigners are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week. During the holidays, working hours can be increased to 40 hours.

An Immigration Policy

Japan

Studying at a Japanese university gives foreign students the right to a residence permit. After graduation, a foreigner can get a work permit. This allows you to get a job in your specialty and stay in Japan. A foreigner can apply for citizenship after 5 years of receiving a work visa. The level of Japanese will play an important role when considering an application for citizenship. Therefore, language learning should start in advance.

Korea

You can get Korean citizenship in a similar way. Students also have the right to obtain a residence permit, which after employment can be changed to permanent residence. 

A graduate can stay in the country to work after receiving a job offer from an employer.  After 5 years in Korea, a foreigner can apply for citizenship.

Japan vs Korea. Which country should I choose for admission?

When you choose a country, it is worth considering the following aspects:

1. Your future specialty

Engineering, IT, ecology and architecture are developed in Japan.

South Korea is a good choice for those who are interested in biotechnology, pedagogy, management and media communications

2. Cost of living 

In large cities of Japan, a student will need about $700-1000 per month, in Korean cities – from $1100 dollars. You can save money by choosing a small city instead of the capital for studying and living.

3. Local culture

In Korea, it will be easier for those who are encouraged by the spirit of competition, in Japan it will be easier for students who need help in adapting.

How Univibes advisors chose the country for admission:

“In Japan, I found an important balance for me between nature and the architecture of the city”

– First I went to Japan for an exchange for 10 months while studying for a bachelor’s degree and fell in love with this country, its nature, tranquility, comfort, convenience in many everyday matters.

I lived in Kanazawa – it’s a relatively small city compared to Tokyo, so the feeling of the country was exactly that. In 2018, I enrolled for a master’s degree and finally moved to Japan.

I have always loved Japanese culture and architecture, and after moving I fell in love even more. Thanks to Japan, I realized how important the landscape, the daily scenery. The combination of nature and architecture are very important to me for a comfortable life. Here I found this balance.

Another point is the respect of the Japanese for their culture, the desire to preserve it and pass it on to their children with love.

An important role in choosing a country was played by my specialization and desire to study the legal mechanism for protecting historical urban space in order to transfer the experience of the Japanese to the world. In this country, I like cleanliness, respect for nature and love for everything eco, circular economy, reconstruction of small towns. I love this topic and I want to continue studying it.”

“I consider Korea my home”

– My admission fell at the height of the pandemic, so one of the main criteria for me was the possibility of moving and obtaining a visa. I used to rush between several options, but in the end it was Korea that became the obvious choice according to my preferences: the proximity of the Asian mentality, love of culture and history, and the professional skills that I want to get. In the future, I plan to focus on working in the art industry, and in Korea it is well-developed and continues to improve.

In terms of the visa issue, this country is accessible to students even during times of strict quarantine. Among all Asian countries, Korea, in my opinion, is the most welcoming and open to foreigners, including the universities, which offer many additional programs and activities separately for international students. That’s why I chose this country. Two years later, I don’t regret it at all about my choice and consider Korea my home.

If you cannot decide on the country of admission, contact the Univibes advisers  for help. We work with Japan, Korea and other Asian countries. Leave a request on the website to get all the necessary information.