Study in Asia: China, Japan, Korea

Asian universities continue to rise in the global rankings of top institutions.

The list of the top 20 countries with the highest quality education features China, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

This trend influences the cost of education in Asia, where universities are generally more affordable than those in the United States or the European Union. Scholarships and grants for international students can further help make studying in Asia virtually free.

Education in China

Quality of education: eighth in the world

China’s higher education system is the largest in the world. By May 2017, there were 2,914 colleges and universities with more than 20 million students enrolled.

However, in terms of the cost of living and rent, China is the most affordable country on our list. The cost of the best educational institutions in China is 2-3 times lower than the cost of prestigious universities in America and Europe. Also in 2016, Chinese universities became the first in the number of publications and citations, ahead of the previous leaders from the United States.

The Top three universities in China, according to the  QS World University Rankings 2023:

Peking University – 12th place in ranking 

Tsinghua University -14th place 

Fudan University – 34th place

How much does it cost to study in China

There are both elite establishments that are close to the cost of European ones, and cheaper options. Studying in private universities is usually more expensive than in public ones.

The average annual cost of Chinese universities is:

• Bachelor’s Degree $4,000
• Master’s degree program $5,000
• Doctoral program $5,500
• MBA $14,000

Allowances for tuition and living expenses in China

There are three types of scholarships for studying in Chinese universities:

• Full payment for study, accommodation + allowance for out-of-pocket expenses
• Full payment for study, accommodation without additional payments
• Partial payment for studying and accommodation

The most famous program for bachelors, masters and PhD is the Chinese Government Scholarship, It is valid for all universities and areas of study. Mostly grants are issued with full cost coverage, in 10-15% of cases — partial.

Those who want to study Chinese should pay attention to a scholarship from the Confucius Institute. However, in this case, the organizers themselves choose the university and give the student a referral.

Cost of living in China in 2023

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

The average cost of living in China is ¥3,968.6 without rent per month
The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the center is ¥4,142.57 per month

South Korea

Quality of education: ninth in the world

High-tech study programs and generous scholarships have made Korea one of the most attractive academic destinations. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023 the best universities in the country are:

Seoul National University – 29th place 

KAIST – Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology – 42th place

Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH) -71st place

How much does it cost to study in Korea

Regardless of whether foreigners or locals are enrolled to study in Korea, the price is the same for everyone. Here is an average cost of programs at Korean universities per year:

• Bachelor’s Degree $13,000
• Master’s degree program $16,100
• Doctoral program $17,500

Scholarships and grants for Korean students

The Global Korea Scholarship program is most interesting for applicants who want to study for free in South Korea. These are government grant that fully pay for the student’s studies and life. Their total amount does not exceed $4,472 per semester. If this is not enough to cover the full cost of the educational program, the difference is reimbursed by the university.

Living prices in Korea for 2023

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

The average cost of living in South Korea is 1,302,342.3₩ without rent per month
The average rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the center is 643,343.50 ₩ per month

Japan

Higher education in Japan requires students to complete the 12th grade of school.  The best Japanese universities are:

University of Tokyo – 23rd place in the world 

Kyoto University – 36th place 

Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) – 55th place

How much does education cost in Japan?

The average cost of a year of study ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the university and level of education. However, this sample includes not only universities, but also colleges and language institutes.

• Bachelor’s Degree $8,185
• Master’s degree program $8,550
• Doctoral program $8,730
• MBA $15,630

Japanese Higher Education Scholarships

Studying in Japan is paid for everyone-both citizens and foreigners. However, students with GPA in a difficult financial situation can receive a full education subsidy.

The Government also provides Monbukagakusho (MEXT) scholarship  for different groups of students. For example, there are grants for bachelors, masters, PhDs, Japanese studies, teachers, and college students. They cover the full cost of studying and part of the costs of living.

Finally, you should pay attention to a scholarship from the JASSO starting from $30,000.

Cost of living in Japan in 2023

According to statistics from Numbeo, when calculating expenses per person:

The average cost of living in Japan is ¥122,601.6 without rent per month 

The average rent of a one-room apartment in the center is ¥96,378.68 per month

Let’s sum up

The demand for higher education in Asia continues to grow, so countries are attracting more and more international students through benefits, scholarships and grants. This increases the prestige of both the region and individual states, as well as creates an influx of qualified personnel that can accelerate the economic development of countries.

More and more students prefer Asia to the Western direction, which is familiar to many. Therefore, the best solution is to start preparing for an education in Asian universities right now!