Study in Korea Timeline: When to Apply (SG Students)
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
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Q: What should I do first if I’m planning to study in Korea?
A: Use the official flowchart as your “map”, then translate it into a Singapore-friendly timeline (IP/JC/NS constraints, school calendars, and realistic lead times). This guide does that translation and keeps it source-first.
TL;DR - Official flowchart (your map): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/flowChart.do - Visa & stay baseline: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/visaAndStay.do - If “work after graduation” is part of your reason for choosing Korea, bookmark this too: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/work/main.do
Status: Last reviewed 2026-01-21. This is a planning guide, not legal advice. Always verify requirements on the official pages linked above and follow your school’s instructions.
If you’re still deciding between Japan vs Korea (degree vs language-first), start here:
1) Use the official flowchart as your “sequence”
Start with the official flowchart:
Think of it as the order of operations:
- decide route → shortlist schools → prepare documents → apply → visa steps → arrival setup
Then keep this page open as your visa/stay baseline:
Your job is not to perfectly follow a generic timeline - your job is to follow the right sequence, early enough that deadlines don’t ambush you.
2) The Singapore-friendly timeline (copy this structure)
Below is a practical template you can use whether you’re in IP, JC, poly, or planning around NS obligations. Adjust the months, but keep the sequence.
18–12 months before start (decision + shortlist)
- Choose your route: degree route vs language-first route.
- Build a realistic budget and decide what “affordable” means for your family.
