Korea Study-Abroad Timeline (Singapore IP/JC/NS) 2026: Map Your Plan Using the Official Flowchart
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…
21 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
Planning a revision session? Use our study places near me map to find libraries, community study rooms, and late-night spots.
> **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
<Image
src="/optimised/study-abroad-japan-korea-checklist-hero-20260119-d7fc4a55.avif"
alt="Students studying together in a library, using a checklist and planning their timeline."
width={720}
height={480}
/>
*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:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
---
## 1) Use the official flowchart as your “sequence”
Start with the official flowchart:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/flowChart.do
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:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/visaAndStay.do
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.
* Shortlist programmes and write down the *exact* requirements for each one.
Useful companion guides:
* Degree vs language-first decision tree: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-vs-Korea-Decision-Tree-4-Routes-Degree-vs-Language-First-Guide-2026
* English-taught degrees in Korea (shortlist workflow): https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/English-Taught-Degrees-in-Korea-Singapore-Programme-Discovery-Shortlist-Guide-2026
### 12–6 months before start (documents + applications)
This is where people lose time. Don’t wait.
* Prepare your transcripts / predicted grades / graduation certificates plan.
* Get your “document pack” organised (certified copies, translations if needed, etc.).
* Apply to schools based on their deadlines (don’t assume all universities follow the same calendar).
Singapore document pack playbook:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Singapore-Overseas-Scholarship-Document-Pack-Playbook
Admissions documents guide:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-Korea-University-Admissions-Documents-Singapore-Transcripts-Predicted-Grades-Translation-Guide-2026
### 6–3 months before start (visa steps + housing plan)
Use the official visa/stay page as your baseline:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/visaAndStay.do
Then build a practical checklist:
* confirm what your school will provide (acceptance documents, certificates, instructions),
* confirm what you must submit on your side,
* plan housing early (deposits and lead times are real).
Housing guide:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Housing-in-Japan-vs-Korea-Singapore-Students-Dorms-Deposits-Questions-Guide-2026
### 3–1 month before start (arrival setup + admin checklist)
Your goal is to arrive “calm”, not “panicked”.
* confirm your first-week admin tasks (SIM, banking, address registration, etc.)
* keep one folder with all essential documents (printed + digital)
First-week admin checklist (Korea):
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Arriving-in-Korea-as-a-Student-Singapore-First-Week-Admin-Checklist-2026
---
## 3) Where “work after graduation” fits (optional, but useful)
If part of your reason for choosing Korea is the possibility of working there after graduation, don’t leave it to the final semester.
Use these official pages as your baseline:
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/work/main.do
Then make a simple plan:
* Year 1: stabilise + language plan
* Year 2: internships/industry experience
* Final year: job search + visa/status checks (case-specific)
If you want a dedicated guide:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Working-in-Korea-After-Graduation-Singapore-Students-Official-Starting-Points-Visa-Checks-Timeline-Guide-2026
---
## 4) Next action (today)
Pick one:
* Open the official flowchart and write your route in one sentence:
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/plan/flowChart.do
* Create a 4-row timeline (18–12 / 12–6 / 6–3 / 3–1 months) and fill in *only* the next action for each row.
* If you’re deciding Japan vs Korea:
- https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
