Korea University Intakes (Singapore Students) 2026: March vs September, and How to Plan Around IP/JC/NS
TL;DR
A Singapore-friendly, source-first guide to Korea university intakes: what the official pages say about semester timing, how to choose between March vs September starts, and a practical planning timeline you can follow without guessing.
22 Jan 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
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> **Q:** “Should I target the March intake or the September intake for Korea?”
> \
> **A:** Both can work. Planning gets much easier when you pick a *default intake* early, then build a timeline around it using official pages (instead of planning off rumours or viral threads).
> **TL;DR (60 seconds)**
> - Semester timing baseline (official): https://english.moe.go.kr/sub/infoRenewal.do?m=0301&page=0301&s=english
> - Fast way to see real application windows (official listings): https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/receipt/OnlineReceipt11.do
> - If you want the big-picture official guidebook too: https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/public/new/file/guideBook_en.pdf
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*Status:* Last reviewed 2026-01-22. This is a planning guide (not admissions, visa, or legal advice). Always verify the latest deadlines and document rules on official university programme pages.
If you’re still deciding Japan vs Korea overall, start here:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
---
## 1) What “intake” really changes (so you don’t choose blindly)
Choosing an intake isn’t just “when classes start”. It changes:
* when your applications are realistically due,
* when you need final documents from Singapore (or predicted grades / school letters),
* housing timelines (dorm allocations, deposits, move-in windows),
* and how calm (or chaotic) your admin/visa prep feels.
So instead of “Which intake is better?”, ask:
* “Which intake can I actually execute cleanly, with my documents and constraints?”
---
## 2) What the official pages say (use this as your baseline)
Start with the simplest official anchor: the Korean Ministry of Education’s overview notes that the first academic semester begins in **March**, and the second academic semester begins around the **end of August** (often felt like “September start” in practice):
* https://english.moe.go.kr/sub/infoRenewal.do?m=0301&page=0301&s=english
That tells you *why* “March vs September” is a normal way to think about Korea’s academic year.
Next: don’t guess your deadlines — scan official listings for real date windows.
This Study in Korea page is useful because it shows actual intake listings with date ranges (and it changes over time, which is the point — always verify it live):
* https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/receipt/OnlineReceipt11.do
Important note:
* not every university/programme will appear there, and
* even when it does, you still need to verify on the university’s own admissions page.
---
## 3) A simple way to choose your default intake (no jargon)
Here are three questions that usually settle the decision quickly for Singapore students.
### Question A: “When will I realistically have my key documents?”
Examples:
* official transcripts / school records
* predicted grades (if your school issues them)
* passport validity (renewal takes time)
* translations / certified copies (if your programme requires them)
If your documents arrive late, forcing an earlier intake can create stress without improving outcomes.
If you want a reusable “document pack” approach (so you don’t rebuild everything for each school), this helps:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-Korea-University-Admissions-Documents-Singapore-Transcripts-Predicted-Grades-Translation-Guide-2026
### Question B: “Is my route degree-first or language-first?”
This matters because language milestones (TOPIK levels, language programme progression, placement tests) can shift your timeline.
If you’re still choosing your route, use this (quick):
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-vs-Korea-Decision-Tree-4-Routes-Degree-vs-Language-First-Guide-2026
If you’re planning exam milestones, this is a useful orientation:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/JLPT-vs-TOPIK-Singapore-When-to-Take-What-It-Unlocks-Guide-2026
### Question C: “Do I want a faster start, or a calmer build-up?”
Both are valid.
* A faster start usually pushes you toward the earliest intake you can execute.
* A calmer build-up usually pushes you toward the intake that gives you room for documents, budgeting, and housing planning.
If you want a source-first Korea budgeting workflow:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Korea-Cost-Planning-Singapore-Students-Abroad-Expenses-Living-Expense-Guide-2026
---
## 4) A Singapore-friendly planning timeline (copy/paste structure)
Use this as a “default plan” for either March or September starts. Keep the sequence; adjust the months.
### 18–12 months before start (decision + shortlist)
* Pick your default intake (March or September).
* Build a shortlist (5–10 programmes) using official portals and each university’s programme pages.
* Decide degree route vs language-first route (don’t mix them in the same spreadsheet without a clear plan).
Helpful links:
* Overall pillar: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
* Korea programme discovery workflow: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/English-Taught-Degrees-in-Korea-Singapore-Programme-Discovery-Shortlist-Guide-2026
### 12–6 months before start (documents + applications)
* Build your admissions document pack early.
* Copy/paste each programme’s official requirements into your sheet.
* Email admissions only when the website can’t answer your question (keep it short and specific).
Singapore document pack playbook (especially useful if certification/apostille workflows appear):
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Singapore-Overseas-Scholarship-Document-Pack-Playbook
### 6–3 months before start (housing + admin reality)
Housing timelines are real (dorm slots, deposits, move-in windows). Start early.
This checklist helps you ask the right questions without getting stuck:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Housing-in-Japan-vs-Korea-Singapore-Students-Dorms-Deposits-Questions-Guide-2026
### 3–1 month before start (arrival prep)
Create one “arrival folder” (digital + printed) with:
* passport + copies
* acceptance documents
* proof-of-funds documents (if requested)
* housing confirmation
* emergency contacts
If you also want a Singapore-friendly timeline view across the whole Japan/Korea planning sequence:
* https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/scholarships/Japan-Korea-Study-Abroad-Timeline-Singapore-IP-JC-NS-Planning-Guide-2026
---
## 5) Next action (today)
Pick one:
* Open the Study in Korea listing page, search for your target intake, and note the date range you see:
- https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/en/receipt/OnlineReceipt11.do
* Write a 10-line “intake plan” doc with:
- target intake, target programmes, missing documents, first visible deadline
* If you’re still deciding Japan vs Korea:
- https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Study-Abroad-Japan-vs-South-Korea-Checklist
