Search for the best international schools inSouth Korea;you can find a list of selected schoolsat the bottom of this page.Use the search filters to select only girls' or boys' schools, prep schools, senior schools or sixth forms; or you can search for schools that offer a particular curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate, the UKnational curriculum, a US-style modelor the International Primary Curriculum.
Poor in naturalresources, South Korea’s economic success has been powered by its highlyskilled workforce and Korean citizens are noted for their educational zeal.Gross tertiary enrolment was 98 per cent in 2019, one of the highest rates inthe world.
The country’s well-establishedinternational school sector is being enlarged under a government drive todevelop an English-speaking regional education hub on the island of Jeju, partof a wider effort to attract more international students.
Since 2011, four schools have opened at Jeju Global Education City, including branch campuses of the UK’s North London Collegiate School, which routinely tops British school league tables, and prestigious Canadian girls’ boarding school Branksome Hall.
The American independent boarding school St Johnsbury Academy, which was founded in 1842, opened an international branch campus on Jeju in October 2017. The co-educational school for 1,254 students provides an American-style education from pre-Kindergarten 3 to Grade 12 and offered 498 places up to Grade 10 in its first year.
International schoolsare mainly centred on the capital Seoul and neighbouring Incheon, where asecond education hub is taking shape. The sector is officially divided into “foreignschools”, where at least 70 per cent of students must be foreign nationals, andopen-access “international schools”.
The vast majority teach in English and most are coeducational day schools but a handful offer boarding options. Some, such as Busan Foreign School and Seoul International School, offer an American-style education, while others follow the English national curriculum. Recent additions have included sister campuses to London’s Dulwich College and Chadwick School in Los Angeles.
There are 26 IB World Schools in South Korea, most of whichteach in English. Of these, 17 are authorised to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma.TheCouncil of International Schools has five accredited member schools.
South Korea boasts one of the world’s oldest international schools. Seoul Foreign School, which was founded in 1912, incorporates the Seoul British Foreign School, which follows the English national curriculum to the end of Key Stage Three, while parallel elementary and middle school sections offer an American-style education.
The two streams unite in the SFS High School, which offers IGCSEs, the IB Diploma and an American high school diploma. SFS was authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme in its elementary section in 2017 and is a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme.
Education iscompulsory in Korea from age six to 15, but virtually all children attendschool up to age 18. In the Korean-medium state system, primary school lastssix years, middle school three years and high school three years. Entry touniversity is determined by the College Scholastic Ability Test.
If you are looking specifically for International Baccalaureate World Schools in the Republic of Korea, you can find selected schools on our sister website:www.ibyb.org.
FAQs
Seoul Foreign School the oldest international schools in Korea and the biggest and the most diverse. The school was founded in 1912 by American missionaries. SFS is a non-profit school and has a current student size of around 1,500, aged from 3 years old up to 18 years old.
What is the oldest international school in South Korea? ›
History. Seoul Foreign School was founded in 1912, by Christian missionaries to Korea (Ethel Van Wagoner Underwood), with one class of 18 students. The school started in 1912 with 7 teachers and currently has over 1,500 students from more than 50 countries, offering education from PK to high school.
How many international schools are there in Korea? ›
There are 47 International Schools in South Korea in 12 different cities.
How much is Korea International School? ›
Tuition
| Grade | 1st Semester | 2nd Semester |
|---|
| Grades 1 – 5 | KRW 8,490,000 + USD 4,287 | KRW 8,490,000 + USD 4,287 |
| Grades 6 – 8 | KRW 8,820,000 + USD 4,454 | KRW 8,820,000 + USD 4,454 |
| Grade 9 | KRW 10,440,000 + USD 5,272 | KRW 10,440,000 + USD 5,272 |
| Grade 10 | KRW 10,830,000 + USD 5,469 | KRW 10,830,000 + USD 5,469 |
3 more rowsToughest University to Enter in South Korea
- Seoul National University (SNU): Often recognized as the top university in South Korea. ...
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST): Another highly competitive institution, known for its focus on STEM.
SKY is an unofficial grouping and acronym for the three most prestigious and academically competitive universities located in Seoul, South Korea. It includes Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.
Are there English speaking schools in Korea? ›
International schools in Korea provide high-quality education in English or, oftentimes, in other languages. There are a number of IB world schools, British schools and American schools in Korea.
What is the most prestigious high school in South Korea? ›
In the metropolitan area, Gyeonggi, Seoul, Kyongbok, Yongsan and Gyeongdong high schools are the top five public high schools in Seoul. And the five most prestigious private schools are Choong-Ang High School, Hwimun High School, Bosung High School, Yangjeong High School, and Baejae High School.
What age does school end in Korea? ›
- Elementary School is 6 years (ages 6-12) Grades 1-6. - Middle School is 3 years (ages 13-15) Grades 7-9. Culminates in the Certificate of Graduation from Middle School. - High School is 3 years (ages 16-18) Grades 10-12.
How long is school in Korea in a day? ›
Students spend much of their time, often between 12 to 16 hours per day, at school or at a special after-school academy called a hagwon. The school system is very test-focused and goal-oriented, urging students to concentrate on their results.
What are the best international schools in Seoul?
- International Christian School Uijeongbu.
- Asia Pacific International School.
- Korea International School Seoul.
- Dulwich College Seoul.
- Lycée International Xavier.
- Dwight School Seoul.
- Korea International School Pangyo Campus.
- Yongsan International School of Seoul.
Are uniforms required? Uniforms are not required for regular classes, from Pre-K-12. However, middle school and high school students are required to buy and wear SIS athletic uniforms for P.E. classes.
Is there a school like Kiss in Korea? ›
No, but there are certainly schools like it. In fact, there's a school called Korea International School (K.I.S., pronounced “Kay Eye Ess”, not “kiss”). The logo of the school is blue text on a white background, similar to the logo of the fictional school in “XO, Kitty,” Korea Independent School of Seoul (K.I.S.S.).
Do Korean students go to school on Saturday? ›
Despite this, from 2012 onwards, primary and secondary schools, including middle schools, now do not hold Saturday classes. To this day, many schools still hold Saturday classes illegally because the parents want their children to go to school and study.
What time do Koreans get out of school? ›
A typical day finds high schoolers studying before school begins at about 8:00 A.M. Classes run for 50 minutes each, with a morning break and a 50-minute lunch period. The afternoon session resumes at about 1:00 P.M., and classes continue until about 4:00 or 4:30, followed by the cleaning of the classroom.
What is the most elite high school in Korea? ›
Whimoon High School (Korean: 휘문고등학교) is a private high school in South Korea, located in Daechi-dong, Seoul. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious high schools in South Korea.
Which school has most international students? ›
New York University
For the 2021-2022 school year, NYU had the most international students.
Is Kiss a real school in Korea? ›
No, but there are certainly schools like it. In fact, there's a school called Korea International School (K.I.S., pronounced “Kay Eye Ess”, not “kiss”). The logo of the school is blue text on a white background, similar to the logo of the fictional school in “XO, Kitty,” Korea Independent School of Seoul (K.I.S.S.).
