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Australia vs South Korea: which should you study in?
Both are strong destinations, and the honest answer depends on your budget, your grades and whether you want to stay on after graduating. Here is the side-by-side.
Australia vs South Korea, line by line
| Metric | Australia | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $20,500 | ≈ $8,500 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $21,500 | ≈ $3,700 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $29,000 | ≈ $6,400 |
| Total per year | ≈ $49,500 | ≈ $14,900 |
| Post-study work | 2 years | 2 years |
| Work while studying | 24 h/week | 20 h/week |
| PR pathway | strong | moderate |
| Institutions | 31 | 12 |
| Courses listed | 120 | 48 |
| World rank | #19 | #31 |
| Typical entry grade | 77% | 79% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 6.6 |
Which one fits you?
Choose Australia if…
- ✓you want more institutions to choose from (31 here)
- ✓settling permanently matters to you
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
Choose South Korea if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $12,000 a year less)
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $3,700 a year)
The short version
South Korea is the cheaper route on total annual cost, while Australia gives you longer to work after you graduate. If you are optimising for permanent residency, Australia has the stronger pathway.
Australia
Subclass 500 student visa. Financial capacity requirement is AUD 29,710/yr of living costs. The Temporary Graduate visa (485) gives 2 years for bachelor's/coursework master's and 3 for research degrees and PhDs; skilled occupations feed a points-based PR system.
South Korea
D-2 student visa. The D-10 job-seeker visa lets graduates stay up to 2–3 years while hunting for skilled work.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to study in Australia or South Korea?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — South Korea works out cheaper. Tuition in Australia starts around $21,500 a year against $3,700 in South Korea, and living costs run $$20,500 versus $$8,500 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, Australia or South Korea?
Australia allows 2 year(s) of post-study work and South Korea allows 2. During term, students can work up to 24 hours a week in Australia and 20 hours in South Korea.
Which is easier to get into, Australia or South Korea?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 77% in Australia and 79% in South Korea, with English requirements of IELTS 6.5 and 6.6 respectively. Entry difficulty varies far more by institution than by country.
Other comparisons
Estimated figures. Tuition, living costs and entry benchmarks on this page are estimates for guidance and comparison. Always confirm exact figures with the institution before you apply.
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