vs 
Italy 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.
Italy vs South Korea, line by line
| Metric | Italy | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Living cost | ≈ $11,500 | ≈ $8,500 |
| Tuition from | ≈ $250 | ≈ $3,700 |
| Average tuition | ≈ $4,800 | ≈ $6,400 |
| Total per year | ≈ $16,300 | ≈ $14,900 |
| Post-study work | 1 years | 2 years |
| Work while studying | 20 h/week | 20 h/week |
| PR pathway | moderate | moderate |
| Institutions | 12 | 12 |
| Courses listed | 41 | 48 |
| World rank | #111 | #31 |
| Typical entry grade | 72% | 79% |
| English requirement | IELTS 6.3 | IELTS 6.6 |
Which one fits you?
Choose Italy if…
- ✓you want cheaper tuition (from $250 a year)
Choose South Korea if…
- ✓you want lower living costs (about $3,000 a year less)
- ✓you want longer post-study work rights (2 years)
- ✓you are targeting a higher-ranked university
The short version
South Korea is the cheaper route on total annual cost, while South Korea gives you longer to work after you graduate. If you are optimising for permanent residency, Italy has the stronger pathway.
Italy
Type D study visa. Tuition is income-scaled and often very low; graduates can convert to a 12-month job-search permit.
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 Italy or South Korea?
On total annual cost — tuition plus living — South Korea works out cheaper. Tuition in Italy starts around $250 a year against $3,700 in South Korea, and living costs run $$11,500 versus $$8,500 a year.
Which gives better post-study work rights, Italy or South Korea?
Italy allows 1 year(s) of post-study work and South Korea allows 2. During term, students can work up to 20 hours a week in Italy and 20 hours in South Korea.
Which is easier to get into, Italy or South Korea?
Across the courses we list, the typical competitive grade is about 72% in Italy and 79% in South Korea, with English requirements of IELTS 6.3 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.
Still torn between Italy and South Korea?
Put your marks, budget and goals in and we will score real courses in both countries, then tell you which side wins for your profile.
Get my matches →