How to Do MBBS and Become a MBBS Doctor in South Korea
The idea of becoming a doctor in South Korea is great, because the medical education there is very modern and of high quality. But this path is also a bit difficult and comes with special requirements, especially for students coming from other countries.
1. Know Some Basics
Course Name:
In South Korea, it is called "Doctor of Medicine (MD)" instead of "MBBS". It is a single 6-year program, which makes you a doctor.
Language of Study:
This is a very important thing. Most medical studies are in Korean. There are very few or no full MBBS programs in English, and if there are, they are often very expensive private universities. Therefore, learning Korean is a must.
How Long Will It Take?
Usually 6 years.
Tuition Fees:
This depends a lot on the university.
- Public Universities: Can range from about $10,000 to $20,000 (PKR 2.8 million to 5.5 million) per year. (More expensive than Germany, but cheaper than other Western countries).
- Private Universities: $30,000 to $60,000 (PKR 8.3 million to 16.5 million) per year or even more.
Living Expenses:
Can range from about $800 to $1,200 (PKR 2.2 million to 3.3 million) per month, depending on the city.
Also Check: How to do MBBS and Become a MBBS Doctor in Germany
2. Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Requirements)
There are very strict requirements to study medicine in South Korea:
High School Education (12 Years):
You must have a recognized high school diploma and your grades in it must be very good. Excellent grades are essential, especially in biology, chemistry, and physics. The South Korean education system can be a little different, so students sometimes find it difficult to get direct admission.
Korean Language Proficiency:
This is the most important requirement. Since most of the teaching is in Korean, you must have very good Korean language skills (at least TOPIK level 4 or 5, sometimes level 6). You will need to show a TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) certificate.
English Language Proficiency (if an English Medium Program):
If there is a program that is taught in English, you will need to show good scores on IELTS (usually 6.5 or 7.0) or TOEFL.
Entrance Tests:
Some universities may conduct their own entrance tests, which look at your academic ability.
Your Motivation Letter and CV:
Write a good motivation letter explaining why you want to become a doctor, why you want to come to South Korea, and why you chose this university. A good and clean CV is also a must.
Recommendation Letters:
2-3 recommendation letters are required from your teachers.
Other Required Documents:
- High School transcripts
- Diplomas and certificates
- Copy of passport, photos
- Health certificate
- Financial proof (bank statement showing that you have enough money to study and live).
Also Check: DAAD Scholarship Program 2026
3. Application Process
Applying for medical in South Korea is as follows:
Learn Korean:
This is the first and most important thing. Without good Korean, it will be very difficult to get admission.
Find Universities:
Find universities that offer MD programs and admit foreign students. Read their requirements very carefully. (e.g. Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, etc.).
Prepare Documents:
Prepare all the documents mentioned above. All must be translated into English or Korean and certified.
Apply Online:
Most universities handle their own online applications. Be careful about application deadlines.
Interview/Entrance Test (if applicable):
If the university conducts an interview or any test, prepare well for it.
Get an Admission Letter:
If you are successful, you will receive a Letter of Admission from the university.
Apply for a Visa:
After receiving the admission letter, apply for a student visa (D-2 visa) at the South Korean embassy in your country. This will require proof of finances, health insurance, and other documents.
Go to South Korea and Register at the University:
After receiving the visa, go to South Korea to confirm your admission at the university, and also obtain a residence permit.
Also Check: Fully Funded Scholarships for USA and UK 2025-2026
4. Scholarships
Some scholarships are available for studying medicine in South Korea:
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS):
This is a popular scholarship from the Korean government that covers tuition, airfare, living expenses, and Korean language training. But for undergraduate medical programs, it is very rare and competitive.
University Scholarships:
Some universities offer scholarships on their own, which can waive all or half of the fees.
5. Working as a Doctor in South Korea
If you want to become a doctor in Korea, you will have to pass the Korean Medical Licensing Examination (KMLE) after your degree. This exam is entirely in Korean, so a very high level of Korean proficiency (TOPIK level 5 or 6) is required. It is very difficult for foreign doctors to get a license and work in Korea, even if you studied there.
Some Important Tips:
Korean Language is Very Important:
This is the most important. Without it, it is impossible to study medicine and work there.
Have a Very Good Academic Record:
Medical admission is difficult, so your grades should be very good.
Do Thorough Research:
Visit each university’s website Be sure to do detailed research.
Be Prepared:
This can be a long and financially expensive journey (if you don't get a scholarship).
Licensing Challenges:
If you want to practice there, keep in mind the difficulties of obtaining a license and the strong requirement for Korean language.