Study Semiconductor Engineering in Korea: English Graduate Tracks and Scholarships

Studying semiconductors in Korea means more than simply choosing a popular major. Korea is a key player in the memory semiconductor and HBM supply chains, and an ecosystem encompassing research, production, equipment, and materials operates in tandem, centered around Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. For international students pursuing careers in semiconductors or electrical engineering, Korea offers a unique opportunity where industrial practice and university research go hand in hand.

It is worth examining verified industry indicators. According to Invest Korea, South Korea’s global market share for memory semiconductors in 2022 stood at 60.5%, with DRAM at 70.5% and NAND flash at 52.6%. As demand for AI servers grows, the importance of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) has also increased, and SK Hynix has been reported to be the leading company in the HBM market by 2025. These figures provide the basis for explaining the case for studying semiconductors in Korea using industry data.

However, the pathways directly accessible to international students must be considered separately. Contract programs with employment guarantees—which are intended for domestic students—should not be presented as admission pathways for international students. Officially recognized pathways include undergraduate programs in electrical engineering and semiconductor-related fields that accept international students, as well as graduate programs taught in English. In particular, master’s and doctoral programs—which feature English-language instruction, lab-centered education, and on-campus scholarships—offer realistic options for students from India and Southeast Asia.

A prime example is the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at KAIST. The international graduate school admissions guide specifies English proficiency requirements of a TOEFL iBT score of 83 or an IELTS Academic score of 6.5, and outlines scholarship programs—such as KEPSI and EPSS—that cover tuition and living expenses. Applicants should not focus solely on the major name but should also review specific research labs (such as those specializing in semiconductor devices, circuits, processes, AI memory, and materials), supervising professors, and scholarship conditions.

Cost is another factor to consider. While tuition at Korean universities varies by major and institution, it is generally lower than tuition for engineering programs in the U.S. and the U.K. The GKS program through Study in Korea and university-specific scholarships are important avenues for reducing the burden of tuition and living expenses. In markets with high demand for scholarship searches, such as India, applicants should prioritize questions like “Can I study in English?”, “Are scholarships available?”, and “When are the deadlines?” over simply asking “Which university is the best?”

When selecting a university, applicants should consider both the engineering research infrastructure and industry ties at institutions such as Seoul National University’s School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, KAIST, POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hanyang University. However, when referring to QS subject rankings, only the latest verified sources should be used. According to publicly available reports, Seoul National University’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering is ranked 28th by QS, as reported by The Korea Times; however, specific subject rankings for KAIST should not be cited until the official list is confirmed.

It is advisable to begin preparing your application at least 6 to 9 months in advance. This is because you must simultaneously prepare your English test scores, letters of recommendation, research proposal, and translated and notarized academic transcripts, as well as your scholarship application. In particular, even within the same “semiconductor” field at the graduate level, laboratories are divided into specialized areas such as circuit design, devices, processes, packaging, and AI memory; therefore, the wording of your application should be tailored to your specific subfield.

Applicants should prioritize checking the specific research lab, whether courses are taught in English, scholarship requirements, and application deadlines over the name of the major. For programs labeled as “contract majors” or “employment-linked,” verify through the official admissions guidelines whether these are actually offered under the special admissions track for international students. Additionally, compare requirements by university regarding TOEFL and IELTS scores, letters of recommendation, research proposals, and whether contacting a prospective advisor is necessary. Since the selection periods and required documents for GKS and on-campus scholarships differ, it is best to manage them using a separate schedule.