| Factor | Japan | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Main intakes | April, July, October, January | March, September |
| Work rights | 28 hrs / week with permission | 25-30 hrs / week with immigration permission, D-10 job-seeking visa after |
| Accepted tests | JLPT / NAT-TEST | IELTS / TOEFL / TOPIK |
| Tuition range | JPY 600,000 - 1,000,000 a year | KRW 4,000,000 - 9,000,000 a semester |
| Living-cost range | JPY 80,000 - 120,000 a month | KRW 700,000 - 1,200,000 a month |
Who Japan may suit
Language school to university and vocational pathways, with part-time work and one of Asia's strongest job markets.
- JLPT N5-N3 preparation in-house
- Language school placement
- Student dormitory support
Who South Korea may suit
Government scholarships, low tuition and English-taught degrees at Seoul's leading universities, with a job-seeking visa to stay on after you finish.
- Global Korea Scholarship can cover tuition and living costs
- English-taught degrees at top Seoul universities
- TOPIK opens up more courses and more working hours
Comparison questions
Neither is universally better. Compare the course, total budget, entry requirements, work conditions and post-study plan against your own profile before choosing.
The answer depends on the institution, course length and city. Compare the complete first-year cost rather than tuition alone, including housing, insurance, visa fees and travel.
Yes. Bring your academic documents, language score and budget for a side-by-side shortlist based on current requirements.