This page compares the education systems of Singapore and South Korea.
Education System Overview
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| System Type | Public-led system; centralized governance under the Ministry of Education, with government, government-aided, autonomous, independent, specialized and private providers. National schools follow MOE curricula and assessment requirements, while independent and specialized schools have varying degrees of curricular flexibility. [Singapore MOE] | Public/private mix; mixed governance combining national policy and standards with decentralized local education administration. The Ministry of Education operates at the national level, while 17 Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education oversee local education. [Korea MOE] |
| Governing Body | Ministry of Education (MOE), Singapore, which oversees national education policy, schools and publicly funded post-secondary institutions. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) regulates preschools, while separate regulatory arrangements apply to private education institutions. [Singapore MOE] [ECDA] | Ministry of Education (MOE); 17 Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education; and local Offices of Education. The national ministry sets education policy and curriculum requirements, while regional education offices administer schools, staffing and local education services. [Korea MOE] |
| Government Expenditure on Education (% of GDP) | 2.2% (2024, latest available World Bank/UNESCO UIS observation). Singapore's Ministry of Finance separately reported education expenditure equivalent to 1.9% of GDP in FY2024 and estimated 2.0% for FY2026 in its sectoral budget figures. The two statistical measures have different coverage. [World Bank] [Ministry of Finance] | 5.4% (2022, World Bank/UNESCO UIS government-expenditure series). The OECD's more recent measure of government expenditure on primary through tertiary education, including spending inside and outside educational institutions, was 4.2% of GDP in 2023. The figures use different coverage and should not be treated as directly comparable annual observations. [World Bank] [OECD] |
Education Structure & Compulsory Schooling
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Age Range | For Singapore Citizen children residing in Singapore, compulsory education applies to children above age 6 and below age 15 who have not completed the required primary education. The statutory obligation concerns primary-school attendance rather than the entire age range. Approved exemptions apply in specified circumstances. [Singapore Statutes] [Singapore MOE] | Approximately age 6 to age 15, covering six years of elementary school and three years of middle school. Children normally begin elementary school in March of the calendar year following the year they turn six. High school is not compulsory, although free high-school education is provided under national legislation. [Korea MOE] |
| Total Compulsory Duration (Years) | 6 years of primary education, from Primary 1 to Primary 6. Secondary education is not compulsory under the Compulsory Education Act, although most students proceed to secondary school. [Singapore MOE] | 9 years: 6 years of elementary education plus 3 years of middle school. [Korea MOE] |
| Pre-primary Education (ECE) Access | Optional; official early-childhood data reported preschool participation of about 9 in 10 children aged 3–4 in 2021, with participation higher at ages 5–6. Preschool provision includes MOE Kindergartens, Anchor Operator and Partner Operator preschools, and other licensed providers. Government subsidies and fee caps apply according to provider type, citizenship and household eligibility. [ECDA] | Optional; enrollment among children aged 3–5 reached approximately 96% in 2024, according to the OECD's comparable early childhood education and care measure. Kindergarten generally serves children aged 3–5, while childcare centers also provide early education and care. Government support for free early childhood education and childcare, initially expanded for five-year-olds in July 2025, was extended to children aged 4–5 in 2026. The additional funding reduces eligible parental charges but does not make preschool attendance compulsory. [OECD] [Korea MOE] |
| Primary + Secondary Education Structure (Years) | 6 + 4 for the typical primary-to-secondary route, with some existing secondary pathways extending to five years. Selected Integrated Programme pathways span six years across secondary and pre-university education. Under Full Subject-Based Banding, students take secondary subjects at G1, G2 or G3 levels rather than being placed in Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical) streams. From the 2027 examination year, the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) will replace the separate N- and O-Level examinations. [Singapore MOE] | 6 + 3 + 3: six years of elementary school, three years of middle school and three years of high school. The broader system is commonly described as 6-3-3-4 when the standard four-year university stage is included. [Korea MOE] |
| Vocational vs. General Upper Secondary Split (%) | No directly comparable national vocational/general upper-secondary enrollment split. Secondary schooling is predominantly general education, while the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) provides the main vocational route after secondary school. Most initial vocational training therefore falls within post-secondary rather than upper-secondary education. [OECD] | 14.3% vocational / 85.7% general (2024), using the OECD's upper-secondary enrollment classification. Vocational education is delivered through specialized vocational high schools, Meister high schools and related programs. The general category includes students outside the vocational classification. [OECD] |
Academic Calendar & Instruction Time
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Year Start (Typical Month) | January. [Singapore MOE] | March. The first semester begins in March. [Korea MOE] |
| Academic Year End (Typical Month) | November for most primary and secondary schools. Examination-year arrangements and pre-university calendars may differ. [Singapore MOE] | February, following the second semester and winter vacation period. [Korea MOE] |
| Instruction Weeks per Year | Approximately 40 school weeks, organized across four terms with scheduled vacation periods between terms. Examination arrangements and school holidays affect the number of teaching weeks at individual levels. [Singapore MOE] | Approximately 38 five-day school weeks, equivalent to the statutory minimum of 190 school days. Actual teaching schedules are arranged by individual schools and include two semesters, summer and winter vacations, and scheduled school activities. [Korean Law] |
| Instruction Days per Year | — | At least 190 days per school year for elementary, middle and high schools, subject to limited statutory reductions in specified circumstances. [Korean Law] |
Grading System
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Primary/Secondary Grading Scale | PSLE subjects use Achievement Levels AL1–AL8, with AL1 representing the highest achievement band. The four PSLE subject scores are added to produce an overall score from 4 to 32, where a lower total represents higher performance. Secondary assessment varies by subject level under Full Subject-Based Banding. The Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) will replace the separate N- and O-Level certificates from 2027, with students taking examinations at G1, G2 or G3 levels. [Singapore MOE] [Singapore MOE] | Assessment varies by school level. Middle-school achievement commonly uses A–E achievement levels. For students entering high school from 2025, the former nine-grade internal relative-ranking system was replaced by a five-grade system under the 2028 university admissions changes. Achievement levels and relative rankings are distinct measures; the new high-school system continues to report achievement grades as well as relative grades where applicable. [Korea MOE] |
| Higher Education Grading Scale | Institution-specific; for example, the National University of Singapore uses a 5.0 GPA scale, while grading systems may differ among other universities, polytechnics and private education providers. [NUS] | Institution-specific; 4.5 and 4.3 GPA scales with letter grades are commonly used. A 4.0 scale is also used at some institutions. Minimum passing grades, GPA conversion rules and treatment of pass/fail courses vary by university. |
Language of Instruction
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Instruction Languages (K–12) | English is the main medium of instruction in national schools, apart from Mother Tongue Language subjects. [Singapore MOE] | Korean is the main language of instruction in the national school system. |
| Other Official / Minority Instruction Languages (K–12) | Chinese, Malay and Tamil are the main Mother Tongue Languages taught in schools. All three are official languages alongside English. Approved arrangements also exist for selected Non-Tamil Indian Languages and other language-learning options. [Singapore MOE] | No separate nationwide minority-language instruction system is established for regular public schools. English and other foreign languages are taught as subjects, while authorized foreign and international schools may teach in English, Chinese, Japanese, German and other languages according to their curricula. [ISI] |
School Provision & Access (K–12)
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Public School Enrollment Share (K–12, % of Students) | — | Primary: approximately 98% / Secondary: approximately 72% (2024), based on the World Bank/UNESCO UIS ownership classification. The secondary figure combines lower- and upper-secondary education. Public funding also supports many privately operated secondary schools, so institutional ownership does not necessarily indicate whether students pay tuition. [World Bank] [World Bank] |
| Public School Tuition Fee (Annual, Local Currency) | SGD 0 standard school tuition for Singapore Citizens attending government and government-aided primary schools. In 2026, the standard miscellaneous fee at government primary schools was SGD 13 per month (SGD 156 annually). School fees at secondary and pre-university levels, and fees for permanent residents and international students, vary by level and nationality. Independent schools have separate fee schedules. [Singapore MOE] [Gongshang Primary School] | KRW 0 standard tuition for public elementary and middle education; nationwide free high-school education was extended to all grades from 2021, covering admission fees, tuition, school operation support fees and textbooks within the statutory scheme. Certain separately regulated schools and additional services may fall outside the standard exemption. [Korea MOE] |
| Public Schools Nationwide Availability | Yes; government and government-aided schools operate across Singapore. Primary 1 registration and school placement are administered through a national process, with priority arrangements and balloting where schools are oversubscribed. [Singapore MOE] | Yes. Public schools operate nationwide under the metropolitan, provincial and local education administration system. School assignment and access arrangements are managed locally, with special provisions for small rural schools and remote communities. [Korea MOE] |
| Private School Enrollment Share (K–12, % of Students) | — | Primary: approximately 2% / Secondary: approximately 28% (2024), using the World Bank/UNESCO UIS classification. The secondary share covers both middle and high schools. Privately operated schools may receive substantial government funding, particularly under compulsory education and high-school tuition-support arrangements. [World Bank] [World Bank] |
| Private Schools (Geographic Concentration) | — | — |
International Schools (K–12)
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Number of International Schools (Total) | — | 45 government-listed foreign/international K–12 institutions across three regulatory categories: 38 foreign schools, 3 foreign educational institutions offering elementary or secondary education, and 4 Jeju international schools. The official information system also lists a separate foreign kindergarten. The total does not include all Korean schools offering international curricula or IB programmes. [ISI] |
| Number of IB World Schools | 40 IB World Schools currently offer at least one International Baccalaureate programme in Singapore. The IB country directory lists 22 schools offering the Primary Years Programme, 10 offering the Middle Years Programme, 30 offering the Diploma Programme and 3 offering the Career-related Programme. Schools offering multiple programmes are counted only once in the total. [IB] | 162 IB World Schools currently offer at least one International Baccalaureate programme in the Republic of Korea. The IB country directory lists 87 schools offering the Primary Years Programme, 52 offering the Middle Years Programme and 41 offering the Diploma Programme; some schools offer more than one programme. The count includes authorized Korean public and private schools and is not limited to foreign or international schools. [IB] |
| Main International Programmes Offered | International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge/UK curricula, American curricula and French curricula are offered by different international schools. The IB Diploma Programme is also available at selected Singapore national and independent schools. | International Baccalaureate (IB), American, British, Canadian and other authorized foreign curricula, depending on the school. Some Korean public schools also offer IB programmes alongside national education requirements. [ISI] |
Resources & Learning Environment (K–12)
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Teacher Qualification (Public Schools) | MOE teachers complete an approved initial teacher-preparation route through the National Institute of Education (NIE). Routes include the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) for degree holders and specified diploma or degree programmes for other teaching levels and subjects. Entry requirements and professional preparation vary according to teaching appointment and specialization. [NIE] | A recognized teacher qualification certificate is required. Standard Grade 2 regular-teacher routes are completed through approved university-level teacher education with prescribed major and teaching coursework; public-school recruitment also follows the applicable appointment process. Teacher qualifications are governed by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and related regulations. [Korean Law] |
| Average Class Size (Primary) | 33.8 students per form class (2024, detailed MOE statistics). Primary 1 and Primary 2 classes averaged 29.3 and 29.6 students respectively, while upper-primary classes were generally larger. In March 2026, MOE described the overall primary form-class average as approximately 34 students. [Singapore MOE] [Singapore Parliament] | 18.6 students (2026), according to the national Basic Education Statistics survey. The average reflects a continued decline in elementary-school enrollment. [KEDI] |
| Average Class Size (Lower Secondary) | Secondary 1: 33.6 students; Secondary 2: 33.4 students per form class (2024). Actual subject-class sizes may differ under Full Subject-Based Banding, depending on the subjects taken and learning needs. [Singapore MOE] | 24.5 students (2026). [KEDI] |
| Average Class Size (Upper Secondary) | Secondary 3: 34.2; Secondary 4: 32.9; Secondary 5: 13.7 students per form class (2024). Secondary 5 is a smaller, separately reported cohort and should not be treated as the typical upper-secondary class size. [Singapore MOE] | 23.1 students (2026), across the reported high-school categories. [KEDI] |
System Performance & Learning Outcomes (OECD/PISA)
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| PISA Participation Years | 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2025. [OECD] | 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2025. [OECD] |
| PISA 2018 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 569 / 549 / 551 [OECD] | 526 / 514 / 519 [OECD] |
| PISA 2022 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 575 / 543 / 561 [OECD] | 527 / 515 / 528 [OECD] |
| PISA 2025 Scores (Mathematics / Reading / Science) | 563 / 535 / 560. Singapore recorded the highest average scores among participating education systems in all three core subjects. [OECD] | 522 / 501 / 526. All three results remained above the corresponding OECD averages of 463 in mathematics, 461 in reading and 482 in science. [OECD] |
| PISA Performance Trend 2000–2025 | Singapore first participated in 2009. Between 2022 and 2025, mathematics performance declined by 12 points and reading by 8 points, while science performance remained about the same. Compared with 2018, the mathematics score was six points lower, reading 14 points lower and science nine points higher. Changes in statistical precision should be considered when interpreting differences between cycles. [OECD] | Korea has participated in every PISA cycle since 2000. Between 2022 and 2025, mathematics and science performance was statistically about the same, while reading declined by 14 points. Mathematics decreased by five points and science by two points, neither representing a statistically clear change. Korea also scored 538 in computational problem solving in PISA 2025, above the OECD average of 500. [OECD] |
| Strongest Subject Area (PISA 2025) | Mathematics — 563 points. Science followed closely at 560 points. [OECD] | Science — 526 points. Approximately 14.7% of students reached the top two science proficiency levels, compared with an OECD average of 7.2%. [OECD] |
Higher Education System
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Higher Education Institutions (Total) | — | 416 higher education institutions (2026), down from 421 in 2025. The official count includes general universities, universities of education, junior colleges, specialized institutions and graduate-school universities. [KEDI] |
| Number of Universities (Research Universities) | 6 publicly funded Autonomous Universities: National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Management University, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Social Sciences. These institutions differ in their teaching, applied learning and research roles; not all are research-intensive universities. Singapore also has the Government-supported private University of the Arts Singapore. [Singapore MOE] | 188 general universities in the official 2026 higher-education classification, down from 189 in 2025. The category includes universities with varying teaching and research roles and should not be interpreted as a count restricted to research-intensive universities. [KEDI] |
| Number of Universities of Applied Sciences / Colleges | 5 polytechnics: Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic. They primarily offer diploma-level, practice-oriented education rather than forming a separate university-of-applied-sciences sector. The Singapore Institute of Technology is classified among the six Autonomous Universities. [Singapore MOE] | 126 junior colleges (2026), down from 130 in 2025. These institutions generally provide shorter-cycle, employment-oriented higher education programs. Korea also has specialized and industrial universities, but they are classified separately from junior colleges. [KEDI] |
| Main Institution Types | Autonomous Universities; University of the Arts Singapore and its constituent arts institutions; polytechnics; Institute of Technical Education (ITE); and private education institutions. Junior colleges and Millennia Institute provide pre-university education and are not counted as degree-awarding universities. [Singapore MOE] | General universities, universities of education, junior colleges, graduate-school universities, cyber universities and other specialized higher education institutions. The 2026 statistical classification includes 10 universities of education, 47 institutions in other undergraduate-level categories and 45 separately classified graduate-level institutions. [KEDI] |
| Tertiary Enrollment Share by Ownership | — | Public: 20.4% / independent private: approximately 79.6% (2024), based on the OECD's tertiary institution ownership classification. Publicly funded scholarships and government support may also be available to students at private universities. [OECD] |
| English-Taught Degree Programmes (Bachelor + Master, Total) | — | — |
| Share of Tertiary Programmes Taught in National Languages (%) | — | — |
| Share of Tertiary Programmes Taught in English (%) | — | — |
| Main Global Ranking Used | QS World University Rankings 2027. [QS] | QS World University Rankings 2027. [QS] |
| Universities in Top 100 (Selected Ranking) | 2 — National University of Singapore (#10) and Nanyang Technological University (#12) in QS 2027. [QS] | 4 in QS 2027: Seoul National University (#38), Yonsei University (#42), Korea University (#=52) and KAIST (#65). [QS] |
| Universities in Top 500 (Selected Ranking) | 4 — National University of Singapore (#10), Nanyang Technological University (#12), Singapore University of Technology and Design (#266) and Singapore Management University (#=411) in QS 2027. [QS] | 17 South Korean universities ranked within the global top 500 in QS 2027. These included POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, UNIST and other institutions alongside the four top-100 universities. [QS] |
| Universities in Top 1000 (Selected Ranking) | 4 in QS 2027. [QS] | 31 South Korean universities ranked within the global top 1000 in QS 2027. [QS] |
| National Accreditation / QA Agency (Higher Education) | No single national accreditation agency covers all higher education institutions. The Ministry of Education oversees the quality and governance of publicly funded Autonomous Universities through institutional reviews and accountability arrangements. For private education institutions, the Skills & Workforce Development Agency (SWDA) administers registration and the EduTrust Certification Scheme, following the transfer of private education regulatory functions in July 2026. EduTrust certification concerns private education provider standards and student protection; it is not equivalent to accreditation of every degree programme. [Training Partners Gateway] [Singapore MOE] | Korean University Accreditation Institute (KUAI), affiliated with the Korean Council for University Education, is the recognized institutional accreditor for four-year universities. The Korea Accreditation Board for Vocational Higher Education (KAVE) accredits junior colleges, while online universities have separate evaluation arrangements. The Ministry of Education retains responsibility for institutional authorization and recognition of accrediting bodies. [KCUE] [KARIC] |
| International Students (Total) | — | 307,464 foreign students in higher education (2026), an increase of 21.3% from 2025. The total includes 223,191 degree students and 84,273 non-degree students, including students enrolled in language and other non-degree programs. [KEDI] |
| International Students Share of Total Tertiary Enrollment (%) | — | 10.0% in 2026 (307,464 foreign students among 3,072,261 higher-education students). The numerator includes both degree-seeking and non-degree foreign students, matching the scope of the reported national higher-education statistics. [KEDI] |
Education Costs (Indicative)
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Public University Tuition Fees – Domestic / Regional (Annual, Local Currency) | For 2026 entrants, subsidized common undergraduate programmes at Nanyang Technological University cost Singapore Citizens SGD 8,300 per academic year. The corresponding subsidized fee for Singapore Permanent Residents is SGD 11,600. These are published NTU programme rates, not national averages; medicine, business and selected specialized degrees have different fees. Tuition grants cover part of the cost for eligible students. [NTU] | Approximately KRW 4,250,000 average annual undergraduate tuition at national and public four-year universities in 2026. The national average across public and private general universities and universities of education was approximately KRW 7,270,300, while the private-university average was KRW 8,231,500. Fees vary by institution and subject; medicine, engineering and arts programs may have different rates. [Korea MOE] |
| Public University Tuition Fees – International / Non-EU (Annual, Local Currency) | At NTU for 2026 entrants, subsidized common undergraduate programmes cost SGD 18,050 annually for ASEAN international students and SGD 21,400 for other international students. Non-subsidized common programmes cost SGD 36,350–40,600, depending on whether they are laboratory-based. These amounts include applicable GST for international students. Tuition-grant recipients normally have a three-year employment obligation after graduation, subject to the terms of the grant. [NTU] | No single nationwide international-student tariff. National and public universities set tuition by institution, degree level, department and admission category. The 2026 national/public undergraduate average was approximately KRW 4.25 million annually across the institutions covered by the official tuition disclosure, but this is not a separate international-student average. International students should consult the relevant university's current admissions and tuition schedule. [Korea MOE] |
| Typical Tuition Fees for English-Taught Programmes (Annual, Local Currency) | No separate national English-taught programme fee. English is the normal teaching language at Singapore's Autonomous Universities, so tuition depends on degree, institution and subsidy eligibility rather than language of instruction. For example, NTU's subsidized common undergraduate programmes cost SGD 8,300–21,400 annually across the citizenship categories listed for 2026 entrants. Non-subsidized and specialized programmes can cost more. [NTU] | Programme-specific; there is no verified national average limited to English-taught degrees. As an institutional example, Yonsei University's English-medium Underwood International College listed KRW 8,202,000 per regular semester for students in its international admissions track in 2026, equivalent to KRW 16,404,000 for two standard semesters. Its first-semester tuition was higher at KRW 8,416,000, and additional fees applied. This example is not representative of every English-taught degree in Korea. [Yonsei University] |
| Language School Costs (Monthly, Local Currency) | — | Approximately KRW 660,000–744,000 per four weeks, expressed as an equivalent from selected university Korean-language programs charging KRW 1.65 million–1.86 million for a 10-week term. Seoul National University lists KRW 1.65 million for its afternoon course and KRW 1.80 million for its morning course, while Yonsei University lists KRW 1.86 million per term in 2026. Tuition is generally charged by term rather than monthly; application fees, textbooks and accommodation are additional. [SNU] [Yonsei] |
Major Education Updates & Policy Changes
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 2000–2010: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2010–2020: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2020–2024: Key Updates & Reforms | ||
| 2025–2026: Key Updates & Reforms |
General Overview (Narrative)
| Category | Singapore | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Singapore operates a centrally governed education system under the Ministry of Education, with government and government-aided schools forming the main public network alongside autonomous, independent, specialized and private providers. Compulsory education applies to Singapore Citizen children residing in the country and centers on the six-year primary cycle. Students typically progress from six years of primary school to four years of secondary education, with additional pre-university, polytechnic and vocational pathways available after secondary school. Full Subject-Based Banding, introduced from the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort, allows students to take subjects at G1, G2 or G3 levels instead of being assigned to the former Express or Normal streams. English is the main medium of instruction, while Chinese, Malay and Tamil are taught as Mother Tongue Languages. In PISA 2025, Singapore scored 563 in mathematics, 535 in reading and 560 in science, with mathematics its highest-scoring core domain. Post-secondary education includes junior colleges, Millennia Institute, five polytechnics, ITE, six publicly funded Autonomous Universities and the University of the Arts Singapore. Singapore has 40 IB World Schools, including national and international institutions. At NTU, annual subsidized undergraduate tuition for 2026 entrants was SGD 8,300 for Singapore Citizens and SGD 18,050–21,400 for international students, depending on citizenship category. Recent changes include the completion of phased mid-year examination removals, additional support across 157 schools in 2026 and the transition to 49 three-year Higher Nitec courses. A common secondary examination will begin in 2027, followed by revised post-secondary admissions arrangements in 2028. | South Korea uses a 6-3-3-4 education structure with national policy led by the Ministry of Education and local administration carried out through 17 Metropolitan and Provincial Offices of Education and their local offices. Elementary and middle school provide nine years of compulsory education, while free high-school education has applied nationwide across all grades since 2021, subject to the statutory provisions. The school year begins in March, and elementary, middle and high schools normally provide at least 190 school days. Korean is the main language of instruction. The system includes general and vocational high-school pathways, with vocational programmes accounting for 14.3% of upper-secondary enrollment in 2024. In PISA 2025, Korea scored 522 in mathematics, 501 in reading and 526 in science, with reading declining from 2022 while mathematics and science remained statistically stable. Higher education included 416 institutions in 2026, while the number of foreign students reached 307,464, representing 10.0% of higher-education enrollment. The International Baccalaureate directory listed 162 authorized schools. Average annual undergraduate tuition at national and public universities was approximately KRW 4.25 million in 2026. Current education changes include the High School Credit System, the five-grade high-school internal ranking system for cohorts entering from 2025, revised credit-completion rules from 2026 and expanded early childhood funding for four- and five-year-olds. The Ministry is also supporting optional AI-based teaching materials in schools and general AI curricula at selected universities. |