City guide
Study in Busan
Korea's second city trades Seoul's intensity for beaches, a slower pace, and noticeably lower rent, without giving up strong universities. For a lot of international students, Busan is the smart middle ground.
Busan is Korea's largest port city and its second-biggest metropolis, a coastal hub known for beaches, film festivals, and a more relaxed feel than the capital. It also has a solid set of universities and a cost of living comfortably below Seoul's, which makes it a favorite for students who want a big-city experience without a big-city budget. This guide covers the universities, the costs, student life, and how to apply.
- Strong universities, led by Pusan National University, one of Korea's top national universities, plus Pukyong National, Korea Maritime and Ocean, Dong-A, and Kyungsung.
- Cheaper than Seoul. A student month runs about KRW 850,000 to 1,300,000, mostly through lower rent.
- It is a beach city. Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, a milder climate, and a slower pace than Seoul.
- Great transport, close to the rest of Korea. A full subway network and a KTX line that reaches Seoul in around two and a half hours.
- A smaller international community than Seoul, which pushes you into Korean daily life faster.
The short answer
Study in Busan if you want a major city with strong universities, a coastal lifestyle, and lower costs than Seoul, and you are happy with a smaller international community and a more Korean-language daily life. It is one of the best-value big-city options in Korea. For the wider regional trade-off, see studying in Korea outside Seoul.
Universities in Busan
Busan's flagship is Pusan National University (PNU), one of Korea's leading national universities, with low public-university tuition. Other notable schools include Pukyong National University, Korea Maritime and Ocean University (a specialist in maritime and logistics fields), Dong-A University, Kyungsung University, and Dongseo University. Browse the full list with rankings and English-taught data in the Busan universities directory.
What it costs to study in Busan
Busan is meaningfully cheaper than Seoul, chiefly on housing. A typical student month runs about KRW 850,000 to 1,300,000 (roughly USD 630 to 960) excluding tuition.
| Item | KRW | USD (approx) |
|---|---|---|
Busan Major coastal city, lower housing than Seoul | 850,000 to 1,300,000 | 630 to 960 |
Seoul (benchmark) The most expensive city in Korea | 1,000,000 to 1,600,000 | 740 to 1,185 |
Food, transport, and phone plans are similar nationwide; the saving is mostly rent and deposits. See the cost of living in Korea by city guide for the full comparison, and the cost estimator to model your own budget.
Student life by the sea
Busan's draw is lifestyle. Haeundae and Gwangalli are city beaches you can actually study near; Seomyeon is the central hub for shopping and nightlife; and university districts like Kyungsung-Pukyong are dense with cheap food and cafes. The climate is milder than Seoul's, the pace is calmer, and the whole city is walkable-plus-subway. It is a genuinely pleasant place to spend a degree.
Jobs, transport, and getting around
Busan has its own economy in shipping, logistics, and manufacturing, though the largest corporate job market and most English-friendly roles remain in Seoul. For part-time work and career planning, expect more Korean-dependent options locally. Getting around is easy on the Busan subway with one T-money card, and the KTX reaches Seoul in about two and a half hours.
How to apply
Applying in Busan follows the standard Korean path: choose programs, prepare documents, meet any language requirement, and apply for spring or fall. Start with how to get into a Korean university, and note that a national university like PNU paired with a scholarship or the GKS can bring your net cost close to zero. Match programs to your profile with the KoreaAdmit quiz.
What to do next
- Browse Busan universities by ranking and field.
- Compare the wider trade-off: studying in Korea outside Seoul.
- Check costs in the cost of living by city guide.
- Check funding via the GKS and run the quiz.