Korean Curriculum International Schools in South Korea
Compare 3 Korean Curriculum international schools in South Korea. Filter by curriculum, fees, location, and more to find the right international school now.
Schools that follow the Korean national curriculum in South Korea are different to the country’s many foreign-curriculum international schools: they teach the national syllabus (often with extra international or bilingual options) and include a mix of state-run “domestic-international” high schools and private Korean-curriculum schools. Instruction is normally delivered in Korean with English taught as a core subject and, in some schools, bilingual or English-medium electives are added for internationally minded families. Costs and organisation vary widely - public/domestic-international schools do not carry international-school price tags, while private and foreign-curriculum schools in the market typically charge tuition and one-off deposits measured in the tens of millions of won, plus transport, lunches and examination fees. Admissions are handled school-by-school but the main intake for many established international and private schools runs in winter/spring for the new school year, and families should check legal eligibility (passport or overseas-residence evidence), prepare transcripts and proof of residence early, and budget for extra first-year charges.
What exactly is a “Korean-curriculum” international school in South Korea?
A Korean-curriculum school follows the Republic of Korea’s national syllabus rather than an overseas system such as IB, British or American curricula; some of these are state-designated domestic-international high schools with an international emphasis, while others are private schools that combine the national curriculum with extra English or global programmes. Families should check whether the school is run under the national system or marketed as an international school, because the legal category affects fees, admissions and credential recognition.
What language(s) are used for teaching and will my child get English instruction?
Korean is the primary medium of instruction in schools following the national curriculum, and English is taught as a core subject; some schools also offer bilingual tracks, enhanced English programmes or elective courses taught in English to support international pathways. If you need strong English-medium instruction for an eventual move abroad, ask schools for examples of English-taught subjects, external exam options and the proportion of lessons delivered in English.
How much should we expect to pay and what extras are common?
Costs vary sharply: state or municipal Korean-curriculum schools are low-cost for residents, whereas private and foreign-curriculum international schools frequently charge annual tuition in the tens of millions of Korean won and may require separate capital or development fees, deposits, bus and meal charges, and external exam fees. First-year outlays are often higher because of non-refundable application fees and one-off enrolment or development levies, so factor those into your relocation budget.
Can Korean citizens and my dual-national child attend these schools?
Eligibility depends on the school’s legal classification: many schools licensed as ‘foreign schools’ limit enrolment to children with foreign nationality or to Korean nationals who can document a period living abroad (commonly interpreted as around three years), while domestic Korean-curriculum schools admit Korean residents under standard rules. Always confirm a school’s admission policy and the documentary evidence it requires before you start applications, because local regulation and each school’s permitted domestic-student ratio are decisive.
What should relocating parents prioritise when comparing Korean-curriculum options?
Check the school’s legal status and accreditation, the language balance (how much instruction is Korean versus English), university-preparation outcomes (Korean-university versus international pathways), the quality of English and Korean language support, and realistic total costs including transport and one-off fees. Also confirm admissions timelines and required documents (passports, entry/exit or residence records, transcripts and any language assessments) so you can assemble paperwork well before the school’s main intake.
