Unlicensed 'International Schools' in Korea: What to Check

This article is for parents in Korea who are looking at international schools. Many places use 'international school' in their name, which can be confusing. It draws on official guidance (compiled as of 29 October 2026) and explains what to check before you enrol. It does not evaluate or rank schools.

A name alone does not tell you

According to the Ministry of Government Legislation's guide, graduating from a licensed alternative school (a 'miscellaneous school') gives recognised primary, middle or high school attainment. An unlicensed facility gives no national recognition, even if the child attends. Students who need a qualification must take the qualification exams (geomjeong-gosi).

The same principle applies to unlicensed facilities that call themselves 'international schools'. So check the licence first, before the school's name or marketing.

How foreign schools differ

According to the Ministry of Education, foreign schools in Korea are 'miscellaneous schools' under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Eligible students are:

• foreign children
• Korean nationals who have lived abroad for a total of three years or more

Korean nationals may fill up to 30% of places, or up to 50% if the superintendent allows.

Recognition differs by school. Study is recognised when the principal applies and the superintendent designates the school as a recognised school. Korean students must complete 102 hours a year each of Korean language and social studies (Korean history) to have their study recognised in Korea. Designation differs by school, so check.

If you return to a Korean school later

When a student moves from an overseas school to a Korean primary, middle or high school, the overseas documents normally need an apostille or consular confirmation. The Ministry of Education publishes a list of schools exempt from this step (as of 14 November 2025).

The list does not vouch for school quality, and it does not apply to university admissions. It may change, so check the latest version.

Linking this to university admissions

Korean universities' overseas-Korean admissions include a '3-year route' and a '12-year route'. The Ministry of Education's overseas education portal describes the 12-year (full-curriculum) route as covering students who completed all primary and secondary schooling at schools abroad. The benchmark is 12 years as set by the Ministry, and systems of 10 grades or fewer are not recognised as-is.

The notes used for this article do not say how study at an unlicensed facility inside Korea would be treated under these rules. Each university's admissions guide decides eligibility, so ask your target university directly.

Checklist

• Have you confirmed whether the school holds an establishment licence?
• Does the school's name match its official licensed name?
• If it is a foreign school, does your child fit the admission criteria (a foreign national, or a Korean national with 3+ years abroad)?
• Have you checked whether it is designated as a recognised school?
• If your child is a Korean national, have you checked the 102-hour requirement in Korean language and social studies (Korean history)?
• If the facility is unlicensed, do you know your child would need to take the qualification exams?
• If a return to Korean schools is possible, have you checked the apostille-exempt list and the document steps?
• If university is the plan, have you read the latest admissions guide of your target university?

Ask the school

• Whether it holds a licence (or foreign-school designation), and whether it can show the official document that proves it
• Whether it is designated as a recognised school and, if so, under which education office
• Whether students can complete the 102 hours a year of Korean language and social studies (Korean history)
• What documents the school issues for later transfers or university applications
• The share of places for Korean nationals and the admission criteria

One last note

Licensing standards, foreign-school designation, document exemption lists and university eligibility can change, and they differ by school and university. Before you decide, confirm directly with the education office or Ministry of Education, the school, and your target university.