Sam K Son
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Korea has been a sleeping giant in the realm of international student mobility. This, while the surrounding regions are experiencing a swift upsurge. Indeed, Korean students opting for academic pursuits in the US and other nations are consistently dwindling in number. The Korean Ministry of Education's statistics highlights this trend: from a record-breaking 262,465 students studying abroad in 2011 to a low unseen in the past two decades — a mere 124,320 in 2022. As one might surmise, the pandemic has played a significant part in this downturn. Yet, it's crucial to note that the downward trend predates COVID-19, having its origins in 2011.
Figure 1: Annual number of Korean students studying abroad (Korean Ministry of Education)[1]
The Diminishing Population
Korea's troublingly low birth rate — the lowest among OECD countries, standing at 0.78, with Seoul even lower at 0.59[2] — signifies an inescapable population contraction. Accompanied by increasing mean age, one of the fastest rising in the world, the effects are resounding in the education sector. The CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test), the definitive university entrance exam, provides an illustration of this impact. The expected number of test-takers from the final year of high school in the upcoming 2024 exam is a paltry 284,000. Even with retakers included, bringing the figure up to approximately 415,000, there are far more university places available than there are students to fill them. In 1994, CSAT's inaugural year, around 750,000 students sat the exam. This rose to a peak of 896,000 in 2000, a figure now seeming distant.
This population decline sends ripples throughout all areas of education, extending from the public to the private sectors.
An Inbound Wave
In response to this shrinking student body, universities and colleges have stepped up efforts to attract international students. The latest higher education statistics survey by the Korea Education Development Institute shows just how successful they've been. In 2012, a total of 86,900 foreign students came to Korea (60,600 of them studying in mainstream programmes, and the remaining 26,300 undertaking language or short-term programmes). By 2022, despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, this number almost doubled to 166,900. The majority of these students, 40%, are from China, followed by Vietnam (23%), Uzbekistan (5.2%), Mongolia (4.4%), and Japan (3.4%).
Interestingly, while Korean universities' aggressive recruitment efforts may not currently compete directly with their Western counterparts, this could change within a few years. Countries like Japan might find themselves battling with Korean institutions for students and potential workforces in the face of labour shortages.
Expansion Overseas
With regulations relaxed since 2020 around the establishment of overseas campuses, several Korean universities, including Aju University, Donga University, and Sejong University, now operate their programmes abroad. This trend could further broaden the appeal of Korean higher education to international students.
Upward Mobility in Quality
The latest QS ranking Table[3] showcases seven Korean universities in the top 200, a considerable jump from only two in 2007. With this year-on-year quality improvement, students’ need to study abroad for career progression is gradually diminishing.
A Work and Travel Alternative
The Korean government's expansion of working holiday agreements with countries including the Netherlands, Australia, the UK, and Ireland presents a compelling alternative to studying abroad. For instance, in Australia, an increase in the eligible age and the number of extensions has made gaining international experience through work and travel a more accessible choice for many Koreans.
The Rise of 'Glocal' Universities
Recent news from Korea points to an intriguing development — the designation of 30 'glocal' universities earmarked for government funding amounting to around 78 million US dollars. This funding is targeted at Higher Education institutions located outside of Seoul. The goal is to enhance educational provision and quality and cater to regional needs and reduce the number of institutions organically. This scheme has drawn applications from 108 of the 166 eligible universities, suggesting that it is seen as both a reputational enhancement and a means of improving quality.
Several of these 'glocal' universities[4], like Kangwon National University, Gangneung-Wonju National University, and others, have unveiled merger plans despite opposition from faculty and students[5]. Despite some skepticism, those designated as 'glocal' may gain much-needed financial breathing space.
What does this mean?
These developments represent the significant challenges and opportunities within the Korean educational sector. While Korea may currently appear less enticing for international student recruitment, its zeal for education endures. It remains vital for stakeholders to stay informed of Korea's educational landscape.
For those in partnership with Korean institutions, it may be prudent to reassess their relationships, especially in light of the emerging 'glocal' universities. Moreover, those recruiting students from Asia and Africa must be conscious of Korea's ambitious recruitment efforts.
Korea, despite being seemingly overshadowed by its neighbours, might surprise us with an unexpected resurgence.
[1] https://www.moe.go.kr/boardCnts/viewRenew.do?boardID=350&boardSeq=93468&lev=0&searchType=S&statusYN=W&page=1&s=moe&m=0309&opType= [2] Korea Office of Statistics https://kostat.go.kr/board.es?mid=a10301010000&bid=204&list_no=423833&act=view&mainXml=Y [3] https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2024?&countries=kr [4] https://www.moe.go.kr/boardCnts/viewRenew.do?boardID=72775&boardSeq=95393&lev=0&searchType=null&statusYN=W&page=1&s=moe&m=0316&opType=N [5] https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/06/20/national/kcampus/korea-glocal-university-rural-university/20230620165650891.html
Sam K Son: Sam's unique understanding of education stems from his extensive experience in government sectors. With a background in international education management and consulting, he has advised on various educational projects, facilitated cross-cultural student mobility, and designed professional development programs. Sam's expertise lies in curriculum development, government relations management, and fostering global citizenship education. He brings a wealth of knowledge in promoting educational initiatives and collaborating with international institutions in countries such as Korea, Japan, UAE, Malaysia, Australia, and the UK. Sam's passion for education drives his commitment to shaping transformative learning experiences and empowering individuals to thrive in an interconnected world. With a track record of successful leadership and a scholarly focus on global education, Sam is dedicated to driving positive change in the field of education.
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