Seventy-eight percent of higher learning institutions are private, funded through gifts and fees. State funds and fees support public institutions.
Admission depends upon grades and qualifying exams.
If admitted to a university or college, a student must then choose a major and be accepted by an individual department, where places are often limited. The regular academic year, which runs from March to December, has two terms and only offers courses taught in Korean. Special programs taught in English run on an August- June academic year. Course-work is assessed through exams, essays and class participation. Excellent chance of placement in English-language programs.