South Korea tightens rules for universities

South Korea's Ministry of Education announced new mandatory quality controls on September 8, 2026. The rules target how universities and education agents recruit and support international students, shifting the national strategy from rapid growth to ensuring quality.

Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin stated that surpassing 300,000 international students means Korea is recognized as competitive for global talent. The government will now focus on attracting and nurturing talented students so they can contribute based on their studies in Korea, he said in a press release. The country hit its 2027 target of 300,000 international students in mid-2025, with enrolments reaching 314,000 by February 2026.

Agent and university obligations

Starting in October 2026, universities and recruitment agencies will receive a mandatory code of conduct contract to sign. Key provisions from this agreement will later be written into law via amendments to the Higher Education Act, allowing the ministry to issue corrective orders for non-compliance.

The stipulations mandate providing accurate information on academic programs, work rights, and post-study opportunities. Misleading advertising is prohibited. Agents and universities must clearly inform students about tuition refund processes and amounts, and refund tuition if a student's visa is denied. Agents will be compelled to provide any information universities request, and universities must monitor their agents' recruitment practices more closely.

A stricter accreditation process

The changes are tied to South Korea's International Education Quality Assurance System (IEQAS). Since March 2026, universities have been evaluated under new fourth-cycle IEQAS standards covering illegal stay rates, Korean language proficiency, and dropout rates. Performance now directly impacts visa processing and recruitment rights.

The fourth IEQAS cycle ends in 2028. The fifth cycle, starting in 2029, will introduce stricter mandatory indicators. Korean and English language proficiency thresholds will rise from 40% to 60% by 2030. Institutions in financial distress or failing mandatory indicators will lose visa issuance rights, effectively barring them from new international student recruitment.

Market correction and student experience

The government's move follows reports of problems in the sector. Korean media reported some junior colleges delayed tuition refunds totaling up to 1 billion won (US $745,000) in the past year, with one college admitting it used half the owed money for operating expenses. Insufficient Korean language proficiency has been identified as a major obstacle to student success and retention.

Rezia Usman, regional director of international affairs at Woosong University, told reporters that the challenge is ensuring students feel they are truly learning the language and culture while universities help them build careers. A report in the same newspaper noted a structural issue where admission decisions are left to institutional discretion with no direct penalties for enrolling students who do not meet ministry guidelines.

With 18% of 8,300 surveyed students saying agency recommendations were a major factor in their university choice, the new regulations aim to improve the quality of advice and ensure better student screening. The goal is to admit only those with a high chance of academic and post-study success.