Caregiver training in South Korea
Korea’s government chose 24 universities to train foreign caregivers. You study for 2 years, with Korean classes included, and finish with an associate degree.
- Next intake
- March 2027 Spring semester. Each university sets its own dates.
- Study
- 2 years Associate degree in caregiving
- Korean
- Taught in the program No Korean needed to enrol
- Universities
- 24 Chosen by the government
From enrolling to graduating
Four steps, from your first class to your certificate exam.
-
Enrol at a university
-
Study for 2 years
-
Graduate
-
Take the caregiver exam
The program at a glance
The answers families ask for first. Sources are numbered at the bottom.
The program
- Who runs it?
- The Korean government The justice and health ministries chose 24 universities for a 2026 to 2027 pilot. 1
- How long?
- 2 years An associate degree in caregiving, at one of the 24 universities. 1
- What do you study?
- 320 hours of caregiving classes Plus field training at care facilities, home visits and Korean classes. 2
- Do I need Korean?
- Taught in the program Not needed to enrol. Korean classes are part of the program. 2
- How many places?
- 538 of 1,092 filled Started in the first semester of 2026. 21 of 24 universities took part. 2
Sources (2)
Minimum education: a high school diploma.
Where you would study
All 24 universities chosen for the pilot; 21 took part in the first semester.
Seoul and around 5 universities
- Sahmyook Health University 삼육보건대 Seoul
- Myongji College 명지전문대 Seoul
- Kyungin Women's College 경인여대 Incheon
- Seojeong University 서정대 Gyeonggi province
- Dongnam Health University 동남보건대 Gyeonggi province
The southwest 5 universities
- Honam University 호남대 Gwangju
- Mokpo Science University 목포과학대 South Jeolla
- Cheongam University 청암대 South Jeolla
- Wonkwang Health Science University 원광보건대 North Jeolla
- Kunjang University 군장대 North Jeolla
Jeju island 1 university
- Jeju Tourism University 제주관광대 Jeju
The centre 4 universities
- Baekseok University 백석대 South Chungcheong
- Shinsung University 신성대 South Chungcheong
- Chungbuk Health & Science University 충북보건과학대 North Chungcheong
- Gangdong University 강동대 North Chungcheong
The southeast 9 universities
- Masan University 마산대 South Gyeongsang
- Changshin University 창신대 South Gyeongsang
- Kyungnam Information University 경남정보대 Busan
- Dong-eui Institute of Technology 동의과학대 Busan
- Chunhae College of Health Science 춘해보건대 Ulsan
- Ulsan College 울산과학대 Ulsan
- Seoyeong University 서영대 North Gyeongsang
- Kyungwoon University 경운대 North Gyeongsang
- Hosan University 호산대 North Gyeongsang
Before you apply
What you need to start.
- A Philippine passport. An NBI clearance is usually asked for when you apply for the visa.
- Education. At least a high school diploma.
- Korean. None to enrol. The program teaches it, so start early to keep up.
- The training. You learn to care for older people, in care facilities and on home visits.
- A plan B. It is a pilot, reviewed after 2027. Keep another route in mind too.
Questions about Korea
Not through us yet: it shows as opening soon. The universities began taking foreign students in 2026. Get notified, and we will email you when we can take applications, and show you whether you already qualify.
No. Your university teaches Korean as part of the program. The earlier you start, the easier the classes will be.
It is a two-year pilot, from 2026 to 2027, and the Korean government will review it before deciding whether to make it permanent. Don’t build your whole plan around one program.
It gives you a real head start on the caregiving classes and field training. Your Philippine nursing license does not transfer to Korea on its own.
Be the first to know
Answer five quick questions, then save them with a free account. We’ll email you the day it opens, and show you whether you already qualify.
Get notified when it opensQuestions first? Send us a message or email hello@studyeverywhere.ph.