STUDY NURSING IN SOUTH KOREA: A NEW OPPORTUNITY WITH 24 DESIGNATED UNIVERSITIES

South Korea is currently facing a serious shortage of caregivers for the elderly. To address this issue, in 2025 the Ministry of Justice of South Korea and the Ministry of Health and Welfare of South Korea announced a list of 24 designated universities authorized to train international students in elderly care and nursing programs.

This is great news for students who wish to study nursing in South Korea, offering not only academic opportunities but also long-term employment prospects in the country.

The two ministries officially released the final results of the university selection process aimed at training foreign caregivers for the elderly in order to address the growing domestic labor shortage in the care sector.

A comprehensive training system for international students

The designated university system is a comprehensive management model in which outstanding universities in each region are selected as “training institutions.” These institutions are responsible for managing the entire process, including:

• International student recruitment

• Operation of degree programs

• Support for obtaining professional certificates

• Job placement assistance after graduation

This selection process was carried out based on the plan announced on March 5, 2025, during the 30th Foreign Policy Committee Meeting, jointly organized by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

A selection committee, including independent experts, was established to evaluate universities recommended by 13 provincial and metropolitan local governments across the country.

As a result, 24 universities were designated as official training institutions. Notably, Daegu and Daejeon did not participate in the process, while Sejong and Gangwon Province had no universities applying for designation.

Pilot program from 2026 to 2027

The 24 selected institutions will operate the program during a two-year pilot period (2026–2027).

These universities will establish specialized departments exclusively for international students, offering training programs for elderly caregivers that include:

• Specialized Korean language education

• Professional nursing and caregiving courses

• Training programs aligned with guidelines from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare

The designated universities can officially begin operating their degree programs starting from the first semester of the 2026 academic year. From the 2026 admissions cycle, they are also permitted to use the official title “University for Training Foreign Caregivers for the Elderly” in their admission materials.

To operate this program, universities must also be recognized by their provincial or metropolitan governments as “Caregiver Training Institutions” under the Elderly Welfare Act.

Special benefits for designated universities and international students

Universities participating in the program will receive several preferential policies.

For example, if they wish to participate in programs such as the Early Adaptation Program or the Social Integration Program linked with universities operated by the Ministry of Justice, they will receive priority during the evaluation process.

International students studying in these specialized departments will also benefit from supportive policies, including:

• Relaxed financial requirements for student visa applications

• Specialized Korean language training

• Guidance for obtaining professional certifications

• Job placement support after graduation

These measures aim to attract and train high-quality international talent in the caregiving sector.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health and Welfare will continue to work with local governments to conduct regular inspections and evaluations of the designated universities’ operations and training quality.

During the pilot period, each university must conduct self-evaluations after every semester to review training outcomes and address potential issues. Before the end of the pilot phase, both ministries will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether the program should transition to full-scale implementation.

According to Jeong Seong-ho, the training system will allow regional universities to directly cultivate caregiving professionals needed by local communities, thereby contributing significantly to solving the labor shortage in the care sector.

Meanwhile, Jeong Eun-kyung emphasized that the program will play a key role in ensuring a stable workforce in the future, while the government will also continue improving working conditions and benefits for caregivers.

Why study nursing in South Korea now?

High and stable demand for caregivers

South Korea is experiencing rapid population aging, which has led to a significant increase in demand for elderly care services. This new training program is considered a strategic solution to secure qualified caregivers for many years ahead.

Special support policies for international students

Students studying at the 24 designated universities will receive several benefits, including:

• Relaxed financial requirements for student visa applications

• Specialized Korean language education

• Guidance in obtaining professional certification

• Job placement assistance after graduation

Long-term career opportunities in South Korea

After completing the training program, graduates may work at elderly care facilities or hospitals in South Korea with competitive salaries and benefits, and may also have opportunities for long-term employment and legal residency.

Advice for Vietnamese students

If you are looking for a stable field of study with strong job prospects and clear government support policies, studying nursing in South Korea is definitely worth considering.

Students are encouraged to prepare their applications early for the 2026 admission cycle in order to take full advantage of the favorable policies offered by the South Korean government.