Korean Academic Calendar: March and September Intakes

When the Korean school year starts, how semesters and breaks work, when to apply for March and September intakes, and an example timeline for a September start.

Updated Oct 21, 2026As of Oct 20264 min read

In Korea, the academic year starts in March, not in September. If you plan with another country’s calendar, you can miss a deadline by months. Here is how the Korean school year works.

Semesters and breaks

Spring semester (1st semester): March to June, about 16 weeks.
Summer break: late June to August. Some schools run short summer sessions.
Fall semester (2nd semester): September to December, about 16 weeks.
Winter break: late December to February. Some schools run short winter sessions.

Intakes

Universities admit international students for March (spring) and September (fall). Application windows usually open several months earlier. Often this is around the previous autumn for March, and around spring of the same year for September. Dates change every year, so check each school’s notice. Language institutes are different: they usually have about four 10-week terms a year, so you can start more often.

Intake	When to apply (usually)	Visa application	Arrival
University – March	Around the previous autumn	As soon as you get the certificate of admission	Before orientation (check the date)
University – September	Around spring of the same year	As soon as you get the certificate of admission	Before orientation (check the date)
Language institute – each term	Usually a few months before the term	As soon as you get the certificate of admission	A few days before the term (before the level test)

Swipe to see the whole table

Visa processing takes time, and it differs by country. Do not buy non-refundable flight tickets until your visa is issued.

Example timeline: September university intake

1
About 12 months before (September of the previous year)
Research schools and majors. Check the language requirement, and start or continue studying Korean.
2
10–8 months before (November–January)
Take TOPIK if you need it (check dates on topik.go.kr). Get an apostille or consular confirmation for your diploma and transcripts.
3
6–4 months before (March–May)
Apply during the application window. Prepare a study plan and proof of funds.
4
About 3 months before (June)
Check your results. Pay tuition and receive the certificate of admission.
5
2–1 months before (July–August)
Apply for your D-2 visa. Apply for the dormitory, and buy flights after the visa is issued.
6
Arrival (late August)
Arrive before orientation. Apply for your residence card (ARC) within 90 days of entry.

This is only an example. Write down the real dates from your school’s notice and plan backwards from the deadline.

Official sources

We link to the original source so you can check it yourself.

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