The number of foreign students is decreasing at Korean universities in the wake of the government’s tougher rules on foreign students’ admission.
Universities are saying the number of foreign students has decreased by up to 200. Many universities in Seoul are no exception.
The decrease is seen as a result of the education ministry’s tightened administration standards for foreign students’ admission, experts said.
Universities, in fear of being black listed for not following the rules, have autonomously heightened their admission standards, they said.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology proposed a guideline last September limiting the admission of foreign students to only those with a level 3 on TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) or above.
Universities are trying to come up with fresh solutions.
An officer from Kyung Hee University in Seoul said the school was “planning to participate in promoting fairs overseas to attract more students.” Kyung Hee is also planning to open an English track program for foreign students. “This would allow foreign students to graduate after taking only English courses,” he said.