ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT

영문법령 불러오는 중…

ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT — 법갈피

Article 4(School regulations) #

(1) Any school regulations referred to in Article 6 of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "school regulations") shall specify the following matters: <Amended on Jan. 13, 2006; Dec. 16, 2014; May 28, 2018>

1. Major programs and the maximum number of students;

2. The duration of courses, term of attendance at school, semesters, the number of school days and holidays;

3. Admission, re-enrollment, transfer, leave of absence, reinstatement, movement between recruitment units or change of major, withdrawal, expulsion from school, repeating a year, completion, graduation and disciplinary actions;

4. The types and conferment of degrees and the cancellation of conferment thereof;

5. The operation of curricula, credits for courses, and management of school records;

6. Multiple majors and recognition of credits;

7. Registration and application for courses;

8. Open courses;

9. Teaching hours of school teachers;

10. Students' self-government activities, such as student councils;

11. Financial aid for students, such as scholarships;

12. Deleted; <Jan. 13, 2012>

13. Tuition fees, admission fees, or other expenses;

14. Amendment to school regulations;

15. Matters concerning the board of trustees;

16. Where a faculty council exists, matters thereon;

17. Other matters prescribed by statutes or regulations.

(2) Where a committee for recommendation of the head of a university under Article 24(2) of the Educational Officials Act selects candidates for the head of a university through open recruitment pursuant to Article 12-4(2) of the Decree on Appointment of Public Educational Officials, the relevant national teachers' college or comprehensive teachers' training college established under Article 43(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "teachers' training colleges") shall specify the details regarding such selection in its school regulations. <Added on Jan. 6, 2012>

(3) Where the head of a school intends to enact or amend school regulations pursuant to Article 6(1) of the Act, he or she shall undergo due formalities of prior notice, deliberation, and promulgation of a draft establishment and draft amendment, as determined by school regulations. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2006; Jan. 6, 2012>

(4) Deleted. <Jan. 20, 2012>

(5) Deleted. <Jan. 20, 2012>

Article 4-3(Procedures for consultation on development and change of higher education financial support projects) #

(1) Where the head of a central administrative agency intends to develop or change a project to provide financial support or grant a subsidy for schools pursuant to Article 7-2(3) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "higher education financial support project"), he or she shall request the Minister of Education to consult thereon by April 30 of the year preceding the year in which such project is developed or changed; provided, if there is an urgent need for consultation and coordination in consideration of the environmental changes in higher education, a request for consultation may be made even after April 30.

(2) Matters requested for consultation under paragraph (1) shall include the following:

1. A detailed project plan, such as the objectives, targets, details, and methods of selection and evaluation of a higher education financial support project;

2. Grounds for development or change of a higher education financial support project;

3. Short-term, mid-term and long-term budget plans necessary for the development and change of a higher education financial project;

4. Whether the plan complies with a master plan for financial support for higher education and the annual support plan under Article 7-2(1) of the Act;

5. Expected outcomes of the development and change of a higher education financial project, including the mid- and long-term policy direction and effects on schools, and performance management plans therefor;

6. Other matters requiring consultation for the development and change of a higher education financial project.

(3) The Minister of Education may establish the standards, procedures, etc. necessary for the consultation under paragraph (1) and notify them to the heads of relevant central administrative agencies.

(4) Where the Minister of Education deems it necessary for consultation and coordination under paragraph (1), he or she may undergo deliberation and coordination by the Higher Education Financial Support Committee under Article 4-5(1).

(5) The Minister of Education shall notify the Minister of Economy and Finance of the results of consultation and coordination concerning the development and change of higher education financial projects.

(6) Upon receipt of notification under paragraph (5), the Minister of Strategy and Finance may formulate a budget bill in consideration of the results of consultation and coordination as at the time of formulating the budget bill under Article 32 of the National Finance Act.

[This Article Added on Feb. 28, 2022]

[Previous Article 4-3 moved to Article 4-6 <Feb. 28, 2022>]

Article 4-5(Composition and operation of higher education financial support committee) #

(1) The Higher Education Financial Support Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Financial Support Committee") shall be established under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Education to deliberate and coordinate on the following matters pursuant to Article 7-2(5) of the Act:

1. Formulating a master plan and an annual support plan for higher education under Article 7-2(1) of the Act;

2. Matters concerning consultation and coordination on projects for financial support for higher education;

3. Other matters deemed necessary by the Chairperson of the Finance Support Committee (hereafter in this Article, referred to as the "Chairperson") to expand support for higher education and to make strategic financial resources investment.

(2) The Financial Support Committee shall be comprised of not more than 20 members, including one Chairperson.

(3) The Minister of Education shall be the Chairperson, and the following persons shall be the members: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Governmental members: The Minister of Economy and Finance, the Minister of Science and ICT, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Minister of Employment and Labor, the Minister of SMEs and Startups, and other heads of relevant central administrative agencies deemed necessary by the Chairperson;

2. Commissioned members: The Chairperson of the Korean Council for University Education under Article 2(1) of the Korean Council for University Education Act, the Chairperson of the Korea Council for University College Education under Article 2(1) of the Korean Council for University College Education Act, and persons commissioned by the Chairperson in consideration of gender as those with extensive knowledge of and experience in financial management, etc. in the field of education.

(4) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (3), matters necessary for the composition and operation of the Financial Support Committee shall be determined by the Minister of Education.

[This Article Added on Feb. 28, 2022]

[Previous Article 4-5 moved to Article 4-8 <Feb. 28, 2022>]

Article 4-9(Procedure for and disclosure of result of educational statistic surveys) #

(1) An educational statistics survey shall be separately conducted as a regular survey and frequent survey.

(2) Regular surveys shall be conducted on base dates of April 1 and October 1 annually; and frequent surveys shall be conducted when the Minister of Education deems necessary.

(3) The Minister of Education shall finalize guidelines for an educational statistic survey including the standardized survey classification system before base dates of regular surveys under paragraph (2) and notify the heads of higher education institutions thereof.

(4) Where the head of a higher education institution submits data pursuant to Article 11-3(2) of the Act, he or she shall prepare data in accordance with the guidelines for an educational statistic survey under paragraph (3) and submit it to the Minister of Education within 20 days from the base dates of surveys under paragraph (2).

(5) Where the data submitted under paragraph (4) needs to be amended and supplemented, the Minister of Education may request the heads of higher education institutions to amend and supplement such data.

(6) When an educational statistic survey is completed, the Minister of Education shall make the result public by using methods to generally disseminate such result, including posting on the website of the Ministry of Education.

(7) The Minister of Education may establish and operate a system (hereinafter referred to as "educational statistic survey system") which processes, records and manages information on educational statistic after integrating and connecting such information in order to collect and manage data about educational statistics.

(8) The Minister of Education may exchange and cooperate with an international organization, foreign State, or foreign agency for advancement of educational statistics.

(9) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (8), matters necessary for an educational statistic survey other than those prescribed in shall be determined by the Minister of Education.

[This Article Added on Jun. 20, 2017]

[Moved from Article 4-6 <Feb. 28, 2022>]

Article 4-11(Standards and procedures for appointing instructors) #

(1) The following appointment standards and procedures shall be met when appointing instructors pursuant to Article 14-2(1) of the Act:

1. Instructors shall be appointed open to the public from among persons in compliance with the qualification standards for instructors prescribed in Article 16 of this Act and Article 2 of the Regulations on the Standards for Qualifications of University Faculty Members by undergoing an objective and fair screening;

2. A screening committee shall be organized for screening prescribed in subparagraph 1. In such cases, the methods of appointing or commissioning the members of the screening committee, screening methods, and other matters necessary for screening shall be prescribed by school regulations or by the articles of association of school foundations;

3. Deliberation and resolution shall be conducted by university personnel committees prescribed in Article 5(1) of the Educational Officials Act or by teacher's personnel committees prescribed in Article 53-4(1) of the Private School Act. In such cases, the results of screening by screening committees prescribed in subparagraph 2 shall be verified in the process of deliberation and resolution, and deliberation and resolution may be made in writing.

(2) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the period of appointment and wages" in the main clause, with the exception of the subparagraphs, of Article 14-2(1) of the Act means the following matters:

1. Period of appointment;

2. Wages (including wages paid during the vacation pursuant to Article 14-2(4) of the Act);

3. Grounds for dismissal;

4. Re-appointment procedures prescribed in paragraph (3);

5. Other matters concerning working conditions, such as lecturing hours and services.

(3) Re-appointment procedures prescribed in Article 14-2(3) of the Act shall include the following matters:

1. Matters concerning the advance notice of the fact that the period of appointment is terminated;

2. Matters concerning the conditions of re-appointment.

(4) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) through (3), an instructor may be appointed by school regulations or by the articles of association of the school foundation in either of the following cases:

1. Where falling under any of the subparagraphs of Article 14-2(1) of the Act;

2. Where a junior college intends to appoint a person, who has been working as a permanent employee of an industrial entity for not less than three years, as an instructor.

[This Article Added on Jun. 11, 2019]

[Moved from Article 4-8 <Feb. 28, 2022>]

Article 7(Honorary professors) #

Pursuant to Article 17(1) of the Act, the head of a school may appoint or commission honorary professors, teachers holding concurrent posts, visiting teachers, etc. according to the following classifications, respectively:

1. Honorary professors: Persons who have demonstrated outstanding educational or academic achievements and are prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education;

2. Teachers holding concurrent posts: Persons who satisfy all the following conditions and are required to teach subjects requiring practical experiences at industrial entities, such as practical affairs, experiment and practical skill instead of subjects on pure academic theories:

a. A person who complies with the qualification standards for assistant professors or higher prescribed in Article 16 of this Act and Article 2 of the Regulations on the Standards for Qualifications of University Faculty Members and has professional knowledge on the relevant areas;

b. A person whose job in the institution to which he or she belongs is similar to the contents he or she is to teach or study;

c. A person who is a permanent employee of the institution to which he or she belongs (excluding fixed-term employees and part-time employees prescribed in subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Article 2 of the Act on the Protection of Fixed-Term and Part-Time Employees) with a working experience of not less than three years (including working experiences in similar areas before belonging to the institution to which he or she belongs); provided, in cases of appointing teachers holding concurrent posts working in the form of full-time worker, persons taking a leave of absence in the institution to which they belong shall be included;

3. Visiting teachers, etc.: Persons who comply with the qualification standards for assistant professors or higher prescribed in Article 16 of this Act and Article 2 of the Regulations on the Standards for Qualifications of University Faculty Members or persons who have an experience equivalent thereto in the relevant area and are required to teach special subjects. In such cases, visiting teachers shall satisfy all the following matters:

a. To be paid in a fixed amount monthly;

b. To be an employment-provided policyholder of a school by the National Health Insurance Act;

c. The payment of retirement allowance is stipulated in the appointment contract or employment conditions.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 11, 2019]

Article 9-2(Requests for materials from board of trustees) #

(1) Where the board of trustees requests the relevant materials pursuant to the former part of Article 19-2(5) of the Act, it shall make a written statement specifying the relevant materials.

(2) Where the board of trustees finds any deletion in the materials submitted pursuant to Article 19-2(5) of the Act or finds such materials requiring supplementation, it may, in writing, request the head of the school to submit additional or supplementary materials.

(3) The board of trustees shall disclose the minutes of a meeting by posting them on the website of the relevant school within 10 days from the date following the date on which the relevant meeting is held pursuant to the main clause of Article 19-2(6) of the Act.

(4) "Matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 19-2(6) of the Act means any of the following matters:

1. Matters deemed likely to considerably threat the privacy of individuals, if disclosed;

2. Matters deemed likely to impair the fairness of deliberation;

3. Other matters deemed unsuitable to be disclosed.

(5) Where the board of trustees determines not to disclose the whole or part of the minutes pursuant to the proviso of Article 19-2(6) of the Act, it shall publish the grounds for non-disclosure and the period of non-disclosure, and shall, upon the disappearance of the grounds for non-disclosure or upon the termination of the period of non-disclosure, disclose the relevant matters immediately. In such cases, the publication and the disclosure shall be achieved through the website of the relevant school.

(6) Where it is intended to determine matters necessary for the organization, operation, etc. of the board of trustees by the articles of incorporation of the incorporated school foundation and school regulations pursuant to Article 19-2(7) of the Act, opinions shall be collected from teachers, staff, assistant instructors, students, etc.

[This Article Added on May 28, 2018]

Article 9-3(Establishment and operation of human rights center) #

(1) Where a school establishes and operates a human rights center under Article 19-3(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "human rights center"), it shall ensure independence in the performance of its duties.

(2) A human rights center shall meet the following standards in terms of human resources and facilities:

1. It shall have a person in charge of prevention of, and response to, damage from sexual harassment or sexual violence and a person in charge of counseling and investigation on human rights violations, respectively;

2. It shall provide a space equipped with devices such as closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) and emergency bells, so as to ensure the safety of a person in charge of counseling and investigation from verbal abuse, assault, etc., which may occur in the course of counseling and investigation about cases received by a human rights center.

(3) The head of a human rights center shall be appointed or commissioned by the head of a school from among the following persons:

1. A teacher who is placed in a school where a human rights center is established and who is at least an associate professor under Article 14(2) of the Act;

2. External experts with extensive knowledge of and experience in the protection of human rights.

(4) A human rights center operation committee shall be established under a human rights center to deliberate on important matters concerning the operation of the human rights center.

(5) Members of a human rights center operation committee under paragraph (4) shall be appointed or commissioned by the head of a school from among the following persons:

1. Teachers and staff;

2. Students;

3. Experts with extensive knowledge of and experience in the protection of human rights.

(6) With respect to members commissioned under paragraph (5)2 and 3 (hereafter in this Article referred to as "commissioned member"), members of a particular gender shall not exceed 6/10 of the total number of the commissioned members.

(7) Among the commissioned members, the number of student members shall be at least two, accounting for at least 3/10 of the total number of the commissioned members.

[This Article Added on Mar. 22, 2022]

Article 13(Joint operation of courses by domestic universities and foreign universities) #

(1) Where universities, colleges, industrial colleges, industrial colleges, teachers' colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, technical colleges, cyber colleges, and various kinds of schools designated by the Minister of Education pursuant to the proviso of Article 59(4) of the Act operate educational courses pursuant to the proviso of Article 21(1) of the Act, they may operate the following courses jointly with one or more domestic or foreign universities or other domestic universities or foreign universities (limited to foreign universities accredited by an evaluation and accreditation body accredited by the relevant foreign countries or foreign countries): <Amended on Oct. 17, 2011; Jan. 20, 2012; Mar. 23, 2012; Mar. 23, 2013; Sep. 24, 2013; Apr. 18, 2023; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Universities or colleges, industrial colleges and teachers' colleges: Bachelor's degree courses or graduate school courses;

2. Distance learning colleges: Associate degree courses, bachelor's degree courses, advanced major courses for which bachelor's degrees are awarded (limited to cyber colleges), or graduate school courses;

3. Junior colleges: Associate degree courses, bachelor's degree courses, advanced major courses for which bachelor's degrees are awarded, or professional technical master courses;

4. Technical colleges and various other schools designated by the Minister of Education pursuant to Article 59(4) of the Act: Associate degree courses or bachelor's degree courses.

(2) Degrees awarded by schools that jointly operate the curricula pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be in accordance with Articles 35 and 50 (including cases applicable mutatis mutandis in Articles 59 (4)), 50-2, 50-3, 50-4, 54, 54-2 and 58 of the Act; provided, if necessary, a degree may be jointly awarded by another domestic university or college or a foreign university or college that jointly operates the curricula with the domestic university or college. <Amended on Jan. 20, 2012; Dec. 16, 2014; May 8, 2017; Sep. 24, 2021; Apr. 18, 2023>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jan. 16, 2009]

[Title Amended on Jan. 20, 2012]

Article 13-2(Operation of educational courses of domestic universities and colleges by foreign universities and colleges) #

(1) Pursuant to Article 21(2) of the Act, domestic universities and colleges may allow foreign universities and colleges to offer the following educational courses of domestic universities and colleges; in such cases, the foreign universities and colleges shall be accredited by their countries or by accreditation agencies certified by their countries: <Amended on Sep. 24, 2021; Apr. 18, 2023>

1. Universities or colleges, industrial colleges and teachers' colleges: Bachelor's degree courses or graduate school courses;

2. Junior colleges: Associate degree courses, bachelor's degree courses, advanced major courses for which bachelor's degrees are awarded, or professional technical master courses;

3. Distance learning colleges: Associate degree courses, bachelor's degree courses, advanced major courses for which bachelor's degrees are awarded (limited to cyber colleges) or graduate school courses;

4. Technical colleges and various other schools designated by the Minister of Education pursuant to Article 59(4) of the Act: Associate degree courses or bachelor's degree courses.

(2) Matters concerning the operation of curricula under the former part of paragraph (1), with the exception of its subparagraphs, such as the details of the curricula, methods of classes, completion of credits, etc. shall be prescribed by school regulations. <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), no domestic university or college shall allow a foreign university or college to operate educational courses of the relevant recruitment unit in any of the following cases: <Added on Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Where the head of a central administrative agency determines the fixed number of personnel for each recruitment unit by recruitment unit (including where the fixed number of personnel for each recruitment unit is determined by school regulations, which is determined by the Minister of Education pursuant to Article 28(3)1 and 2);

2. Where statutes or regulations prescribe the fixed number of personnel for each recruitment unit;

3. Where the head of a school established or founded pursuant to any of the following statutes or regulations determines the fixed number of personnel for each recruitment unit, which is a curriculum operated by a school established or founded pursuant to any of the following statutes or regulations:

a. The Establishment of the Korean National Police University Act (only applicable to master's and doctoral degree courses);

b. The Act on Establishment of the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy;

c. The National Lifelong Vocational Skills Development Act;

d. The Establishment of Military Academies Act;

e. The Act on the Establishment of the Korea Army Academy at Yeongcheon;

f. The Act on the Establishment of Korea National College of Agriculture and Fisheries;

g. The Act on the Korea Institute of Energy Technology;

h. The Decree on the Establishment of the Korea National University of Arts.

[This Article Added on May 28, 2018]

Article 15(Scope of and standards for recognition of credits) #

(1) "Scope prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 23(1), with the exception of its subparagraphs, of the Act means the scope classified as follows: <Amended on Oct. 25, 2016; May. 28, 2018; Feb. 28, 2022; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. In cases falling under Article 23(1)1 through 3 or 5 of the Act: The following relevant credits:

a. Where the relevant school has completed an educational course jointly operated by another domestic or foreign university or college pursuant to Article 13(1): Within the scope of recognition of credits determined through an agreement between universities and colleges;

b. Where the relevant school has completed an educational course operated by a foreign university or college pursuant to Article 13-2(1): Within the scope of recognition of credits determined through an agreement between universities or colleges;

c. In cases other than those referred to in items a and b: Not more than 1/2 of the credits required for graduation;

2. In cases falling under Article 23(1)4 of the Act: Not more than six credits per semester and not more than 12 credits per year;

3. In cases falling under Article 23(1)6 of the Act: Not more than 1/4 of the credits required for graduation.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in cases falling under any of paragraph (1)1a or c and subparagraph 3 of the same paragraph, the standards with larger credit recognition scope shall apply. <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

(3) Where the head of a school intends to recognize a student's acquisition of credits pursuant to Article 23(1)6 of the Act, he or she shall have a relationship as prescribed by school regulations between the curriculum according to the major selected by the relevant student pursuant to Article 19 and the experience of studying, researching, practical training, or working in other domestic or foreign schools, research institutes, or industrial enterprises, etc. <Amended on May. 28, 2018; Feb. 28, 2022; Feb. 28, 2022; Feb. 20, 2024>

(4) Deleted. <Mar. 28, 2023>

(5) Deleted. <Mar. 28, 2023>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 11, 2014]

Article 28(Maximum student number) #

(1) The maximum student number for each university or college (including industrial colleges, teachers colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, distance learning colleges and various kinds of schools, but excluding graduate schools and graduate school universities or colleges) under Article 32 of the Act shall be prescribed by school regulations per recruitment unit (hereinafter referred to as "recruitment unit") based on the maximum student number allowed entrance, and it shall not exceed the number of students that is determined according to the size of a school building, a school site, and faculty, and value of for-profit assets under the Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of Universities and Colleges; provided, the maximum student number of cyber colleges shall be determined in accordance with the size of a school building, site, and faculty, and capacity of cyber educational facilities and value of for-profit assets under the Regulations for Establishment and Operation of Cyber Colleges, and these new entrants to cyber colleges may be recruited either as a freshman for the relevant year or junior, as prescribed by school regulations. <Amended on Jan. 29, 2001; Nov. 15, 2007; Jun. 5, 2008>

(2) Deleted. <Jan. 16, 2009>

(3) In determining the maximum student number allowed entrance per recruitment unit according to school regulations pursuant to paragraph (1), universities or colleges shall comply with the following determined by the Minister of Education: <Amended on Jan. 29, 2001; Mar. 25, 2005; Jan. 13, 2006; Feb. 29, 2008; Sep. 1, 2010; Mar. 23, 2013>

1. The maximum student number for each recruitment unit concerning the training of school teachers;

2. The maximum student number for each recruitment unit for the training of human resources under the following:

a. Medical personnel under Article 2(1) of the Medical Service Act;

b. Medical technicians under Article 1 of the Medical Service Technologists Act;

c. Pharmacists and herb pharmacists under subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act;

d. Veterinarians under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Veterinarians Act;

3. The maximum student number for schools to which regulation on total quantity applies pursuant to Article 18(3) of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act;

4. The maximum student number for national schools;

5. The maximum student number for public schools.

(4) The Minister of Education shall consult with the head of a relevant central administrative agency to determine matters under paragraph (3)2 through 4, or he or she shall hear the opinion of the head of a relevant local government to determine matters under paragraph (3)5. <Amended on Jan. 29, 2001; Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013>

(5) The maximum number of students allowed entrance to the school of pharmacy at a university under Article 25(2) shall be the number of students that are deemed qualified by the Minister of Education to take major courses for each recruitment unit in the school of pharmacy under paragraph (3)2. <Added on Jan. 13, 2006; Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013>

Article 29(Admission and transfer admission) #

(1) Notwithstanding Article 28(1), the head of each university or college (including industrial colleges, teachers' colleges, teachers' colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, cyber colleges, cyber colleges, and various kinds of schools, but excluding graduate schools and graduate school universities or colleges) shall permit admission (including transfer; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) within the limit of the number of recruited persons whose admission quota has been adjusted in accordance with the standards determined by the Minister of Education, if any ground prescribed by the Minister of Education exists, such as where it is necessary to adjust the fixed number of departments, etc. to cope with changes in the educational environment. <Amended on Feb. 28, 2022; Feb. 20, 2024>

(2) Notwithstanding Article 28(1), the fixed number of persons falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be deemed to have been separately admitted. In such cases, the total number of persons falling under subparagraph 2,3,8,9,11,12,13, or 14 shall be deemed separately admitted: <Amended on Nov. 28, 2000; Jan. 29, 2001; Dec. 31, 2001; Dec. 31, 2002; May. 27, 2002; Mar. 25, 2005; Jan. 13, 2006; Jan. 24, 2007; Apr. 12, 2007; Nov. 12, 2007; Nov. 18, 2007; Feb. 14, 2008; Feb. 29, 2008; Jan. 16, 2008; Jun. 5, 2008; Sep. 18, 2008; Oct. 7, 2009; Oct. 27, 2009; Jun. 29, 2010; Sep. 1, 2010; Oct. 17, 2010; Mar. 23, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Feb. 11, 2014; Apr. 29, 2014; Nov. 30, 2015; Aug. 29, 2016; Oct. 25, 2016; Oct. 17, 2017; Oct. 17, 2017; Oct. 16, 2018; Feb. 28, 2018; Feb. 28, 2022; Apr. 18, 2023; Oct. 20, 2024; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Students commissioned by industrial enterprises under Article 53-2 and other commissioned students prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Education;

2. Overseas Koreans and foreigners (excluding overseas Koreans and foreigners referred to in subparagraphs 6 and 7);

3. Persons who are deemed to have earned a bachelor's degree or to have an academic background equivalent to or higher than the same level and are transferred to the third grade admission; provided, persons who are transferred to a medical college of a university or college and persons who are transferred to a department, etc. of a junior college with a term of not more than three years of study shall be excluded herefrom;

4. Persons designated by the heads of universities or colleges who have special educational needs due to various problems or disorders;

5. Deleted; <Feb. 14, 2008>

6. North Korean refugees and foreign students whose parents are both foreign nationals;

7. The following persons who have completed all curricula equivalent to those provided by elementary and secondary schools of the Republic of Korea in a foreign country:

a. Overseas Koreans;

b. Foreigners;

c. Persons permitted to be naturalized under Article 6(2) of the Nationality Act;

8. Persons who have graduated from any university or college, industrial college, teacher’s college, junior college, technical college, or distance learning colleges or who are recognized to have an at least equivalent level of education (limited to persons who have been admitted to junior colleges);

9. Persons who transfer to the junior year at universities or colleges which have educational courses connected with junior colleges awarding associate degrees (excluding those located in the Seoul metropolitan area under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act), industrial colleges or distance learning colleges;

10. Deleted; <Feb. 14, 2008>

11. A person who has an associate degree in a related department, etc. for training medical personnel (referring to nurses, medical technologists, clinical technologists, radiological technologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental technicians, and dental hygienists) and a person who has an associate degree in a related department, etc. for training kindergarten teachers;

12. Persons aged at least 25 years who have been admitted to junior colleges (excluding junior colleges located in the Seoul metropolitan area under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act) or those who have worked for at least two years at any industrial company;

12-2. Persons aged at least 30 years who enter a university, industrial college, or technical college (excluding any university, industrial college, or technical college located in the Seoul metropolitan area under the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act);

13. Persons who are admitted to advanced major courses through which bachelor's degrees are awarded pursuant to Articles 50-2 and 54-2 of the Act;

14. The following persons who need to be selected to ensure equal opportunities for higher education in consideration of the gaps in income, regional circumstances, etc.:

a. Students residing in agricultural or fishing villages determined by the heads of schools or in islands or remote areas prescribed in Article 2 of the Act on the Promotion of Education in Islands and Remote Areas;

b. Graduates (limited to the recruitment units deemed by the head of a specialized high school under subparagraph 1,2,4, or 6 of Article 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which are recognized by the head of the relevant school as recruited by the head of the relevant school as having the same departments as those provided by the specialized high school, among departments established in general high schools under subparagraph 1 of Article 76-3 of the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; hereinafter referred to as "specialized high schools, etc.") from among specialized high schools under Article 91(1) of the Enforcement Decree of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which provide experience-oriented education, such as field training in nature, etc., specialized in specialized high schools;

c. A person who has been working for an industrial enterprise and meets all of the following requirements (limited to a person admitted to a school defined in subparagraph 1, 2, 4, and 6 of Article 2 of the Act):

1) A person who falls under any of the following:

2) The combined period of work experience at any of the following industrial enterprises shall be at least three years:

d) The period during which he or she worked for an industrial enterprise after graduating from a school or completing the curriculum of a lifelong education establishment pursuant to (i) a) through d);

1) Eligible beneficiaries referred to in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the National Basic Living Security Act;

2) Persons in the second-lowest income bracket referred to in subparagraph 10 of Article 2 of the National Basic Living Security Act;

3) Persons eligible for support under Articles 5 and 5-2 the Single-Parent Family Support Act;

15. A person who transfers to another school to the same recruitment unit or similar recruitment unit of another school due to any of the following grounds arising in the school to which he or she belongs:

a. Closure of Schools under Article 4(3) of the Act;

b. Closure of Schools under Article 62(1) of the Act;

c. Bankruptcy of School Foundations under Article 34(1)4 of the Private School Act;

16. Persons who have transferred to the same recruitment unit of another school due to the abolition of a recruitment unit for the training of human resources under items of Article 28(3)2 as a consequence of the abolition of a department under Article 60(2) of the Act.

(3) Notwithstanding Article 28(1), the head of a university or college may permit students to transfer to another recruitment unit, as prescribed by school regulations; provided, where they are transferred to another recruitment unit falling under Article 28(3)1, they shall not exceed 20/100 of the admission quota, and where they are transferred to another recruitment unit falling under Article 28(3)2, they shall not exceed the admission quota. <Amended by Mar. 26, 1999; Sep. 18, 2008; Jan. 17, 2017; Feb. 20, 2024>

(4) Where the head of a university or college intends to grant permission to transfer to a pharmacy college (excluding a department related to pharmacy) or transfer to a university or college pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3), he or she shall target persons who have completed at least two years in another department or college or persons who are deemed to have equivalent or higher academic background, and shall comply with school regulations. <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

(5) Notwithstanding Article 28(1), the heads of industrial colleges, junior colleges, distance learning colleges and various kinds of schools may permit students to shift to another recruitment unit of the same grade, as determined by school regulations. <Amended on Jan. 13, 2006; Jun. 5, 2008>

(6) Separate curricula may be provided to students admitted to a school pursuant to paragraph (2)14c, as determined by school regulations. <Added on Oct. 17, 2011>

(7) Notwithstanding Article 28(1), where any registered student of a recruitment unit closed due to the abolition of a recruitment unit shifts to another recruitment unit, it shall be deemed that such quota separately exists while he or she remains registered with the recruitment unit. <Added on Feb. 28, 2022>

[Title Amended on Jan. 17, 2017]

Article 30(Maximum student numbers for graduate schools) #

(1) The student enrollment quota of a graduate school under Article 32 of the Act shall be determined by the relevant graduate school regulations, not exceeding the number of students determined based on a school building size, school site area, faculty number, and value of for-profit assets under the Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of Universities and Colleges. <Amended on Nov. 28, 2000; Jan. 29, 2001; Nov. 15, 2007; Jun. 5, 2008; Jan. 16, 2009>

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the student enrollment quota of a cyber graduate school shall be determined by school regulations, not exceeding the number of students determined based on a school building size, faculty number, capacity of cyber educational facilities, and value of for-profit assets under the Regulations for the Establishment and Operation of Cyber Colleges. <Added on Jun. 5, 2008; Amended on Nov. 18, 2015>

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any of the following student enrollment quotas shall be determined by school regulations, as prescribed by the Minister of Education: <Added on May 28, 2018>

(4) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), any of the following student enrollment quotas shall be determined by school regulations, as prescribed by the Minister of Education: <Added on May 28, 2018>

1. Student enrollment quotas of a graduate school university to which the quantity-based regulation applies pursuant to Article 18(3) of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act;

2. Student enrollment quotas of graduate schools of national universities;

3. Student enrollment quotas of graduate schools of public universities.

(5) Where the Minister of Education intends to determine matters concerning paragraph (4)1 and 2, he or she shall consult with the heads of the central administrative agencies, and where he or she intends to determine matters concerning subparagraph 3 of that paragraph, he or she shall consider the opinions of the heads of the relevant local governments. <Added on May 28, 2018>

(6) Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), the head of a school with a graduate school shall permit admission (including transfer; hereafter the same shall apply in this Article) within the scope of the number of recruited persons whose admission quota has been adjusted in accordance with the standards determined by the Minister of Education, if it is necessary to adjust the maximum number of departments, etc. to cope with changes in the educational environment, or if any other ground prescribed by the Minister of Education exists. <Added on Feb. 28, 2022; Feb. 20, 2024>

(7) The head of a school having graduate schools may grant admission to students within the student enrollment quota determined by school regulations; and grant transfer or readmission to students within the student enrollment quota (referring to the adjusted quota if the admission quota is adjusted under paragraph (6)) for the relevant year minus the number of enrolled students. <Amended on Jun. 5, 2008; Feb. 15, 2013; May 28, 2018; Feb. 28, 2022>

(8) The fixed number of students falling under any of the following subparagraphs shall be deemed separately fixed in addition to the fixed number under paragraphs (1) through (4). In such cases, the number of enrolled students falling under subparagraph 3 shall not exceed 5/100 of the fixed number of students admitted to the relevant graduate schools of medical science, dentistry, or oriental medicine under paragraph (3): <Amended on Feb. 15, 2013; Mar. 23, 2013; May. 28, 2018; Jul. 31, 2018; Feb. 28, 2018; Feb. 28, 2022; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Any of the following students who are admitted, transferred or readmitted to a graduate school:

a. Students entrusted by industrial entities under Article 53-2 and other students entrusted by Decree of the Ministry of Education;

b. North Korean refugees;

c. Foreigners whose parents are both foreign nationals;

d. Overseas Koreans or foreigners who have completed all curricula equivalent to or higher-level courses than those offered by Korea’s elementary and secondary education and college education in a foreign country;

2. Students who are admitted to graduate school courses operated jointly with foreign universities pursuant to Article 13(1)1 or 2;

3. Students who are admitted to graduate schools of medicine, dentistry or oriental medicine as students from physically, economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds whom the head of a college or university determines according to the standards the Minister of Education determines.

(9) Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, a student who is enrolled in a department or major that has been abolished due to the abolition of the department or major shall be considered to have a separate seat while he or she changes the department or major and continues to be enrolled in the department or major. <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

Article 33(Publication of implementation plans for screening of applicants for admission to universities or colleges) #

(1) Pursuant to Article 34-5(5) of the Act, implementation plans for screening of applicants for admission to universities or colleges shall be announced by the deadline set in the relevant subparagraph, in any of the following cases: <Amended on Oct. 22, 2019>

1. Where the principal of a distance learning college announces the implementation plan for screening of applicants for admission to the college: by four months prior to the start of each admission year;

2. Where the principal of a university or college (excluding distance learning colleges; hereafter in this subparagraph the same shall apply) under Article 34(1) of the Act which obtained authorization for establishment pursuant to Article 4(2) of the Act announces the implementation plan for screening of applicants for admission to the university or college for the year in which the relevant university or college is to open or the following year: by six months prior to the start of the admission year in which the relevant university or college is to open.

(2) The head of a university or college shall publish an implementation plan for the screening of applicants for the admission to the university or college in accordance with Article 34-5(4) and (5) of the Act, by posting the plan on the website of the university or college. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2019>

(3) Where any ground prescribed by Presidential Decree exists, such as the enactment or amendment of relevant statutes or regulations in the proviso to Article 34-5(6) of the Act means where it is necessary to amend an implementation plan for the screening of applicants for the admission to a university or college due to any of the following grounds: <Amended on Jul. 31, 2018; Oct. 22, 2019; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Where relevant statutes or regulations are enacted, amended, or repealed;

2. Where the reorganization of departments, etc. and adjustment of the fixed number of departments for the structural reform of universities or colleges are made;

3. Where basic rules on the screening of applicants for the admission to the university or college are amended under Article 32(2) and (3);

4. Where an administrative disposition is taken to reduce the maximum number of students, abolish a department, or suspend the recruitment of students according to an order for correction or modification issued under Article 60 of the Act;

5. Where an implementation plan for the screening of applicants for the admission to a university or college can be amended pursuant to any other statutes or regulations;

6. Where there are unavoidable causes the Minister of Education recognizes, such as a natural disaster.

(4) When the head of a university or college intends to amend an implementation plan for the screening of applicants for the admission to the university or college in accordance with the proviso of Article 34-5(6) of the Act, the head shall obtain approval therefor from the school consultative body one of whose members is the representative of the university or college; provided, where there is no school consultative body to which the representative of the relevant university or college belongs, the head shall consult thereon with the Minister of Education. <Amended on Nov. 18, 2015; Oct. 22, 2019>

(5) When the head of a university or college amends an implementation plan for the screening of applicants for the admission to the university or college in accordance with the proviso of Article 34-5 (46 of the Act, he or she shall post the amendment on the website of the university or college. <Amended on Oct. 22, 2019>

[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 29, 2014]

Article 42-3(Admission fees) #

(1) The head of a university or college may fully or partially exempt any of the following persons from admission fees, pursuant to Article 34-4(3) of the Act:

1. A person entitled to veterans‘ benefits defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 3 of the Framework Act on Veterans Affairs;

2. A recipient of assistances defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the National Basic Living Security Act;

3. A person whom the head of a university or college finds it necessary to fully or partially exempt from admission fees, such as a person who suffers financial hardship.

(2) The cases where admission fees are to be refunded and the amount of such refund under Article 34-4(4) of the Act shall be as follows:

1. Where an applicant for admission erroneously overpaid admission fees: The overpaid amount;

2. Where an applicant for admission was unable to undergo the admission screening due to the university's fault: The full amount of the admission fees paid;

3. Where an applicant for admission was unable to undergo the admission screening due to an act of God: The full amount of the admission fees paid;

4. Where an applicant for admission was unable to undergo the admission screening due to the applicant's hospitalization or death resulting from a disease or an accident (applicable only where relevant facts can be proved): The full amount of the admission fees paid;

5. Where an applicant for admission underwent some stages of the admission screening, which have been conducted by stages, but fails to pass any stage prior to the final stage of the admission screening: A portion of the amount required to go through the stages not undergone, out of the admission fees paid.

(3) The head of a university or college shall refund the amount of money left over from the revenue from the admission screening to the applicants for admission by not later than April 30 of the pertinent school year in proportion to the admission fees paid by each applicant, pursuant to Article 34-4(5) of the Act.

(4) Where the head of a university or college refunds admission fees under paragraph (2) or (3), he or she shall provide two or more methods for the refund so that each person entitled to the refund can choose a method. In such cases, such methods shall surely include the receipt of the refund in person at the school and the transfer to an account at the financial institution designated by each person entitled to the refund.

(5) If a person entitled to the refund chooses the transfer to an account at the financial institution designated by him or her, among the methods for the refund under paragraph (4), the head of the university or college may pay the refund after deducting the expenses incurred in using the financial institution's computer network from the refundable amount.

(6) If the expenses incurred in using a financial institution's computer network in refunding admission fees under paragraph (5) is greater than the refundable amount, the head of the university or college need not refund any amount.

(7) The head of a university or college shall state the rules under paragraphs (2) through (6) in detail on the application forms so that a person who intends to apply for admission can be informed of the rules on the refund of admission fees.

[This Article Added on Nov. 20, 2013]

Article 42-6(Operation of social integration admission process) #

(1) An entrance examination for persons who require differential educational compensation under Article 34-8(1) of the Act shall be conducted for the following persons:

1. Persons prescribed in Article 29(2)4 and items of subparagraph 14 of that paragraph;

2. Persons entitled to veterans‘ benefits under the Framework Act on Veterans Affairs;

3. Persons who fall under any subparagraph of Article 11 of the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Support for Five Islands of the Republic of Korea in the Yellow Sea;

4. Children who fall under any subparagraph of Article 38(2) of the Enforcement Decree of the Child Welfare Act;

5. Children of a North Korean defector under the North Korean Defector Protection and Settlement Support Act or children of a North Korean defector born in a third country;

6. Persons equivalent to those referred to in subparagraphs 1 through 5, specified by the basic rules on the selection of applicants for admission to each university or college under Article 34-5(3) of the Act as they are deemed to require differential educational compensation.

(2) "Ratio prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 34-8(1) of the Act means 10/100 of the total quota for admission.

(3) In calculating the ratio of the total quota for admission under paragraph (2), where the head of a local university under the Act on the Development of Local Universities and Colleges and Regional Human Resources recruits a person who has graduated from or is scheduled to graduate from a high school in the area where the university is located in accordance with the implementation plan for the selection of applicants for admission to the university or college under Article 34-5(4) of the Act, the number of persons recruited shall be calculated by including the total quota for admission under paragraph (2) within the limit of 5/100 of the total quota for admission.

(4) Where the head of a university or college located in the Seoul metropolitan area under the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act, among the universities and colleges (excluding junior colleges and distance learning colleges; hereafter in this Article, the same shall apply) under Article 34(1) of the Act, recruits students through admission process for balanced regional development under Article 34-8(3) of the Act, he or she shall endeavor to ensure that the prescribed number of students is at least 10/100 of the total quota for admission.

(5) In selecting students pursuant to paragraph (4), the head of a university shall select students from among the persons recommended by the head of a school under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and shall endeavor to preferentially consider the achievements of the subjects to be completed and the learning grades of the curricula acquired, among the data on the developmental conditions of the subjects referred to in Article 25(1)5 of that Act.

[This Article Added on Feb. 28, 2022]

Article 53(Recruitment of part-time enrollees) #

(1) The heads of universities or colleges (including industrial colleges, junior colleges, and distance learning colleges) may make use of the records of high school (including schools recognized as being equivalent to high school diploma after graduation) transcripts, academic records at the school from which an applicant recently graduated, grades and results of an interview in the qualification examination of high school education, etc. as screening data in recruiting persons who attend classes on a part-time basis pursuant to Article 36(1) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "part-time enrollees"). <Amended on Sep. 1, 2010; Jan. 6, 2015; Nov. 18, 2015; May 8, 2017>

(2) Detailed matters concerning the method for recruiting part-time enrollees under paragraph (1) shall be determined by school regulations. <Added on Sep. 1, 2010>

(3) Part-time enrollees under paragraph (1) shall be recruited and classified into a unit separate from the recruitment units related to the training of school personnel under Article 28(3)1 and training of human resources falling under the items of subparagraph 2 of that paragraph. <Added on Sep. 8, 2008; Sep. 1, 2010>

(4) The principal of a university and college (including industrial college, junior college, and distance learning college) may recruit part-time enrollees by classifying them into part-time enrollees who can take courses together with full-time students of the relevant university or college, and part-time enrollees who are allowed to take courses designed for them only. <Added on Sep. 8, 2008; Sep. 1, 2010; Sep. 6, 2022>

(5) The number of part-time enrollees that are allowed to take courses together with full-time students of the relevant university or college shall be determined by school regulations of the relevant universities or colleges (including industrial colleges and junior colleges; hereafter in this paragraph the same shall apply), and it shall not exceed 10/100 of the total maximum number of students allowed entrance to the relevant university or college. <Amended on Mar. 26, 1999; Mar. 25, 2005; Sep. 8, 2008; Sep. 1, 2010; Jan. 6, 2012>

(6) The number of part-time enrollees who take courses only for part-time enrollees shall be prescribed by the school regulations of the relevant universities or colleges (including industrial colleges and junior colleges; hereafter the same shall apply in this paragraph and paragraph (7)) within the limit of 30/100 of the total number of part-time enrollees enrolled in the universities or colleges located in the Seoul Metropolitan area under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act; provided, in cases of universities or colleges located in the Seoul Metropolitan area under subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act, the number of part-time enrollees shall not exceed 10/100 of the total number of part-time enrollees enrolled in the universities or colleges located in the Seoul Metropolitan area. <Added on Sep. 8, 2008; Sep. 1, 2010>

(7) The curriculum of part-time enrollees who take classes only for part-time enrollees, the methods of classes, the number of school days for each subject, etc. shall be prescribed by school regulations. <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

(8) In cases of a distance learning college, the total number of part-time enrollees taking classes together with students of the relevant university or college and part-time enrollees allowed to take courses designed for them only shall be determined by the school regulations of the relevant university or college, within the scope of 50/100 of the maximum number of students to be admitted to the relevant university or college. <Amended on Sep. 6, 2022>

(9) The credits that a part-time enrollee may apply for shall not exceed 24 credits each semester and 42 credits per year. <Amended on Sep. 8, 2008; Sep. 1, 2010; Feb. 20, 2024>

Article 58-2(Authorization for establishment of advanced major courses for bachelor's degree at junior college) #

(1) Where the head of a junior college intends to establish an advanced major degree course to which a bachelor's degree is awarded pursuant to Article 50-2(2) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "advanced course for advanced junior college degree"), he or she shall submit an operational plan stating the following matters to the Minister of Education after meeting the standards for securing teachers and teachers specified in Appendix 2: <Amended on Feb. 14, 2008; Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 16, 2018; Apr. 18, 2023; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Departments established and formats thereof;

2. The duration of courses;

3. The number of persons to be recruited;

4. The current status of teachers and school buildings and a plan for securing them;

5. An operational plan for education courses;

6. A self-evaluation plan for operational performance;

7. Other matters necessary for the operation of advanced degree courses for bachelor's degree at junior colleges.

(2) When the Minister of Education receives an operational plan under paragraph (1), he or she shall determine whether to approve such plan after reviewing the appropriateness thereof, and notify the principal of the relevant junior college of the results of determination two months before the scheduled commencement date of an advanced degree course at a junior college. <Amended on Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Apr. 18, 2023>

(3) Persons eligible to be admitted to advanced courses for advanced degree courses at junior colleges pursuant to Article 50-2(3) of the Act shall be any of the following persons who have at least nine months of work experience in related fields: <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

1. A person who graduated from a junior college in the same educational course;

2. A person who is recognized to have an academic background equivalent to or higher than that of a junior college graduate from the same educational college.

(4) The same departments and related fields under Article 50-2(3) of the Act shall be prescribed by school regulations in consideration of academic fields, characteristics of duties, etc. <Amended on Oct. 16, 2018; Feb. 20, 2024>

[This Article Added on Nov. 15, 2007]

[Title Amended on Oct. 16, 2018; Apr. 18, 2023]

Article 58-6(Authorization for establishment and operation of professional technical master courses) #

(1) Where the head of a junior college intends to obtain authorization for the establishment and operation of a professional technical master course pursuant to Article 50-4(2) of the Act, he or she shall secure at least five teachers with expertise in the relevant field of technology.

(2) The head of a junior college who intends to obtain authorization to establish and operate a master's degree course in a junior college pursuant to Article 50-4(2) of the Act shall submit an operational plan stating the following matters to the Minister of Education by no later than 12 months before the scheduled date of commencement of the operation of the master's degree course in a junior college: <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Established departments, etc.;

2. The duration of courses;

3. Quota of enrollees and student selection plan;

4. The current status of educational and practical facilities and equipment, and plans for securing them;

5. The current status of teacher pool and school buildings and a plan for securing them;

6. An operational plan for education courses;

7. A self-evaluation plan for operational performance;

8. A financial operation plan for three years after the establishment of the professional technical master course;

9. Other matters necessary for the operation of a professional technical master course.

(3) When the Minister of Education has received an operational plan under paragraph (2), he or she shall determine whether to grant authorization after examining the appropriateness thereof, and notify the head of the relevant junior college of the result thereof eight months prior to the scheduled commencement date for a professional technical master course.

(4) A person eligible to be admitted to the professional technical master course pursuant to Article 50-4(3) of the Act shall be a person who meets all of the following requirements: <Amended on Jun. 2, 2025>

1. A person who has a bachelor's degree or is deemed to have a higher level of education under statutes or regulations;

2. A person who has work experience of not less than 2 years in a relevant field (including the period of experience before obtaining a bachelor's degree or before being recognized as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than a bachelor's degree under statutes or regulations);

(5) The relevant fields referred to in paragraph (4)2 shall be prescribed by school regulations in consideration of academic fields, characteristics of duties, etc. <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

(6) Pursuant to Article 50-4(4) of the Act, the Minister of Education shall entrust the Korea Council for Education of Specialized Universities and Colleges established under Article 2(1) of the Korea Council for University Education Act with the evaluation for authorization of the master's degree courses for specialized technical courses. <Added on Feb. 20, 2024>

[This Article Added on Sep. 24, 2021]

Article 62-2(Authorization for establishment of advanced major courses for bachelor's degree at cyber colleges) #

(1) Where the head of a cyber university that operates an associate degree course intends to establish an advanced major course for which a bachelor's degree is awarded pursuant to Article 54-2(2) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as "cyber university degree advanced course"), he or she shall submit an operational plan stating the following matters to the Minister of Education after meeting the standards for securing teachers and teachers specified in Appendix 3-2: <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

1. Established departments, etc.;

2. The duration of courses;

3. The number of persons to be recruited;

4. The current status of teachers and school buildings and a plan for securing them;

5. An operational plan for education courses;

6. A self-evaluation plan for operational performance;

7. Other matters necessary to operate advanced degree courses at a cyber college.

(2) When the Minister of Education has received an operational plan under paragraph (1), he or she shall determine whether to grant authorization after examining the appropriateness thereof, and notify the head of the relevant cyber college of the result thereof six months prior to the scheduled date of commencement of advanced degree courses at a cyber college.

(3) Article 54-2(3) of the Act shall include any of the following persons who are eligible to be admitted to an advanced course for advanced cyber college degree pursuant to Article 54-2(3) of the Act and who has at least nine months of work experience in the relevant field: <Amended on Feb. 20, 2024>

1. A person who has obtained an associate degree in the same department as an associate degree in the same department;

2. A person who is recognized to have an academic background equivalent to or higher than that of a person who has obtained an associate degree in the same department as a person who has obtained an associate degree in the same department.

(4) The same department of studies and related field referred to in Article 54-2(3) of the Act shall be prescribed by school regulations in consideration of academic fields, characteristics of work, etc.

[This Article Added on Apr. 18, 2023]

Article 71(Recognition of qualifications for graduates of now-defunct schools) #

(1) Any of the following persons shall be deemed to have qualifications equivalent to junior college graduates: <Amended on Jan. 29, 2001; Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Jan. 17, 2017>

1. Any graduate of a practice course (two-year program) at any now-defunct public normal school;

2. Any person that completed his or her sophomore year at any now-defunct secondary school teachers training center under the Ministry of Education;

3. Any person that completed his or her junior or senior year at any now-defunct professional school;

4. Any person that completed any now-defunct college preparatory course;

5. Any person that completed a technical course at any agricultural and forestry school during his or her sophomore year before the year 1922;

6. Any person that completed a regular course at any now-defunct public normal school during his or her sophomore year;

7. Any former graduate of a technical department at any now-defunct college;

8. Any person that completed a practice course at the now-defunct Chinhae Ships' Officers Training Center;

9. Any graduate of a now-defunct nursing school;

10. Any graduate of a now-defunct vocational technical high school or technical school after the year 1965;

11. Any graduate of a now-defunct junior college.

(2) A person who has completed a course of at least one year and six months at the previous Ministry of Education's secondary school teachers training center shall be deemed to have the same qualification as a person who has completed a course of study at a university or college for one year. <Amended on Jan. 29, 2001; Feb. 29, 2008; Mar. 23, 2013; Feb. 20, 2024>

(3) Persons that completed his or her sophomore or senior year in college under the previous College Ordinance shall be deemed to have qualifications equivalent to college graduates. <Amended on Jan. 17, 2017>

(4) Persons that completed a course in a college of education at a school teachers' training institute under the previous Ordinance of School Teachers' Training Institute shall be deemed to have qualifications equivalent to college graduates.

Article 74(Re-examination of regulation) #

(1) The Minister of Education shall examine the appropriateness of the restriction on the number of part-time students enrolled in cyber colleges under Article 53(8) every 2 years, counting from January 1, 2025 (referring to the period that ends on the day before January 1 of every second year) and shall take measures, such as making improvements. <Amended on Mar. 11, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Education shall examine the appropriateness of the following matters every three years, counting from each base date specified in the following (referring to the period that ends on the day before the base date of every third year) and shall take measures, such as making improvements: <Added on Dec. 31, 2015; Dec. 30, 2016; May 28, 2018; Feb. 28, 2022; Apr. 18, 2023>

1. Number of school days referred to in Article 11: January 1, 2017;

2. Scope of educational courses which a university or college, etc. referred to in Article 13(1) is able to operate jointly with other domestic or foreign universities or colleges: January 1, 2016;

2-2. Scope of educational courses which a domestic university or college can allow a foreign university or college to operate pursuant to Article 13-2 and standards for operation: January 1, 2022;

3. Scope of and standards for recognition of credits referred to in Article 15: January 1, 2017;

3-2. Standards for the total number of students by special screening recruitment unit outside the prescribed number of dental colleges and oriental medicine colleges referred to in Article 29(2): January 1, 2022;

3-3. Fixed number of admission to graduate schools and graduate school universities referred to in Article 30(4): January 1, 2022;

3-4. Procedures for approval of, and consultation on, modification of implementation plans for the screening of applicants for the admission to universities or colleges under Article 33(4): January 1, 2022;

3-5. The ratio of admission screening for persons who require differential educational compensation under Article 42-6(2) and (3): March 1, 2022;

4. Deleted; <Mar. 12, 2025>

5. Report of implementation of commissioned education by industrial enterprises to a junior college referred to in Article 53-2(1), and an implementation plan for commissioned education at a junior college and the results thereof referred to in paragraph (2) of that Article: January 1, 2016;

6. Authorization for establishment of advanced degree courses at junior colleges under Article 58-2: January 1, 2017;

6-2. Criteria for designation of advanced degree courses at junior colleges available for persons without work experience under Article 58-3: January 1, 2023;

6-3. Authorization for establishment of advanced degree courses at a cyber college under Article 62-2: January 1, 2023;

6-4. Criteria for designation of advanced degree courses at a cyber college available for persons without work experience referred to in Article 62-3: January 1, 2023;

7. Standards for qualification for admission to associate degree courses and bachelor’s degree courses at technical college referred to in Article 65: January 1, 2016;

8. Detailed standards for administrative disposition, such as reducing the maximum student number referred to in Article 71-2 and Appendix 4: January 1, 2017.

[This Article Added on Dec. 9, 2014]

ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

Article 2(Establishment of schools) #

Article 3(School charter) #

Article 4(School regulations) #

Article 4-2(Procedures for formulation of master plan for financial support for higher education) #

Article 4-3(Procedures for consultation on development and change of higher education financial support projects) #

Article 4-4(Fact-finding surveys on higher education financial support projects) #

Article 4-5(Composition and operation of higher education financial support committee) #

Article 4-6(Submission of data on enrollment fees) #

Article 4-7(Disclosure of meeting minutes) #

Article 4-8(Details of educational statistic surveys) #

Article 4-9(Procedure for and disclosure of result of educational statistic surveys) #

Article 4-10(Designation of National Educational Statistic Center and entrustment of affairs thereof) #

Article 4-11(Standards and procedures for appointing instructors) #

Article 5(Qualifications for school teachers) #

Article 6(Teaching hours of teachers) #

Article 7(Honorary professors) #

Article 8(Names of schools) #

Article 9(Organization of school) #

Article 9-2(Requests for materials from board of trustees) #

Article 9-3(Establishment and operation of human rights center) #

Article 10(Semesters) #

Article 11(Number of school days) #

Article 12(Holidays) #

Article 12-2(Micro degree program) #

Article 13(Joint operation of courses by domestic universities and foreign universities) #

Article 13-2(Operation of educational courses of domestic universities and colleges by foreign universities and colleges) #

Article 14(Credit hours) #

Article 14-2(Classes) #

Article 15(Scope of and standards for recognition of credits) #

Article 15-2(Postponement of acquisition of bachelor's degrees) #

Article 16(Authorization of Branch Schools) #

Article 17(Reporting on foreign doctorate) #

Article 17-2(Formulation and implementation of safety management plans) #

Article 17-3(Measures to guarantee school academic activities related to mobilization or drill of reserve forces) #

Article 18(Request for data) #

Article 19(Completion of majors by students) #

Article 20(Joint operation of degree courses) #

Article 21 #

Article 22(Postgraduate degree courses) #

Article 22-2 #

Article 22-3 #

Article 23(Cooperative courses) #

Article 24(Graduate school committee) #

Article 25(Duration of course) #

Article 26(Reduction of duration of courses) #

Article 27(Operating principles of maximum student number) #

Article 28(Maximum student number) #

Article 29(Admission and transfer admission) #

Article 29-2(Readmission) #

Article 30(Maximum student numbers for graduate schools) #

Article 30-2(Maximum student number for integrated bachelor's and master's degree courses related to medical Science, dentistry, and oriental medical science) #

Article 30-3(Special cases concerning admissions for the 2026 academic year to universities with colleges of medicine) #

Article 31(Selection of students) #

Article 31-2(Admissions officers) #

Article 32(Public announcement of basic rules on screening of applicants for admission to university or college) #

Article 33(Publication of implementation plans for screening of applicants for admission to universities or colleges) #

Article 34(Classification of admission screening) #

Article 35(Data for admission screening) #

Article 36(Master plan for administration of college scholastic ability tests) #

Article 37(Question designers) #

Article 38(Application fees) #

Article 39(Selection method of students at industrial colleges) #

Article 39-2(Selection of students at distance learning colleges) #

Article 40(Special screening at junior colleges) #

Article 41(Schedules for selection of students) #

Article 42(Method of application for admission) #

Article 42-2(Disposition of offenders of application methods for admission) #

Article 42-3(Admission fees) #

Article 42-4(Revocation of permission of admission) #

Article 42-5(Test of Proficiency in Korean) #

Article 42-6(Operation of social integration admission process) #

Article 43(Types of degrees) #

Article 44(Presentation and examination of dissertations) #

Article 45(Examination fees of dissertations for degrees) #

Article 46(Conferment of degrees in graduate school courses) #

Article 47(Conferment of honorary doctor’s degrees) #

Article 48 #

Article 49 #