The quality of Korean higher education is guaranteed by various measures. In Korea, establishment of a higher education institution is only approved when the institution is expected to guarantee a certain level of quality, and authorization from the Minister of Education should be obtained to issue higher education qualifications. The list of HEIs in Korea can be found here ‘List of Recognised HEIs’.
To maintain and improve the quality of HEIs, several types of quality assurance measures are adopted. Firstly, HEIs should conduct a self-inspection and evaluation and publicly announce their findings. Accreditation is a representative tool for quality assurance in Korea. HEIs are encouraged to achieve accreditation. This process is voluntary, however, and not mandatory. All competent accreditation authorities are required to apply for and gain recognition from the Ministry of Education(MOE) to conduct accreditation.
Under the Article 4 of the 「Higher Education Act」, any person who intends to establish a school shall meet the conditions for establishing facilities, equipment, etc. prescribed by Presidential Decree. Establishment of a school by any party other than the State requires authorization from the Minister of Education. In addition, where any founder or operator of a public or private school intends to abolish the school or modify important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, he/she shall obtain authorization from the Minister of Education.
Under the Article 6 of the 「Act on Special Cases Concerning the Disclosure of Information by Education-Related Institutions」, the head of a school that provides higher education shall publish information which is held and managed by the school, at least once a year.
The university information disclosure system actively provides information on education and research conducted by higher education institutions, through information and communications network or by a means specified by any other Act and subordinate statute, irrespective of inspection and delivery of information or citizens' demands for such inspection or delivery.
On the website of “Higher Education in Korea”, you can find Information on 14 areas including tuition fee, scholarship benefits, graduates’ employment, and research performance of faculty, 62 items, and 101 details in the last 3 years.
(Source: Center of University Information Disclosure, Korean Council for University Education)
Under the Article 11-2 of the 「Higher Education Act」, an institution designated by the Minister of Education, at the request of a university or college, evaluates or certifies the overall management of a university or college and operation of curricula (including colleges, departments and majors). Provided, that an institution having the curricula falling under medicine, dentistry, oriental medicine or nursing should obtain an evaluation and certification from an accredited institution as prescribed by Presidential Decree. The Minister of Education may designate a relevant specialized evaluation institution, a school consultative body, and an organization or a group, etc. designed for the promotion of academic research as an accredited institution. When the Government intends to provide a university or college with administrative and financial support, outcomes of evaluation or certification could be utilized.
The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE), a consultative body comprised of 4-year universities for the development of higher education, is responsible for the accreditation of 4-year universities. Korean University Accreditation Institute (KUAI) annexed to the KCUE is designated as the accreditation agency in charge of evaluation and accreditation for universities.
The Korean Council for College Education (KCCE) is a consultative body comprised of junior colleges and responsible for their institutional accreditation. The Korea Accreditation Board for Vocational Higher Education (KAVE), an affiliate of KCCE, is designated as an approved institution for the accreditation of junior colleges.
| Designated Institution | subject | Accreditation Period |
|---|---|---|
| Korean University Accreditation Institute (KUAI), Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) |
college/university | 5 years |
| Korea Accreditation Board for Vocational Higher Education (KAVE), Korean Council for College Education (KCCE) |
junior college | 5 years |
(Source: Ministry of Education)
The Program Accreditation is designed to improve the quality of professional and other specific curriculum. The evaluations are conducted by institutions that are recognized by the Minister of Education.
| Curricula | Designated Institution | Accreditation Period |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine | Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE) |
6 years |
| Dentistry | Korean Institute of Dental Education and Evaluation (KIDEE) |
5 years |
| Oriental Medicine | Institute of Korean Medicine Education and Evaluation (IKMEE) |
6 years |
| Nursing | Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing Education (KABONE) |
5 years |
| Architecture | Korea Architectural Accrediting Board (KAAB) |
5 years |
| Business | Korean Association of Business Education Accreditation (KABEA) |
5 years |
| Engineering | Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of Korea (ABEEK) |
6 years |
| Health and Medical Information Management | Korean Accreditation Board for Health and Medical Information Management Education (KAHIME) |
5 years |
(Source: Ministry of Education)
IEQAS (International Education Quality Assurance System) is designed to improve international education quality assurance for Korean universities. IEQAS assesses Universities, Junior Colleges, and Graduate School Universities by using criteria such as international students, the academic and life support of foreign students, the counseling rate for international students, the dropout rate, the official language skills of international students, and the satisfaction and management of international students. The accreditation is valid for 4 years.