The Top 5 Places to Study Abroad in Asia in 2025

Picking a place to study abroad can be challenging, especially if you don’t have a set country in mind. If you’re looking to get off the beaten path for your study abroad experience, consider spending a summer, semester, or even year in Asia!

While many of your friends might be studying abroad in Europe or Australia, venturing outside the norm is an incredible experience. Differentiate yourself from your classmates and immerse yourself in an Asian culture abroad!

🎓 Top universities: The University of Tokyo (28th), Kyoto University (46th), Osaka University (80th)
💰 Average cost of tuition for a semester (direct enrollment): 410,000¥ ($2,800)
🏠 Average monthly cost of living including rent: 184,500¥ ($1,221)

Japan is one of the most popular Asian countries for study abroad, and is an especially popular destination for summer programs. You’ll find Japanese language, arts, and science programs in placements from big cities such as Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagoya, to tiny islands you may have never heard of.

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in a unique culture, Japan is also the perfect place to be. You’ll find many programs offered in English that focus on culture, politics, and art located all over the country. Japanese language courses are in abundance, from Tokyo and Kyoto to locations less frequented by travelers such as Sapporo, Fukuoka, or Hokkaido. Cities like Tokyo can be perfect for networking, especially if you want a career in business.

Study the Shinto faith by visiting a local shrine or learn the complex customs of onsen baths and tea ceremonies. Your cultural education isn’t confined to the classroom!

Read more: 13 Things to Know Before Studying in Japan

🎓 Top universities: Seoul National University (41st), Yonsei University (76th), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (56th)
💰 Average cost of tuition for a semester (direct enrollment): ₩6,500,000 ($4,900)
🏠 Average monthly cost of living including rent: ₩1,693,725 ($1,290)

Tech-savvy South Korea is another study abroad favorite, particularly among science majors. Whether you’re a fan of BTS, mountain hiking, or intrigued by the Joseon dynasty, the Land of Morning Calm entices travelers from all over the world.

There are plenty of incredible programs to choose from, whether you want to learn Korean, study history, or refine your knowledge of science. Work on scientific research at Ewha Woman’s University, or gain work experience in the beauty and skincare industry!

From Seoul, you can wander the hectic shopping streets of Myeong-dong, explore the Gyeongbokgung Palace, or take a day trip to the DMZ – the border with North Korea. Busan – another popular location – boasts of beautiful beaches, and mountainous terrain. Be sure to also have a look at Daegu, a bustling city surrounded by serene countryside. No matter where you choose, you’ll be sure to have an incredible adventure!

Read more: How to Study Abroad in South Korea as an International Student in 2025

🎓 Top universities: Tsinghua University (25th), Peking University (17th), Fudan University (50th)
💰 Average cost of tuition for a semester (direct enrollment): ¥33,235 ($4,699)
🏠 Average monthly cost of living including rent: ¥6,346 ($871)

As a business superpower, studying abroad in China will naturally illuminate your resume. While many business enthusiasts head to the Red Dragon, students can gain access to high-quality and English-taught education in any discipline while studying in China.

Although many of the most popular programs are based in Beijing and Shanghai, you’ll also find programs in China’s smaller cities like Harbin, Kunming, and Dalian. You can take intensive language courses in Beijing’s hutongs, complete an internship in Shanghai, or even attend an intensive summer film course with New York Film Academy!

After your studies, get some local food at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or meet up with friends for bubble tea. On the weekends take trips to the Great Wall, Forbidden City, or Terracotta Warriors. There’s so much to learn in and outside the classroom and plenty of ways to practice your language skills throughout your everyday life.

Read more: How Much Does it Cost to Study Abroad in China?

🎓 Top universities: National University of Singapore (8th), Singapore Management University (545)
💰 Average cost of tuition for a semester (direct enrollment): S$6,110 ($4,450)
🏠 Average monthly cost of living including rent: S$4,087 ($3,010)

With one of the freest economies in the world, Singapore – or one of the four Asian Tigers – is ideal for any business or economics student. Singapore also has four official languages, English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, and its cosmopolitan diversity is incredible for those studying in any major.

Since English is the language of the education system in Singapore, you’ll have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester, a year, or for your entire degree! In Singapore, you’ll find programs like the BBA (Bachelor’s of Business Administration) program through SP Jain School of Global Management, where you can study abroad for your entire business administration degree.

Only want to head abroad for a semester? No problem. Spend a semester studying at Singapore Management University, or explore the history and heritage of street food with CIEE!

With low levels of crime, excellent transportation, and tropical weather, Singapore boasts of a high quality of life. Spend your weekends experiencing the culinary culture at the hawker street stalls, or relax at the Gardens by the Bay. Singapore’s airports are also some of the busiest in Southeast Asia due to its accessibility, making it extremely easy to explore the rest of the region during your holiday breaks.

🎓 Top universities: National Taiwan University (69th), Taipei Medical University (577th)
💰 Average cost of tuition for a semester (direct enrollment): NT77,620 ($2,500)
🏠 Average monthly cost of living including rent: NT$32,114 ($994)

With incredible food, crazy night markets, bustling cities, and free national parks, you’ll have plenty to do in and outside of the classroom while studying in Taiwan.

Locals in Taiwan also speak Mandarin Chinese, making it a great place to study the language and learn traditional Chinese characters. You’ll find plenty of language-intensive programs where you can really improve your Mandarin. If you’re interested in language and business, there’s even a Business Chinese program through Berkeley!

If learning Chinese isn’t high on your list of priorities, you can also find programs covering a wide array of topics, with popular options being business, economics politics & international relations, as well as science subjects.

If none of these countries suits your travel goals, or you’re looking for a fast-paced, multi-nation experience, consider a program like Semester at Sea or Seamester. Both of these programs take students on the adventure of a lifetime as they live aboard a ship and travel to various destinations, all while completing credit hours towards their degree.

There are other great, multi-country options as well. CET Greater China provides culturally immersive study experiences in both mainland China and Taiwan. Or, if you’re interested in studying in both Japan and South Korea, check out EF Teen Travel Groups.

These programs have their own pros and cons, as the short duration you stay in each country limits your immersion into the local culture. That said, they are fantastic options to gain a diverse and exciting set of experiences while getting various stamps in your passport.

There are so many incredible study abroad programs in Asia, you really can’t go wrong. If you’re truly stuck on picking a country, think about the things you truly want to get out of your study abroad program. Is there a specific major you want to focus on or experience you want to have? Align your goals with the destination and university.

Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can spend some time really researching programs to find the right fit for you. Thankfully, Go Overseas has some great resources to help you find the right fit, so be sure to use our Study Abroad hub to find the right programs for you!

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