Housing: dorms vs. one-room (officetel)
University dormitories are the cheapest option, running roughly $200–$400 USD per month including utilities, though rooms are often shared and campus dorms fill up quickly for new international students.
A private one-room (officetel or goshiwon) near campus typically costs $400–$800 USD per month plus a refundable key deposit (bosungeum) that can range from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the building and district.
Food and groceries
Cooking at home keeps grocery costs around $150–$250 USD per month, while relying on campus cafeterias and casual restaurants — both affordable in Korea — brings the food budget to roughly $300–$400 USD per month.
Campus student cafeterias are especially cheap, often $3–$5 USD per meal, and are the easiest way to control food spending in the first semester.
Transport and phone
Seoul's subway and bus system is efficient and inexpensive — a monthly transport pass or regular T-money card top-ups run about $40–$60 USD per month for a typical student commute.
A prepaid or budget mobile plan with data costs around $15–$30 USD per month; several carriers offer student-specific plans through university partnerships.
Total monthly budget by lifestyle
A frugal student living in a dorm and cooking most meals can get by on roughly $600–$800 USD per month total. A moderate lifestyle with a private room and mixed eating habits runs $900–$1,300 USD per month.
Students who prioritize a private apartment, eating out frequently, and an active social life should budget $1,400–$1,800 USD per month, not including tuition.
Ways to reduce costs
On-campus part-time work (subject to visa work-hour limits), scholarship stipends, and shared housing with roommates are the three most effective ways students cut their monthly costs in Seoul.
Buying groceries at traditional markets instead of convenience stores, and using a student discount card for transport and entertainment, can trim another 10–15% off a typical monthly budget.