How the Credit Bank System and the Self-Education Degree System differ
Korea's Credit Bank System and the Self-Education Degree System both let you earn a degree without enrolling at a university again, but they work in opposite ways. The Credit Bank System is an accumulation route in which you gather credits until you reach the threshold; the Self-Education Degree System is an examination route in which you pass a series of staged tests. So the real question is not "which is easier" but "which one actually runs in my situation". This article sets out the requirements and the cost structure of each, and a less well-known option: combining the two.
They differ in kind, not just in name
The Credit Bank System recognises learning completed outside a university as credit, and awards a degree once you reach the required total. Think of it as paying into a single account: online courses at accredited training institutions, part-time registration at a university, qualifications, and credits earned at a university you previously attended all go in.
The Self-Education Degree System, as the name suggests, awards a degree by examination to those who have studied on their own. It does not ask whether you took classes or where you studied. Pass the prescribed stages and a bachelor's degree follows.
That difference shows up directly as a difference in burden. The Credit Bank System costs money, in the form of tuition, on a continuing basis; the Self-Education Degree System costs the time you spend holding out alone.
Credit Bank requirements — in numbers
For a bachelor's degree you must accumulate at least 140 credits, and within that total there must be at least 60 major credits (including required major courses) and at least 30 general education credits. The remainder can be filled with general electives.
An associate degree has a lower threshold. A two-year programme is set at 80 credits in total, with its own minimums for major and general education credits. The requirements vary by programme, so check the standard curriculum before you start.
There is one condition that is often missed. To receive a Credit Bank degree you must complete at least 18 credits through accredited training institution courses or part-time university registration. In other words, scraping together 140 credits purely from qualifications and previously earned university credits does not work. This is usually the point at which a calculation of "I already have plenty of credits, so it will be quick" comes apart.
The four stages of the Self-Education Degree System
The Self-Education Degree System consists of four stages.
- Stage 1, the general education examination — Korean, Korean history and a foreign language are compulsory, with elective subjects added on top.
- Stage 2, the foundation major examination — foundation subjects in the field.
- Stage 3, the advanced major examination — advanced subjects in the field.
- Stage 4, the comprehensive degree examination — the final gate; pass it and a bachelor's degree is conferred.
What is worth noting in the structure is that stages 2 and 3 do not require you to pass every available subject. Passing the prescribed number clears the stage, which makes it possible to concentrate on the subjects you are confident in.
There is also an exemption scheme. Those with certain qualifications, credits or prior study can be exempted from earlier stages, so some people are effectively preparing only for stage 4. Checking whether you qualify for exemption before you start saves a great deal of time.
An unexpected combination — the two systems connect
People usually treat this as a choice between two options, but in practice they can be linked. Subjects passed in the Self-Education Degree System are recognised as credits in the Credit Bank System.
That makes the following route possible. If you are working towards the examinations and stage 4 starts to look out of reach, the subjects you have already passed can be converted into credits and the degree completed through the Credit Bank System instead. It also works the other way: while accumulating credits, subjects you have spare capacity for can be replaced by examinations.
It means the effort is not lost if you stop part way, so knowing this at the outset makes a real difference.
Which one suits you
Sorting by temperament and circumstances makes the decision faster.
- You struggle to study alone → Credit Bank System. Lectures and assignments set the pace for you.
- You want to keep costs down → Self-Education Degree System. The cost structure is lighter, centred on examination fees.
- You already have transferable credits or qualifications → Credit Bank System. Recognised credits shorten the timeline. The 18-credit rule still applies separately.
- Your work schedule is irregular → Self-Education Degree System. You are not tied to fixed class times.
- You are working to a deadline → Credit Bank System. It proceeds by semester rather than waiting for examination sittings.
It also matters to settle why you want the degree before the degree itself. Where the purpose is clear — a promotion requirement, or eligibility to sit a professional examination — it determines whether you need a bachelor's or an associate degree and whether a particular field is required, and the route narrows accordingly.
The order to work through before starting
- Fix the purpose. Which degree and field you need determines the required credits and subjects.
- Look up the credits and qualifications you already hold. Registering as a learner lets you check what is recognised.
- Check whether you qualify for exemption under the Self-Education Degree System. If you do, there is less to prepare.
- Write down cost and time separately. Total tuition against total examination fees, and the months each takes, makes the choice clear.
If you are interested in state-funded vocational training instead, our guide to the Tomorrow Learning Card may also help. A degree and vocational training serve different purposes, so choosing which you actually need comes first.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Is a Credit Bank degree a proper degree?
The Credit Bank System is a statutory national scheme, and a degree is conferred once the requirements are met. That said, employers and higher-level programmes set their own conditions, so if you have a specific purpose it is best to check that organisation's requirements first.
Q2. Do all 140 credits have to come from online courses?
No. Qualifications, previously earned university credits and other routes are recognised. But at least 18 credits must come from accredited training institution courses or part-time registration.
Q3. Can the Self-Education examinations be split across sittings?
They are taken stage by stage, so there is no need to finish in one go. Sittings are held on a set schedule, though, so plan backwards from it. Check the exact dates with the National Institute for Lifelong Education.
Q4. How long does it take to get the degree?
It varies widely with the credits already recognised, the hours you can study each week and whether you are exempt. Rather than relying on advertising that states a fixed period, look up your own recognised credits first and calculate from there.
Q5. Do the requirements change?
Credit and subject requirements and examination schedules can be revised. This article is a summary for understanding how the systems are structured; before applying, always check the latest notices from the Credit Bank System (cb.or.kr) and the Self-Education Degree System (bdes.nile.or.kr).
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