EPIK — English Program in Korea
Korea's national public-school English teaching program. Korvia provides free application guidance for applicants who choose an official partner route.
₩2.1–3.0M
Published Range*
1 Yr
Typical Contract
Mon–Fri
School Schedule
22 Hrs
Class Hrs / Week
17 Regions
Placement Network
Varies
Benefits by OE
* Last verified 2026-05-13 against EPIK Salary & Benefits (updated 2026-05-04). Salary and benefits vary by office of education and intake.
EPIK (English Program in Korea)is Korea's national public-school English teaching program. Applicants can apply through EPIK directly or through official partner channels listed by EPIK. Korvia is one of the recruitment agencies currently listed by EPIK and provides free application guidance for applicants who choose that route.
Last verified 2026-05-13 against EPIK How to Apply and Apply Now.
What Makes EPIK Different
The National Program in South Korea
Locations across all 17 provinces
EPIK is Korea's national public-school English teaching program, with placements managed through metropolitan and provincial offices of education across the country. Applicants can be placed in major cities or more rural regions depending on intake needs and office demand.
Explore EPIK Locations→New & Experienced Teachers Welcome
No teaching experience required
Both experienced and inexperienced English teachers are welcome to apply. First-time applicants with a passion for education are encouraged. Many applicants qualify with a bachelor's degree plus a 100+ hour TEFL/TESOL/CELTA certificate, while others qualify through an education degree or a valid teaching license.
Check EPIK Eligibility→Less Worry, More Benefits
Details vary by office of education
EPIK offers a standard public-school contract structure with housing support, a settlement allowance, health-insurance cost sharing, and contract-completion or exit-related benefits. Exact details vary by office of education and can change by intake, so applicants should check the current EPIK Salary & Benefits page before applying.
- ✓Housing support or allowance
- ✓Health-insurance cost sharing
- ✓Settlement / entrance / exit-related benefits
- ✓Pension participation where applicable
- ✓Regional exceptions by office of education
Progressive Salary Levels
Pay scale varies by intake and region
EPIK salary bands are set by the hiring Office of Education and can change between intakes. For the Fall 2026 intake, EPIK's published scale ranges from approximately ₩2.1M to ₩3.0M per month depending on region, qualifications, and experience. EPIK also states that Offices of Education are not currently hiring Level 3 applicants, so applicants must qualify for at least Level 2 before contract signing.
View Salary Levels→6 Steps From Apply to Classroom
Apply to Korvia
Submit your online application at korvia.com.
Submit Initial Documents
Resume, photos, Lesson Plan, personal essay, and two PDF letters of recommendation.
EPIK Interview
Complete the current EPIK interview step for your intake. Format and question emphasis can vary.
Submit Final Documents
Apostilled criminal background check, apostilled degree, sealed transcripts, and ink-signed letters of recommendation. (Medical exam happens after arrival in Korea.)
Apply for E-2-2 Visa
Visa processing at the Korean consulate in your jurisdiction.
Orientation in Korea
Arrive and follow the current EPIK orientation or onboarding schedule for your placement office.
Last verified 2026-05-13 against EPIK How to Apply and Apply Now.
Everything You Need to Know
Contract
EPIK placements typically use a one-year public-school contract framework with Monday-Friday schedules and a 22-class-hour weekly teaching cap. Salary and some benefits vary by office of education, and applicants should treat the current EPIK contract and salary pages as the controlling source for intake-specific details.
Contract Details→Duties
Primary duty: co-teaching English with a Korean co-teacher. Also includes lesson planning, English camps during school breaks, and occasional school events.
Teaching Duties→How to Apply
Applying through Korvia is straightforward. A recruiter guides you through documents, interview prep, and arrival — all at no cost to you.
Application Process→Required Documents
Bachelor's degree (apostilled), criminal background check (apostilled), sealed transcripts, TEFL certificate (100+ hrs), passport photos, and ink-signed letters of recommendation (final stage). Medical exam is completed after arrival in Korea.
Document Downloads→Last verified 2026-05-13 against EPIK Salary & Benefits (updated 2026-05-04).
EPIK FAQ
Q.What makes EPIK different from other teaching programs?
EPIK is Korea's national public-school English teaching program. It uses a shared public-school contract framework across multiple offices of education, but salary and some benefits can vary by province, metropolitan office, and intake. Compared with private academies (hagwons), EPIK is generally more structured, but applicants should still verify the current EPIK Salary & Benefits and Duties pages for the latest terms.
Q.Can I choose which Korean city I teach in?
You can list ONE location preference on your EPIK application (a region / province / metropolitan city). You cannot specify 'urban only', 'rural only', or preferred city size. Final placement is decided by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) based on school needs and applicant volume. Some regions, such as Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Jeju, are typically more competitive than many rural provinces.
Q.Do I need to speak Korean to apply?
No. EPIK is designed around the co-teaching model — your Korean co-teacher handles all Korean-language communication. Most EPIK teachers pick up survival Korean during their contract, but speaking Korean is not a hiring requirement.
Q.How long does the EPIK application process take?
Plan for 4-6 months from initial application to your first day of school. Spring applications (Feb/Mar start) open around August and typically close by October. Fall applications (Aug/Sep start) typically open in February and close by May. These are not fixed deadlines — EPIK admissions are rolling, so cohorts can close earlier or later than usual depending on the intake. Document processing (especially apostille for your CRC and degree) is often the rate-limiting step — start documents early.
Q.What is Korvia's role, and is there a fee?
Korvia is one of the recruitment agencies currently listed by EPIK. Applicants who choose Korvia receive free application guidance, document review, interview preparation, and recruiter support through the EPIK process. There is no fee to the teacher for using Korvia's application support route.
Q.What happens after my 1-year contract ends?
You have three options: (1) Renew at the same school — earns a Renewal Bonus (₩700K-₩2M depending on province) and typically a higher salary tier; (2) Transfer to a different province via a new EPIK application; (3) Leave Korea — receive your Exit Allowance (flight home) and severance pay (~1 month's salary per completed year).
Q.How long does it take to get an EPIK placement through Korvia?
Timeline varies by intake, document readiness, interview scheduling, and the hiring Office of Education. Korvia can help you keep your file complete and interview-ready, but placement timing is ultimately controlled by EPIK and the current intake cycle.
Q.Can I choose my EPIK location through Korvia?
You can indicate location preferences, and Korvia can explain how the current regional options work. Final placement is decided by EPIK and the hiring Office of Education, so neither direct applicants nor partner-channel applicants should treat a preferred location as guaranteed.
Apply to EPIK Through Korvia
Official partner-channel application guidance, free document review, and recruiter support at no cost to the teacher.