QUICK ANSWER
Most advice on choosing a 유학미술학원 focuses on teachers and results. Those matter, and we cover them elsewhere. This page covers the part families often skip: the legal and contractual checks under Korea’s Academies Act (학원법). A registered academy must display its fees, and if a student withdraws, the law sets minimum refunds.
Check registration, the posted fee, what the fee includes and the refund terms before signing. These protect the family whichever academy you choose.
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Four Checks Before You Sign
- Registration. An academy must be registered with the local education office. Ask for the registration details and confirm them with the education office if in doubt.
- Posted fees. Academies must display their tuition (교습비). Compare the posted fee with what you are asked to pay, and ask what is included: portfolio sessions, essay help, application support.
- Written terms. Get the schedule, the total hours and the fee in writing. Refunds are calculated on hours taught, so the total hours matter.
- Refund rules. Check that the academy’s terms are at least as generous as the legal minimum below.
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Minimum Refunds Under the Academies Act
| When the student withdraws | Minimum refund (course of one month or less) |
|---|---|
| Before teaching starts | Full fee |
| Before one third of total hours | Two thirds of the fee |
| Before half of total hours | Half of the fee |
| After half of total hours | No refund required |
From the Enforcement Decree of the Academies Act, Appended Table 4 (교습비등 반환기준), as summarised in published legal guidance. For longer courses, the month in which withdrawal occurs follows these rules and fees for months not yet started are refunded in full. Check the current text on the National Law Information Center.
This matters for long portfolio programmes paid in advance. If a family pays for six months and the student stops in the third month, the fees for the months not yet started should be returned in full.
THEN CHECK THE TEACHING
Once the contract side is clear, compare academies on what matters for admission: a checkable results record, current knowledge of each school’s rules, and portfolios built from the student’s own work. Our guides on which academy is best, checking an academy’s experience and whether you need an academy at all cover that side.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do Korean art academies have to post their fees?
Yes. Under the Academies Act, academies must display their tuition.
Can I get a refund if my child stops attending?
Yes, within legal minimums: a full refund before teaching starts, two thirds before one third of total hours, half before half of total hours.
What about fees paid for several months in advance?
The month in which withdrawal occurs follows the refund table, and fees for months not yet started are refunded in full.
How do I check that an academy is registered?
Ask the academy for its registration details and confirm with the local education office.
Is a well-known academy always properly registered?
You should check regardless of reputation. Registration and fee posting are legal requirements for every academy.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students at 95 schools. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Refund rules from the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons, Appended Table 4, via published legal guidance; fee-posting requirement from the same Act. Checked October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Which Academy Is Best · Checking an Academy’s Experience · Do You Need an Academy? · Booking a Consultation · Royal Blue Results