About BDES

What's BDES?

Bachelor's Degree Examination for Self-Education (BDES) makes it possible to obtain a bachelor's degree without
attending a regular college or university by passing the examination administered by the government.

Bachelor's Degree Examination for Self-Education (BDES) was established for people who cannot afford an educational
opportunity for higher education for various reasons such as financial constraint or time limitation.

The Constitution of the Republic of Korea states the government should promote lifelong education. To actualize this, "The Law of Bachelor’s Degree Examination for Self-Education" was established on the 7th of April in 1990.

Applicants can get the bachelor’s degree after passing four Qualifying Examinations of Liberal-Arts, Major-Basic,
Major-Advanced, and Comprehensive.

History

July 2021. Notice of Revision for 75 major subjects(enforced in 2022)

January 2019. Notice of Revision for 11 subjects in liberal arts

2019. Bachelor's degree awarded (976, cumulative 20,597 students)

2015. Expanded psychology major field

2014. Expanded Information and Communication major field

February 2008. Transfer of control to National Institute for Lifelong Education(NILE) according to

"The amendment of the Lifelong Education Act"

April 2012. Name changed

January 1998. Transfer of control to Korea National Open University(KNOU)

1992. The 1st Conferment of Bachelor's Degrees

June 1990. Establishment of the Department of the Degree Approval at the National Board of Educational Evaluation

April 1990. Promulgation of the Act of Bachelor's Degree Examination for Self-Education (Statute No. 4227)