The Korean university system is one of the best in the world, with many top-ranked universities and colleges. The following list of the best universities in Korea for international students will help you decide which ones to apply to if you’re thinking about studying abroad or want to live here while attending school.
After completing your secondary education in your home country, you may be considering relocating to Korea for university.
Whether you’re looking to learn a language, experience another culture, or explore new avenues of learning, studying at one of these universities in Korea for international students may be just what you need to make the jump from high school to college with ease. Keep reading to see our top picks!
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Korea as a Place of Study for International Students
Korea is a great place for international students to study. It’s a beautiful country with modern cities and rich culture.
Korean universities are both affordable and offer a variety of study tracks. Plus, you’ll learn the Korean language while you’re there!
If you’re considering studying abroad, make sure to consider Korea as your destination of choice. There are many different colleges that can suit anyone’s needs.
Whether you want to study business, law, or any other major, these schools will provide an excellent education.
Most of these schools have exchange agreements with other countries so it’s easy to find an opportunity no matter where you are from.
Reasons to Study in Korea
There are many reasons to study in Korea, including the country’s reputation for excellence in higher education. The costs are also comparatively low.
A select few universities offer highly competitive programs with a curriculum designed to prepare students for today’s job market demands.
It is not always possible to attend a university close to home, and it is especially difficult for international students who have spent most of their lives outside Korea.
That being said, there are now more options available than ever before that make studying abroad an attractive and viable option for ambitious college-bound teens and young adults.
- Affordable tuition fees
- Great city life
- Excellent studying environment
- Beautiful scenery
- Language learning opportunities in Hangul, Hanja, and English.
- Accessibility of universities
- High-quality education at top universities in Korea
- Diversity of courses offered
List of the Best Universities in Korea for International Students
Below is a list of the 20 best universities in Korea for international students:
- Seoul National University
- Sungkyunkwan University
- Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Korea University
- Yonsei University
- Pohang University of Science and Technology
- Hanyang University
- Kyung Hee University
- Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
- Sejong University
- Kyungpook National University
- Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
- Chonnam National University
- Yeungnam University
- Chung Ang University
- Catholic University of Korea
- Ajou University
- Inha University
- Sogang University
- Konkuk University.
20 Best Universities in Korea for International Students
1. Seoul National University
- Tuition Fee: $3,800-$7,800 for Bachelor’s and $5,100-$9,500 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul National University (SNU) is one of the best universities in Korea. It has a large student body, and it’s one of the most selective universities in Korea.
SNU offers courses at all levels for international students, including undergraduate programs in arts and humanities, engineering, and medicine.
Students can also study abroad during their degree program or as exchange students for one semester or more at other universities around the world through SNU’s Global Center for International Studies (GCIS).
2. Sungkyunkwan University
- Tuition Fee: $2,980-$4,640 for Bachelor’s and $4,115-$4,650 for a Master’s per semester
- Address: 25-2 Sungkyunkwan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is a private research university located in Suwon, South Korea. It was established in 1861 and named after the historic Confucian academy, Sungkyu-Kwan.
The university has two campuses: one for undergraduate students and another for graduate/research students.
The ratio of international students to domestic students at SKKU is higher than in any other Korean school, this makes it an ideal choice for international students who want to study abroad without leaving their home country or family behind too much during their studies abroad period with the University.
3. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
- Tuition Fee: $5,300 for Bachelor’s and $14,800-$19,500 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
KAIST is a research-led university with a high level of research achievement in engineering and science.
It is a member of the National Research Foundation of Korea, which is the highest honor for scientific research institutions.
The main campus is located in Daejeon, South Korea, and other campuses include Suwon (Seoul), Cheonan (Chungnam), and Gwangju.
KAIST is well-known for its entrepreneurial spirit and focuses on research and development. At KAIST, international students are integrated with Korean students to create a diverse learning environment.
The university offers several English-language programs to help international students feel at home.
4. Korea University
- Tuition Fee: $8,905 for Bachelor’s and $4,193-$11,818 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Korea University is one of the best universities in South Korea. It has been consistently ranked as one of the best universities in South Korea, as well as one of the best universities in Asia.
It offers courses for international students such as Business Administration, Economics, and Law (LLM Program) that professors teach from leading universities around the world.
Korea University provides courses in business administration, economics, and law which helps its students succeed in their studies at this prestigious university located near Incheon airport on Jeju Island where you can enjoy beautiful beaches during summer or snow-covered mountains during winter months.
5. Yonsei University
- Tuition Fee: $6,200-$12,300 for Bachelor’s and $7,500-$11,600 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Yonsei University is a private university located in Seoul, South Korea.
It was founded in 1885 by the American Methodist Episcopal Church and is one of the largest universities in South Korea with a total student population of 50,000 students and 2,300 faculty members.
Yonsei offers undergraduate and graduate programs as well as postgraduate studies for international students who want to pursue their education at this top-notch institution.
6. Pohang University of Science and Technology
- Tuition Fee: $5,600 for Bachelor’s and $9,500 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
POSTECH is a public research university located in Pohang, South Korea. It has 8 faculties and 1 graduate school, which offers bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees to its students.
The university was founded in 1947 by President Syngman Rhee and serves as the flagship of South Korea’s science and technology sector.
With close to 20 000 full-time students, it is among the most prestigious universities in Korea.
The university has been ranked as one of the top 100 universities in Asia by Quacquarelli Symonds.
International students looking for a university in Korea may want to consider Pohang University of Science and Technology.
The school has the most international students on campus, which makes it easy for foreign students to make friends and settle into the community.
In addition, they have English-speaking staff members who are available during certain hours. They also offer many international study programs such as an exchange program with Georgia Tech College of Engineering or an overseas internships program with Toyota.
7. Hanyang University
- Tuition Fee: $6,700-$10,000 for Bachelor’s and $12,800-$18,000 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Hanyang University is a private research university located in Seoul and it was established in 1957.
It is one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea, and its programs are widely known for their quality and competitiveness.
Hanyang offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees to international students who want to study here.
The university has a number of programs in English, and it is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to study in South Korea.
The university is also known for its excellent reputation among employers around the world.
The school also has three internationally focused schools: the Center for Global Studies, the School of Korean Language Education, and the Institute for Korean Culture and Arts.
Another major draw for international students is its cultural diversity programs which allow foreigners to learn about and experience Korean culture firsthand by living with a Korean host family or working with an internship partner company.
8. Kyung Hee University
- Tuition Fee: $7,500-$10,200 for Bachelor’s and $8,300-$11,200 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Kyung Hee University was founded in 1964. It is located in Seoul, South Korea, and has a student body of about 20,000 students.
The university offers bachelor’s degrees in over 90 fields of study and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study.
The school offers undergraduate degrees and graduate programs, but international students are only eligible to study for undergraduate degrees.
In order to be accepted at Kyung Hee University as an international student, you must have completed your secondary education with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale.
9. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology
- Tuition Fee: $5,200-$6,100 for Bachelor’s and $7,700 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan, South Korea
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) is a public research university located in Ulsan, South Korea. UNIST is a member of the National Research Foundation of Korea.
The university has over 6,000 students and provides more than 300 courses to international students from all over the world.
For example, there are various English courses for international students such as “Instructional Design” or “Digital Media Design” which range from bachelor’s Degrees to Master’s Programs with specializations like Animation or Games Development depending on your interest area(s).
10. Sejong University
- Tuition Fee: $6,400-$8,900 for Bachelor’s and $8,500-$11,200 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: South Korea, Seoul, Gwangjin-gu, Neungdong-ro, 209
Located in the heart of Seoul, Sejong University has a strong international focus with English as its official language.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students from around the world.
Along with courses that meet the needs of international students, there are also many exchange opportunities including study abroad opportunities at partner universities in Europe, North America, and Asia.
International students are eligible to apply for a program at Sejong University. The school offers a wide range of courses taught in English, with elective courses that cover topics ranging from international law to Japanese business practices.
With an acceptance rate of 61% for international students, it’s no wonder why this university is one of the best in Korea for international students.
11. Kyungpook National University
- Tuition Fee: $3,300 for Bachelor’s and $4,100 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, South Korea
Established in 1941, Kyungpook National University is a private institution that offers a range of programs from the humanities and social sciences to engineering.
The school has 12 colleges, three graduate schools, and one institute providing degrees ranging from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
KNU’s campus is one of the largest campuses on the island with about 1,000 acres of rolling hills and large forests.
The school also has its own observatory, satellite Earth station, and sports facilities.
International students can study at the Kyungpook National University, which is considered to be one of the best universities for international students in all of Asia.
As one of the most prestigious institutions of higher education in South Korea, KNU offers a strong curriculum that includes classes on Korean culture and history as well as English-speaking courses for international students.
12. Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology
- Tuition Fee: $1,000 for Bachelor’s yearly
- Address: 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology is a private university located in Gwangju, South Korea.
They offer undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Computer Science and Information Technology as well as Electrical Engineering.
International students make up a large portion of the student population at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST).
The school has an international center for students that provides English-speaking support for international students. It also offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral programs.
13. Chonnam National University
- Tuition Fee: $1,683-$2,219 for Bachelor’s and $1,975-$3,579 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Chonnam National University (CNU) is a public research university in Gwangju, South Korea. It was established in 1946 as Chonnam College of Agriculture and Forestry and became affiliated with Seoul National University in 1967.
In 1999 it merged with Hanyang University to form one large university serving as its main campus.
It has over 60,000 students enrolled at its various campuses across South Korea including flagship programs like medical sciences and engineering technology institute.
This institution is highly rated by many international students who have visited this institution before because it offers many opportunities for those who want to study abroad but can’t afford tuition fees for another country’s school system.
if you’re looking into going abroad then consider checking out CNU first because they offer low-cost rates compared to other universities within the same vicinity
14. Yeungnam University
- Tuition Fee: $4500-$7,000 for Bachelor’s yearly.
- Address: 280 Daehak-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Yeungnam University was founded in 1977 and has a medical school, law school, and nursing school.
It’s located in Daegu, South Korea; the university offers both undergraduate and graduate study options for international students.
International students at Yeungnam University are encouraged to participate in a variety of programs that foster cross-cultural awareness and understanding.
The university also offers English language courses designed to help students meet the Korean language requirements for graduation.
As an added incentive, international students with good grades can receive exemptions from tuition fees.
15. Chung Ang University
- Tuition Fee: $8,985 for Bachelor’s and $8,985 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Chung Ang University (CAU) is one of the best universities in Korea. It offers a wide variety of majors and courses, including those for international students.
CAU has a good reputation for its research and academic programs, as well as its faculty members’ willingness to help international students make connections with Korean culture through their personal networks.
The university is located in Seoul, South Korea; however, it also collaborates with several other universities around the world.
Through its partnership program with Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government offer joint classes between students from both institutions each year during semester breaks or summer vacation periods respectively.
The distance learning program allows students from any country who can’t travel abroad because they don’t have passports or visas.
16. Catholic University of Korea
- Tuition Fee: $6,025-$8,428 for Bachelor’s and $6,551-$8,898 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 296-12 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Catholic University of Korea (CUK) is a private university founded in 1954. It has over 6,000 students and offers undergraduate programs at the undergraduate level.
The university also offers graduate programs with over 30 research centers, which are affiliated with institutions in South Korea and abroad.
International students come from all over the world to attend a wide variety of programs at CUK, including undergraduate and graduate degrees.
CUK is ranked as one of the best universities for international students because it has an open-door policy that welcomes people from all different backgrounds.
CUK’s student body includes more than 3,000 international students who hail from 98 countries and have contributed greatly to making this university a truly global campus.
The university offers various degree programs in areas such as liberal arts, law, engineering and architecture, business administration, and management.
CUK’s campus is located in Seoul’s Jung-gu district and can be reached by subway or bus from most parts of the city.
17. Ajou University
- Tuition Fee: $5,900-$7,600 for Bachelor’s and $7,800-$9,900 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Suwon-si, Yeongtong-gu, Woldeukeom-ro, 206 KR
Ajou University is a private university in Suwon, South Korea. It was founded by the Ajou Educational Foundation on November 4th, 2006.
The university has grown from its humble beginnings to become one of the most prestigious universities in South Korea and Asia.
Ajou University is a member of the prestigious Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), which aims to foster international cooperation among member institutions worldwide through collaboration on research programs, conferences, and other activities related to education and research outside North America or Europe.
The students of this university are from more than 67 countries and regions across five continents.
The University of Ajou provides its students with an excellent international environment where they can communicate with people from all over the world and study together as well.
18. Inha University
- Tuition Fee: $5,400-$7,400 for Bachelor’s and $3,900-$8,200 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 100 Inha-ro, Nam-gu, Incheon, South Korea
Located in the heart of Incheon, South Korea, Inha University was founded on March 1, 1946, as the first national university.
The school’s campus spans over 568 acres and houses a total of 19 colleges and departments.
Students studying at IU can take advantage of various programs aimed at helping them fit into Korean society; these include allowing them to apply for residence permits before starting their studies so that they don’t need to worry about accommodation issues later on; having an orientation program where you’ll get hands-on experience working with local businesses, and even having a job fair where companies come out looking for talent from around the world!
19. Sogang University
- Tuition Fee: $6,500-$8,400 for Bachelor’s and $7,500-$20,000 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 35 Baekbeom-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Sogang University is a private university in Seoul, South Korea. Established in 1905 by the Society of Jesus, it has more than 20 different schools and departments.
Sogang University is the oldest private university in South Korea and was the first to be established by a Korean.
It has a long history of producing successful graduates who have gone on to do great things.
The school offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees with specialties in economics, business administration, humanities, social sciences, law, science, and engineering.
There are over 40 student clubs at Sogang University as well as volunteer opportunities that allow students to get involved on campus.
In addition to the general courses offered at Sogang University, international students can benefit from classes taught entirely in English to help them learn more about Korean culture.
20. Konkuk University
- Tuition Fee: $5,692-$7,968 for Bachelor’s and $7,140-$9,994 for a Master’s yearly
- Address: 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Konkuk University is a private university located in Seoul, South Korea. It was established in 1946 as a school of theology and became a university in 1962. It is one of the top universities in South Korea.
Konkuk University offers many programs for international students including undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as short-term courses that can be taken online or on campus when you’re looking to learn more about Korean culture or language skills before taking your exams at home.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it difficult to study Korean at a Korean university?
It can be difficult to study Korean at a Korean university because most courses will be taught in Korean and you're not likely going to have classes that are tailored to your needs. However, if you want to learn more about the culture and society then studying at a Korean university can make this easier.
How do I find out about scholarships for international students?
Most scholarships go to nationals of a country or people who hold permanent residency there. You'll need to contact individual universities or organizations within the country and ask them what scholarships they offer specifically for foreign applicants. If you don't know where to start looking, take a look at our list of the 20 Best Universities in Korea for International Students some offer grants specifically designated for foreigners.
How much does tuition cost?
Tuition costs vary depending on whether you're attending a public or private school, as well as how long your course lasts.
Can I choose my major when applying to a Korean university?
Yes, but be aware that once you've chosen one, it's difficult to switch majors later on unless the change is approved by the Ministry of Education.
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Conclusion:
We hope that this list of the best universities in Korea for international students has been helpful to you.
We know it can be hard to decide which school is right for you, so we want to help narrow down your options by narrowing down the list of universities.