Korea University Exchange

Language Requirement: None

Academic Standing by Program Start: See additional requirements

Location: Asia, South Korea

GPA: 3.0

Program Overview

Directly enroll in classes taught in English at a highly ranked university based in Seoul. With a student body of around 20,000 undergraduate students and 2,500 international students, Korea University allows you to take advantage of all that a large university has to offer. Around 40% of all classes at Korea University are taught in English, allowing you to choose from a wide range of classes.

Korea University has a beautiful and modern campus on a hill in central Seoul, and is easily accessible by subway. The campus has many new and well-equipped teaching facilities. The library complex is a particular favorite amongst students as is the Global Leadership Hall with its international café that encourages conversation between Korean and international students. There are a variety of ways to meet other students, such as through the various activities organized by the Korea University Buddy Assistants, or by joining student clubs such as sports related clubs, art clubs, the LGBT student club, and more. Korea University offers a variety of resources and services for students, including a counseling center and a student disability support center.

With more than 10 million residents, Seoul is the South Korean center of politics, culture, and the economy, where ministries, museums, palaces, theaters, and financial markets are located close together. Seoul is also the home to industry giants such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. As a leader of the IT revolution, Seoul is one of the most wired cities in the world. Korea University’s Seoul campus is centrally located within the city and easily accessible via subway.

Scholarship Opportunity: Exchange students can apply for the Global KU Scholarship from Korea University.

Dates and Deadlines

Term	Year	Deadline	Arrival Date	Departure Date
Fall Semester	2026	02/01/2026	Late August	Late December
Academic Year	2026-27	02/01/2026	Late August	Late June
Spring Semester	2027	02/01/2026	Late February	Late June

The application process for this program is competitive: GEO staff will review your application materials, and a decision about your enrollment will not be made until after the application deadline. In some cases, an interview is required. If your program requires an interview, you will be contacted with further details about this process after the application deadline. Early applications are encouraged.

Successful applicants will receive an exchange nomination from GEO. Selection will be based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and written statements.

Applying for an exchange program involves 2 steps. If you receive a nomination from GEO, you will also need to complete the host university's application, which is administered and reviewed by your host university directly. Instructions will be provided after acceptance by GEO. The host university makes the final decision regarding acceptance into the program.

Hear from Our Students

From Nervous to Nostalgic: My Study Abroad in Seoul

A person in traditional Korean hanbok standing under a blooming cherry tree at Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Studying abroad in Seoul was hands down the highlight of my college education. Although the COVID-19 pandemic had messed with a lot of my study abroad plans, I was lucky enough that South Korea had… read more

The Ending of my story with South Korea

The short and exciting roller coaster ride has officially come to an end. My time in South Korea felt like flying with a boomerang. I launched myself very far from home, I saw very beautiful skies… read more

A Chance to Experience the Korean 빨리 빨리 Life

What a ride, the life of an individual who lives in South Korea is very intense. As a Latina and an Americana I am astonished at the type of lifestyle you live in this country, it is so hard and… read more

Academic Details

Note: UO credits listed below are estimates and are subject to change. Please refer to the Korea University links for the updated credit information on their classes. One semester credit at Korea University is equal to 1.5 UO quarter credits.

Around 40% of all classes at Korea University are taught in English, so you have a wide range of classes to choose from in a variety of subjects. You will be taking classes alongside local Korean students as well as other international students. Students with an advanced Korean language level may be able to enroll in classes taught in Korean.

You will choose from classes within the following colleges/schools: Korea University Business School, College of Liberal Arts, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, College of Political Science & Economics, College of Science, College of Engineering, College of Health Sciences, College of Informatics, Division of International Studies, School of Media & Communication, and School of Interdisciplinary Studies.

To see the full list of departments within each of these schools, visit the Korea University home page, and click on Education > Undergraduate Schools.

Korea University is AACSB accredited, but please note that there is a high demand for classes in the Business School and getting into business classes can be difficult.

To search for classes at Korea University, visit this page, click on English, and then select Major Subject or General Subject (to search for electives). Column 3 indicates whether the class is open to exchange students, and courses taught in English have this indicated next to the course title. Click on the blue course code to see additional course information and the syllabus if it is available.

You also have the option to study Korean language while at Korea University. Students can earn 2-9 semester credits (around 3-14 UO credits) of Korean language per semester.

On this program, you will earn:

Around 18-29 UO credits per semester. Major related courses are worth 3 semester credits (5 UO credits), and elective classes are worth 2 semester credits (3 UO credits).
Up to 3-14 of your total UO credits may be Korean language credits.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

There is no language requirement, but one year of Korean is recommended for the semester and yearlong program in order to facilitate daily life in Seoul
Junior standing is required for the Fall and Academic Year programs.
Sophomores may participate in Spring term of their sophomore year.
Note: If some of your credits are transfer or high school credits, please check with your GEO advisor regarding whether you are eligible.

Housing Description

Korea University has several dormitories available for international students, which have single, double, and triple rooms, and are within walking distance of campus. There is limited space available in these dormitories, so on-campus housing is not guaranteed. Many students live in independent off-campus housing that is located close by, and the Korea University international office can assist with identifying housing options. Students who live off-campus often live in apartments, and there is also the option to stay with a homestay family.

Please visit this link for more information about on- and off-campus housing.

Budget and Price

Exchange programs have a fixed program fee that is calculated based on your Oregon residency status and the number of semesters that you spend abroad. Please note that the terms available for each exchange vary based on the university's academic calendar.

Please only include the relevant program fee when determining your estimated total cost of attendance.

2025 Fall Semester

**Program Fees Paid to GEO**
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$4,885
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$11,550
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$500
Estimated UO Insurance*	$335

**Other Estimated Expenses**
Estimated housing**	$2,000
Estimated meals	$1,800
Estimated airfare from Eugene to Seoul	$1,800
Estimated books & course supplies	$150
Estimated cost of acquiring passport	$150
Estimated cell phone expenses	$200
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated local transportation	$240
Estimated compulsory Korea health insurance	$140
Estimated visa expenses	$50
Estimated additional living expenses***	$1,000

**Total**
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$13,300
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$19,965

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($2.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

**Paid directly to host university or housing company. This estimate is on the higher end of the range for on-campus housing. Students who live in off-campus housing may have higher housing costs. For information on housing costs, please visit KU's website.

***This is a rough estimate for other living expenses such as doing laundry, buying toiletries, going to the movies, etc. This amount will vary depending on your spending habits and does not include personal travel.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to the program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2025-26 Academic Year

**Program Fees Paid to GEO**
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$9,770
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$23,100
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$1,000
Estimated UO Insurance*	$795

**Other Estimated Expenses**
Estimated housing**	$5,000
Estimated meals	$4,500
Estimated airfare from Eugene to Seoul	$1,800
Estimated books & course supplies	$300
Estimated cost of acquiring passport	$150
Estimated cell phone expenses	$500
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated local transportation	$600
Estimated compulsory Korea health insurance	$350
Estimated visa expenses	$50
Estimated additional living expenses***	$2,500

**Total**
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$27,365
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$40,695

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($2.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to the program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

2026 Spring Semester

**Program Fees Paid to GEO**
UO Exchange Program Fee – Oregon Resident	$4,885
UO Exchange Program Fee – Non-Resident	$11,550
UO Study Abroad Fee ($500 per semester)	$500
Estimated UO Insurance*	$335

**Other Estimated Expenses**
Estimated housing**	$2,000
Estimated meals	$1,800
Estimated airfare from Eugene to Seoul	$1,800
Estimated books & course supplies	$150
Estimated cost of acquiring passport	$150
Estimated cell phone expenses	$200
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical	$50
Estimated local transportation	$240
Estimated compulsory Korea health insurance	$140
Estimated visa expenses	$50
Estimated additional living expenses***	$1,000

**Total**
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Oregon Resident	$13,300
Estimated Total Cost of Participation – Non-Resident	$19,965

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support

*Estimated insurance cost per program, based on program length ($2.50 per day of coverage). The insurance fees will be charged to your UO student billing account.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to the program	Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit
8 weeks before program start date	Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Program start date or after program begins	Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

View as PDF