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 2025 02/01/2025 Late August Late December  
Academic Year 2025-26 02/01/2025 Late August Late June  
Spring Semester 2026 02/01/2025 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.

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Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

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.