Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore and Above
Location: Asia, South Korea
GPA: 3.0

Program Overview

Experience life at a small yet highly ranked university by directly enrolling in classes at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH). Founded in 1986, POSTECH has around 3,500 enrolled students and boasts 86 research institutes and centers, indicating the strength of the university’s research mission. Students at POSTECH can select from 11 undergraduate departments and 21 graduate programs—though most departments are in STEM fields, POSTECH also has a Division of Humanities and Social Sciences. As an exchange student, you will be welcomed by POSTECH Student Ambassadors, who will help you learn to navigate the university, Pohang, and its surroundings.

Pohang is one of the largest cities in the North Gyeongsang province and a main seaport, with a population of around 500,000. Because of its location on the coast, Pohang is well-known for its fresh seafood and its beaches—there are seven major beaches along Pohang’s coast. The city is home to both industry and nature—Pohang has both beautiful forests and mountains and one of the largest steel companies in the world.

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 Mid June
Spring Semester 2026 06/15/2025 Mid-February Mid 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.

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

At POSTECH, you can participate in the exchange program as a course-taking student or a course-taking and research student. Most of the 11 undergraduate departments and 21 graduate programs focus science and technology, though there is also a Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at POSTECH. If you are interested in pursuing research during your exchange, you will be required to contact a POSTECH professor to get approval for research projects before submitting your secondary application. You will then include the professor’s letter of approval with your application.

Around 60% of the courses at POSTECH are taught in English, and you are able to take both undergraduate and graduate-level classes as long as you meet the prerequisites. There are a limited number of English-taught humanities classes and upper-division STEM classes, so it is highly recommended that you either have Korean language proficiency or review the courses offered on POSTECH’s website carefully when planning your exchange program.

You will be able to register for courses during the course registration period as long as spaces permit. To see the course list, follow this link. In order to register classes with prerequisites, exchange students will need to consult with the course instructor and submit a “Change of Course Registration Form” to academic department during the add/drop period at the start of the semester.

The standard credit load is 15 semester credits per semester, but as an exchange student, you are able to take between 10 and 22 semester credits per semester. Each 1 credit at POSTECH = 1.5 UO quarter credits.

Students should work closely with their UO academic advisor before selecting courses at POSTECH.

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

Applicants must have completed at least one term at the UO by the application deadline. There is no language requirement, but one year of college-level Korean is highly recommended in order to facilitate daily life in Pohang and navigating a Korean university.

Housing Description

Housing in on-campus dormitories is guaranteed for all incoming exchange students. If there is sufficient space, you will be placed in the Dormitory for International Cultural Exchange (DICE), an English-language building that houses most exchange students. Since POSTECH is a small university, all current students are able to live in on-campus dormitories. Each building has a shared lounge, laundry room, and shower room.

POSTECH’s housing office requires the housing fee to be paid in a lump sum within two weeks of arrival, and housing fees vary depending on whether your room is renovated or non-renovated. Meals are not included in the housing fees, but you can purchase a meal plan for an additional fee.