University Study in South Korea: Korea University
One of the oldest and most prestigious universities in East Asia, Korea University offers the opportunity to study alongside Korean and international students in the rising metropolis of Seoul. With 24 colleges and divisions, KU offers coursework, taught in English by world-class faculty, in virtually any field.
Program Details
Location
Seoul,
South Korea
Term
Academic Year
Fall Semester
Winter Break
Calendar Year
Spring Semester
Summer Session
Housing
Apartment
Dormitory
Credit Type
Resident Credit
Sponsor
Learning Abroad Center
Program Eligibility
GPA
2.7 for semester program, 2.5 for summer and winter programs, 3.0 for summer internship
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
Language Prerequisite
No Language Prerequisite
Photos
About
With a centuries-old heritage and cutting-edge technology, Seoul is a city of contrasts where the old and new exist in harmony. The bustling city of 10 million residents is surrounded by tranquil mountains, and the peaceful seaside is less than an hour away from the buzz of city life.
Korea University (KU) is home to 37,000 students, with a 25% international student population. Living on campus, you will have the opportunity to learn and share culture with students from around the globe. Over 40% of classes at KU are taught in English, and with over 24 colleges and divisions, classes are available in almost any academic field.
The International Summer Campus (ISC) attracts over 1600 students from all over the world annually, offering more than 110 classes taught in English, and internship placements at top Korean companies and organizations.
Housing & Meals
Korea University offers on-campus housing in one of two residential facilities, where you will live and learn alongside students from Korea and all over the world. KU is also able to assist students wishing to live off-campus in apartments near KU.
Excursions
As a student in full-standing at KU, you will have access to hundreds of clubs and societies for students with various hobbies and interests. The KU International Office organizes a Buddy Program to introduce you to locals, as well as various social events through the semester and summer, such as taekwondon classes, Korean cooking, and traditional music.
Learning Outcomes
Students studying at Korea University will:
- augment their cross-cultural understanding through interaction with Korean and international students and community members;
- gain appreciation of the academic culture of Korea and differences between the Korean and US educational systems through direct enrollment;
- gain awareness and appreciation of Korean culture through dorm-style placements with Korean students, as well as access to a wide range of student organizations and clubs;
- become more self-reliant through the experience of obtaining enrollment, housing, catering, and transportation independently;
- become more effective at navigating differences by spending four to ten months of full integration in a foreign academic, cultural, and political climate;
- and experience Korean and international perspectives on academic disciplines through direct enrollment at a local host university.
Faculty & Staff
Faculty at KU come from all over the world, and are leaders in their fields. As one of the top-ranked universities in Asia, KU has a reputation for academic strength and excellence.
Program Structure
Program Level
Various levels
Courseload
15–19 credits for fall or spring semester; 3–9 credits for summer session; 3-6 credits for winter session.
Korea University operates on the traditional Korean calendar. Fall semester runs early August to mid-December, while the Spring term begins late February and runs to mid-June. Credits are awarded at a 1:1 ratio, and most classes carry 3 credits, making 5 classes a typical semester.
The summer program has 4-week and 6-week classes from late June to early August, as well as an optional 4-week internship placement during June. The winter program offers 2-week and 3-week options, typically beginning after Christmas and ending in mid-January.
Coursework
Grade & Credit Conversion Scale
NOTE: the following subjects are typically off-limits to visiting students at KU: medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, teacher education, art / design, and cyber defense.
Searching for courses: KU Course Catalogue; click on "English" in the upper left corner. Click on "+Major Subject" on the left side. Select the year and term, keep "Seoul(Anam)" as the campus, use the dropdown menu to choose the College and then Department. For Korean Language Courses, click on "+General Subject" on the left side. Select the year and term, keep "Seoul(Anam)" as the campus, keep the first dropdown menu as "General Studies," in the second dropdown menu select "Electives." Korean Language courses will be listed near the bottom with the IFLS designator.
For more information including dates, immigration, housing and more, visit KU's study abroad page. Note: You are considered a "Visiting" student at KU, not an "Exchange" student.
Summer
KU's International Summer Campus (ISC) offers more than 110 classes taught in English, as well as credit-bearing internship placements at top Korean businesses and organizations. Earn 3 to 9 credits across a wide range of academic fields, spending between 4 and 10 weeks in Seoul.
The optional internship program takes place in June, and precedes the academic program. The internship cannot be completed as a stand-alone program; students participating in an internship must also stay for either the 4-week or 6-week academic program in July and August. All internship placements are concluded by the time the academic program begins in late June; placements do not continue during the academic program.
Winter
KU's International Winter Campus offers more than 20 classes taught in English. Earn 3 to 6 credits across a range of academic fields.
Major Advising Pages
Korea University offers coursework that has been identified as a strong curricular match for the following UofM degree programs and student populations:
Global Identity
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
This course is offered at no additional cost on programs six weeks or longer. The Learning Abroad Center will email out registration instructions, or you may contact a program team member.
Program Dates
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
Orientation Dates & Locations
Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.
See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. Participants will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.
| Term Abroad | Date/Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | TBD | TBD |
Fall 2021
Application Deadline: April 15, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late August |
| Program End | Late December |
Spring 2022
Application Deadline: Oct 15, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Mid-February |
| Program End | Mid-June |
Summer 2021
Summer Internship
Application Deadline: Mar 15, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late May |
| Program End | Late June |
Summer 4 Week Program
Application Deadline: May 1, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late June |
| Program End | Late July |
Summer 6 Week Program
Application Deadline: May 1, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late June |
| Program End | Early August |
Winter 2021
Application Deadline: Oct 15, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late December |
| Program End | Mid-January |
Academic Year 2021-22
Application Deadline: April 15, 2021
| Schedule | Date |
|---|---|
| Program Start | Late August |
| Program End | Mid-June |
Fees
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Academic Year 2021-22
University Study in South Korea: Korea UDormitory 1—On Campus HousingAcademic Yr Fall 2021/Spring 2022 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $12,065 |
| International health insurance | $500 |
| Housing and/or meals | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $12,965 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $12,965 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $2,000 |
| Passport/photos | $150 |
| Visa/required documents | $45 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $300 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $2,495 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $500 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program fee | $9,500 |
| Essential daily living expensesincludes cost of 14-day quarantine (about $1300) mandated by the Korea Govt. "Subject to change" | $6,300 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $16,300 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $31,760 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $3,000 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Fall 2021
University Study in South Korea: Korea UDormitory 1—On Campus HousingFall Semester 2021 |
|
|---|---|
Program Fee
|
|
| Non-refundable deposit | $400 |
| Tuition and educational costs | $6,415 |
| International health insurance | $200 |
| Housing and/or meals | $0 |
| Transportation (if required and included in program fee) | $0 |
| Total Program Fee | $7,015 |
| Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable | $0 |
| Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable | $7,015 |
Estimated Additional Expenses
|
|
| Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad. | |
| Transportation to and from program site | $2,000 |
| Passport/photos | $150 |
| Visa/required documents | $45 |
| Travel clinic/immunizations* | $0 |
| Housing deposit | $300 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure | $2,495 |
| Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | |
| Texts/materials | $300 |
| Housing and/or meals not included in program fee | $4,500 |
| Essential daily living expensesIncludes cost of 14-day quarantine (about $1300) mandated by the Korea Govt. "Subject to change" | $3,300 |
| Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country | $8,100 |
Total Estimated Cost of Participation
|
|
| Total Estimated Cost of Participation | $17,610 |
| Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation | $1,500 |
| Additional Notes & Information | |
| * Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage. | |
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
Upon submitting the online application you will be sent a link to Korea University's online application portal. Create an account there, and upload the requested items. These items include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Statement of Purpose essay (semester program only)
- Official transcript(s)
- Passport-sized photo
- Passport copy
- Certificate of Health (semester program only)
- Proof of international health insurance (provided by the LAC)
- GPA Conversion Form
Affiliate organizations and partner universities will not accept applications from UMTC students without the endorsement of the Learning Abroad Center. Students must participate in affiliate organization and partner university programs through the standard Learning Abroad Center application process.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Ryan McCarthy
or call at
612.626.9373
Contact Program Alumn
Below is a list of additional students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.