Edit Guide 
About School 
Academics 
My Campus 
Student Life 
Surrounding Environment 
Accessibility Pusan National University
Pusan National University (PNU) was established in 1946 in Pusan, Korea’s second largest city. Continually ranked among one of top 500 world universities by ARWU World University Ranking and QS Top Universities Ranking, it is widely regarded as one of Korea’s top ten universities. PNU comprises of 14 colleges, a general graduate school and 6 professional graduate schools.
School’s Main Website | International Student Website
Student handbook (English) can be found here!
Student handbook (Chinese) can be found here!
GPA requirement:
No minimum GPA requirement
Language of instruction:
Korean, English
Flying Chalks’ tip: Do note that even for classes indicated as being taught in English, professors may choose to teach in Korean instead for various reasons (own preference, cater to the English standards of Korean students etc). It is advisable to check out the classes at the start of the semester, and plan more course options as a backup plan.
Courses:
All undergraduate courses are open to exchange students except for Medicine and Pharmacy.
More information on the courses offered can be found under “Courses → Course List → Undergraduate Courses or Courses in Foreign Languages → SEARCH” here!
Korean language courses
There are 5 different Korean language courses available for students per semester:
- Basic Korean
- Korean Conversation (1): Basic
- Korean Conversation (2): Intermediate
- Korean Reading & Composition (1): Basic
- Korean Reading & Composition (2): Intermediate
The Korean language course will be reflected in the university transcript.
Course registration process:
Registration for courses is via the Fastest-Fingers-First system on the start of the application date. Do note that the course registration website is in Korean and may prove daunting should you not be well-versed in the language.
Flying Chalks’ tips:
- Most exchange students had their buddies bid the courses for them!
- In most Korean universities, professors have the authority to accept students into their class even though it might appear as fully enrolled on the university’s online course registration system. All you have to do is to fill up a form, have the professor’s approval to register for the course, and submit it to the Academic Office.
While professors are usually more understanding towards exchange students’ demands, do not bet all your hopes on it!
- As Korean websites tend to require certain plug-ins not used in other parts of the world, it would be good to use Internet Explorer which supports these plug-ins. Browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox may not support the plug-ins needed for the websites to run.
Attendance policy:
Students who fail to attend more than 2/3 of the total class hours will receive an “F” grade. However, professors usually have the authority to enforce a different attendance policy and in such cases, students should follow the professors’ guidelines.
Campus map:
Pusan National University's campus map can be found here!
Selected facilities:
Kyung Am Gymnasium (Sports Center)
Provides facilities for weight training, in-door golf, squash, yoga, and dance.
It is located near Sports Complex (Building no. 706) and can be accessed after registration.
Telephone: 051-510-1076~7
Service hours: Weekdays (7-9am; 2-9pm)
Student Center
Provides various amenities and restaurants for students
Food on campus:
PNU students usually head to the following 4 university cafeterias for their meals on campus:
Geumjeong Hall
Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Operates Monday through Friday, 7.30am – 7pm
Also opens on Saturdays and Sundays during Midterm and Final exam period from 7.30am – 6pm
Moonchang Hall
Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
Operates Monday through Friday, 6am – 8pm
Satbol Hall
Serves lunch and dinner
Operates Monday through Friday, 9am – 7pm
Also opens on Saturdays 9am – 1.30pm, and during vacation months 9am – 6pm
Student Union Hall
Serves lunch and dinner
Operates Monday through Friday, 11am – 6.30pm
Campus transportation:
There is a shuttle bus service that ferries students around the campus from 6am – 8pm.
Service intervals: every 5 minutes in the morning; every 10 minutes in the afternoon
Bus fare: KRW $450 (upward) & KRW $350 (downward) in cash
Route (upward): PNU Subway station > Busan Bank > PNU Main Gate > Main Admin Building > Moonchang Hall > Library #2 (Central Library) > Social Sciences Building > Law Building > Chemistry Building > Human Ecology Building > Arts Building > Education Building #2 > Student Union Building > Sports Center Building
Route (downward): Sports Center Building > Education Building #2 > Arts Building > Human Ecology Building > Chemistry Building > Law Building > Social Sciences Building > Library #2 (Central Library) > Main Admin Building > PNU Main Gate > Registry Office > PNU Rear Gate > Shinhan Bank > PNU Subway station
PNU students can look forward to a fairly exciting student life as its campus also plays host to various external activities, in addition to its school events and festivals.
Orientation program:
You will first be welcomed to the school through a mandatory orientation program where you will be provided with useful information on academics, student life, campus life and city life. Your buddies will also play a part in orientating you around the campus!
Buddy program:
Pusan National University has its PNU buddy program that matches an international student with a local PNU student to assist international students in adapting to life at the university as well as promote reciprocal cultural exposure.
Program activities include airport pick-up, company for campus orientation, field trips and many more.
Student clubs:
There are more than 80 student clubs registered at the student club union, in addition to those operating within departments and colleges in PNU that students can choose from. The clubs officially recruit new members in Mirinaegol in the back of the Humanities Hall at the beginning of each academic year.
Pusan National University Friend (PNUF)
PNUF is a non-profit voluntary club that teaches Korean and the Korean culture to foreigners. It is recommended for all international students and its activities include:
- Korean language class on every Monday and Thursday, 7.30 – 8.30pm
- Cultural activities and national holiday events for international students
For more information on the various student clubs, click here!
University events:
We Are One Festival
“We Are One” is a festival where international students stage cultural performances to promote cultural exchange and forging of global friendships. It is held in December each year.
Industrial field trips
The field trips provide students with the opportunities to visit leading industrial companies in Busan, Pohang, Ulsan, etc. to better understand the industrial development, business and politics of Korea.
Pusan National University is situated in Busan – Korea’s 2nd largest city and highly dynamic in both culture and tourism. The city plays host to a wide variety of events and festivals such as the Pusan International Film Festival, Busan Firework Festival and Busan Biennale.
The Pusan National University area is a sprawling university town that has everything from food, nightlife and entertainment, to that of shopping for students studying in the area.
For food:
The area plays host to dozens of restaurants, eateries, themed cafes, dessert cafes, coffee chains, fast food restaurants, Korean BBQ and even street food.
Flying Chalks’ recommendation:
- Waffle ice-cream: There’s a small shop outside PNU’s main gate that sells really delicious waffle ice-cream!
- Noh's Coffee: A coffee joint highly popular amongst PNU students for its cheap and good coffee that costs just KRW $1,500WON!
- Jasmin Coffee 자스민커피: Located directly opposite PNU, Jasmin Coffee is the perfect place to hang out with friends over bingsu, drinks and cupcakes! On top of that, collect 15 holders and get an Americano for free!
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For nightlife and entertainment:
For entertainment, there are PC gaming shops, pool/billiard centres, arcades, cinema and even a bowling alley around the university area!
For nightlife, you can easily find No-Rae-Bangs (Korean-style singing rooms), bars and pubs all within a stone’s throw distance from one another.
For daily necessities and groceries:
For daily necessities and groceries, students usually head to the supermarket located at the basement of NC shopping centre near the university’s main gate. There are also the “Homeplus” and “Lotte Mart” hypermarkets within walking distance from the university.
For shopping:
There is everything from skincare and cosmetics shops, fashion outlets and stationery shop “Artbox”, to that of shopping malls in the vicinity. Such is its vibrancy that many tourists specially visit the area to shop and eat!
PNU is most commonly accessed via the subway by alighting at Pusan National University station (Line 1 Subway). Upon exit, walk all the way straight down the busy street and you will reach the university’s main gate.
Flying Chalks tip: Be careful not to confuse “Pusan National University” station with “Busan National University Education” station also on Line 1 Subway!
Getting from Gimhae International airport to Pusan National University:
By Subway
- Take the Busan Gimhae Light Rail Transit at the airport to Daejeo station
- Transfer to Line 3 subway and travel to Yeonsan station
- Transfer to Line 1 subway and travel to Pusan National University station
The entire journey will take about 1 hour and cost KRW $1,500.
By Bus
- Take city bus #307 from bus terminal #3 at Gimhae International Airport and get off at the Gwanghye Hospital
- Transfer to city bus #121 or #130 and get off at the Pusan National University’s Front Gate
The entire journey will take about 1 hour and the city bus fare is KRW $1,300.
By Taxi
Taxi is by far the most convenient way of getting from the airport to the campus (especially when you have lots of luggage) but is also the most expensive. You can get a taxi outside the Arrival Hall of the airport. The journey will take about 20 minutes and cost around KRW $20,000.
Getting from Busan Train station to Pusan National University:
- Walk towards Busan Station Square and take Line 1 Subway towards Nopo
- Get off at Pusan National University station
The entire journey will take about 1 hour and cost KRW $1,500.
