Konkuk University

Located in Seoul, South Korea, Konkuk University was established in 1946 and has approximately 29,000 students enrolled. It was previously known as Chosun School of Politics (조선정치학관) but later renamed to Konkuk (建國), which means “founding a nation” in Hanja (Chinese characters). Konkuk University currently has two campuses: the main campus in the heart of Seoul and the Glocal campus in Chungju. Konkuk University not only leads in agricultural and life science research, but also excels in many other areas today. Furthermore, Konkuk University has undergone major transformations in the past decade, earning the title of “the fastest growing university in Korea.”

School’s Main Website (In English) | International / Exchange Student Website

GPA requirement: 

Not Applicable

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:

Course descriptions can be found in respective college’s webpage!

For exchange students, you can find available courses for your exchange period here!

Course registration process:

Course registration guidelines can be found here!

Flying Chalks’ tips: 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:

In general, attendance is one of the components that contributes to your academic grade.

Campus map:

Selected facilities:

Student Union Building
Student Union Building is where you can access various services provided by the Shinhan Bank, post office, bookstore, stationery store, electronic store, travel agency, hair salon, and even a shoe repair shop. You can find out more here!

Museum of Konkuk University Seoul
Konkuk University has its very own museum that houses the university’s collection of historical and cultural objects. You can also find Jeong Jae-Mun’s family house that was built in Joseon Dynasty which is located nearby.

Opening Hours: 11.00 am to 16.00 pm Tuesday to Friday (closed on Weekends and holidays)
Admission: Free

Sports & Fitness Facilities
Konkuk university has various sports and fitness facilities including KU Stadium, gymnasium (including a fitness centre), tennis courts, basketball courts, and sports science town. Most facilities mentioned are only open to Konkuk students, faculty, and staff. 

Food on campus:

There are various amazing Korean food and Western food places around campus. Few of them are:

1. VIP Dining Room
Menu: Korean, Asian, and Western
Opening Hours: Weekdays
Location: 2nd basement, New Millennium Hall
* Note: Reservations are required

2. Lake Hall Cafeteria
Menu: Korean
Opening Hours: Weekdays 7.30 am – 8.30 am (breakfast)
11.30 am – 12.50 pm (lunch) (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
5.30 am – 6.30 pm (dinner) (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Location: 1st floor, Lake Hall

3. Student CafeteriaⅠ
Menu: Korean and Western
Opening Hours:
- Semesters: Weekdays 8.30 am – 7 pm / Sat: 10 am – 2 pm (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
- Vacations: Weekdays: 10 am – 6 pm / Sat: 10 am – 2 pm (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Location: 1st floor, Student Union Bldg. A

4. Student CafeteriaⅡ
Menu: Korean and Western
Opening Hours:
- Semesters: Weekdays 10.30 am – 7 pm (closed on Weekends and public holidays)
- Vacations: Weekdays: 10.30 am – 6 pm (closed on Weekends and public holidays)
Location: 1st floor, Student Union Bldg. A

5. Library Cafeteria
Menu: Korean and Western
Opening Hours:
- Semesters: Weekdays 8.30 am – 7 pm / Sat: 10 am – 2 pm (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
- Vacations: Weekdays: 10 am – 6 pm / Sat: 10 am – 2 pm (closed on Sundays and public holidays)
Location: 1st basement, Sanghuh Memorial Library

6. Faculty Cafeteria
Menu: Mainly Korean food
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11.30 am – 1.30 pm (closed on Weekends and public holidays)
Location: 1st basement, New Millennium Hall

Full list of food places can be found here!

Flying Chalks’ tip: Students may purchase meal coupons to eat at the student cafeteria (3,000 ~ 3,500KRW) located in the dormitory or the Student Union Building. 

Campus transportation:

Within the campus, you can get from one building to another easily on foot. It takes around 8 mins to walk from school to the nearest station. If you are staying at the dorm, there are shuttle buses provided from school to dorm.

Orientation program:

Konkuk University has a one day orientation program where new students will be introduced to the university and informed about living in Korea. The program includes an overview of the KU Exchange/Visiting Student Program, information about course registration, campus life and living in Korea, information about banking services, dormitory, as well as a tour of the campus.

Buddy program:

Besides the school faculty, staff, and classmates, Konkuk University also has International Student Volunteers (ISV) to help foreign students better integrate into life there. These volunteers are selected by the Office of International Affairs and are also involved in organizing airport pick-ups, orientation, and campus tours.

You can find out more information about ISV here! (in Korean).

Student clubs:

Konkuk University has around 70 student clubs that students can participate in. It encompasses various areas of interest; from the leisure division, martial arts division, service division, language division, to human resources division and religious division. Full list of the student CCAs can be found here!

University Events:

1. Konkuk University Foundation Day
Every 15^th of May, Konkuk commemorates the founding of its university. All students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and notable figures come and participate in the event. Awards are given to those who have contributed to the advancement of the University.

2. Konkuk University Festival (Ilgamho Chukjeon)
In addition to the Konkuk University Foundation Day ceremony, the Konkuk University (KU) Student Association also organizes a university-wide festival. It lasts for three days and features performances and exhibitions by college departments and student clubs. Best part of it, some famous K-pop celebrities are also invited to perform!

3. Sports Festival for Incoming Freshmen
Every year between March and June, all Konkuk colleges will organize a sports festival to welcome the freshmen. This event aims to promote friendship and help the new students better integrate into Konkuk University life.

4. Fall Art Festival (Sungsinui Yehsuljae)
Organized by the Student Association around late October, the Fall Art Festival is a 3-day long event where colleges and student clubs showcase their talents.

5. Korean Culture Field Trip for New Foreign Exchange Students
The Center for International Faculty and Student Services (Office of Internal Affairs) organizes a field trip every spring and fall for new foreign exchange students. This event aims to let the international students experience and learn more about Korean culture.

Konkuk University Area (Korea) is a bustling area packed full of street food, shopping places, restaurants, and bars along the street. The best time to visit the area is at night when the place is brightly lit and lively as throngs of people on the streets looking for cheap food and drinks.

For food:

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

1. Café Iceberry
Located at Hwayang-dong Gwangjin-gu, Café Iceberry’s specialties are desserts like bingsu (shaved ice), ice-cream, waffles/pancakes, smoothies and many more. Prices are reasonable, portions are huge, and its desserts are delicious!

2. Choi-Ga Coffee
Choi-Ga Café is well-known for its coffee, waffles, and ice-cream. The waffles are often decorated with fruits, caramel or chocolate syrup, topped off with ice-cream and whipped cream. Best thing is that prices are cheap and definitely value-for-money!

To get there, you will need to take subway line 6 or 2 and get off at Konkuk University station. From there, you can take the exit no. 2 and walk toward the Sejong University direction. You will see “Rainbow Glasses” store after you walk about 150m. Turn left after you see the store and walk again for about 60-70m and the store will be seen on your left side.

3. Maehwa Banjeom
Maehwa Banjeom is a Korean-Chinese restaurant that is popular for its reasonably-priced and delectable offerings such as lamb skewers, sweet and sour pork, and stir fried pork.

4. Street food
A line of street vendors can be found lining the sidewalk just across the street from exits 3 and 4 of Konkuk University Station. These street food vendors sell delicious items including from traditional Korean food such as Ddeobokki, Japanese food like takoyaki, to fusion culture food such as waffles and churros with a tinge of Korean twist.

5. Rodeo Street
This is where you can find good Indian food should you be craving for some!

For nightlife and entertainment:

The area around Konkuk University (Kondae) gets very crowded at night and is packed with street food, restaurants, and bars for students to chill after a stressful day of studying. There are endless food places ranging from BBQ restaurants to seafood and grilled shellfish restaurants.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:

• Hongdae is a place famed for its nightlife and entertainment. It mainly caters to the younger, hipster crowd.
• Gangnam is another place famed for its nightlife and entertainment, which also received global recognition when Korean artiste Psy’s MV “Gangnam Style” went viral. As compared to Hongdae, it mainly caters to the working and more sophisticated crowd.

For daily necessities and groceries:

For daily necessities like home appliances, furniture, household items or groceries, you can head over to the Lotte Department Store which is close to Konkuk University.

You can also go to E-Mart (Jayang Branch) which is located in front of Konkuk University Station (Subway lines 2 or 7) to get fresh and processed food, clothes, stationery, cosmetics, household items, kitchen utensils, toys, books, and many more.

Flying Chalks’ tip: Generally speaking, E-Mart would be a more economical option!

For shopping:

1. Lotte Mall
Just outside the school, there is a huge Lotte mall where one can enjoy entertainment such as movies or simply to shop and go café-hopping!

2. Kondae
Konkuk University Area (Kondae) is not only a great place to eat but also to shop! Not many tourists know about this area as they tend to go to more tourist-friendly areas like Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Itaewon. The whole area plays host to inexpensive clothing stores, accessories store, and even hair salons.

How to get there: Konkuk University Station (Line 2 and 7) Exit 5

Getting From Incheon International Airport to Konkuk University:

1. By Airport Limousine Bus
Getting to Konkuk University from Incheon International Airport by airport limousine bus takes around 90 minutes. It is the most convenient way to reach Konkuk university and Limousine Bus #6013 is available every 30-50 minutes from 6.15 am to 10.55 pm. The fee of transportation is ₩10,000 and you can purchase the tickets at the passenger terminal on the first floor.

2. Subway
You can also take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) that connects the airport and Seoul Station. To get to Konkuk, you will need to take the “All-stop” AREX train to Hongik University station and then transfer to Line 2 to get to KU station.

3. Taxi
Taxi ride is quite expensive to get from the airport to Konkuk. It will cost approximately ₩70,000 (passengers are responsible for the toll fees) and the rates are higher for “deluxe taxis” in black.