Korea University South Korea
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About School
Academics
My Campus
Student Life
Surrounding Environment
Accessibility
About School

Korea University

Korea University is ranked as one of the top 3 universities in Korea and is also amongst the oldest universities in the country. Founded in 1905 by Mr. Hae-Uoung Shin as Korea’s first institute for higher education, it has developed into today’s 18 colleges, 85 academic departments and 75 research institutes, spread across 4 different campuses.

School’s Main Website | Information for incoming students

Academics

GPA requirement:

NIL

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:

More information on the courses offered can be found here!

Korean language courses
Students can take Korean language courses at the Korean Language Center (KLC) where approximately 50,000 international students and overseas Koreans have attended KLC’s training programs to learn about Korean language, society and culture.

To learn more about the offered programs, you can click here!

Flying Chalks’ tip: If you already have some background knowledge on the language, there is no need to worry too much about which level of proficiency to take up for your classes as there will be a placement test to categorize the students.
Course registration process:

Registration for courses is via the Fastest-Fingers-First system on the start of the application date.

Flying Chalks’ tips:

  • 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.

In addition, professors are usually more understanding towards exchange students’ demands. Having said that, 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:

Korea University’s academic regulations mandate a class attendance of at least 70% to earn a passing grade. However, professors have the authority to enforce a different attendance policy and in such cases, students should follow the professors’ guidelines.

My Campus

Campus map:
Korea University's campus map can be found here! 

Selected facilities:

Hana Square Fitness Centre
The Fitness Centre can be accessed by either signing up for the monthly membership or paying an entrance fee of KRW $5,000 per 2 hour visit.
For more information on it usage click here!

Nokgee Sports Facilities
Track, Basketball court, Grass fields
For more information click here!

Tiger Dome
Badminton court, Squash court, Assistant stadium, Fitness Center, Rock climbing, Aerobics room
For more information click here!

Memorial Hall
Table Tennis room, Fitness Center
For more information click here!

Food on campus:

Korea University students are spoilt for choices when it comes to food on campus. Apart from the many cafés, snack stores and convenience stores located around the campus, you can also find food at:

Central Plaza

  • Meals and Snack (Restaurant) located at B1F
  • Burger King (Fastfood) located at B1F

CJ Law Hall

BiBigo (Restaurant) located at 1F

Tiger Plaza

MOM’s TOUCH (Fastfood) located at 1F
Hwang Ki-Soon’s Handmade noodle located at 3F
A TWOSOME PLACE (Café) located at 2F

Hanasquare

Lotteria (Fastfood) located at B1F
Palazzo Del Freddo (Ice-cream) located at B1F
KU Bakery located at B1F

Campus transportation:

There is a free shuttle bus service that ferries students around the campus.

Student Life

Korea University offers you one of the most exciting student life experiences that one can ask for in Korea! From co-hosting the biggest university event in Korea (Koyon-Jon or Yonko-Jon) to its own school anniversary celebrations and a Marathon with historical significance, it is indeed a university that “Work Hard, Play Hard”.

Orientation program:

You will first be welcomed to the school through a mandatory one-day orientation program.

Buddy program:

Korea University has its Korea University Buddy Assistants (KUBA) that matches an international student with a local KU student to assist international students in adapting to life at the university as well as promote reciprocal cultural exposure.

Student clubs:

There are about 150 clubs on the Anam and Sejong campuses ranging from performance art, religion and social sciences to that of sports.

Club Association (Anam Campus)

Aegineung Club Association (Science Campus)

Sejong Club Association (Sejong Campus)
 

University events:

Korea-Yonsei Games (Koyon-jon / Yonko-jon)
Held in Fall, Koyon-jon is the biggest university event in Korea that features rivalry between Korea University and Yonsei University over 5 sporting events (Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Rugby and Soccer). The actual sporting event runs over 2 days, with a Prep-rally session before the event and an After-party upon completion.

Such is its scale and hype that the Yonse-Korea Games was even featured on the popular Korean variety show “Infinity Challenge”!

Great Granite Tower Festival (Suktap Daedong Festival)
The Great Granite Tower Festival is KU’s premier festival that occurs around the school’s anniversary (May 5) where students, faculty members, alumni, school parents, and even the local community come together to participate in the festivity.

Street festivals on Chamsari Street, academic seminars and joint broadcasting events with Yonsei University are some of the events that run through the week and building up to the most popular event of all – the Ipselenti Cheering Festival!

4.18 Marathon
The 4.18 Marathon is one of historical significance. On 18th April 1960, 3,000 KU students stood up against the injustice and dictatorship of the Liberal regime. After reading a declaration denouncing President Rhee, they headed for the National Assembly Building. On their way back to school after the protest, KU students were assaulted by political hoodlums. This assault on peaceful student protesters struck raw emotions amongst fellow students and general public, leading up to the “4.19 Revolution”.

To commemorate this historic event and the bravery of KU students, students gather every year on 18th April for a marathon that starts from the school’s main gate to the Memorial Grave Site in Suyu and back. At the Memorial Grave Site, students pay their respects to the martyrs of this revolution.

International Students’ Festival (ISF)
The International Students’ Festival is one where international students share more about their home country and cultures to others. At this event, you can learn about foreign cultures through great food, fun games, and an interactive exhibition.

Surrounding Environment

Located at the main gate of Korea University is a small university town that caters to the students there. While there are many restaurants and bars, shopping choices are rather limited.

For food:

The area plays host to a decent amount of restaurants, eateries, coffee shops, Korean BBQ, fast food restaurants and street food.

For nightlife and entertainment:

You can easily find No-Rae-Bangs (Korean-style singing rooms), bars and pubs around Anam. However, should you want to go clubbing, you will have travel out of the area.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations: 
1. Hongdae is a place famed for its nightlife and entertainment. It mainly caters to the younger, hipster crowd.
2. 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 and groceries, there are “Daiso” stores, various mini supermarkets like “2plus Mart” and “Korea Mart”, as well as many convenience stores in the area.
Should you be willing to travel a little further, there is also the “Homeplus” hypermarket about 10 minutes’ bus ride away.

For shopping:

While there are several skincare & cosmetics shops, the area is lacking in fashion outlets.

Flying Chalks’ recommendations:
1. “Express Bus Terminal” is a highly popular place amongst locals and foreigners alike for shopping. The underground shopping features hundreds of shops with products at affordable prices. Having said that, you can always bargain for better prices!
2. Dongdaemun is another highly popular shopping haven where you can literally shop till dawn! For serious shoppers, it is near impossible to finish the entire shopping area even in one full day :O

Accessibility

Korea University is located in Anam and is most commonly accessed via the subway by alighting at Anam station or Korea University station (Line 6 Subway)

Getting from Incheon airport to Korea University:

By Incheon Airport Railroad Express

The Airport Railroad can be said to be the fastest and most affordable option to get from Incheon Airport / Gimpo Airport to the heart of Seoul city.

The Express train (non-stop) allows one to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul station in just 43 minutes! Should your final desired destination not be Seoul station, you can also take the All-stop train which is slightly slower but stops at several stations in between (56 minutes to Seoul station).

Flying Chalks recommendation: This option is highly recommended for students who seek a comfortable ride and yet not want to splurge on commuting! However, do note the train timings in order not to miss it.

First train (Express): 5.20am (runs in intervals of about 30-40minutes)
First train (All-stop): 5.23am (runs in intervals of about 7-15minutes)
Last train (Express): 9.40pm
Last train (All-stop): 9.42pm; 9.57pm (train stops at Digital Media City station)

Directions: From the Arrival Hall, head down to B1 floor and follow the signs “Airport Railroad” to the station. Take the train to Gongdeok station, then transfer to Line 6 Subway and head for Anam station or Korea University station.

By Limousine Bus

The limousine bus offers a comfortable and relatively inexpensive ride to various places, including that of Seoul. Passengers can get information about its services and ticketing at the following ticket booths located outside the airport’s Arrival floor:

Exit 4 and 9 (indoors)
Exit 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 9C (outdoors)

Directions: Board the limousine bus numbered 6101 and get off at Korea University or Sungrye Elementary School stop.

For more information, click here and here!

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.

Korea University is pronounced as “Ko-Ryo-Dae” in Korean. The fare of a regular taxi to Korea University is approximately KRW $50,000.

By Jin hyeong
2017-03-03 20:00:26
2 Best restaurant near KU, 1. Lee Suyoung Pizza: You should try a pizza named "Lee Suyoung speical pizza." It's super cheap around KRW 7,500 for one whole pizza, and especially you can get discounted if you pay in cash. 2. 911 Onban: This is a Korean cuisine restaurant. They only two menus: spicy bulgogi and non-spicy bulgogi. Both are only KRW 7,000 and provide all the side dishes and beverages unlimited. Quality and quantity both are nice. You should try it! But if you visit them during the meal time, you should queue up for awhile.
By
2016-11-01 03:53:19
As students who lived our entire lives in the tropics, our greatest “shock” was the weather – it was winter and so much fun! Korea University picked us up from the airport to our accommodation and welcomed us with a 3 day orientation. The orientation is basically for us to fill up forms and apply for student cards etc. as well as to know Korea’s culture and tour the school! On top of that, we were allocated buddies as long as we applied on KUBA. Activities were regularly hosted for us to interact with the local students so without doubt, we made several lifelong friends and experienced Korea in a different perspective (non-touristy)! One of the major highlights was the appearance of Korean Idols at the school concert (IPSELENTI)! I am still able to visualize that moment till date, making my exchange one of the best periods of my life. I would definitely recommend it!!
By
2016-10-17 19:23:02
Korea University provides its students with dormitories located within minutes’ walk. I managed to confirm my accommodation before leaving Singapore. I searched online for reviews on Allive Goshitel and they were indeed, very good. It costs KRW550,000 per month, more expensive than other private single rooms, but it was clean, big and relatively new compared to the other goshitels around the school. The room was well-furnished (with fridge, cupboards, a wardrobe and LAN internet), clean and reasonably sized. I also had my own private adjacent toilet (though it was a little small). There is a washing machine/dryer and kitchen on every floor. I had a friend in Korea to helped me with the reservation confirmation (and payment of 1 month rent) in advance. The building manager does not speak Korean so it would be best to get someone who speaks Korean to communicate on your behalf. But If you apply for dorm and you don’t get it, the school will look for an alternative accommodation for you and will even pay the 1st month rent on your behalf.
By
2016-10-15 18:53:12
I chose Korea for my exchange studies because I enjoy the Korean culture such as food, music and television shows and Korea was comparatively more affordable compared to Europe and the US. The overseas exposure gained through my exchange was largely beneficial as I was not only forced to be independent and responsible for myself, I also had to adapt and become thick-skinned when making friends with whom built me up. Adjustments to the weather, culture and language were inevitable as I went during the Winter and I missed home. I would recommend for you to pick up some basic Korean language before embarking on your journey as it really helped me a lot with daily life, like when reading menus and shopping.
By Jae Yoon Hwang
2016-07-30 01:37:43
Well, in order to keep review as 'review' and not long-winded essay, I will share my experience in easy-to-read manner (i.e point form :D) Also, I will try not to repeat things that were mentioned by other reviewers :D Why you should go KU (Summer programme)? 1. You can actually see/learn unique culture of Korea University that has been there for centuries! (Drinking culture, Ko-Yeon festival, Studying methods, etc) 2. Many of the modules taught involves group-work, and this will allow you to form network with people not just from KU but from other reputable Uni. 3. If you are a drinker, KU is your heaven. I believe KU is the only Uni where they 'officially' support you drink and provide occasions to drink (and pay), every Friday. 4. KU owns an ice-link, where you could skate at really cheap price. Also, since figure-skater Yuna Kim is from KU, who knows? she might visit there. 5. Professors @ KU are mostly english speaking as most of them has experience teaching in overseas. 6. Summer program @ KU is usually 5~6week INTENSIVE course. For example, I've taken principles of accounting in KU, which had a 2-hour class daily, 5 days in a week for 6 weeks. The amount of topics covered was almost the same as the syllabus covered for same subject back in home Uni which was taken through 1 semester So, if you have a compulsory module that you hate, and you are worried that it will get you mad if you take it for entire semester, I think its a good option to do it at KU. (I mean, get it done quick if you can't avoid :P) 7. To be honest, KU is located a little far away from city center (Anam), but I thought it's better to be that way. because its away from CBD area, things around KU are really cheap, and little traffic. For foreigners, scenery around Anam will provide more local sights in Seoul than CBD area. 8. To affiliated school students, a small scholarship that worth KRW 200,000 is granted. Also, if your either parents are KU Alumni, you will be granted KRW 400,000! Lastly, up to KRW 1.5 mil is granted to students who gets Average A for their subjects taken. (So, if you work hard enough, you will be able to study here almost for free!)
By Yeongseon Kim
2016-07-26 22:31:58
It is the place where you can enjoy what Korean culture is. It provides a lot of amazing experiences as below. 1. Sports festival with Yonsei University which is top 2 university It is held on Setember, fall for three days. It consists of ice hockey, baseball, basketball and football match. Students cheer for each university, wearing red(for Korea uni) and blue(for Yonsei). After playing, they gather aroung one of Korea and Yonsei university and are provided free drinks from their seniors. It will be a lot fun and unforgettable experience! 2. KUBA(Korea University Buddy Assistants) Every exchange student belongs to this club. Buddies who will be matched to you should be fluent at English and enthuasistic for helping you get adjust to Korea! They have two weekly sessions that give you chance to go around Seoul! 3. Cheap price for living Compared with others, everything is quite cheap at Korea university epecially for restaurants and pubs. For making a living except for housing, 400 to 500 USD would be enough! Do not miss chance to enjoy Korea university!
By Kyung Eun Lee
2016-07-26 18:40:52
Korea university is one of the best universities in Korea and offers lots of modules across faculties (over 100 modules offered for 6 weeks programme). Thus, it is easy to choose which modules to take. The summer school is 4 weeks/6 weeks programme and unlike other universities in Korea, there is scholarship for students who get average A+ or A. Also number of students for each class is limited to 50 students which is relatively small class compared to my home university so it is easy to approach the professors and concentrate during lecture. However, Korea university is private university so tuition fee for summer school is relatively more expensive. Furthermore, as it is summer school, professors do not teach everything and most of time they ask to read textbook. Also, during my summer programme, there was quiz every week which covered 3-4 chapters so students had to study at least 1 chapter everyday. Therefore, if you want to experience Korea, especially want to travel around Korea during summer school, you may consider other universities in Korea :)
By Chinsian Lee
2016-02-25 23:04:16
KU will be an amazing place for exchange if you're considering for a more affordable option in Asia. More tips to look out for: 1. Accommodation at CJ is pretty hard to get and it's not particularly accessible. Try and secure Goshiwons around the Anam-dong area (but you will probably have to pay a bit of premium for it), where you can get easy access to restaurants, supermarkets, late night snack stalls and the subway. 2. Telecommunications: If there is a language barrier, head over to the KT Olleh Global store in Hongdae where they have english speaking customer service officers. 3. Courses/classes: KU does offer a plenty of courses taught in English, you will have check them up or check with your schools if they can be mapped over.