Korea University

Established in 1905, Korea University (KU) has educated several generations of students for nearly 120 years. Founded by Lee Young-Ik, Treasurer of the Royal Household, the institution holds a special place in South Korean history for being among the first to provide academic programmes in multiple disciplines such as law, economics, and journalism. The university is best known for its business and law schools, which are ranked among the best in the country. It has also been lauded for its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research, especially science and technology. 

The university has two campuses: in Seoul and Sejong. Additionally, three subsidiary hospitals are also a part of the institution: Anam Hospital, Guro Hospital, and Ansan Hospital. The total strength of students at Korea University (KU) is 37,053. According to data on the university’s official website, there are Seoul Campus hosts around 29,572 students and the Sejong Campus is home to 7,481 students. The Seoul Campus has 1,885 international students, while the Sejong Campus has 1,175 students in its language, exchange, and training programmes.

Korea University, South Korea, is ranked first among Korean universities for the number of alumni holding CEO positions at the top 500 companies listed on the Forbes 2000 ranking. Recently, the institute was ranked 74th by QS World University Rankings. Let us learn more about the university and its programs in this article. 

Courses and Faculty

This esteemed institution has 81 departments across 19 colleges and divisions and 18 graduate schools. Some of its popular programs include business administration, economics, mathematics, physics, information & communication technology (ICT), and industrial & systems engineering, among others. The faculty at KU is among the most accomplished in Asia, with over 1,500 full-time professors holding PhD.s or equivalent qualifications in their field. 

Over 5,000 faculty members are employed at Korea University in both full-time and part-time roles, including international faculty members; thereby, bringing a wealth of academic and cultural diversity to the university’s campuses. Additionally, Korea University’s alumni association consists of over 280,000 graduates. It also boasts of a student body of over 20,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students. 

Fees and Scholarships 

Studying at Korea University, South Korea can be a costly affair. While tuition for Korean students is relatively low, international students will have to pay significantly more. The cost of tuition is usually fixed at around KRW 6,352,000 and is supposed to be paid on a semester basis. In addition to tuition, students will have to pay other fees such as for enrollment and facilities. Also, international students are required to pay a health insurance fee and a visa issuance fee.

Despite the high cost of attendance, KU offers several scholarships that are available to both Korean and international students. The school’s scholarship programs are divided into two categories: general scholarships and departmental scholarships. General scholarships are awarded based on academic merit or financial need, while departmental scholarships are specific to certain departments within the university. 

Also, there are various private scholarship programs available through outside organisations. Therefore, with careful planning, an aspirant can take advantage of the financial assistance opportunities available to them and ensure that they can attend KU.

Admission Requirements 

There are several requirements that an applicant must meet in order to secure admission at KU. To begin with, you will have to complete a comprehensive application form that seeks information such as name, date of birth, and nationality, among others. You will also have to provide copies of your passport and that of your parents or other documents confirming their nationality. Additionally, you must submit a certificate confirming that you have deposited over USD 10,000 into a Korean bank account, which can be done through your local bank branch or at the embassy/consulate office in Korea.

If you are applying as an undergraduate student, then you must also provide copies of your high school diploma and graduation certificate (or equivalent). Also, if English is not your first language, then you are required to submit scores from one of the several recognised English proficiency tests such as TOEFL and  IELTS.  

Furthermore, a personal statement has to be submitted along with your application. The personal statement allows you to introduce yourself and explain why you wish to study at a particular university in Korea. It must be well-written and concise as it will be read by admissions officers who are unaware of you and your background. As part of the personal statement section on the application form, you will also be asked about the program(s) that you wish to study at the university. Therefore, ensure that you scrutinize every program carefully and select those that match your skills and interests the best. 

You must also present a study plan that outlines how you intend to spend your time while studying at KU. It should include details such as which subjects/courses interest you the most, why they appealed to you, and what goals you aim to achieve by completing a degree at Korea University. A well-written study plan demonstrates your ability to plan your future confidently and to have a clear idea of what kicking off your career involves.

All the above-mentioned documents mentioned must be submitted along with the application form before the specified deadline.  Overall, Korea University guarantees students a rich learning experience. Therefore, if you want to improve your chances of having a successful career in the field of your choice,  then  consider applying to Korea University!