South Korea, otherwise known as the Land of the Morning Calm, is an East Asian country filled with highly modernized cities as well as areas with lovely mountains and flowing valleys. Its capital is Seoul. The country’s official language is Korean, while some speak English. As for religion, it varies, but the majority of the residents do not have a religious affiliation. However, there are also Buddhists and Christians in the country.
The field of humanities is truly a broad one. From art to history to society and even philosophy, there is a wide range of learning areas that students in the humanities can explore. Below, we discuss some of the best universities for the humanities in South Korea.
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in South Korea
1. Seoul National University
Seoul National University (SNU) is a consistently top-ranking Korean institute of higher education. Officially founded as the country’s premier national university in 1946, SNU has now come a long way. At present, the university has four campuses: Gwanak Campus, Yeongeon Campus, Pyeongchang Campus, and Siheung Campus.
Incoming undergraduates can choose from the university’s 15 colleges, which offer numerous degree programs across several fields. Moreover, the institution also has a graduate school complete with 106 programs to choose from. Lastly, the center of learning also has a variety of professional graduate schools.
At SNU, the College of Humanities was formerly a part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Nowadays, it is independent as a college with 16 departments and over 190 professors who are all working towards a common goal of ensuring that all students attain high-quality education in the said field.
2. Sungkyunkwan University
A private university with historical roots dating back to 1398, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is an esteemed private higher education institution. It has two campuses: one in Seoul for Humanities and Social Sciences and one in Gyeonggi-do for Natural Sciences.
Since SKKU is a distinguished university, many students choose to pursue their tertiary education at the said learning center. With that, it is only natural that it has an extensive list of notable alumni, including politician and former broadcaster Park Byeong-seug, poet and diplomat Ko Chang-soo, professional golfer Mi-Hyun Kim, businessman and former actor Bae Yong-joon, and famous actor Song Joong-ki.
At SKKU’s Humanities and Social Sciences campus, several colleges offer students a wide range of programs across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. One such example is the College of Liberal Arts, formerly referred to as the College of Humanities, which offers study options like Korean Language and Literature, History, and Philosophy. It is no surprise that Sungkyunkwan University is among the best humanities universities in South Korea.
3. Pusan National University
Pusan National University (PNU) is a national university situated in Busan. It was established in 1946 and began with only two faculties, the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Fisheries. Currently, the multi-campus institution has 15 colleges and three types of graduate schools: a general one, a professional one, and a special one.
At PNU, the College of Humanities has study programs for students across all tertiary levels. For instance, courses like Archaeology and Language and Information are available for prospective Master’s students at this top-notch humanities school.
4. Sogang University
Sogang University is a Jesuit, liberal arts-focused institution in Seoul, widely recognized for its strong programs in international relations, trade, and diplomacy. Its Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) offers fully English-taught graduate degrees in International Relations, International Trade, International Finance, and Korea & East Asia Studies.
Moroccan student Souad highlights that she chose Sogang’s International Relations master’s program not only because it matched her career goals, but also because it was “100% taught in English,” allowing her to fully focus on her studies without language barriers.
Filipino scholar Souljah also praises the program’s academic intensity, rating Sogang GSIS a “9/10 for academic rigor” and attributing this to the “quality of faculty members.” She explains that the school’s “emphasis on academic papers encourages students to research new ideas and perspectives.”
These firsthand insights point to Sogang’s educational strengths: a globally accessible, English-medium curriculum; close mentorship from highly qualified professors; and a learning environment that prioritizes rigorous research and critical thinking. This makes Sogang a top destination for humanities and social sciences students seeking an intellectually challenging and supportive international academic experience.
5. Ajou University
Located in the city of Suwon, Ajou University is a private research university founded in 1973. It started with only four departments and is now a highly regarded center of learning in South Korea.
Ajou University is recognized as one of the best humanities universities in South Korea. The university’s College for this specific learning area comprises five departments: the Department of Korean Language and Literature, the Department of English Language and Literature, the Department of French Language and Literature, the Department of History, and the Department of Culture and Contents.
We hope this article on the best universities to study humanities in South Korea was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students and Study in Korea pages to know more!
