South Korea is a high-income, technologically advanced country with a strong higher-education sector and very high tertiary attainment among young adults.
The government, universities, and private sector continue to support higher education, research, and international academic exchange. The country’s public and private institutions offer a wide variety of programs and maintain partnerships with institutions abroad.
Public health is an increasingly important field for students interested in health systems, disease prevention, policy, epidemiology, and global health. In this article, we will discuss several universities in South Korea with verified public health programs.
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in South Korea
1. Kyung Hee University
Kyung Hee University in Seoul offers a public health-related master’s program through the Department of Global Public Health and Korean Medicine Management. In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Kyung Hee University is listed in the 251–300 band overall and in the 251–300 band for Medical and Health.
For students interested in public health, the department offers a master’s-level program that connects global public health with Korean medicine management. Its curriculum includes courses such as health promotion, international health, community nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, health education, and issues in international health.
Beyond the classroom, international students can join Dowoomi, a Korean language helper program that connects international students with Korean student volunteers. The program is designed to help international students study Korean and adjust to university life and Korean culture.
2. Korea University
Founded as Bosung College in 1905 and renamed Korea University after receiving university status in 1946, Korea University has grown into one of the country’s major private research universities. Its official current status page lists 39,850 students as of spring 2025, and the university is ranked 61st in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
For students interested in pursuing a career in public health, the Department of Public Health offers master’s, doctoral, and combined master’s-doctoral programs. Its sub-majors include Environmental and Occupational Health, Epidemiology and Health Informatics, Health Policy and Hospital Management, Global Health, and Community Health and Social Epidemiology.
The university campus includes a wide range of academic, cultural, and student facilities, including spaces such as Chungsan-MK Cultural Hall, the Korea University Ice Rink, and the Korea University Museum.
3. Seoul National University
Located in Seoul, Seoul National University is one of South Korea’s leading national universities. SNU is ranked 38th in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and remains one of the country’s most internationally recognized institutions.
The Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health offers graduate-level study in public health and health care management and policy. In the Public Health division, students can study areas such as biostatistics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, public health nutrition, and health demography. Master’s students also complete required courses such as Principles of Biostatistics, Principles of Epidemiology, Community Health Field Training, and Introduction to Public Health.
Outside of regular coursework, the graduate school’s research environment connects students with public health institutes, research centers, and professional networks related to population health, health policy, and disease prevention.
4. Hanyang University
Hanyang University is another university in South Korea that offers options for students interested in public health. The university traces its roots to DongA Engineering Institute, established in 1939, and is ranked 159th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
The Graduate School of Public Health offers a Master of Public Health program with majors in Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Policy and Management, and Health Service and Health Promotion.
Students attending the university can also take part in the broader Hanyang student community across its Seoul and ERICA campuses, with access to academic, cultural, and student-life activities.
5. Yonsei University
Yonsei University is one of South Korea’s leading private universities and is ranked 50th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Its Graduate School of Public Health was established in 1977 and focuses on training public health professionals through programs connected to health systems, policy, epidemiology, biostatistics, environmental health, and global health.
Yonsei’s Graduate School of Public Health offers graduate program areas such as Healthcare Management, Health Policy and Management, Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Education, Environmental Health, Occupational Health, Health Informatics and Biostatistics, Global Health, and Public Health Law and Ethics. These areas make Yonsei a strong option for students interested in public health careers in Korea and abroad.
For many international scholars, Yonsei offers an academic experience that bridges theory and practice. As Ecuadorian physician Santiago Bravo described, “Yonsei has a diverse, international student body, and the program was academically rigorous… I found a very supportive environment, both academically and socially.” Specializing in Global Control of Infectious Diseases, he emphasized how the curriculum’s practical and case-based approach deepened his understanding of health system resilience and preparedness. “It combined strong theoretical foundations with very practical, case-based learning,” he explained, highlighting how Yonsei’s emphasis on real-world applications prepared him to strengthen Ecuador’s health infrastructure upon returning home.
The universities listed above are some of the institutions in South Korea that give students the chance to study public health. We hope this article has given you some ideas about programs to consider if you want to study public health in South Korea. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students and Study in Korea pages to learn more!
