International students have many options for advanced study, but program quality, career support, and graduate outcomes vary. When comparing universities with high employability after graduation, students should rely on current program and admissions information.
South Korea has a well-developed higher education system, and Korea University is a private university in Seoul. Founded as Bosung College in 1905, it was elevated to university status and renamed Korea University in 1946.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in fields including law, medicine, engineering, and business administration. Law is offered through Korea University’s professional and graduate law programs rather than through the current international undergraduate major list.
Korea University generally accepts international undergraduate applications for spring and fall entry, with separate schedules for each intake. Applications are assessed through a holistic review of the submitted application and supporting documents.
For international students seeking information about Korea University’s acceptance rate, the article below explains what is—and is not—officially available.
Korea University Acceptance Rate
- Estimated Acceptance Rate: 20% to 30%
Korea University does not publish an official overall acceptance rate. We’ve estimated the acceptance rate at Korea University for international students at 20% to 30%.
Preparing for Korea University Admissions
Admission Requirements
For international undergraduate admission, the applicant and the applicant’s parent or parents must generally be non-Korean citizens, and the applicant must complete regular primary and secondary education equivalent to Grades 1 through 12 in Korea. Applicants must also submit accepted proof of Korean or English language proficiency, such as TOPIK, IELTS, or TOEFL, or another qualifying form of language evidence listed in the current admissions guide.
The current undergraduate guide lists a statement of purpose, passport copies, family-relationship documents, academic transcripts, a graduation certificate, and proof of language proficiency among the required materials. A recommendation letter is not listed as a general requirement for all international undergraduate applicants, although some graduate programs may require a reference letter. Graduate requirements differ: the Graduate School currently lists general language thresholds of TOPIK level 3, TOEFL iBT 71, IELTS Academic 5.5, New TEPS 326, or CEFR B2, with higher or additional requirements for some departments. Applicants should follow the current guide for their degree and department.
Tuition Fees
Tuition varies by field and is charged per semester. International undergraduate tuition is approximately KRW 5,800,000 for humanities and social sciences, KRW 6,700,000 for natural sciences, KRW 7,700,000 for engineering, and KRW 7,800,000 for art, with an optional miscellaneous fee of approximately KRW 30,000. The latest graduate tuition table currently posted by the Graduate School is labeled for the 2025 academic year and lists standard tuition from KRW 5,237,000 to KRW 9,267,000 per semester, depending on the field, plus entrance and optional student fees. Specialized programs may cost more.
Scholarships
Korea University offers full and partial scholarships. For newly admitted undergraduate students, the Global Leader Scholarship A covers full tuition for four semesters for freshmen or two semesters for transfer students, subject to renewal requirements. Global Leader Scholarship B covers 50% of tuition for the same periods. For international graduate students, Foreign Student Scholarship A covers 100% of the entrance and tuition fees and includes a KRW 500,000 monthly living allowance for four months during the semester, while Scholarships B and C cover 60% and 65% of tuition, respectively.
Korea University emphasizes research, international exchange, and career development across its academic programs. Prospective students should confirm that their intended degree, language of instruction, professional recognition, and admission requirements meet their academic and career goals.
We hope this article helped you understand what is known about Korea University’s acceptance rate for international students. To learn more about studying in Korea, check out the informative articles in our Study in Korea section. If you are interested, check the Available Programs for International Students!
