7 Universities in South Korea with High Acceptance Rates

South Korea has dozens of excellent universities. Numerous universities and institutions in the country welcome international students, meaning, the acceptance rates of international students are much higher than for Korean students, therefore, it is easier for foreign nationals to get admitted compared to domestic students.

In this article, we will be discussing the universities in Korea that have the highest rates of acceptance.

*There is no published estimated acceptance rate of Korean universities for international students available. The ‘Estimated Acceptance Rates’ mentioned below are internal estimates by GlobalScholarships.com based on factors such as the university’s rankings, the reported number of international students enrolled, and general information from publicly available sources. These are not official figures. Your individual chances of admission will always depend on your academic profile, the competitiveness of the specific program, and meeting all application requirements.*

Universities in South Korea with High Rates of Acceptance

1. Sun Moon University

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70-80%
• Admissions | Scholarships

The first university on our list is the Sun Moon University. This academic institution began in 1989 and has now transformed into a global university with a colorful and multi-cultural community. The proportion of international students in Sun Moon is among the top in Korea and across the continent of Asia.

Whatever your background, skin color, or religion, Sun Moon will welcome you with open arms. Forge your path and take charge of your future with Sun Moon’s globally distinguished academic programs and advanced research pursuits.

In case you are interested, we have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Sun Moon University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Chintia Putri Hanaan from Indonesia transitioned from a legal background to pursue a master’s in Korean Studies at Sun Moon University through the Global Korea Scholarship, aligning her passion for Korean culture with her academic pursuits.
• Eizat Zakbah from Malaysia secured the Global Korea Scholarship to study a Master’s in TESOL at Sun Moon University, building upon his prior exchange experience and comprehensive application preparation.

2. Inje University

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70-80%
• Admissions | Scholarships

Inje University is on a noble mission: to save the world through the powers of love and virtue. The health of the environment and the value of human life is what Inje University fights to protect. The school was established in Gimhae, South Korea, and the alumni of Inje University are known to be moral, collaborative, and practical.

In 2015, the Ministry of Education recognized Inje as the best institute for the Leading University for International Cooperation Program, and this is indicative of the quality of education foreign students may access in Inje.

In case you are interested, we have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Inje University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Hajra Sultana from India pursued a master’s in Computer Engineering with a focus on AI in healthcare at Inje University, fully funded by the Global Korea Scholarship.
• Sebil Ayral from Türkiye earned a master’s in Counseling and Psychotherapy at Inje University, supported by the Global Korea Scholarship.
• Reema Priyanka from India completed a master’s in Physical Therapy at Inje University, funded by the Global Korea Scholarship.

3. Dongseo University

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70%-80%
• Admissions | Scholarships

Dongseo University (DSU), located in Busan, South Korea, is a private institution established in 1992. DSU offers a welcoming environment for international students seeking quality education in Asia. The university hosts approximately 1,500 international students from over 70 countries, fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community.

DSU provides a range of programs taught in both Korean and English, catering to a broad spectrum of academic interests. The university’s commitment to internationalization is further demonstrated through its participation in the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program, offering financial support to eligible international students. This combination of high acceptance rates and supportive resources makes Dongseo University an attractive option for students seeking higher education opportunities in South Korea.

We have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Dongseo University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Luisa Tiara Purnomo from Indonesia was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship in 2024 to pursue a Master’s in Film Production at Dongseo University, building upon her background in Media and Communication from Monash University.
• Olivia Ofni Tanisaputra from Indonesia received the Global Korea Scholarship in 2023 to study a Bachelor’s in Software at Dongseo University, driven by her passion for information technology and artificial intelligence.
• Deepika Goyal from India secured the Global Korea Scholarship in 2022 to pursue a Master’s in Service Design at Dongseo University, leveraging her extensive experience in hotel management and IT.

4. Gyeongsang National University

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70%-80%
• Admissions | Scholarships

Gyeongsang National University (GNU), situated in Jinju, South Korea, is one of the country’s ten flagship national universities. GNU offers a welcoming environment for international students seeking quality education in a diverse range of fields, including engineering, life sciences, and the humanities.

GNU is committed to supporting its international community through various initiatives. Additionally, GNU offers Korean language and culture courses, facilitating smoother integration into campus life. The university’s affordable tuition fees and safe, inclusive campus atmosphere make it an attractive option for students worldwide.

We have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Gyeongsang National University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Nabila Azzahra from Indonesia was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Engineering at Gyeongsang National University, aiming to contribute to innovative medicine development and explore traditional Korean medicine.
• Almala Nur Fitriana from Indonesia received the Global Korea Scholarship to study a Master’s in Educational Technology and Evaluation at Gyeongsang National University, fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming an educator.

5. Hoseo University

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 60%-70%
• Admissions | Scholarships

Hoseo University is a private university situated in Asan, South Korea. The school was established in 1978 in the spirit of Christianity. One of Hoseo’s accolades is that it’s the first school in Korea to set up a graduate school for venture businesses.

The goal of the university is to encourage its students to be creative and dutiful through pragmatic education coupled with spiritual guidance. At Hoseo, your faith will help you reach your future. Notable alumni include a big name in K-Pop, Kim Minseok, and he is more popularly known as Xiumin of the sensational boy group EXO.

We have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Hoseo University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Tanzina Nizam from Bangladesh is pursuing a Master’s in Data Science at Hoseo University, fully funded by the Global Korea Scholarship, leveraging her background in computer science and a strong IELTS score to secure this opportunity.

6. Jeonbuk National University

• Admissions | Scholarships
• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 50%-60%

Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), located in Jeonju, South Korea, is a prominent institution established in 1947. JBNU offers a competitive yet accessible option for international students seeking quality education in South Korea. The university hosts over 1,400 international students, reflecting its commitment to global engagement and diversity.

JBNU provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including humanities, sciences, engineering, and social sciences. The university offers courses taught in English and specialized Korean language programs to support international students.

We have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Jeonbuk National University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Wina Oktalia Cahyadi from Indonesia was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Jeonbuk National University, demonstrating perseverance by reapplying after an initial setback and succeeding through dedicated preparation.
• Putri Miranti from Indonesia received the Global Korea Scholarship to study a Master’s in Korean Language as a Second Language Education at Jeonbuk National University, building upon her experience as a Korean language tutor to further her career in education.

7. Keimyung University

• Admissions | Scholarships
• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 40%-50%

Keimyung University (KMU), located in Daegu, South Korea, is a private institution established in 1954. KMU offers a competitive yet accessible option for international students seeking quality education in South Korea. The university hosts over 2,000 international students from more than 75 countries, reflecting its commitment to global engagement and diversity.

KMU provides a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including humanities, sciences, engineering, and social sciences. The university offers courses taught in English and specialized Korean language programs to support international students.

We have stories of international students who’ve gotten admitted to Keimyung University. Here’s some of their stories:

• Arni Anggraeni from Indonesia was awarded the Global Korea Scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in Korean Language Education at Keimyung University, leveraging her experience as a Korean interpreter and educator to deepen her expertise in language instruction.
• Kenneth Louis Thenna from Indonesia received the Global Korea Scholarship for a semester exchange in Industrial Engineering at Keimyung University, aiming to enhance his academic and professional skills in the field.

FAQs about Studying in South Korea

We hope that this article on the universities in Korea with the highest acceptance rates was helpful! Feel free to check out Available Programs for International Students and Study in Korea pages to learn more about studying abroad.