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
Which University Has the Highest Acceptance Rate in South Korea?
Sun Moon University is probably one of the easiest institutions to gain admission since this institution in South Korea has the highest estimated acceptance rate of around 70%-80% for international students. If you are an aspiring student and are planning to study in South Korea, we recommend applying to several universities. And if you received an acceptance letter, don’t accept it right away, it is best to wait for the results of the other schools you applied for since you might receive a better offer.
What Is the Minimum GPA When Applying to Korean Institutions?
When applying to institutions in South Korea, the minimum GPA should be no less than 2.0, which is a passing grade (C). However, should you be content with a C? Of course not. Since your chances of admission depend on your academic grade, you need to get the highest score on the GPA scale, which is around A or A+.
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.
About the Author: Hyun Lee
I’ve 60% in my 12th boards. Do I have a chance to get scholarship?
If you have high scores in English Proficiency Exams (IELTS / TOEFL) or Korean Proficiency (TOPIK), yes you can get scholarships that are based on those scores. To search for these, check out our Scholarship Search Database and Best Scholarships in Korea article.
I have completed my O levels with 7 A and 2B and this is my last year of A levels. In which university I can get in easily?
Hello, you need A levels to get into Bachelor’s program in Korea. In my knowledge, O levels aren’t eligible to apply for a bachelor’s.
In Korea, which college having high acceptance rate for MBBS? I have completed my +2 with 90% marks
Hello, there is none. All Korean medical schools are highly competitive, and they don’t accept international students, and if they do, they accept extremely limited international students who speaks Korean like a native
Hello, I am currently studying as an international student in Belgium in an English language Bachelors program. If, after completing this degree, I would like to study masters in Korea, do still I need to submit any language proficiency certificate?
Yeah I am afraid so for most universities. Unless you are a citizen of countries that only speak in English or studied there like USA, Canada, UK, etc, you do need to submit language proficiency for language that you want to study in
Hello,
I’d like to start a bachelor in software engineering, I have a budget around 4500€ per year and 8 grade IELTS, do you know which university could be a good fit ?
Also, is there a medical examination needed before applying, or any test to pass before applying ?
Hello, there are universities like Handong Global University and Kyungnam University that do give scholarships based on IELTS score. You can see additional scholarships on South Korea Scholarships Database.
Hello does Ewha Woman’s University have a tourism program?
I don’t think they offer degrees related to tourism
Hi Lee, which university is less competitive for the Global Korea scholarship
I would say lower tiered National Universities like Kangwon National University and Chonnam National University are less competitive than high-tiered private universities
Hello,
I have completed a bachelor’s degree in Computer Application and Business Administration and I am eager to pursue a master’s in Data Science in South korea. I want to apply for the professor scholarship.
I have interned as data analytics at various foundations and institutes, gaining valuable experience. I graduated with a CGPA of 8.92 out of 10 and have earned several co-curricular certificates.
However, I am nervous about whether the professors will accept my application. Could you please suggest some crucial steps I should take before applying to boost my chances of acceptance?
Hello, in South Korea, the graduate admissions is different by department and university. For example, at PosTech AI department, the professors tell you to not contact them and just apply centrally. At KAIST, it seems like contacting professors is encouraged. So, you should first make a list of universities to apply to and then contact the professors if they tell on their website to do so. It is totally normal to be nervous. You should try to get high scores on IELTS to boost your chances, preferable IELTS of 7 or higher and also try to have research experience, whether a project or even better, a paper, since Master’s in Korea is more research oriented
Thank You😊
I am targeting national universities. Some universities currently have openings. What do you think about Kwangwoon University and SKKU? What is the acceptance rate for Master’s programs at these universities? If you have any idea, can you please tell me what they might ask in the interview and how long it will last?
I wouldn’t recommend Kwangwoon University. It’s a good university for Koreans, but I’m not so sure about international students because it might lack support for international students. For SKKU, it’s a good choice. For Master’s program, again, it is different for different universities. I don’t think most university have interviews though for Master’s.
I want to apply for the Spring semester of 2025.Should I start sending emails to professors even though I don’t have my IELTS yet, as I am still preparing for the exam? Is it acceptable if I provide a Medium of Instruction certificate for now to show that I have completed my coursework in English? I will have my IELTS by the time I apply to the university.
As I heard, it takes a lot of time to get a reply and acceptance.
I don’t think the professors will care much about your IELTS score, so I would go ahead and start sending emails now. Then, prepare for the IELTS exam
Thank you so much for your help. I truly appreciate it!😊
You are welcome!
Hello,
Do you know which university professors prefer international students for their research work?
I don’t think any have a “preference” for international students, but definitely, there are a lot of international students at top-tiered universities. It will probably be easier time researching at those top schools because they tend to be more English friendly.
Hello sir, I would like to pursue my master’s program in international relations and diplomacy in the following shortlisted schools through the GKS scholarship embassy track route; Seoul National Uni, Pusan University, Kyung Hee University, Sun Moon University, and Kookmin University. What are the best 3 as regards my chances of being admitted?
Hello, order of prestige is SNU, Kyung Hee, Pusan, Kookmin, and Sun Moon University, so I would guess that last 3 is your best 3 in chances of being admitted, but it might be different for GKS
Hello, Korea university, Dongguk university and Keimyung university are good for business/accounting student for undergraduate? I also want to give CPA Exam in Korea, so are they good enough for it? Or any other university for suggestion by you?
Yeah those 3 are all good universities. CPA Exam is in Korean and is much more difficult than the American CPA Exam because it is graded on a curve. So, you will be competing with all the other Koreans who are giving the CPA exam. Your Korean needs to be native level and you need to be better than most Koreans on the CPA test. The university really doesn’t matter for CPA exam, and those 3 that you’ve mentioned will be more than sufficient.
I would like to apply for undergraduate scholarship this year. I am from Nigeria. Can I use neco to apply? Also I have an my associate degree and I have GPA of 65. Can I still use it?
Hello, you can use your neco results, but you probably won’t be able to use your associate degree results.
Good day. Please I need advice on which university that has high rate of acceptance of international students. I would love to read Nursing.
Hi, please check the post above! We’ve listed out the high acceptance rates universities. Also, many of these universities do offer nursing, but they will be taught in Korean.
Hello lee, do you know any universities in South Korea whose mechanical/civil engineering programs are in English and accept international transfer students into sophomore or junior year . thanks
Hello, I’m not so sure about transfer process work with international students. For English taught programs, KAIST, DGIST, UNIST, and Postech all teach engineering in English.
Hello! Thanks for sharing. Actually I have a question. I’ll be really thankful if you respond.^^
If I published a book plus Korean book review and Korean movie review at the magazine of previous department I studied in there, and have a Korean blog where I post my Korean poems, and take TOPIK exam, could I have a good chance to apply for GKS?
My major was English translation as for bachelor’s degree and my CGPA was 3.97/4, but I’ll change the major to Korean language and literature for graduate degree as I’m really passionate about this major and love reading Korean books etc. I was considering 충남대학교, but it is not easy to get into it. Shall I go for 선문대학교 or I have a chance for 충남대학교 or 단국대학교 as well?
I really need to be accepted.
I think if you have a good TOPIK score, like 4 and above, you will have a good chance to apply for GKS given that your other parts of your application is decent. I think you have a good chance at Dankook University if your application is strong? However, I do not know about studying Korean language and literature because you really do need to be proficient in Korean. You might want to check out some Global Korea Scholarship Recipients Stories
Thank you so much for replying!!^^
Hello! Is it difficult to get into Kangwon National University? Does it have a competitive nature?
I really need to be accepted through GKS.
I’ll be grateful if you respond.
No, it is not difficult to get into Kangwon National University. However, for GKS, it’s a different story since the scholarship itself is competitive.
Hello! I hope you have a perfect day. I have a question, does Kangwon National University has a higher acceptance rate for international students than Chungnam National University or Kookmin University ? I want to apply through GKS for Korean language and literature!
Thank you in advance
Hello, yes I will say that Kangwon National University has a lower acceptance rate than those two universities that you’ve mentioned because it is lower ranked. I do not know about GKS acceptance rates since that might be different.
Hello! I hope this finds you well. I have a question: Which university, between Jeoubuk National University and Kangwon National University, has a higher acceptance rate? undergraduate for social science.
I would say Kangwon National University has a higher acceptance rate due to it being ranked lower than Jeonbuk National University.
Hello!
I recently completed my Bachelors in Metallurgy and Material Engineering from a top tier university in Pakistan, PIEAS University, Islamabad (QS World Ranking: 375 as of 2021). I want to pursue Masters from Korea in Material Science/ Nanotechnology/ Nanomaterials or any related field. Could you please suggest which university would be best for me, also in terms of acceptance. Also please possible scholarships that might help.
Thank You.
Hello, if you are going to do STEM, try KAIST, SNU, Postech, UNIST, GIST, and DGIST. Make sure that they offer those countries. The competitiveness is in that order and if you do get in, you’ll most likely receive some sort of scholarships, whether it be professors scholarship or other form of scholarships
Hi I am Priya. I want to ask which university is best for engineering for computer science and have a high acceptance for GKS?
Hello, the national universities generally have a good curriculum as well as high acceptance rates
Hi, I am Zainab. I scored 50% in my 12th grade exams. Is there a possibility for a partial scholarship? If so, how can I find out more about the scholarship options available?
Hi Zainab, you can check out partial scholarships on our database or Subscribe to our Newsletter for regular updates on available scholarships
I’m interested in applying for an undergraduate program in AI or an MBA in Seoul. Could you recommend universities in Seoul that offer an 80% scholarship or higher and have a high acceptance rate?
Hello, Here are 7 Universities with high acceptance rates in South Korea.
Hello,
I scored 95% in my Class 12 exams and would like to pursue Political Science at Kyung Hee University or Hoseo University. Could you please advise if I have a chance of being selected? If not, could you suggest alternative universities?
Hello, there are other requirements you need to meet than your GPA. Please check out Kyung Hee University and Hoseo University‘s websites for more information on the admission requirements.
Hi, I am currently a freshmen student in American university of Kuwait, Auk. I would like to transfer to Younsei university to continue my business major there. Do they offer the major in English, and do they accept transfer student?
Hello, yes they do accept transfer students, but it’s from the 3rd year. While they don’t offer business specifically in English, they do have Economics completely in English.
I’d like to start my masters in advertising and media. My Korean is not very strong but will get better while study in Korea. Which university would provide English lectures and provide lots of merit and need based scholarships?
Hello, I’m not sure if there’s any media related degree for Master’s that are completely in English. You probably will need to do a Global MBA that is tailored towards advertising if you want to study completely in English. There are many universities that offer it such as Yonsei and Korea University, and they should have scholarships available for internatonal students as well
Annyeonghaseo, I am from Pakistan. I scored 81% marks in science and want to apply for undergraduate program in AI. Is there any chance to get fully funded scholarship in Korea. Recommend me universities please I didn’t pursue my studies in Pakistan because of financial instability
Try KAIST, UNIST, and Postech. They are all great universities and give fully funded scholarships for undergraduate students.
Helllo if my GPA is low, am I still eligible to apply to Korean universities
Yes, but you should have other things in your application such as good application letters, standardized test scores, language test scores to make up for your low GPA.
Hello
I recently completed my Bachelors in surveying and land information systems (geo-informatics) from Kyambogo University located in Kampala(Uganda). I would like to pursue a Masters in GIS or any other major related to geo-informatics. Which universities would you suggest and the majors that they offer?
Thank you.
Hello, some universities that offer GIS are University of Seoul, Seoul National University, Sejong University, and Inha University. Check these universities out!
Hello I am from India I want to apply in Sun Moon university, do I need to write SAT exam and how can I check my GPA I don’t know about basic please help me to understand. Thank You sir
Having SAT will definitely help your application but it’s not a requirement. With regards to your GPA, doesn’t your school provide you with one? It’s your high school score.
Hello, I am from India and I score 69.3% in science and I want to apply for undergraduate program in AI. Is there any chances that I can get into universities and if there is chance what exams I need to write. Please suggest me universities
Hello, you should get IELTS or TOEFL, and if possible, get a high score on SAT/ACT and also AP. For AI, you should look into KAIST, Postech, and UNIST. They all teach in English.
I am from Pakistan and I am currently doing my master’s in IC design interested in digital ic design and verification side. I am interested in ms studies in Korea in electrical or computer engineering. Could you please tell me about universities that have highest acceptance rate for interactional students? And do inform me about the scholarship worth for MS programs. I heard IELTS and TOEFL is not mandatory for master studies.
Hello, you should try applying to lower-tiered national universities like Jeonbuk University or Gangneung-Wonju National University. Those have higher acceptance rates. For scholarships, you should be able to get Professor Scholarships especially if you work at a lab. They might require you to take IELTS or TOEFL so check individual universities if they require it or not.
hello! i have ielts 6.5, topik 2 and GPA 4.5/5.0 (no background activities, only 2 certificates 1 and 3 place in english olympiads) do i have a chance to get a scholarship? and can you recommend korean universities with college of architecture (where i have a chance to be accepted)?
If you can get IELTS up, you probably have a good chance. Try getting SAT/ACT too if you are able to. Also, almost all universities have a bachelor’s in architecture but the problem is that they are mostly taught in Korean. You should try to look at programs that teach in English if you want to study in English.
hello. If I have an IELTS score of 5.0 and a GPA of 2.7, which university should i apply to in order to maximize my chance of being accepted for bachelor of business administration. I’m interested in Sejong university and Chung Ang University. I will appreciate it if you recommend me more choice of university.
Hello, you should take a look at lower national universities. Also, you should definitely raise your IELTS score for best chances. If you can do SAT or ACT, that will be a plus.