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SOUTH KOREA · BUSAN

Pusan National University

public · Founded 1946 · Languages: en, ko, zh, ja

In short

Pusan National University (PNU) is a leading national university in Busan, South Korea, offering a range of programs with global recognition. It provides competitive tuition fees, scholarship opportunities like the GKS, and a dynamic student life in a major coastal city.

Key facts

Type: Public
Founded: 1946
Students: 28,000
International students: 2,200
Acceptance rate: 35%
Tuition (intl): €3–6k/yr
Languages: EN, KO, ZH, JA
Location: Busan, South Korea

Pusan National University (PNU), founded in 1946, is one of South Korea's ten Flagship National Universities and the first national university established after Korea's Liberation. Situated in Busan — the country's second-largest city — PNU spans more than 80 departments across sciences, engineering, humanities, business, medicine, and the arts, and is home to world-class research centres in marine science, materials, and engineering. The university attracts over 2,000 international students from more than 60 countries and holds QS World University Rankings placement in the top 500.

Why study here

One of ten Flagship Korean National Universities with strong global QS recognition (top 500).
Low international tuition compared to Western universities, with GKS fully-funded scholarships available.
Busan campus life: beaches, culture and a thriving K-entertainment scene minutes from campus.
English-taught programmes and a dedicated international office with buddy and orientation support.
Research powerhouse in marine science, engineering, and materials with industry partnerships.

Student life

Campus life at PNU combines academic rigour with the energy of Busan city. International students benefit from dormitory accommodation, psychological counselling services, cultural exchange events, and the PNU Buddy Programme that pairs newcomers with Korean student mentors. The university's location gives easy access to Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli waterfront, and a vibrant food and entertainment district.

Fees

InternationalApproximately 3,000–5,500 EUR per year depending on faculty (science/engineering programmes tend to be higher).

HomeApproximately 2,000–3,500 EUR per year for Korean domestic students.

LivingApproximately 700–1,000 EUR per month including dormitory or off-campus rent, food, and transport in Busan.

The Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) covers full tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend for eligible international students. Check NIIED and PNU International Office for deadlines.

Admissions

Academic transcriptsOfficial transcripts from all prior institutions

Language proficiencyTOPIK Level 3+ for Korean-taught programmes; TOEFL/IELTS for English-taught programmes

Statement of purposeRequired for graduate admissions

Letters of recommendation2 letters required for graduate applicants

TOEFL iBT80+

IELTS6.0+

Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2024473

Korean Flagship National UniversitiesTop 10

University scholarships

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)Full tuition + KRW 900,000/month stipend

PNU President ScholarshipUp to 100% tuition waiver

PNU International Student Scholarship30–50% tuition reduction

Accreditation

Pusan National University is accredited by the Korean Ministry of Education and is a member of the Association of East Asian Research Universities (AEARU) and Universitas 21.

Scholarships

for South Korea

Browse all scholarships →

full funding

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)

KOICA Scholarship Program (CIAT)

Open to citizens of KOICA partner (developing) countries who are officially nominated by their government, preferably under 40, in good health and proficient in English. Master's applicants need a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of work experience; PhD applicants need a master's degree and at least 3 years of work experience.

Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI)

KOPRI Fellowship Program (Korea Polar Research Institute)

Open to international researchers of all nationalities who are enrolled in a Master's, PhD or postdoctoral research programme and have a background in polar science, environmental studies, climate change, marine biology or a related field. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic and research potential and submit a research proposal aligned with KOPRI's ongoing polar and climate research projects.

Seoul National University

SNU Global Scholarship

For international students admitted to Seoul National University (SNU), Korea's leading national university, at undergraduate or graduate level. The SNU Global Scholarship provides tuition and a living stipend at varying levels; most applicants are considered through their admission application.

University of Science and Technology (UST), South Korea

UST (University of Science and Technology) Scholarships, South Korea

International students with foreign nationality (applicant and parents must be non-Korean) who hold or expect a Bachelor's degree for Master's/integrated programmes or a Master's degree for PhD programmes, and meet the English-language requirement (e.g. IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 79), pursuing science, engineering or technology fields.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)

GIST International Scholarship

Open to international students of all nationalities applying for an MS, PhD, or integrated MS and PhD programme at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Gwangju, South Korea, for the 2026/2027 academic year. Master's applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, and PhD applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent. Required documents include the application form (Form 1), official transcripts and certificates, two letters of recommendation, an English proficiency test result, and a copy of the applicant's passport. Applications are completed online and supporting documents must be attached as specified.

National Institute for International Education (NIIED)

Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) – Undergraduate

For non-Korean citizens (with non-Korean parents) generally under ~25 years old who have completed or will complete secondary school, with a strong GPA, applying for undergraduate study in Korea. Apply through either the Korean embassy track or the university track.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pusan National University's global ranking?

Pusan National University is placed in the top 500 universities globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2024. It is also recognized as one of the top 10 Flagship National Universities in Korea.

What are the estimated tuition fees for international students at PNU?

International tuition fees at Pusan National University range approximately from 3,000 to 5,500 EUR per year, with science and engineering programs generally being higher. This is considered low compared to Western universities.

Are there scholarships available for international students at PNU?

Yes, PNU offers several scholarships for international students. These include the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS), which covers full tuition, accommodation, and a monthly stipend, as well as the PNU President Scholarship and PNU International Student Scholarship offering tuition waivers or reductions.

What are the English language proficiency requirements for international students?

For English-taught programs, international students typically need a TOEFL iBT score of 80+ or an IELTS score of 6.0+. For Korean-taught programs, a TOPIK Level 3 or higher is generally required.

What is student life like at Pusan National University and in Busan?

PNU offers a vibrant campus life with access to Busan's cultural scene, beaches, and entertainment. International students receive support through the PNU Buddy Programme, orientation, and cultural exchange events, with options for dormitory accommodation.

Last updated 3 July 2026