Yonsei University is South Korea's oldest private research university, offering cutting-edge education across various fields. It is recognized globally with top rankings and provides a vibrant campus life with strong support for its diverse international student population.
Yonsei University is South Korea's oldest private research university, founded in 1885 by American missionary H.G. Underwood. Ranked 50th globally (QS 2026) and first among Asian private universities, Yonsei combines deep historical roots with cutting-edge research across medicine, engineering, business, and the humanities. Its three campuses serve over 41,000 students including 6,384 international scholars from more than 130 countries.
Yonsei's Sinchon campus sits in one of Seoul's most vibrant neighborhoods, surrounded by cafes, cultural venues, and the Han River. The Student Global One-Stop Service Center supports international students with visa guidance, housing, and academic advising. Campus life features K-Pop events, exchange camps, over 200 student clubs, and fierce inter-university sports rivalry with Korea University (the annual Yonsei-Korea Games).
Exact tuition varies by college and program. Check the Yonsei admissions portal for current fee schedules.
Accredited by the Korean Ministry of Education. AACSB-accredited School of Business. Severance Hospital affiliated with LCME-equivalent Korean medical accreditation.
The Department of Clothing and Textiles at Yonsei University offers graduate programs focused on advancing knowledge and innovation within the fashion and textile industries. Students can pursue Master's and research programs, delving into specialized areas of clothing design, textile science, and related fields. The department aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for leadership and research roles in a rapidly evolving global market.
Yonsei University offers a variety of graduate programs designed to foster advanced academic and research skills. As one of South Korea's leading institutions, Yonsei provides a dynamic environment for students seeking to deepen their knowledge and contribute to their respective fields. The university emphasizes rigorous academic standards, interdisciplinary approaches, and global perspectives in its graduate education. Graduate studies at Yonsei are structured to support students in their thesis or dissertation work, with comprehensive guidance on research methodologies and academic writing. The university encourages innovation and critical thinking, preparing graduates for impactful careers in academia, research, and various professional sectors. Students benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities and a diverse community of scholars and researchers.
This interdisciplinary program aims to integrate and advance research in social welfare policy through a cross-disciplinary approach. It seeks to foster synergy in educational outcomes and cultivate competent professionals with a deep understanding of social welfare policy and a strong theoretical foundation. The program is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Social Welfare and Sociology, with participating faculty from Economics, Political Science, and Public Administration. Upon completion, students are awarded a Ph.D. in Social Welfare.
Yonsei University College of Nursing offers advanced graduate programs designed to cultivate expert nursing professionals. The Graduate School of Nursing, established in March 2026, aims to address the evolving demands in healthcare, including societal changes, technological advancements, and the increasing need for sophisticated health services. The programs are focused on developing practical skills and leadership qualities essential for contemporary nursing practice. The graduate programs are structured into Master's and Doctoral levels. The Master's programs include specialized tracks for Nurse Practitioners (NP) in various fields, as well as a program in Nursing Management and Education. The Doctoral program offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with a focus on Nursing Practice Leadership, aiming to prepare leaders who can advance nursing practice through in-depth research and application. These programs are designed for experienced nurses seeking to enhance their expertise, leadership capabilities, and research skills. Graduates are prepared to take on advanced roles in clinical practice, education, administration, and policy-making within the healthcare sector.
The Speech-Language Pathology Cooperative Program at Yonsei University, established in 1998 for Master's and 2001 for Doctoral degrees, aims to cultivate top-tier speech-language pathologists with excellent skills and ethics. The program provides both theoretical knowledge in speech-language pathology and related fields, along with practical clinical observation and training. Speech-language pathology is an academic field dedicated to the study of communication disorders, alongside audiology. Communication disorders encompass any difficulties in normal communication arising from genetic, physiological, psychological, or environmental factors, including hearing impairments, and disorders in understanding or producing language and speech. Our curriculum is designed to equip students with the expertise to effectively assess, diagnose, prevent, and treat speech and language disorders. Graduates are prepared to work in diverse settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, special education schools, private clinics, and research institutions.
Yonsei University offers international students opportunities to engage in diverse academic and cultural environments through its graduate programs. The university has established partnerships with numerous prestigious institutions worldwide, fostering intellectual growth and global collaboration. These programs include joint and dual degree options, allowing students to experience academic settings at partner universities. The joint degree program, primarily for PhD candidates, focuses on collaborative research with international universities. Students in this program complete a curriculum jointly managed by both institutions and receive a single degree awarded by both universities. The dual degree program allows students to complete separate curricula at each university, leading to individual degrees from each institution upon fulfilling their respective graduation requirements.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
International student tuition fees at Yonsei University range approximately from KRW 9,500,000 to KRW 20,000,000 per year, depending on the faculty. Medical programs typically incur higher costs. For precise figures, consult the Yonsei admissions portal.
Students living in Seoul can expect monthly living costs of approximately KRW 800,000 to KRW 1,200,000. This estimate includes expenses such as accommodation, food, and daily necessities.
For admissions, Yonsei University generally requires a TOEFL iBT score between 83-100+, an IELTS score of 6.5+, or a TOEIC score of 720+, though specific requirements can vary by program.
To be eligible as an undergraduate international applicant, both parents must be foreign nationals, or the applicant must have completed their entire K-12 education outside of South Korea.
Yes, Yonsei University provides several scholarships for international students, including the Yonsei University International Student Scholarship (up to 100% tuition waiver) and the Korean Government Scholarship Program (full tuition and living allowance).