Top 10 Prestigious Universities in South Korea

Seoul National University (SNU), established in 1946 through the merger of 10 institutions, became the country's first national university. It holds the highest scores in South Korea for academic reputation, employer reputation, and boasts one of the strongest alumni networks, with SNU graduates comprising a quarter of the CEOs of the country's top 100 companies.

As a globally recognized university representing Korean education, Seoul National University has paved the way for the future as the nation's premier national education institution. The fifteen undergraduate colleges offer 85 undergraduate programs, allowing students to choose interdisciplinary or double-major programs. At the postgraduate level, the graduate school provides 106 master's programs and 107 doctoral programs in five research areas.

Seoul National University is celebrated as one of the best in the world with 41 impressive subjects, including 20 top-ranking subjects in chemistry, mechanical engineering, pharmacy, sports-related disciplines, and more.

Website: https://en.snu.ac.kr/

Yonsei University, founded in 1885, is the first and oldest Western-style education institution in South Korea. Yonsei is a leading university located in the heart of Seoul. The university's mission is to educate leaders who will contribute to humanity in the spirit of 'truth and freedom' and promote education, research, healthcare, and social contribution globally.

Yonsei University ranks third in this year's South Korean university rankings, scoring high for the domestic student exchange rate. Yonsei currently has approximately 38,569 students, with the main campus in Seoul and a branch campus in Wonju, including 4,647 international students. In the latest subject-specific rankings, Yonsei is placed in the top 50 universities globally with three outstanding disciplines: dentistry, hotel management, and entertainment, as well as social policy & administration.

Yonsei University offers comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programs, along with substantial investments in research and extended healthcare facilities. Yonsei has significant contributions in all major academic research areas in Korea, from medical science, human health, biochemistry, to engineering, neuroscience, materials science, chemistry, as well as social sciences and humanities.

Website: https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/

KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, located in the research and technology hub of Daejeon, is the number one university in South Korea according to recent rankings and also ranks 40th in the world university rankings. Officially established in 1971 as the first and leading science and technology university in South Korea, KAIST's position is rapidly rising, widely recognized as the best university in South Korea and hailed as the most innovative university in the Asia-Pacific region.

Although KAIST is primarily based in Daedeok Innopolis, a cluster of high-tech research institutes, government agencies, and venture businesses, it also has a campus in the capital city of Seoul, housing the business school of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology. KAIST is internationally ranked for 13 subjects and achieves positions in the top 100 for each field, with particularly high scores in materials science, certain engineering disciplines, and computer science.

While KAIST is ranked lower than Seoul National University in the QS World University Rankings 2019, it is ranked first in the QS South Korea University Rankings due to different methodologies used to aggregate rankings.

Website: https://www.kaist.ac.kr/

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is the oldest university in the country, dating back to 1398 when it was founded by royal decree in the Joseon Dynasty. SKKU takes pride in its longstanding collaboration with leading companies such as Samsung and is currently implementing 'Vision 2020,' a plan that aims, among other goals, to produce globally innovative leaders and world-class researchers to contribute to the excellence of Korea and society.

Sungkyunkwan University invests significantly in research and development, primarily sponsored by Samsung, Hyundai, and government agencies. Notable researchers include Clarivate Citation Laureate Park Nam-Gyu (2017), and physicist Professor Lee Young-hee, Director of the Integrated Nano Structure Physics Center at the Basic Science Institute. Over 10% of the university's students are international.

In addition to delivering quality education, Sungkyunkwan University is renowned for outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Some notable members of the university's alumni list include former Prime Minister of South Korea Hwang Kyo-ahn, Poet and Diplomat Ko Chang-soo, Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-chul, scholar Yu Seong-ryong, professional golfer Kim Mi-Hyun, and many others.

Website: https://www.skku.edu/

Korea University is the nation's first university sponsored and managed by the Korean people. Established in 1905 by Lee Young-Ik, the Royal Treasurer, who envisioned that by educating the younger generation, Korea could ensure its independence, development, and prosperity as a nation. The university's expansive campus, spanning over 182 acres, is located in central Seoul in the An-Am district and is conveniently accessible by bus and subway routes.

For over a century, Korea University has continued to uphold the spirit of its founder. Today, the university endeavors to educate its students to become effective citizens, highly competent in their chosen fields, individuals who will dedicate themselves to serving the nation and the world with their best abilities.

Korea University is home to over 33,000 students from all corners of the country and around the globe. Students at the university enroll in eighteen undergraduate colleges and divisions, and eighteen graduate schools, ranging from Humanities to Engineering and Science, the East Asia Research Center, the Korean Culture Research Center, and the recently established International Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Research. The university also has highly regarded schools of Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Business Administration.

Website: https://www.korea.edu/

Established in 1986, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) aims to contribute to the nation and humanity by conducting in-depth research on profound theories and a range of applications essential to advance Korea and the world. The university strives to educate a select group of talented students to become future global leaders with both knowledge and admirable character through high-quality education.

In terms of research, Pohang University of Science and Technology translates research findings into real-world applications through close collaboration with industry, academia, and research organizations. To fulfill its mission, POSTECH focuses on cutting-edge research in various fields of basic science and engineering by collaborating with top universities worldwide and becoming a global research hub for materials.

Pohang University of Science and Technology has academic departments primarily focused on science, engineering, and technology. Both Korean and English are used in POSTECH classes. In the past year, approximately 85 percent of undergraduate and graduate major courses were taught in English. One of the university's research facilities is the Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, the only synchrotron radiation accelerator in Korea.

Website: https://international.postech.ac.kr/

Hanyang University is a private research university established in 1939 in South Korea. The main campus is located in the capital city of Seoul, and the second campus, known as the Education Research Industry Cluster at Ansan, or the ERICA campus, is located in Ansan. The university's current name originates from an old name of the capital Seoul used in the Chosun dynasty. Hanyang University's emphasized educational philosophy is love in action and truth.

The university founded DongA Technical Institute, the nation's first technical institute in 1939, becoming the founding institution of Hanyang University. The university also established the first architecture and civil engineering school in Korea. Hanyang University currently has an extensive alumni network of up to 330,000 individuals, working not only in the engineering field but also in various other sectors. The university is currently offering over 20 different educational programs across both campuses.

In 2018, Hanyang University was ranked first in the number of alumni holding CEO positions in venture companies. In 2019, QS World University Rankings ranked Hanyang University at 150th place. The university is also listed by Reuters among the top 100 most innovative universities in the world. Every year, Hanyang University welcomes over 7,400 international students and more than 3,000 exchange students. Hanyang University is currently a partner of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Thanh Hoa among 820 partner universities in 88 countries.

Website: https://www.hanyang.ac.kr/

Ewha Womans University, as its name suggests, is a private women's university located in Seoul. It is ranked 9th nationally and 319th globally in the latest rankings. Established in 1886 by a Methodist missionary, the use of 'Womans' in Ewha's name carries a special meaning, emphasizing the university's high regard for the uniqueness and individuality of each student. Ewha is now the world's largest women's university with 22,600 students.

Ewha Womans University has evolved into one of Korea's prestigious universities, being the world's largest women's university with nearly 25,000 students and 987 faculty members across 11 undergraduate colleges, 15 graduate schools, and 66 research institutes. In 2013, Ewha Womans University ranked first among Korean universities in the CWTS Leiden Ranking and also led in the number of law secretaries produced, simultaneously creating the highest number of female CEOs in the top 100 companies in Korea.

Ewha Womans University also became the first Korean university to sign a collaborative agreement between the university and industry with the multinational chemical company Solvay in 2011, with a total investment of $21.5 million. Solvay's Global R&D Center was built at Ewha to establish joint research infrastructure and nurture new talents to lead the future of science.

Website: https://ewha.ac.kr/

Pusan National University is one of the prestigious institutions in South Korea, established after a long journey of striving for academic excellence in the country. Located in Busan, the second-largest city in South Korea and the gateway to the Asia-Europe continent, Pusan National University began with two faculties: the College of Humanities and the College of Fisheries. It has since developed into a renowned university on par with prestigious institutions worldwide.

Pusan National University currently holds the position as the top national university in South Korea. Pusan National University welcomes students aspiring to pursue various courses in South Korea. The courses offered at Pusan National University include undergraduate programs for postgraduate research. This university is highly esteemed in South Korea.

Pusan National University provides a highly conducive environment, ensuring all students selected to join this academy feel comfortable. The university has robust infrastructure, allowing all students to access a variety of academic content without haste. Pusan National University also has digital libraries enabling students to explore various online academic resources. Additionally, Pusan National University has infrastructure that can support students with disabilities.

Website: https://www.pusan.ac.kr/

Ranked 10th in South Korea and tied at 435 in the QS World University Rankings 2019, Sogang University is one of the leading liberal arts and research universities in South Korea. Established in 1960 by the Society of Jesus, it is a Catholic university located in the heart of Seoul, one of the most modern and advanced cities in the world.

Sogang University is the oldest Catholic university and Jesuit institution in South Korea. It is an institution that educates individuals on the foundation of love and faith, encouraging all its members to pursue learning in a quest for sincere truth, a determination to uphold justice, and respect for the dignity and values of each individual. Through education, Sogang University aims to cultivate talented individuals who will dedicate their lives to the development of a humanistic culture and the unity of humanity.

Sogang ranks highest in South Korea for employer reputation. With nearly one-third of postgraduate courses taught in English, Sogang University offers numerous scholarships for both current international students and new international students. It aims to teach its students leadership skills and transform them into outstanding members of society.

Website: https://wwwe.sogang.ac.kr/