Konkuk University

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, lies adjacent to China and Japan. There are about 3,000 islands belonging to South Korea, located mostly off the west and south coasts. The country is often referred to as one of the "Four Asian Tigers" due to its rapid industrialization and economic growth. It is famous for its K-pop music, K-drama television shows, delicious cuisine (including kimchi and bulgogi), and cutting-edge technology companies such as Samsung and LG. With a population of over 50 million people, South Korea is known for its high-quality education system and strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Mountain ranges have traditionally served as natural boundary markers between regions, historically inhibiting contact between people living on either side of the range, creating substantial differences in the spoken language and customs of the Korean people.

Seoul is the capital of South Korea and its largest city. The Seoul Capital Area houses about half of the country's population of approximately 50 million people, making it one of the world's most populous cities. Seoul is a global economic hub, known for its modern skyline, impressive architecture, and bustling city life. It offers a captivating mix of traditional and contemporary attractions, including historic palaces, vibrant markets, trendy shopping districts, and a thriving food scene featuring a wide variety of Korean cuisine.

The Seoul Capital Area contains five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeok Palace, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine, Namhansanseong and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Seoul is surrounded by mountains, the tallest being Mt. Bukhan - the world's most visited national park per square foot. Modern landmarks include the iconic N Seoul Tower, the gold-clad 63 Building, the neofuturistic Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Lotte World, the world's largest indoor theme park, Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, the world's longest bridge fountain and the Sevit Floating Islands.

Konkuk University is a private research university that was established in May 1946 as a junior college for future political leaders by Dr. Yoo Seok-chang. Thirteen years later, the school became a “comprehensive university” and took on the name Konkuk (建國), which means “founding a nation” in Hanja (Chinese characters). As strong believers in the role of higher education in maintaining Korea’s sovereignty, the founder and his supporters chose the name in the hopes that Konkuk graduates would build and serve the nation. Konkuk University has two campuses—the main campus in the heart of Seoul and the GLOCAL campus in Chungju.

Courses in English

To view a list of courses offered in English click here and choose a semester. KU also provides a guide on how to access course syllabi.

Language Courses

KU offers Korean language courses at six levels through its Korean Language Institute. Students are assigned an appropriate level based on a placement test. The courses include a culture class component where students participate in activities such touring Seoul, visiting a museum, cooking traditional Korean food, and more. For more information click here.

Colleges at KU include:

• Liberal Arts
• Sciences
• Architecture
• Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Business Administration
• Science and Technology
• Life Sciences
• Art and Design
• Education

Students will be required to successfully earn an adequate number of equivalent U of L credits for courses taken at KU. The number of credits KU courses are worth varies and can be identified on their course list. Tuition is calculated based on the number of equivalent credits at the U of L. Course outlines must be evaluated to determine what equivalent U of L credit you will earn.

You are eligible for this exchange if you are:

• A full-time U of L student
• In at least the 2nd year of your program
• In good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher

It is MANDATORY for exchange students to apply for a D-2-6 (exchange student) visa. You can apply for the visa through mail at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver. The visa application fee is $78 CAD (2023).

Students must also apply for an Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of their arrival in South Korea.

For more information about applying for a visa, visit KU's website or the Vancouver Consulate's website.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Vancouver
Phone: (604) 681-9581
Email: vancouver@mofat.go.kr
Website

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when visiting South Korea, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Campus Residences

• Opened in 2006, KU:L House has four main residence halls—Dream Hall and Frontier Hall for female students and Lake Hall and Vision Hall for male students
• Furnished single and double rooms with bed, desk, air conditioner, bathroom, heated floors, and high-speed internet
• Shared lounges, study rooms, laundry rooms, and mail boxes
• Cafeteria, bakery, café, hair salon, stationary store, convenience store, and restaurants nearby
• Optional meal plan

KU's main campus is located in the southeastern part of Seoul near the Han River. The university is easily accessible from Incheon International Airport and downtown Seoul by public transportation.

Arrival Information

Students can choose to arrive at either the Incheon International Airport or the Gimpo International Airport. The most convenient way to reach campus from Incheon is the airport limousine bus and from Gimpo is the subway. For detailed instructions about travel from each airport, click here.

In Seoul

Public transportation is the easiest way to travel within Seoul. There are multiple buses and two subway lines with stops at the KU campus. For more information about travel within Seoul, click here,

Students going on an exchange pay regular U of L tuition and fees. For up-to-date tuition information, visit the U of L's Financial Services website.

It is MANDATORY for students to have health insurance valid in South Korea for their entire period of stay. As well, students are required to purchase the South Korean National Health Insurance. The cost is approximately KRW 50,000/month (approx. CAD 50, 2023).