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Meta title: Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU): Admission, Tuition 2027 | StudyU
Meta description: SKKU for international students: QS 2027 #108, THE 2026 #87, English track without TOPIK, November round for spring 2027, tuition from $3,940, scholarships.
Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is a private university with two campuses: humanities and social sciences in central Seoul, natural sciences in Suwon, a city in Gyeonggi Province south of the capital. It climbed from 126th to 108th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and sits 87th in the THE World University Rankings 2026, well above Korea University. International students choose a Korean track or an English track, and engineering, computer science, economics and business can all be studied in English. In 2026 the first semester cost from $3,940 (₩5,380,000) in the humanities to $6,053 (₩8,264,000) in Global Business Administration. Unlike many Korean universities, SKKU runs a second round for spring 2027, with online applications from 4 to 13 November 2026.

The 600th Anniversary Hall of Sungkyunkwan University in autumn, Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Christian Bolz / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:600_Anniversary_Hall_(3).JPG), [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Campuses | Humanities and Social Sciences (Jongno-gu, Seoul) and Natural Sciences (Suwon) |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 108; THE 2026: 87 |
| Students | 24,365, about 9% international (THE data) |
| Tracks | Korean Track and English Track |
| Spring 2027 | round 1 closed; round 2 online 4–13 November 2026, documents by 27 November |
| First-semester tuition, 2026 | $3,940–6,053 (₩5,380,000–8,264,000), including the $145 (₩198,000) entrance fee |
| Application fee | $110 (₩150,000); reapplication after a preliminary offer $22 (₩30,000) |
| No TOPIK yet | a preliminary admission offer lets you reach the Korean level within two years |
| Language institute | Sungkyun Language Institute: $1,304 (₩1,780,000) per session in Seoul |

## Who SKKU suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-1}

What SKKU offers international students is a set of English-taught engineering and computing programmes and two rules that are rare in Korea. The English track does not require TOPIK for choosing a major or for graduation. And the Korean track accepts applicants with no Korean at all, as a preliminary admission with two years to reach level 4.

| Good fit | Consider alternatives |
| --- | --- |
| Future engineers and programmers who want to study in English | Science and engineering students who want to live in Seoul: those programmes are in Suwon |
| Economics and business applicants with strong English (IELTS 7.0 earns a 50% award) | Students who want many English-taught humanities options |
| Applicants without TOPIK yet who are ready to study at SLI | Future doctors and pharmacists: those programmes do not admit international students |
| Applicants from developing countries eligible for the Global Leader scholarship | Students aiming for fall entry in programmes that only admit in spring |

Compare with [Hanyang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hanyang), also strong in engineering, and [Korea University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-korea-university), which offers more humanities options.

## Programmes: Korean and English tracks {#section-2}

### English Track, taught entirely in English

| Campus | Programme | Spring | Fall |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Seoul | Global Economics | yes | no |
| Seoul | Global Business Administration | yes | no |
| Seoul | Human Science and Society | yes | yes |
| Suwon | Engineering (Chemical Engineering, Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nano Engineering) | yes | yes |
| Suwon | Computer Science and Engineering | yes | yes |
| Suwon | Biomedical Engineering | yes | no |

English-track students never need TOPIK: not for major placement, not for major courses, not for graduation. English-track engineers enter through an affiliated college and move automatically into the major they named on the application in year two. Global Economics, Global Business Administration and Biomedical Engineering do not allow a second major.

### Korean Track

The Korean track has two formats. Affiliated colleges (humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering) admit without a major, which you choose before year two based on preference, first-year GPA and programme requirements. Humanities options include Confucian and Oriental studies, Korean, English, French, Chinese, German and Russian language and literature, history and philosophy; social sciences include public administration, political science and diplomacy, media, sociology, psychology, economics and statistics. Direct department admission is available in business administration, film, television and multimedia, theatre, fashion design, computer science and engineering, electronic and electrical engineering, architecture (five years) and sport science.

Korean-track language rules: TOPIK 4 before choosing a major (or before taking major courses in a directly admitted department) and TOPIK 5 to graduate. Six engineering programmes are accredited by ABEEK, Korea's engineering education accreditation board.

Theatre, architecture and Exploratory Studies admit in spring only. In 2027 Exploratory Studies is open only to reapplicants who already hold a preliminary admission offer.

### Master's degrees

Graduate admissions for international students run separately; spring 2027 applications ran from 11 September to 9 October 2026. See our guide to [master's degrees in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-korea).

## How to apply to SKKU, step by step {#section-3}

The citizenship rule is standard for Korea: on the application date neither you nor either parent may hold Korean citizenship, including dual citizenship. If the family renounced it, foreign citizenship must have been acquired before you started high school. If the custodial parent has married a Korean citizen, you cannot apply as an international student. You need a completed high school diploma (or graduation before March 2027); GED, homeschooling and online schooling do not qualify.

1. Choose a track and campus. The English track suits you if you have English but no Korean; the Korean track if you have TOPIK or are ready for a preliminary offer.
2. Prepare documents. Apostilled school records with notarised translations; SKKU recommends documents issued within three months of applying.
3. Online application and fee. Once paid, the application cannot be changed or withdrawn.
4. Send originals. By post or in person to the Office of International Student Services on the Seoul campus; arrival date counts. SKKU does not confirm arrival, so track your parcel.
5. Top up with TOPIK if you sit it in the autumn. For round 1 of spring 2027, extra TOPIK reports were accepted until 4 October 2026; every other document had to arrive on time.
6. Results, payment, visa. Enrolment and payment take place in January 2027; the university then issues the Certificate of Admission for the D-2 visa. See our [student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-korea).

### How the preliminary admission offer works

If you apply to the Korean track without proof of Korean but the committee rates you highly, you receive a Preliminary Admission Offer certificate. Within two years you must reach TOPIK 4 (or complete level 4 at the Sungkyun Language Institute) and reapply to the same programme, paying $22 (₩30,000) instead of $110 (₩150,000). Your admission then becomes final. If you reapply to a different programme, the preliminary offer lapses and your file is treated as new.

## Application deadlines: spring and fall {#section-4}

| Step | Spring 2027, round 1 | Spring 2027, round 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Online application | 12–21 August 2026 | 4–13 November 2026 |
| Originals (arrival) | by 4 September 2026 | by 27 November 2026 |
| Results | 23 October 2026 | 8 January 2027 |
| Enrolment and payment | January 2027 | January 2027 |
| Semester starts | 1 March 2027 | 1 March 2027 |

As of 23 September 2026 only round 2 is still ahead. SKKU will publish separate guidelines for fall 2027. Note that Global Economics, Global Business Administration, Biomedical Engineering, theatre and architecture do not admit in the fall.

## Korean and English requirements {#section-5}

| Track | What to submit | What you need later |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Korean | TOPIK or TOPIK IBT; a course transcript and completion certificate from SLI or another Korean university's language institute (with attendance); a King Sejong Institute certificate (not online). With none of these, a preliminary offer | TOPIK 4 before your major, TOPIK 5 to graduate |
| English | Original TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TEPS, TOEIC or similar score report, taken within two years before applying. Exempt: citizens of countries where English is a native or official language, and those who completed all of middle and high school in such a country | no Korean required |

The guidelines set no minimum for the English track, but your score affects scholarships: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95 (5.0 on the new scale) earns 50% off the first semester, IELTS 8.0 or TOEFL iBT 110 (5.5) earns 100%. Exploratory Studies students choosing an English-taught major need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5). For Korean, see our [TOPIK guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-topik-exam-guide).

Winners (1st to 3rd place) of the Sungkyun Korean Writing Contest for high school students receive extra points.

## Documents and apostille {#section-6}

- online application, list of submitted documents, signed letter of consent and personal statement;
- colour copies of your and your parents' passports;
- birth certificate or family relationship document showing nationality and parents' details, with a notarised translation;
- diploma (or a certificate of expected graduation showing the date) and a transcript by year or semester, with an apostille and notarised translation, from every high school you attended;
- proof of language (for the English track, write the login details for online score verification on the report);
- if relevant, documents on a parent's death, divorce or single-parent status.

Translations must be made by a government or accredited translator and notarised; translations by the applicant or relatives are rejected. Apostilles must be original, not copies. Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia issue apostilles; Turkmen documents need consular legalisation at the Korean embassy. Current-year graduates send their final diploma and grades after admission.

## What studying and living at SKKU costs {#section-7}

### First-semester tuition, 2026

| Programme | Tuition (including the $145 [₩198,000] entrance fee) |
| --- | --- |
| Humanities, social sciences, business administration, Human Science and Society | $3,940 (₩5,380,000) |
| Natural sciences, sport science | $4,550 (₩6,212,000) |
| Engineering, electronics, biomedical engineering, computer science | $5,120 (₩6,990,000) |
| Film, television and multimedia, fashion design, theatre | $5,120 (₩6,990,000) |
| Exploratory Studies | $5,287 (₩7,219,000) |
| Global Economics | $5,429 (₩7,412,000) |
| Global Business Administration | $6,053 (₩8,264,000) |

These are first-semester figures for 2026 entrants; later semesters do not include the entrance fee ($145 [₩198,000]). Figures for the 2027 intake may change, and payment is in won.

### Housing

SKKU runs separate dormitories on each campus. In Seoul they include E-House, G-House, K-House, C-House, M-House and Victory House; G-House, for example, has 340 beds in 170 rooms (20 singles and 150 doubles) of about 26 m², each with a private bathroom. Applications go through the GLS student portal in announced windows, and check-in requires a recent tuberculosis test. The housing office publishes each semester's rates in its admission rules together with the application schedule. On a tight budget, also consider a goshiwon or a share house near campus; see our [student housing guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-korea).

### Living costs

The government assumes an undergraduate GKS scholar can manage on $10,547 (₩14,400,000) a year, about $879 (₩1,200,000) a month, covering housing, food, insurance and daily costs. A full budget is in our guide to the [cost of studying in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-korea).

## Scholarships: GKS and SKKU awards {#section-8}

SKKU admission scholarships need no separate application; the decision arrives with your result. If you qualify for several, you receive the largest one.

| Scholarship | Condition | Benefit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Admission scholarship | strong admission result | 10–100% of tuition, first semester |
| Korean proficiency | graduates of overseas schools: TOPIK 6 or SLI level 6 / TOPIK 5 or SLI level 5 | 100% / 50% of tuition, first semester |
| English proficiency | IELTS 8.0 or TOEFL iBT 110 / IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 95 | 100% / 50% of tuition, first semester |
| SLI Excellence | SLI level 4 and the director's recommendation | 25% of tuition, first semester |
| SKKU Global Leader | top freshmen: from OECD DAC aid-recipient countries with few SKKU students, STEM olympiad medallists, top entrants to Global Economics, Global Business Administration and Biomedical Engineering | 50% of tuition for the full programme with GPA 3.5+ |
| Samsung Global Sungkyun | outstanding nominated freshmen | full tuition; Type A adds $2,490 (₩3,400,000) per semester and dormitory fees |
| Merit-based (from semester 2) | ranking on the previous semester's grades | 30–70% of tuition |

Criterion A of the Global Leader scholarship covers citizens of OECD DAC aid-recipient countries whose citizens enter Korea visa-free and who have no more than three students at SKKU. Russia is not on the DAC list; citizens of some Central Asian countries may qualify, and the admissions office publishes the list.

GKS 2027. SKKU is a Type A university on the GKS-U embassy track. In 2027 the university track for bachelor's degrees is limited to the University-Industry Cooperation programme at 10 universities, and SKKU is not one of them. Embassy applications run from 15 to 30 September 2026. See our [GKS guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-gks-scholarship-korea).

## Sungkyun Language Institute and the D-4 visa {#section-9}

SKKU's language institute (SLI) runs regular courses on both campuses. From 2026 there are four sessions a year of about 10 weeks each, levels 1 to 6, with 10–15 students per class. Classes last 200 minutes a day: mornings (9:00–12:50) for levels 3–6 and part of level 2, afternoons (14:00–17:50) for all level 1 beginners.

| Item | 2026 details |
| --- | --- |
| Application fee | $59 (₩80,000) |
| Tuition per session, Seoul | $1,304 (₩1,780,000), field trips included, textbooks extra |
| Tuition per session, Suwon | $1,099 (₩1,500,000) |
| Next session | apply 7 September – 23 October 2026; classes 2 December 2026 – 17 February 2027 |
| D-4 visa | bank certificate of at least $7,324 (₩10,000,000) held over the last 30 days |

Nationals of the 21 countries on the Korean Ministry of Justice list, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, also need a birth certificate, parents' passport copies and parents' employment and income certificates showing monthly and annual income. School records need an apostille or consular legalisation. For SKKU applicants, reaching SLI level 4 matters twice: it turns a preliminary offer into a final one and qualifies you for the SLI Excellence scholarship. Compare options in [Korean language programmes in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-korean-language-programs-in-korea).

## Where you study: Seoul and Suwon {#section-10}

The Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is in Jongno-gu, Seoul's historic centre: humanities, economics, business, Global Business Administration and Global Economics, plus the international admissions office. The Natural Sciences Campus is in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province: engineering, computer science, natural sciences and biomedical engineering. Choosing a programme effectively means choosing the city you will live in for four years.

## Where SKKU stands in rankings {#section-11}

SKKU is 87th in THE 2026, one place behind [Yonsei](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-yonsei), and 108th in QS 2027, up from 126th. The gap comes down to method: THE puts more weight on research and citations, QS on reputation surveys. A strong research base is mostly an argument for the engineering and science programmes in Suwon.

## Notes for applicants from Russia and Central Asia {#section-12}

- Apostille is issued in the country where the document was issued; only Turkmenistan requires legalisation at the Korean embassy.
- Payment is in won to a virtual account; plan a legal transfer route from Russia before you are admitted.
- Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are on the list of countries with stricter financial checks for language courses; prepare parents' income documents early.

## Mistakes to avoid {#section-13}

- Missing round 2. For spring 2027 it runs from 4 to 13 November 2026, the nearest opportunity.
- Planning fall entry to Global Economics or Global Business Administration. They do not admit in the fall.
- Choosing engineering and expecting to live in Seoul. Engineering and science are taught in Suwon.
- Translating documents yourself. You need an official notarised translation.
- Switching programmes when reapplying. A preliminary offer only works for the same programme.
- Expecting an award for the whole degree. Most admission awards last one semester; after that, merit scholarships apply.

## Checklist before you apply {#section-14}

- Track, programme and campus chosen; the programme admits in your semester.
- TOPIK or an English certificate, or a plan for a preliminary offer.
- Diploma and grades from every high school apostilled and notarially translated; parents' passports and your birth certificate ready.
- A budget for the first semester with the entrance fee, housing in the right city and a legal way to pay in won.

## FAQ {#section-15}

### Can I study at SKKU in English?

Yes: Global Economics, Global Business Administration, Human Science and Society, four engineering programmes, computer science and biomedical engineering. TOPIK is not required on this track at any stage.

### How much does SKKU cost?

The first semester of 2026, including the $145 (₩198,000) entrance fee, cost from $3,940 (₩5,380,000) in the humanities to $5,120 (₩6,990,000) in engineering and $6,053 (₩8,264,000) in Global Business Administration.

### Can I get into SKKU without TOPIK?

For the English track, yes, with an English certificate. For the Korean track you can apply without Korean and receive a preliminary offer; it becomes final if you reach TOPIK 4 or complete SLI level 4 within two years and reapply to the same programme.

### When do I apply for spring 2027?

Round 1 closed in August. Round 2: online 4–13 November 2026, originals by 27 November, results on 8 January 2027, semester starting 1 March 2027.

### What scholarships does SKKU offer international students?

At admission: 10–100% off the first semester on admission results, 50–100% for TOPIK 5–6 or IELTS 7.0–8.0, 25% for SLI level 4, Global Leader (50% for the whole programme) and Samsung Global Sungkyun. From semester 2, merit scholarships of 30–70%. The government GKS goes through the embassy track.

### Can StudyU help me apply to SKKU?

Under an agreement with StudyU, we help you choose a track and programme, check language and document requirements, prepare your application for the right round, and plan language study and the visa. The university decides on admission and scholarships, the Korean consulate as the consular authority decides on the visa, and the university housing office confirms dormitory accommodation.

## Sources {#section-16}

- [SKKU: 2027 Spring Undergraduate Freshmen Admission Guide for International Students (PDF)](https://admission-global.skku.edu/bbs/filedown.php?bbsid=global_notice_re_eng&file_seq=11473)
- [SKKU International Admissions: spring 2027 round 1 notice](https://admission-global.skku.edu/eng/etc/bbs_list.html?bbsid=global_notice_re_eng&mode=view&bltn_seq=53798)
- [SKKU International Admissions: graduate admissions, spring 2027](https://admission-global.skku.edu/eng/etc/bbs_list.html?bbsid=global_notice_re_eng&mode=view&bltn_seq=53803)
- [Sungkyun Language Institute: Regular Course](https://sli.skku.edu/ksli_eng/program/regular.do)
- [Sungkyun Language Institute: Admission (documents and fees)](https://sli.skku.edu/ksli_eng/application/regular_g.do)
- [SKKU: G-House description](https://sli.skku.edu/ksli_eng/program/dormitory.do)
- [SKKU Dormitory: How to apply](https://dorm.skku.edu/dorm_eng/apply/application.jsp)
- [NIIED: 2027 GKS-U Application Guidelines (Study in Korea)](https://www.studyinkorea.go.kr/ko/plan/gksNoticeRead.do?bbsId=BBSMSTR_000000000461&nttId=4522)
- [THE World University Rankings 2026: Sungkyunkwan University](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/sungkyunkwan-university-skku)
- [Korea JoongAng Daily on the QS World University Rankings 2027](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/korea/snu-leads-korean-campuses-in-latest-qs-world-rankings-as-yonsei-ku-hit-historic-highs/12727249)
- [The Korea Herald on the QS World University Rankings 2027](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10773651)

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rates of 23 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411 and €1 = ₩1,558.00, so $1 ≈ ₩1,365). For other universities and general rules, see [studying in South Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-korea) and [bachelor's degrees in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-korea). To discuss whether SKKU fits your plans, [send us a request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Hanyang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hanyang)
- [Korea University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-korea-university)
- [Master's in Korea: Requirements, Application Windows and Funding for 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-korea)
- [Korea D-2 Student Visa 2026: Documents, Proof of Funds and How to Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-korea)
- [How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia)
- [Studying in South Korea for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-korea)

Updated: September 2026