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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# Yonsei University

Yonsei traces its history to 1885 (it marked its 140th anniversary in 2025) and ranks 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, second in Korea, and 86th in the THE World University Rankings 2026. International students enter in one of two ways: the Korean-taught International Student Track, which has its own admissions round, or Underwood International College (UIC), where every course is taught in English. In 2026 a semester cost $3,494 (₩4,770,000) in the humanities and up to $6,754 (₩9,221,000) at the School of Integrated Technology. During their first year, Korean-track international students pay the Global Leaders College rate of $5,411 (₩7,388,000). The spring 2027 round has already closed, so the next realistic target is fall 2027, with applications due in March.

Underwood Hall, a historic building of Yonsei University on the Sinchon campus, Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Tungdangthanh / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Underwood_Hall_Front.jpg), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Campuses | Sinchon (Seoul), International Campus (Songdo, Incheon), Mirae (Wonju) |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 42; THE 2026: 86 (Seoul campus) |
| Students | 18,038 on the Seoul campus, about 21% international (THE data) |
| Language of instruction | Korean (17 colleges, 66 majors) or English (UIC) |
| Intakes | spring (March) and fall (September) |
| Tuition per semester, 2026 | $3,494–6,754 (₩4,770,000–9,221,000); UIC $6,164 (₩8,416,000) in the first semester |
| Application fee | $146 (₩200,000); medicine, dentistry, pharmacy $168 (₩230,000); UIC $110 (₩150,000) |
| Proof of funds for the D-2 visa | bank certificate of at least $16,113 (₩22,000,000) |
| Language institute | Korean Language Institute (KLI): $1,362 (₩1,860,000) per 10-week term |

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

Students pick Yonsei for its reputation across Asia, a very international student body (QS 2027 ranks it first in the world for its international student ratio) and the choice between Korean-taught and English-taught degrees. Three details are worth knowing in advance. Korean-track international freshmen spend their whole first year at the International Campus in Incheon rather than in Seoul, pay a higher tuition rate that year, and must attend Christianity courses and chapel, because the university was founded on Christian values.

| Good fit | Consider alternatives |
| --- | --- |
| Students who want a fully English-taught degree and can handle a UIC interview | Students who want to live in central Seoul from day one: year one is in Incheon |
| Applicants with TOPIK level 3 or higher, or ready to reach it quickly | Students who want a strictly secular environment: chapel and Christianity courses are compulsory |
| Economics, business, international relations, IT and engineering applicants | Future doctors without TOPIK 5: medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy require it |
| Students who want to learn Korean first at the university's own KLI | Students who choose on first-year cost: the GLC rate ($5,411 per semester) cancels out price gaps with other private universities |

Yonsei is most often compared with [Korea University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-korea-university) and [Seoul National University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-snu). For engineering, also look at [Sungkyunkwan University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-skku), [Hanyang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hanyang) and [KAIST](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kaist).

## Programmes: the Korean track, GLC and Underwood International College {#section-2}

### Korean-taught International Student Track

This is the main route for international applicants: the same majors Korean students take, with a separate document-based competition. The spring 2027 round included Russian, German and French language and literature, philosophy, economics and applied statistics, business administration, political science and international studies, sociology, media, physics, chemistry, earth system sciences, astronomy, chemical, electrical, mechanical and materials engineering, architecture, biotechnology, computing (Computer Science & Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, AI Systems, integrated IT, intelligent semiconductors, mobility systems), education and sport, medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy. From 2027 the School of Computing admits to each of its three departments separately, and the College of Pharmacy has opened Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences, a four-year science programme that does not lead to the pharmacist licensing exam.

Business administration holds AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA accreditation. Yonsei does not publish seat numbers: the guidelines simply say "a few" per major.

### Global Leaders College (GLC)

GLC runs a separate international round for its Global Leadership Division, with five Korean-taught majors: International Commerce, Korean Language & Culture Education, Cultural Media, Bio & Living Engineering and Applied Information Engineering. You may apply to the Korean track and to GLC in the same round, choosing one major in each.

### The first year in the Global Basic Education Division

International students admitted in 2027 through the Korean track or GLC spend their first year in the Global Basic Education Division, part of GLC, at the International Campus in Incheon. The year combines intensive Korean with general courses designed for international students. Medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy students are not placed there; sports majors stay one semester; some computing majors and pharmacy study entirely in Incheon. To move into your major you need TOPIK level 3 (or an equivalent KLI result, or 321+ on the Sejong Korean Language Assessment); to graduate you need TOPIK level 4.

### Underwood International College: fully in English

UIC is Yonsei's English-language liberal arts college, with about 3,000 students from more than 80 countries, organised in three divisions:

| Division | Majors |
| --- | --- |
| Underwood Division | Comparative Literature and Culture, Economics, International Studies, Political Science and International Relations, Life Science and Biotechnology |
| Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Division | Asian Studies, Culture and Design Management, Information and Interaction Design, Creative Technology Management, Justice and Civil Leadership, Quantitative Risk Management, Science, Technology and Policy, Sustainable Development and Cooperation |
| Integrated Science and Engineering Division | Nano Science and Engineering, Energy and Environmental Science and Engineering, Bio-Convergence |

UIC scores applications out of 300: 200 for the document review and 100 for an online interview. From the 2027 intake, proof of English is compulsory but has no minimum score: TOEFL, IELTS, a CEFR certificate, IB or AP English, a diploma from a country where English is the sole official language, or a certificate that your whole secondary curriculum was taught in English. At master's level, Yonsei teaches in English at the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) and in the Global MBA; see our guide to [master's degrees in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-korea).

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

The basic eligibility rules are the same for the Korean track and UIC. You and both of your parents must hold non-Korean citizenship; dual Korean citizenship held by any of the three rules you out of this round. You need a completed high school diploma: GED, homeschooling and distance learning are not accepted. The university assesses each country's school system itself and does not require a foundation year, so graduates of 11-year systems apply directly.

1. 8–10 months before the intake: choose a track. The Korean track needs proof of Korean or English; UIC needs English and an interview. With no Korean at all, starting at KLI (see below) is usually more realistic.
2. 3–4 months before: prepare documents. School records need an apostille and a notarised translation into English or Korean (self-translations are rejected). You also need copies of both parents' passports and your birth certificate.
3. Online application and fee. Once the fee is paid, the application cannot be changed or withdrawn.
4. Post the originals. What counts is arrival at the admissions office, not the postmark.
5. Results and payment. For spring, results come in December and payment in January; for fall, results in June and payment in July. Unpaid offers are withdrawn automatically.
6. Bank certificate and D-2 visa. For the Certificate of Admission, the document the D-2 student visa is issued on, Yonsei requires your final school certificate with an apostille and a bank certificate of at least $16,260 (₩22,000,000) in two originals: one for the university, one for the consulate. The Certificate of Admission and the visa application must fit within 30 days of the bank certificate's issue date. Our [student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-korea) covers the consulate side.

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

| Step | Spring 2027, Korean track and GLC | Spring 2027, UIC | Fall 2026, Korean track (for reference) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Online application | 1–17 September 2026 | 26 August – 22 September 2026 | 10–26 March 2026 |
| Documents (arrival) | by 30 September 2026 | by 2 October 2026 | by 10 April 2026 |
| Interview | 31 October 2026 (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy only) | 11–12 December 2026, online | — |
| Results | 4 December 2026 | 18 December 2026 | 19 June 2026 |
| Tuition payment | January 2027 | late December – January | July 2026 |

As of 23 September 2026 both spring 2027 windows are closed. UIC takes fall 2027 online applications in March 2027 and announces results in June. The Korean-track guidelines for fall 2027 are not out yet; in the previous cycle applications ran in March. All times are Korea Standard Time (UTC+9).

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

| Route | What to prove when applying | What you need later |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Most Korean-track and GLC majors | One of: a TOPIK or English test score; a standardised test result; a certificate from a Korean language course; proof of Korean- or English-taught subjects at school | TOPIK 3 to enter your major, TOPIK 4 to graduate |
| Medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy | TOPIK 5 or KLI level 5 | — |
| UIC | English: TOEFL, IELTS, CEFR, IB or AP (no minimum) or English-medium schooling | Korean is not required |

TOPIK is Korea's national six-level Korean proficiency test; our [TOPIK guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-topik-exam-guide) explains levels and test dates. On paper, an English certificate can replace TOPIK at application, but then year one in Songdo goes on catching up to TOPIK 3. A KLI certificate or a TOPIK score exempts you from GLC's Korean placement test; certificates from other language schools are not accepted for this.

## Documents and apostille {#section-6}

- online application form, academic history record (every school since grade 1) and personal statement, completed on the application site and printed;
- high school diploma or certificate of expected graduation, with an apostille; expected graduates send the diploma after admission;
- transcripts for grades 10–12 by term or year, with an apostille;
- notarised translation into English or Korean for anything in another language; the apostille goes on the translation;
- copies of your passport and both parents' passports;
- birth certificate to prove the family relationship;
- proof of language;
- optional: olympiad awards, certificates, SAT or IB results, school profile.

Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so their documents take an apostille. Turkmenistan is not on the convention list, so its documents need consular legalisation at the Korean embassy. Documents from private schools are apostilled on a notarised copy.

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

### International undergraduate tuition, 2026, per semester

| College | 1st semester | From 2nd semester |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Liberal Arts, Theology, Social Sciences, Education | $3,494 (₩4,770,000) | $3,337 (₩4,556,000) |
| Commerce and Economics, School of Business | $3,519 (₩4,804,000) | $3,362 (₩4,590,000) |
| Science, Human Ecology | $4,036 (₩5,511,000) | $3,880 (₩5,297,000) |
| Life Science and Biotechnology | $4,295 (₩5,864,000) | $4,138 (₩5,650,000) |
| Engineering, School of Computing | $4,554 (₩6,218,000) | $4,397 (₩6,004,000) |
| School of Integrated Technology | $6,754 (₩9,221,000) | $6,597 (₩9,007,000) |
| Global Leaders College (and year one of the Korean track) | $5,411 (₩7,388,000) | $5,254 (₩7,174,000) |
| Underwood International College | $6,164 (₩8,416,000) | $6,007 (₩8,202,000) |
| Pharmacy | $5,259 (₩7,181,000) | $5,103 (₩6,967,000) |
| Pre-medicine, pre-dentistry | $5,867 (₩8,010,000) | $5,710 (₩7,796,000) |

The trap is year one. While a Korean-track student belongs to the Global Basic Education Division, they pay the GLC rate even if their own college charges $3,330 (₩4.5 million). For a humanities student that makes the first year roughly $3,800 more expensive than the college line suggests. At UIC, international-track students pay more than Korean-track students: $6,060 (₩8,202,000) against $5,470 (₩7,398,000) in a regular semester.

Small fees come on top: about $41 (₩56,000) a semester at UIC ($45 (₩61,000) in the first), and student council, health mutual-aid and newspaper fees on the Korean track, a few tens of thousands of won in total.

### Housing

Sinchon dormitory places are not guaranteed. For KLI students in 2026, a term of about 11 weeks (meals not included) at SK Global House cost $1,699 (₩2,320,000) for a single and $1,230 (₩1,680,000) for a double; the women-only International House cost $1,055 (₩1,440,000) for a bed in a double. You can stay for two terms at most; the halls hold roughly 10% of KLI students and fill on the first day of booking, so most students rent nearby. Korean-track freshmen live in the International Campus residences in Songdo under the Residential College programme; current rates are published by the campus housing office.

### Living costs

A useful benchmark is the government GKS scholarship: it pays undergraduate scholars $10,547 (₩14,400,000) a year, about $879 (₩1,200,000) a month, to cover everything including housing and insurance. Treat that as the floor for a student in a dormitory who watches spending. The immigration minimum comes from the bank certificate: $16,260 (₩22,000,000) in an account in your or your parents' name, maintained throughout your stay. See our guides to the [cost of studying in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-korea) and [student housing](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-korea).

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

GKS 2027. The Global Korea Scholarship covers tuition, a year of Korean, airfare and an allowance of $10,640 (₩14,400,000) a year ($10,020 (₩13,560,000) in the language year). The only route to Yonsei is the embassy track: Yonsei is a Type A university, and of the three universities you list at least one must be a regional Type B school. The 2027 bachelor's university track is only the University-Industry Cooperation programme (not to be confused with Underwood International College) at 10 universities, and Yonsei is not one of them. Russia has one General place out of three and Kazakhstan one out of four; embassies took applications from 15 to 30 September 2026. More in our [GKS guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-gks-scholarship-korea).

Korean track and GLC. The Global Leadership Division offers a freshman scholarship for strong school records (no application), a merit award for the top 15–20% each semester, and need-based aid that requires TOPIK 3 from the second semester of year one and TOPIK 4 from year three. Combined awards cannot exceed the semester's tuition.

UIC. Every international applicant is automatically considered for a full-tuition scholarship for four years; offers arrive with the admission letter and depend on keeping your GPA up. Enrolled students can receive merit- or need-based awards worth a third, half or all of a semester's tuition.

## KLI Korean language programme and the D-4 visa {#section-9}

The Korean Language Institute opened in 1959 as Korea's first Korean programme for foreigners. The regular course runs 10 weeks (200 hours), four terms a year, levels 1 to 6. Morning classes (9:00–13:00) fill first, and only payment confirms a seat, so pay within three days of admission.

| Item | 2026–2027 details |
| --- | --- |
| Application fee | $88 (₩120,000) |
| Tuition per term | $1,362 (₩1,860,000) |
| Spring 2027 | apply 7 December 2026 – 15 January 2027; classes 5 March – 20 May |
| Summer 2027 | apply 8 March – 16 April; classes 3 June – 13 August |
| Fall 2027 | apply 7 June – 16 July; classes 1 September – 17 November |
| D-4 visa | at least two terms, four for citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan; bank certificate of at least $10,000 |

The D-4 is Korea's visa for language study. For it, KLI accepts only a final diploma (not a certificate of expected graduation) with an apostille issued within the last six months, and an original bank certificate for a single account issued within the last 30 days. D-4 documents must arrive at least a week before the application deadline. After the first term, top students can receive a 50% or 30% tuition reduction. We compare university language schools in [Korean language programmes in Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-korean-language-programs-in-korea).

## Where you study: Sinchon, Songdo and Wonju {#section-10}

The main Sinchon campus is in Seodaemun-gu in western Seoul, next to the Sinchon and Hongdae student districts. Most majors spend years two to four here, and it is home to KLI and Severance Hospital. The International Campus in Songdo, Incheon, hosts the first-year Residential College and, for some computing majors and pharmacy, the whole degree. The Mirae campus in Wonju, Gangwon Province, runs its own admissions; this profile covers Yonsei in Seoul.

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

In QS 2027 Yonsei rose from 50th to 42nd, its best result ever and second in Korea after Seoul National University (38); [Korea University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-korea-university) is 52nd. In THE 2026 the Seoul campus is 86th. For applicants another indicator matters more: QS ranked Yonsei first in the world for its international student ratio, so classrooms and dormitories are full of international students and support services are well developed. Judge a specific programme by its curriculum.

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

- Documents. All CIS countries except Turkmenistan issue apostilles, so no Korean consular legalisation is needed.
- Bank certificate. Yonsei accepts only originals signed or stamped by the bank; electronic signatures are rejected. The account must be in your or your parents' name (then add your birth certificate) and hold $16,260 (₩22,000,000) for the whole visa period.
- Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Kazakhstan has four GKS places against Russia's three. But for a D-4 visa to study at KLI, citizens of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan must enrol for a full year (four terms).
- Payment. Tuition goes to a personal virtual account at a Korean bank. Russian applicants should plan a legal transfer route in advance, for example from an account in a country where they legally reside.

## Mistakes to avoid {#section-13}

- Assuming spring 2027 is still open. The Korean track closed on 17 September and UIC on 22 September 2026.
- Budgeting by your college's line. Year one on the Korean track is billed at the GLC rate.
- Translating documents yourself. You need a notarised translation, with the apostille on it.
- Posting on the last day. Arrival in Seoul counts, not the postmark.
- Counting on the GKS university track. In 2027 it does not cover Yonsei.
- Applying to medicine without TOPIK 5. The application will not be reviewed.
- Forgetting your parents. Their passports and your birth certificate are required, and dual Korean citizenship held by either parent invalidates the application.

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

- Track chosen (Korean track, GLC or UIC) and a Korean or English document valid on the application deadline.
- Diploma and grade 10–12 transcripts notarially translated with the apostille on the translation; parents' passports and your birth certificate ready.
- First-year budget based on the GLC or UIC rate, and a plan for the $16,260 (₩22,000,000) bank certificate.
- No Korean yet: a KLI application for spring 2027 submitted by 15 January.

## FAQ {#section-15}

### Can I apply to Yonsei after 11 years of school?

Yes. The guidelines require completed secondary school, not a foundation year: Yonsei evaluates each country's school system itself. You apply directly, to the international round or to UIC.

### How much does Yonsei cost for international students?

In 2026 a semester cost $3,520 (₩4,770,000) in the humanities and up to $6,810 (₩9,221,000) at the School of Integrated Technology. Year one of the Korean track is billed at the Global Leaders College rate of $5,460 (₩7,388,000). UIC costs $6,220 (₩8,416,000) in the first semester.

### Can I study at Yonsei in English?

Yes, at Underwood International College: 16 majors in three divisions, from economics to nanoscience. You document your English with no minimum score, and Korean is not required.

### What TOPIK level does Yonsei require?

For most majors any Korean or English document is enough to apply, but you need TOPIK 3 to enter your major after year one and TOPIK 4 to graduate. Medicine, dentistry, nursing and pharmacy require TOPIK 5 at the application stage.

### When do I apply for fall 2027?

UIC takes fall 2027 online applications in March 2027, with results in June. On the Korean track, the previous fall round ran from 10 to 26 March; exact fall 2027 dates will appear in the new guidelines.

### Are there scholarships at Yonsei?

Yes. UIC automatically considers all international applicants for a four-year full-tuition scholarship, GLC offers merit- and need-based awards, and KLI gives 30–50% reductions after the first term. The government GKS is available through the embassy track. The university and NIIED decide; nothing is guaranteed.

### Can StudyU help me apply to Yonsei?

Under an agreement with StudyU, we help you choose a track, check language and document requirements, prepare the application, and plan KLI study, housing and the D-2 visa. The university decides on admission, the Korean embassy or consulate as the consular authority decides on the visa, and the university housing office confirms dormitory accommodation.

## Sources {#section-16}

- [Yonsei: Spring 2027 Application Guide for International Students (PDF)](https://admission.yonsei.ac.kr/seoul/upload/guide/20260529144906YVFHLB.PDF)
- [Yonsei: Fall 2026 Application Guide for International Students (PDF)](https://www2.yonsei.ac.kr/entrance/2026/intl/2026_9_docu/Fall%202026%20Application%20Guide%20for%20International%20Students(Eng).pdf)
- [Yonsei: 2026 Undergraduate Tuition Fee for International Students (PDF)](https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/sites/en_sc/down/2026_fee1.pdf)
- [Yonsei: Scholarships overview](https://www.yonsei.ac.kr/en_sc/2245/subview.do)
- [UIC: First Year Students (International)](https://uic.yonsei.ac.kr/admission.php?mid=m04_02_02)
- [UIC: Tuition fee & Scholarship](https://uic.yonsei.ac.kr/admission.php?mid=m04_03)
- [Global Leaders College: Scholarships](https://glc.yonsei.ac.kr/en/scholarship/)
- [Yonsei KLI: Regular Program, dates, fees, housing](https://www.yskli.com/course.php?mid=E01_01)
- [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: Yonsei University (Seoul campus)](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/yonsei-university-seoul-campus)
- [The Korea Herald on the QS World University Rankings 2027](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10773651)
- [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)

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rates of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355 and €1 = ₩1,536.74, so $1 ≈ ₩1,353). For other universities and general rules, see [studying in South Korea](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-korea) and [applying to Korean universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-korean-universities). To discuss whether Yonsei 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

- [Korea University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-korea-university)
- [Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-skku)
- [Hanyang University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-hanyang)
- [Master's in Korea: Requirements, Application Windows and Funding for 2027](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-korea)
- [Seoul National University (SNU)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-snu)
- [KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-kaist)

Updated: September 2026