About
Yonsei University's Exchange/Visiting Student Programs offer opportunities to students who plan to study for a year or a semester in Korea's top university located in the heart of Seoul, the dynamic capital city of Korea.
Yonsei enjoys top 100 world rankings in many subjects including arts and humanities, modern languages, management and social sciences (QS).
Yonsei University, established in 1885 as the first Western institution of learning in Korea, is a leading university located in the heart of Seoul and one of South Korea's three SKY institutions. Committed to "truth and freedom," it offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs to over 38,000 students across four campuses.
Yonsei excels in research, particularly in medicine, biochemistry, engineering, materials science, and the humanities. Its 153 research centers foster interdisciplinary collaboration and cultivate globally minded leaders. The university is also actively engaged in addressing critical global issues such as climate change and inequality through its initiatives for sustainable development. Yonsei's extensive global network includes partnerships with over 660 institutions worldwide, solidifying its position as a key contributor in East Asia and on the global stage.
Consult Yonsei University on QS World Rankings to learn more about their current world ranking and academic reputation in different subject areas.
Location
Yonsei is situated in a spacious, quiet, and well-wooded environment with a mountain, located 6km to the west of the centre of Seoul's metropolitan area.
The capital and largest city, Seoul, is the centre of Asia's third-largest economy. This round-the-clock city is constantly on the move. Yet there are plenty of areas to escape the crowds. Popular tourist spots include the ancient palaces and royal shrines of the Joseon Dynasty, the historic Namhansan Mountain Fortress, the Han River which runs to North Korea, and the Seoul World Cup and Olympic Stadia.
Seoul itself is within comfortable flying distance of Japan and China, with Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai all less than a three-hour flight away. Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are not that far either, estimating between 4 to 7 hour flight away from Seoul.
Yonsei University has 3 main campuses: Sinchon Main Campus, Songdo International Campus, and Mirae, all located within the city of Seoul. Exchange students largely remain in the Sinchon Main Campus. Learn more by consulting Yonsei's campus maps. Yonsei University's Sinchon Campus is in the heart of Seoul's youthful and energetic district. Students can easily explore the trendy cafes, bustling nightlife, and independent shops of Sinchon, with its abundance of student-friendly bars and restaurants. Approximately 30-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride is the famous Hongdae neighbourhood, known for its music scene, street art, and fashion boutiques. And also, only 20-minute train ride away is Ikseondong, a historic district for a more traditional Korea, with its charming hanok houses and tea houses. And for those seeking a moment of tranquillity, the scenic Han River offers walking paths and stunning city views, all within walking distance of campus. Sinchon Campus truly offers the best of Seoul right at its doorstep.
Level of competitiveness
Very competitive ***
The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students.
Language of instruction
The language of instruction for all exclusively exchange student classes is English. Exchange students are also allowed to enrol in classes taught either fully in English or fully in Korean. It would not be recommended to take classes taught in Korean unless you are fluent and confident in the language, but the option is there, nonetheless.
To learn basic Korean during your study abroad, Yonsei offers exchange student Beginner Korean Classes or you can take classes from their Korean Language Institute (KLI) that are a little bit more intense and cover more of the language.
Academic Calendar
- Semester 1: Late August - December
- Semester 2: Late February - June
More information on important dates can be found on Yonsei’s academic calendar.
Courses
Yonsei University is not an option for students from Queen Mary's School of Economics and Finance.
Please visit this link to the course guideline and note the information on restricted/limited majors: https://oia.yonsei.ac.kr/intstd/exCourse.asp
Restricted Majors
Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Music, MBA, Law School, Some courses offered at the Songdo International Campus(mostly UIC courses) However, this may be subject to change from semester to semester.
Choosing your Yonsei Major: When choosing your major, some courses may have major restrictions or quotas. When selecting your Yonsei major, please browse the online catalogue for offered courses and select the major that offers the most number of courses that you will take during your stay at Yonsei.
Although Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence courses are in high demand, their course availability for exchange and visiting students is extremely limited. Obtaining such courses will be highly competitive so students should consider taking courses from other departments as potential alternatives.
Computer Science Courses: Although Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence courses are in high demand, their course availability for exchange and visiting students is extremely limited. Obtaining such courses will be highly competitive so students should consider taking courses from other departments as potential alternatives.
Business Courses: Business courses (Course Code: BIZ) are in high demand every semester, so they are strictly open to business major students only. There is a maximum of 4 courses on the subject per semester is allowed (subject to change).
Other restrictions:
- Medicine / Dentistry / Nursing / Pharmacy
- Music
- MBA
- Law
- Courses offered in Songdo International Campus
Credits
Students must enrol on a full courseload equivalent to 60 Queen Mary credits for the semester/120 for a full academic year. At Yonsei, students must register for 12 credits per semester / 24 credits for a full academic year.
The equivalent of Queen Mary 15-credit classes are Yonsei’s 3-credit classes. Their 3-credit classes are one semester and meet on average twice a week. Yonsei offers 6-credit classes that will meet twice the amount per week and require more assessments. The most common 6-credit class for exchange students is their advance Korean Language Institute class.
Find out more about credit transfer and grade conversions at Queen Mary.
Visit Yonsei's Global One-Stop Service Center landing page containing plenty of useful information and details about pre-arrival, visas, student life, campus life, etc.
Queen Mary student feedback
Blog posts on Queen Mary Global Bloggers:
Instagram takeovers:
YouTube videos published on @qmulglobalopportunities:
Accommodation
Students interested in staying at on-campus housing must submit a separate housing application as soon as it opens online. Please note that housing is not guaranteed due to limited spaces. Rooms will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis. Yonsei has 2 buildings for the exchange students: International House and SK Global. SK Global is co-ed and has either single room en-suite option or double room en-suite option. International House is women only double room shared bathroom, but is a fraction of the cost.
Off-campus accommodation options are boarding houses (Hasukjip), private studios and guest houses, although these are general not for long term leasing.
Cost of Living
You can find more general, up-to-date information about the cost of living in Seoul compared to London here.
Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
According to previous Queen Mary student feedback, the cost of living in Seoul is generally cheaper than London in terms of rent, eating, drinking, social activities and public transport and to a very high quality. However, students find that groceries are very expensive and so eating in campus cafeterias where possible is a much more feasible way of living. Eating out in restaurants is also a normality in Seoul and inexpensive.
Support services
More information on accessibility can be found on Yonsei's page for students with disabilities. Further information about support services and on-campus resources at Yonsei such as their Counseling Center can be found here.
Yonsei’s Global One-Stop Service Centre has health and safety services for students, in additional to providing support regarding academics, visas, and culture.
Student life
For a comprehensive overview of student life at Yonsei University, visit here. Detailed information about the Sinchon Campus can be found here.
Yonsei has a vibrant student community with over 300 student clubs catering to diverse interests. From academic societies and volunteer groups to K-pop dance crews and sports teams, there's something for everyone. Exchange students are encouraged to join clubs as a way to meet Korean students and immerse themselves in campus culture. The university calendar provides a full listing of upcoming events and activities.
As an exchange student at Yonsei, you'll have the chance to experience two of Korea's most exciting university events: Akaraka and the Yon-Ko Games. Akaraka is Yonsei's annual festival, a high-energy celebration filled with music, dance performances, and a campus-wide parade. It's a chance to experience Korean student culture and see the campus come alive with school spirit. The Yon-Ko Games are an intense rivalry between Yonsei University and Korea University, with students cheering on their teams in basketball, soccer, baseball, and other sports.
Individual faculties and departments also organize events and activities relevant to their fields of study. For example, the School of Business hosts guest lectures by industry leaders, while the Department of Korean Language and Literature offers cultural workshops and language exchange programmes.
Social Media
Additional Resources
