Did someone say Korea? Sorry, I heard KBBQ, cosmetics and oppas. Teehee.
South Korea is the perfect destination with delicious food, endless things to do and lots of hidden gems. If a week or two there simply doesn’t cut it for you, how about a whole exchange semester?
Unbeknownst to most, the universities there are attractions in their own right. Below is our guide to the top 5 prettiest campuses in Seoul, which are accepting exchange applications and offer classes in English, for anyone who’s planning to head there for exchange. Yes, including Singaporeans!
Do a Google image search on Yonsei University campus and you might do a double take after seeing the European-looking buildings.
Image adapted from: Deakin University Study Abroad
It may be a school in the heart of Seoul, but private research university Yonsei looks more like a giant European estate with its manicured gardens and vine-adorned brick walls.
Rejoice if you’re a Business, Humanities or Communications undergraduate because this school offers a range of those modules in English.
Fun fact: Yonsei University was also also a filming set for many dramas, commercials and movies including My Sassy Girl, The Classic and Iris.
Yonsei University
Address: 50 Yonsei-ro, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest train station: Sinchon Station (Line 2)
Ranking in Korea: 3
Another gorgeous SKY university is Korea University (KU), one of the country’s most prestigious schools of higher education.
With it’s well-maintained castle-esque architecture, it actually resembles the following famous movie sets:
Image credit: TEAN
Image credit: Trip Today
The school offers a wide range of modules for many courses, but particularly so for majors in Business, Communications, Life Sciences and Psychology.
K-pop fun fact: Lead actress of 200 Pounds Beauty, Kim Ah Joong, graduated from KU with a Masters degree in Journalism.
Korea University
Address: 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul
Nearest train stations: Anam Station or Seoul University Station (Line 6)
Ranking in Korea: 4
Step into Hanyang University (Seoul Campus) and you’d be greeted by Acropolis the grand facade of their College of Education.
Image credit: @hiuyan_sadonna
The university sits atop a hill, meaning lots of stairs, but also a great view of the surrounding landscape, both day and night.
If you are a K-pop fan, this here’s an additional perk: within the school compounds is a large outdoor amphitheatre where famous K-pop groups and idols – like Blackpink and Sistar – perform during school festivals, known as Dae-Dong-Jae (대동제).
Image credit: @wanna_be_viewtiful_
Course matching in this school shouldn’t be a problem for Business and Humanities students.
Hanyang University
Address: 222 Wangsimni-ro, Sageun-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest train station: Hanyang University Station (line 2)
Ranking in Korea: 5
If brick buildings aren’t your thing, then check out the modern Ewha University, with it’s statement multi storey deep cleft that acts as a central hangout area with facilities for sports, teaching, retail and food.
Image credit: Domonique Perrault Architecture
As its name suggests, Ewha Womans University is predominantly female. However, they do take in international exchange students of both genders. So ladies and gents majoring in the Business and Humanities, this might be the one for you.
Ewha Fashion Street also lies smack outside the university gates, with its streets lined with cosmetic, fashion and food stores. You’d never really need – or want – to leave the area.
Ewha Women’s University
Address: 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest train station: Ewha Womans University Station (Line 2)
Ranking in Korea: 14
Situated in the outskirts of bustling Seoul, Kyung Hee University will make you feel like you’re on a holiday everyday with intricately designed neoclassical architecture all around campus.
Image adapted from: loverespect
Sakura lovers, make sure to be there during the spring season (May to June) where the campus becomes awashed in baby pink from 200 odd cherry blossoms. Japan’s got nothing on this!
The school also offers English modules mainly for Business, Humanities and Engineering.
Fun fact: G-Dragon graduated from this school!
Kyung Hee University
Address: 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Nearest train station: Hoegi Station (Line 1)
Ranking in Korea: 10
With a great education system, a safe environment and good public transport system, it’s hard to go wrong with an exchange in Korea. With the choices and company, it could also easily be the best semester of your university life!
Looking for more things to do in Korea? Check out our other guides:
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