Dongguk University
동국대학교
A Buddhist-founded university below Namsan in central Seoul, known for film, theatre, police studies and Buddhist studies.
- Tuition
- ₩9.4M
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1906
- QS World Ranking
- #520
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About Dongguk
Dongguk University was founded in 1906 by Korea's Buddhist Jogye Order as Myungjin School, and remains one of the few Buddhist-affiliated universities in the world, while admitting students of all faiths. Its main campus sits on the slopes of Namsan in Jung District, in the centre of Seoul, and its Bio-Medi Campus in Goyang, just north-west of the city, houses life sciences and biotechnology.
Dongguk is best known in Korea for the arts and media. Its theatre division, founded in 1960, was the first in the country, and its theatre and film graduates include actors Choi Min-sik, Han Suk-kyu and Jun Ji-hyun and director Kim Han-min. It also runs Korea's first North Korean studies major (1994), a long-established police administration programme, and colleges of Buddhist studies, engineering, business, law, pharmacy and advanced convergence engineering, including computer science and AI and system semiconductors.
International undergraduates are admitted twice a year into Korean-taught programmes: the university states that no major is taught entirely in English, and applicants need TOPIK level 3 or an equivalent. Admission for most majors is by document screening alone, with practical tests for fine arts, theatre and Korean traditional music. Dongguk suits students with solid Korean who want a central Seoul campus and strong creative and social science departments.
지혜, 자비, 정진
“Wisdom, Compassion, Endeavor” — university motto
Why students choose Dongguk
The Division of Theatre and the Department of Film and Digital Media have produced many leading Korean actors, directors and K-pop performers.
The main campus is in central Seoul, on the slopes of Namsan just below N Seoul Tower.
Scholarships reward Korean ability: new international students with TOPIK 4, 5 or 6 get 30%, 50% or 100% off tuition in their first semester.
The Division of Police Administration and the North Korean studies major (the first in Korea, from 1994) feed into Korean police, intelligence and public service careers.
Admissions
Spring 2027 entry (1st international admission track)
Selectivity
Dongguk does not publish an admit rate for international applicants and states that it does not disclose admission details. The number admitted per unit depends on each department's capacity.
Typical entry requirements
| High school diploma | Graduation from a regular high school (or equivalent) by February 2027; applicant and both parents must be non-Korean nationals |
|---|---|
| Korean language | One of: TOPIK or iBT TOPIK level 3+, King Sejong Institute intermediate 3B, four semesters of a Korean university language institute (level 3 at Dongguk or level 4 elsewhere), or level 3 on Dongguk's own Korean Level Test |
| Selection | Document screening 100% (academic aptitude and ability, personality and sociality) for most majors; practical test 100% for fine arts, theatre and Korean traditional music |
| English language | No English test required: the university states that no major is taught entirely in English, and the language requirement is Korean (TOPIK 3 or equivalent). |
Deadlines
- Spring 2027, 1st track (online application) Non-binding Next deadline · In 15 days21 October 2026
Applications open 8 October 2026; documents by post 8-23 October or in person 21-23 October; Korean Level Test 28 October; practical tests 18 November; results 7 December; deposit 14-17 December 2026; semester begins 2 March 2027.
Dates are from Dongguk's official Spring 2027 international undergraduate admission guide, labelled the 1st track (notice posted 10 September 2026). Dongguk has run more than one track per intake; check the international students notice board for any later Spring 2027 track.
How to apply
Apply online via Jinhak Apply (jinhakapply.com), choosing a first- and second-choice admission unit, then post or hand in documents (apostilled or consular-certified transcripts and graduation certificate, family relationship documents, TOPIK certificate) to the Office of International Students. Application fee KRW 130,000 for most departments. Admitted students must show a bank balance of at least KRW 20,000,000 after paying tuition.
What admissions looks for
- Academic aptitude and academic ability shown in high school records.
- A realistic plan and capability to complete a Korean-taught degree, evidenced by TOPIK 3 or higher.
- Personality and sociality, assessed through the documents submitted.
- For arts majors, performance in the practical test, such as still-life drawing for fine arts or improvised scenes and a two-minute specialty for theatre.
Tips for applying to Dongguk
- 1 Aim above the minimum TOPIK 3: a TOPIK 4, 5 or 6 certificate earns a 30%, 50% or 100% first-semester tuition scholarship.
- 2 Pick your first-choice unit carefully: Media Communication, Advertising and PR, and all arts majors can only be chosen as a first choice.
- 3 Start document legalisation early: overseas transcripts and graduation certificates need an apostille or Korean consular confirmation.
- 4 Applicants from Taiwan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan or Hong Kong should note the Global Diversification Scholarship (50% of tuition).
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KRW
New international students can receive the Korean excellence scholarship (30-100% of first-semester tuition for TOPIK 4-6), the Global Diversification Scholarship (50% for students from ten listed countries) or 50% for Buddhist monks entering the College of Buddhist Studies. Enrolled students can earn 20-60% tuition scholarships for a previous-semester GPA of 3.0 to 4.5, and Dongguk takes Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) undergraduate students.
- 60% of tuition for a GPA of 4.0-4.5, 40% for 3.5-3.99, 20% for 3.0-3.49
- Academic Excellence Scholarship (enrolled students)
- KRW 1,661,280 for 4 months (fall 2026 rate)
- Namsan Residence (Seoul campus), double room
- At least KRW 20,000,000
- Required bank balance for admitted students
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (spring from March, fall from September); students take 12-18 credits per semester
Film and Digital Media
Part of the theatre and film tradition that produced actors such as Choi Min-sik and Jun Ji-hyun (director Kim Han-min studied at Dongguk's Graduate School of Film Arts); admission is by practical test.
Theatre
Korea's first theatre division (1960); international applicants take an improvisation and specialty practical test.
Police Administration
A police administration major founded in 1962 whose graduates work across Korean police, intelligence and judicial bodies.
North Korean Studies
The first North Korean studies major in Korea (1994); Suh Hoon, a graduate of Dongguk's Graduate School of North Korean Studies, became director of the National Intelligence Service.
Buddhist Studies
The heart of Korea's leading Buddhist university, with a 50% scholarship for monks from Korea and abroad.
Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
Part of the College of Advanced Convergence Engineering, alongside system semiconductors and medical AI engineering.
Research
- Dongguk reports ranking 7th in Korea for external research funding per professor in the 2023 JoongAng Ilbo rankings.
- Its SRD (Study and Research at Dongguk) scholarships fully fund international graduate students in science, engineering, pharmacy, medicine and Buddhist studies.
- University researchers have recently reported work on battery-free neuromorphic sensors for wearables and electromagnetically tunable gene switches.
Schools & faculties
- College of Buddhist Studies
- College of Humanities
- College of Natural Science
- College of Law
- College of Social Science
- College of Police and Criminal Justice
- Dongguk Business School
- College of Engineering
- College of Advanced Convergence Engineering
- College of Arts
- College of Pharmacy
- College of Life Science and Biotechnology
In the 2023 JoongAng Ilbo university rankings, Dongguk reports ranking 7th in Korea for net employment rate and 3rd for low international-student dropout.
Student life
Dongguk's Seoul campus climbs the hillside of Namsan in the middle of the city, with the Jeonggakwon Buddhist hall and elephant statues (the school's symbol animal) around campus. Degree-seeking international students get a Global Buddy, and international students promote the university through the DGLAM ambassador group. There is an international student Buddhist club, Globuldong, and twice-yearly temple stay and Buddhist culture programmes. Students can live in the Namsan Residence on the Seoul campus or the Goyang Residence at the Bio-Medi Campus.
- The elephant is Dongguk's symbol and the lotus blossom its flower.
- Global Buddy pairs degree-seeking international students with Korean students.
- Overnight temple stays for international students run each April and November.
- The Namsan Residence sits on the Seoul campus itself.
Housing. The Namsan Residence (Seoul campus) costs KRW 1,661,280 for four months in a double room (fall 2026 rate); applications open after admission results.
Location
The Seoul campus is in Jung District, the historic centre of the capital, on the northern slopes of Namsan with N Seoul Tower above it. The campus is reached from Dongguk University Entrance station on subway Line 3 or Chungmuro station on Lines 3 and 4. The Bio-Medi Campus is in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, north-west of Seoul.
Nearest airport: Incheon International Airport (ICN); Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
Notable alumni
- HY Han Yong-unBuddhist reformer, poet and independence activist; studied at Myungjin School, Dongguk's predecessor (1906-08)
- CM Choi Min-sikActor (Oldboy); 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Award for Best Actor; theatre and film graduate
- KH Kim Han-minDirector of The Admiral: Roaring Currents, the highest-grossing film in South Korea; graduate of Dongguk's Graduate School of Film Arts
- JJ Jo Jeong-raeNovelist, winner of the Manhae Prize
- SH Suh HoonDirector of the National Intelligence Service (2017-2020); studied at Dongguk's Graduate School of North Korean Studies
- IY Im Yoon-ahSinger and actress, member of Girls' Generation
- LS Lee Seung-giSinger, actor and television host; Dongguk international trade graduate
- HH Han Hyo-jooActress, Blue Dragon and Baeksang Best Actress winner
Frequently asked questions
Does Dongguk University offer bachelor's degrees taught in English?
No. Dongguk's international admission guide states that there is no major in which all courses are taught in English, and applicants need TOPIK level 3 or an equivalent.
What is the Dongguk University application deadline for spring 2027?
For the first spring 2027 track, online applications run from 8 to 21 October 2026, with documents due by 23 October and results on 7 December 2026.
How much is tuition at Dongguk University for international students?
Based on 2026 rates, tuition is KRW 4,689,000 to 6,123,000 per semester depending on the field, or about KRW 9.4 to 12.2 million a year.
What scholarships does Dongguk offer international students?
New students with TOPIK 4, 5 or 6 get 30%, 50% or 100% off first-semester tuition, and students from ten listed countries can get the 50% Global Diversification Scholarship. Enrolled students with a GPA of 3.0 or more can receive 20-60% off tuition.
Is there an entrance exam or interview at Dongguk?
Most majors select international students by document screening only. Fine arts, theatre and Korean traditional music applicants take a practical test.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
- THE World University Rankings 2026
- ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026
- Dongguk University: Spring 2027 undergraduate admission guide for international students, 1st track (Korean/Chinese/English PDF)
- Dongguk University Office of International Students: Application info
- Dongguk University Office of International Students: Admission info (Korean)
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