Kookmin University
국민대학교
A Seoul private university at the foot of Bukhansan that publishes three rounds of international admission and TOPIK-based scholarships.
- Students
- 18,064
- 14,502 undergraduates
- International
- 14%
- of students
- Tuition
- ₩9.2M
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1946
About KMU
Kookmin University was founded in 1946 in Seoul and describes itself as a private university on Jeongneung-ro in Seongbuk-gu, beneath Bukhansan. Its English facts page counts 18,064 students as of 1 April 2025 (14,502 undergraduates and 3,562 graduate students), 111,155 alumni and 2,561 international students. Of the international students, 1,130 are degree-seeking undergraduates, 403 non-degree and 1,028 graduate degree students.
The university has 15 colleges and 54 schools and departments. Undergraduate colleges include Global Humanities and Area Studies, Social Sciences, Law, Economics and Commerce, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Automobile and Mobility, Design, Arts and the KMU International Business School. It reports 1,989 faculty members and 494 administrative staff, and the automotive engineering department was, per Wikipedia, the first of its kind among Korean four-year universities.
International freshmen apply in three rounds for March entry, and the 2027 spring guideline is already published in English. Applicants need no minimum Korean level for most programmes but are placed in courses by Korean proficiency, and the International College (KMU International Business School and KMU International Engineering School) asks for English proof instead. It suits students who want a mid-sized Seoul university with a clear document-based admission process and TOPIK-linked scholarships.
Why students choose KMU
The spring 2027 freshman guideline is published in English, with three rounds and no interview for most units.
First-semester scholarships run from 30% of tuition (TOPIK 3) to 100% (TOPIK 6).
Global Business Administration, Korean as a Global Language and sport-specific programmes have no Korean language requirement.
On-campus and near-campus dormitories give every room its own shower and toilet, from KRW 685,100 for a four-month semester.
Admissions
Spring semester 2027 (March intake), international freshman admission
Selectivity
Kookmin publishes no acceptance rate for international applicants. Selection is by document evaluation (1,000 points, high school records and language proficiency) for most units, and by interview or portfolio for Design, Arts and sport-specific admissions; evaluation details are never disclosed.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary education | Completed (or expecting to complete) regular high school; applicant and both parents must hold foreign citizenship. GED, self-taught equivalency exams, university preparatory, online and adult courses are not eligible |
|---|---|
| Korean language (all units except the International College) | TOPIK, Kookmin Korean test, language-centre certificate, SKA or other proof, with no minimum level; no Korean requirement for Korean as a Global Language, Global Business Administration and sport-specific admissions |
| English (International College) | IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 (CBT 210, PBT 550), or English-speaking nationality, or an English-medium high school |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 80 For applicants to the International College (KMU International Business School and International Engineering School). Only departments taught entirely in English are eligible for the English proficiency scholarship. |
Deadlines
- Spring 2027, 1st round Non-binding Next deadline · In 16 days6 to 22 October 2026
Results 24 November 2026; tuition 11 to 13 January 2027.
- Spring 2027, 2nd round Non-binding In 51 days9 to 26 November 2026
Interviews (Design, Arts, sport-specific) on 19 December 2026; results 5 January 2027. Design, Arts and sport-specific applicants must use this round.
- Spring 2027, 3rd round Non-binding In ~3 months7 to 29 December 2026
Results 26 January 2027; tuition 3 to 5 February 2027; semester starts 2 March 2027.
- Fall (September) 2027Late March to early July 2027 (2027 dates not yet published)
The English admissions page gives the fall window as late March to early July; check the fall guideline once it appears.
Spring 2027 dates are from the published 2027-1 freshman guideline and are subject to change without prior notice. The fall 2027 window is the general range on the English admissions page.
How to apply
Apply online at uwayapply.com (Korean only), pay the application fee and post or hand in the documents to the International Affairs Division, Office 203, Global Center (W3). Applicants may apply to one admission unit only. Documents include the school certificate and transcript, passport and parent ID copies, documents proving the parent relationship, proof of Korean proficiency (and English proof for the International College) and a copy of a Korean bankbook; interviewees also submit a self-introduction and study plan.
What admissions looks for
- Foreign citizenship for the applicant and both parents, proven by official documents.
- A completed or expected regular high school diploma, with authenticated academic records.
- For most units, a comprehensive read of high school records and language proficiency.
- For Design, Arts and Physical Education, a portfolio or performance and interview scored on basic aptitude and major aptitude (500 points each).
Tips for applying to KMU
- 1 Apply to only one admission unit: multiple applications are not allowed.
- 2 Design, Arts and sport-specific applicants must apply in the 2nd round and bring a portfolio (up to 7 A3 pieces for Design, up to 5 for Fine Arts).
- 3 Submit TOPIK or other Korean proof before your round's document deadline: the admission score scholarship is based only on documents submitted by then.
- 4 Prepare proof of funds: a foreign bank statement of at least USD 16,000 (CNY 120,000) held until 1 April 2027, or KRW 20,000,000 in a Korean bank.
- 5 Leave time for the visa: admission is revoked if a D-2 visa is not obtained within 2 weeks of the semester start.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KRW
Freshmen receive a first-semester Admission Score Scholarship by TOPIK level: 100% of tuition at level 6, 70% at level 5, 50% at level 4 and 30% at level 3 (the same percentages by Kookmin Korean Language Center level). From the second semester, Sungkok grade scholarships give 30% to 100% of tuition by GPA, and a TOPIK scholarship pays KRW 500,000 to 2,000,000 for levels 4 to 6. Kookmin also takes applicants to the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS-U and GKS-UIC).
- 100% / 70% / 50% / 30% of tuition
- First-semester scholarship (TOPIK 6 / 5 / 4 / 3)
- 30% to 100% of tuition
- Grade scholarships (from 2nd semester)
- KRW 500,000 to 2,000,000
- TOPIK scholarship (levels 4 to 6)
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters: spring (March) and fall (September)
Automobile and Mobility
Per Wikipedia, Kookmin was the first Korean four-year university to create a Department of Automotive Engineering.
Korean as a Global Language Major
Needs no Korean language requirement for entry.
School of Business Administration, Global Business Administration Major
No Korean requirement for applicants, and a distinct admission unit.
KMU International Business School
Part of the International College, with English entry proof of IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 80.
School of Software and School of Artificial Intelligence
Listed as separate admission units in the College of Computer Science.
College of Design
Admitted through interview and portfolio only, scored 500 points each on basic and major aptitude.
Research
- The English research pages showcase work in autonomous driving, AI, robotics, chemistry, materials and bio.
- Two Kookmin professors have been listed among the world's top 2 percent scientists (university news items).
- The Sungkok Library has served the campus since December 1946, per Wikipedia.
Schools & faculties
- College of Global Humanities and Area Studies
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Law
- College of Economics and Commerce
- College of Business Administration
- College of Engineering
- College of Science and Technology
- College of Computer Science
- College of Architecture
- College of Automobile and Mobility
- College of Design
- College of Arts
Kookmin does not publish a graduate employment rate on its English pages. Its facts page lists 111,155 alumni as of 2025.
Student life
The Jeongneung campus is on the slopes of Bukhansan in Seongbuk-gu, and the university's dormitories include an on-campus building, the Jeongneung dormitory ten minutes' walk away and the Gireum Dormitory by Seoul Subway Line 4 Gireum Station. Every dormitory room has its own shower and toilet, and residents have a study room, cafeteria and exercise room. Its English site lists Global Peers and clubs under student activities, and a separate Korean Language Program.
- Global Peers and student clubs listed under student activities.
- Student clubs and an exercise room and study room in the dormitories.
- Bukhansan mountain scenery around the campus (Wikipedia gallery).
- Intensive Korean courses for students placed by proficiency.
Housing. Dormitories (on-campus, Jeongneung, Gireum) with rooms for two to four people, KRW 685,100 to KRW 1,312,560 per four-month semester, each room with its own shower and toilet.
Location
The university is at 77 Jeongneung-ro, Seongbuk-gu, in northern Seoul, at the foot of Bukhansan. Seoul is South Korea's capital and, in the university's words, the centre of the country's economic, financial and business infrastructure, though food, housing and other living costs can be high, as in any major city.
Notable alumni
- AH Ahn Hyo-seopActor and singer (Dr. Romantic, Business Proposal, KPop Demon Hunters); graduated from the Department of International Business
- SS Sohn Suk-heeJournalist and former president of JTBC (November 2020 to September 2021); entered Kookmin in 1976 to study Korean literature
Frequently asked questions
What are Kookmin University's application deadlines for spring 2027?
Round 1: 6 to 22 October 2026. Round 2: 9 to 26 November 2026. Round 3: 7 to 29 December 2026. The semester starts on 2 March 2027, and Design, Arts and sport-specific applicants must use round 2.
Do I need Korean to apply to Kookmin?
No minimum level is required for most units, but you must submit some proof of Korean proficiency and will be placed in courses by your level. Korean as a Global Language, Global Business Administration and sport-specific admissions need none.
How much is tuition at Kookmin University?
In the 2026 academic-year table, first-semester tuition ranges from KRW 4,691,000 to 6,862,000 and later semesters from KRW 4,494,000 to 6,667,000, roughly KRW 9.2 million to 13.5 million a year.
Does Kookmin give scholarships to new international students?
Yes. The first-semester Admission Score Scholarship gives 30% (TOPIK 3), 50% (TOPIK 4), 70% (TOPIK 5) or 100% (TOPIK 6) of tuition; later semesters offer grade and TOPIK scholarships.
How much money do I need to show for the visa?
A bank balance of at least USD 16,000 (CNY 120,000) from a foreign bank, held until 1 April 2027, or KRW 20,000,000 in a Korean bank in the applicant's name.
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.
- Kookmin University: Spring 2027 Freshman Admission Guidelines for International Students (English PDF)
- Kookmin University International Affairs: Admissions
- Kookmin University: Undergraduate admissions (English)
- Kookmin University: Facts and Figures
- Kookmin University: Living in Seoul (accommodation)
- Kookmin University: Global Korea Scholarship
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