Sejong University
세종대학교
A private Seoul university known for hospitality, animation, film and AI, with English and Korean tracks.
- Tuition
- ₩9.3M
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1940
- QS World Ranking
- #398
- 2027 edition
- Campus
- Urban
About SJU
Sejong University began in May 1940 as the Kyung Sung Humanities Institute, became Soodo Women's College of Education, took the name Sejong College in 1978 in honour of King Sejong, creator of the Korean alphabet, and became a university in 1987. It is a private university on a single campus in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul.
Sejong is known for hospitality and tourism management, dance, animation, film and, increasingly, computer science and AI. Its colleges cover liberal arts, social sciences, business and economics, hospitality and tourism, natural and life sciences, AI convergence, engineering, and arts and physical education, and many engineering majors hold ABEEK engineering-education accreditation. Film-arts graduates include actors Song Hye-kyo and Yoo Yeon-seok.
International freshmen can choose an English track (majors such as Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science and Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Comics and Animation Technology, with IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 3.5 on the new scale) or a Korean track with TOPIK 2 to 4 depending on the major. From 2027 the new Daeyang Global College groups the international programs, letting students explore for a year before picking one of eight majors. Sejong suits students who want a Seoul campus, relatively low tuition and creative or applied programs.
Why students choose SJU
Two intakes a year: spring 2027 applications run in two rounds, September 7-21 and October 22-November 13, 2026.
English-track freshmen can get 30% to 80% off first-semester tuition for strong TOEFL, IELTS or TEPS scores, and Korean-track students up to 100% with TOPIK 6.
Many engineering majors are ABEEK-accredited, so international students can graduate with engineering-education accreditation.
The new Daeyang Global College (from 2027) lets international students spend a first year exploring before choosing among eight majors.
Admissions
International undergraduates, spring 2027 entry; fall 2027 guide not yet published
Selectivity
Sejong does not publish an admission rate for international applicants. Departments evaluate academic achievement, academic activities, aptitude for the major, language proficiency and practical skills from the documents; an online interview may be requested.
Typical entry requirements
| Secondary education | Completed, or expected to complete, primary and secondary education (12 years in total if educated in more than one country); diploma must be apostilled or consular-certified |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Non-Korean national whose parents are both non-Korean nationals; dual Korean citizens are not eligible |
| Korean track (TOPIK) | School of Global Liberal Studies: no requirement; Creative Studies, Arts and PE, Entertainment and Content: level 2; most majors: level 3; Korean Language and Literature, Media and Communication, Business Administration: level 4. TOPIK 4 (or 3) needed before graduation |
| Sejong Prep Course | Students who miss the language requirement can be admitted through the Sejong Language Center prep course and apply in the second round |
| English language | IELTS 5.5 · TOEFL iBT 59 English track: IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 3.5 on the new 1-6 scale (59 on the old 0-120 scale for tests up to January 20, 2026) or New TEPS 202, taken within 2 years. MyBest and Home Edition accepted; ITP not. Nationals of English-speaking countries can submit proof of education instead. |
Deadlines
- Spring 2027 Round 1 Non-binding PassedSeptember 21, 2026, 5:00 PM KST
Applications September 7-21, 2026; evaluation October 15-20; results November 9 (provisional); originals and tuition due November 20.
- Spring 2027 Round 2 Non-binding Next deadline · In 38 daysNovember 13, 2026, 5:00 PM KST
Applications October 22-November 13, 2026; evaluation December 4-9; results December 23 (provisional); originals and tuition due January 5, 2027. Sejong Prep Course students apply in this round.
These are the spring 2027 (March) intake dates from the Spring 2027 admission guide; Round 1 has closed. The fall 2027 intake guide had not been published when checked. All times are Korean Standard Time.
How to apply
Apply online at the Sejong One Stop Service Center (sos.sejong.ac.kr): complete the form, pay the 150,000 KRW application fee and upload scanned, apostilled or notarized documents, including passport, language score, high school (expected) graduation certificate and transcripts, nationality and family documents, and a study plan. Admitted students post the original documents and pay tuition by the registration deadline, then receive the certificate of admission for the visa.
What admissions looks for
- Academic achievement shown in transcripts and supporting documents.
- Aptitude for the intended major and relevant academic activities.
- Language proficiency at or above the track's requirement.
- Practical skills or submitted works where relevant, for example in arts programs.
Tips for applying to SJU
- 1 Start apostille or consular certification of your diploma early; documents must be certified, notarized and valid for six months from the first-round start date.
- 2 Submit your best TOEFL, IELTS or TOPIK score even if you are exempt: first-semester scholarships of 30% to 100% depend on it.
- 3 Aim for the second round if you are in the Sejong Prep Course; the guide requires it.
- 4 Pay tuition early from abroad, or use Flywire: an overseas transfer that arrives short or late counts as unregistered.
- 5 Apply for the international dormitory in January or July, since it holds only about 255 students.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KRW
Freshmen receive Sejong International Scholarship A as a share of first-semester tuition based on language scores: English track 30% (IELTS 5.5), 50% (IELTS 6.5) or 80% (IELTS 8.0), with 30% for nationals of English-speaking countries; Korean track 30% to 100% for TOPIK 3 to 6. Scholarship B rewards Sejong Language Center students (a full first-semester waiver for prep-course students, or 500,000 to 1,000,000 KRW). Enrolled students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher can receive 20% to 50% off tuition.
- 30%, 50% or 80% of first-semester tuition by IELTS/TOEFL/TEPS score
- Sejong International Scholarship A (English track)
- 30% (TOPIK 3) to 100% (TOPIK 6) of first-semester tuition
- Sejong International Scholarship A (Korean track)
- 20% to 50% of tuition with GPA 3.0+ and 15+ credits
- Outstanding academic scholarship
- About 1.6 million KRW for six months
- International dormitory
- 150,000 KRW
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters, with spring and fall intakes for international freshmen
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Sejong's best-known field, run by a dedicated College of Hospitality & Tourism and offered on the English track.
Computer Science and Engineering
Offered on the English track and ABEEK-accredited for freshmen.
Comics and Animation Technology
An English-track major in the School of Creative Studies, in a field Sejong is known for.
Film Art
The department behind alumni Song Hye-kyo and Yoo Yeon-seok.
Aerospace Engineering
Part of the School of Aerospace System Engineering and ABEEK-accredited for freshmen.
Department of K-POP Entertainment
Part of the new School of Entertainment and Content in Daeyang Global College, open to international students.
Research
- Sejong-Lockheed Martin Aerospace Research Center, founded through a cooperation agreement with Lockheed Martin.
- The Sejong University Museum, opened in 1973, houses the founders' collection of Korean antiquities.
- The university library was designated Korea's first WTO depository library in 1999.
Schools & faculties
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Business & Economics
- College of Hospitality & Tourism
- College of Natural Sciences
- College of Life Science
- College of AI Convergence
- College of Engineering
- College of Arts & Physical Education
- Daeyang Humanity College
- Daeyang Global College (from 2027)
Student life
Sejong's single campus in Gwangjin District mixes modern towers with a traditional Korean-style front gate and the Sejong University Museum beside a lily pond. Arts, dance, film and animation students give the campus a creative streak, and the university has international student organizations, clubs and a Sejong Language Center for Korean study. The international dormitory holds about 255 students and is allocated by semester, so many international students rent nearby.
- Sejong University Museum, opened in 1973, on campus.
- International student organizations and clubs.
- Sejong Language Center Korean programs and a prep course for students who miss the language requirement.
- A 12-storey library with about 840,000 books and 3,200 reading-room seats.
Housing. The international dormitory holds about 255 students; places are allocated per semester, with applications each January and July, at about 1.6 million KRW for six months.
Location
Sejong sits in Gunja-dong, Gwangjin District, in eastern Seoul, on the campus it has occupied since 1962. Students live in a city neighbourhood of the Korean capital, with the rest of Seoul within reach for internships, culture and Korean-language practice. Incheon International Airport is the main gateway for international students, and Gimpo handles domestic flights.
Nearest airport: Incheon International Airport (ICN); Gimpo International Airport (GMP) for domestic flights
Notable alumni
- SH Song Hye-kyoActress; majored in film arts
- YY Yoo Yeon-seokActor; graduated with a degree in film arts
- CH Chung HaSinger; graduated in dance
- JJ Jeon Jong-seoActress; studied film before leaving to pursue acting
- OM Oh Myung HeeVisual artist known for three-dimensional and multimedia works
- KI Kang In-sooSinger and actor; admitted as a dance major
Frequently asked questions
Does Sejong University teach in English?
Yes. Sejong has an English track for international freshmen in majors including Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science and Engineering, Hospitality and Tourism Management and Media and Communication, requiring IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 3.5 (old scale 59).
What TOPIK level do I need for Sejong's Korean track?
It depends on the major: none for the School of Global Liberal Studies, level 2 for arts and entertainment majors, level 4 for Korean Language and Literature, Media and Communication and Business Administration, and level 3 for most others.
When are Sejong's deadlines for spring 2027?
Round 1 ran September 7-21, 2026 and Round 2 runs October 22 to November 13, 2026 (5 PM KST), via sos.sejong.ac.kr.
How much is Sejong tuition for international students?
At 2026 rates, 4,669,000 KRW per semester (about 9.3 million KRW a year) for humanities, social sciences and business, rising to 6,340,000 KRW per semester for engineering and IT and 6,392,000 KRW for arts. Rates may rise for 2027.
Does Sejong offer scholarships to international freshmen?
Yes. Scholarship A covers 30% to 80% of first-semester tuition for English-track students based on test scores, and up to 100% for Korean-track students with TOPIK 6.
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.
- Sejong University: Admissions (English Track, Undergraduate)
- Sejong University: Admissions (Korean Track, Undergraduate)
- Sejong University: 2027 Spring Semester Undergraduate Admission Guide for International Students (PDF, English)
- Sejong University: Brief History
- Sejong University: English home page (colleges and departments)
- QS World University Rankings 2027 (topuniversities.com)
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