Sungkyunkwan University
성균관대학교 (成均館大學校)
A university that traces its roots to Joseon's royal Confucian academy of 1398, now a Samsung-backed science powerhouse.
- Students
- 34,837
- 25,194 undergraduates
- International
- 10%
- of students
- Tuition
- ₩5.4M
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1398
About SKKU
Sungkyunkwan traces its history to 1398, when the Joseon dynasty founded Sungkyunkwan as the kingdom's highest Confucian academy, and it gained modern university status in 1946. The old academy buildings still stand beside the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus in central Seoul. Science, engineering, medicine and technology programs are on the Natural Sciences Campus in Suwon, in Gyeonggi Province. Samsung is its partner, and the Samsung Medical Center is SKKU's teaching hospital.
SKKU is large. Its 2024 figures list 25,194 undergraduates, 9,643 graduate students, 1,530 faculty and 3,536 international degree students. Students enter either an affiliated college, which is a broad entry unit such as Engineering or Social Sciences where you choose a major after your first year, or a specific department. Students can take up to three majors.
International students apply through a dedicated track in one of two languages. Korean Track units, which cover most of the university, need TOPIK. English Track units, including Global Business Administration, Global Economics, Computer Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, need only English and never require TOPIK. Admission is decided entirely on documents, with spring and fall intakes. SKKU suits students who want a big, research-heavy Korean university with strong links to industry and a Seoul address for humanities and business.
인의예지 (仁義禮智)
“Humanity, Righteousness, Propriety, Wisdom” — university motto
Why students choose SKKU
English Track students never need TOPIK, whether for choosing a major, registering for major courses or graduating.
First-semester scholarships of 50-100% of tuition go automatically to admits with IELTS 7.0/8.0 or TOPIK 5/6, and admission scholarships of 10-100% are awarded on admission results.
The SKKU Global Leader Scholarship pays 50% of tuition for the whole degree to selected freshmen, including STEM Olympiad medallists and students from eligible developing countries.
Korean Track applicants without TOPIK can still get a preliminary offer, which becomes a full admission if they reapply to the same unit within two years after reaching TOPIK level 4.
Admissions
2027 entry (Spring 2027, March start; Fall 2027 intake to follow)
Selectivity
SKKU does not publish acceptance rates for international admission. Quotas are an optimal number determined by each admission unit, and additional candidates may be admitted depending on enrollment results.
Typical entry requirements
| Nationality | Applicant and both parents must be non-Korean nationals (no dual Korean nationality) as of the application date |
|---|---|
| High school | Graduated or expected to graduate before March 2027; GED, homeschooling and online-school certificates are not accepted |
| Korean Track | TOPIK / TOPIK IBT report or Korean course completion (Sungkyun Language Institute, other Korean university language institutes, or King Sejong Institute). Without it you can still be considered for a preliminary offer. TOPIK 4 is needed before choosing a major or taking major courses, and TOPIK 5 to graduate |
| English Track | Official English test report (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, TEPS, TOEIC etc.); exempt for nationals of English-speaking countries or students who completed all of middle and high school in one |
| English language | The admission guide sets no minimum English score for English Track applicants. For reference, Exploratory Studies students need IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the new scale (80 before January 21, 2026) to choose an English Track major. IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 5.0 (95) earns a 50% first-semester scholarship, and IELTS 8.0 or TOEFL 5.5 (110) earns 100%. |
Deadlines
- Spring 2027, 1st Round Non-binding PassedAugust 21, 2026, 17:00 KST (documents by September 4)
Closed. Results October 23, 2026.
- Spring 2027, 2nd Round Non-binding Next deadline · In 38 daysNovember 13, 2026, 17:00 KST
Online application November 4-13, 2026; documents must arrive by 17:00 on November 27, 2026. Results January 8, 2027; semester begins March 1, 2027.
- Fall 2027 Non-bindingTo be announced
The Fall 2026 guide was posted on January 30, 2026, so expect the Fall 2027 guide in early 2027. Some units (e.g. Global Economics, Global Business Administration, Biomedical Engineering, Theatre, Architecture) admit in spring only.
All times are Korea Standard Time. Documents are counted by arrival at the Office of International Student Services, not by postmark. Check which units admit in spring only before you plan for fall.
How to apply
Apply online in the application window and pay a KRW 150,000 fee, then post the paper documents, apostilled or consular-confirmed where required, to the Office of International Student Services in Seoul by the submission deadline. Documents include the application, parents' nationality and family documents, school records, language test reports and an optional personal statement. Late TOPIK reports can be emailed until a set date.
What admissions looks for
- Academic ability: high school grades and other academic achievements.
- Language proficiency in the language of your track: Korean for the Korean Track, English for the English Track.
- Extracurricular record, such as volunteering, awards and attendance.
- For the Global Leader Scholarship: outstanding STEM students, with preference for international Olympiad awards from grades 10-12.
Tips for applying to SKKU
- 1 Take the IELTS or TOEFL even if you're exempt: a high enough score automatically brings a 50% or 100% first-semester scholarship.
- 2 If you want Global Economics, Global Business Administration or Biomedical Engineering, apply for spring, because these English Track units don't admit in the fall.
- 3 Start on apostilles for your transcripts and your parents' nationality and family documents early. The paper file has to physically arrive in Seoul by the document deadline.
- 4 Korean Track applicants: a Sungkyun Korean Writing Contest prize (3rd place or above) earns extra points, and TOPIK 5 or 6 can waive half or all of first-semester tuition.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in KRW
Admission scholarships of 10-100% of first-semester tuition are awarded automatically on admission results. High TOPIK or English scores bring 50-100% waivers for the first semester, and merit scholarships of 30-70% based on grade ranking are available from the 2nd to 8th semesters. The SKKU Global Leader Scholarship gives selected freshmen 50% of tuition for the regular study period if they keep a 3.5 GPA. Scholarships cannot be combined.
- KRW 150,000 (KRW 30,000 to reapply after a preliminary offer)
- Application fee
- 10-100% tuition waiver based on admission results
- Admission scholarship (1st semester)
- 100% for IELTS 8.0/TOEFL 5.5 (110); 50% for IELTS 7.0/TOEFL 5.0 (95)
- English scholarship (1st semester)
- 50% tuition for the full degree (GPA 3.5+)
- SKKU Global Leader Scholarship
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (spring from March, fall from September)
Global Business Administration (English Track)
English-taught, spring intake only, and one of the units eligible for the Global Leader Scholarship.
Global Economics (English Track)
An English-taught economics degree on the Seoul campus, spring intake only.
Computer Science and Engineering
Offered in both Korean and English Tracks, with spring and fall intakes.
Engineering (English Track)
Chemical, Advanced Materials, Mechanical and Nano Engineering, with your major reserved at admission; several are ABEEK-accredited.
Biomedical Engineering (English Track)
English-taught and linked to SKKU's medical and life-science strengths; spring intake only.
Confucian and Oriental Studies
A direct link to the Joseon-era Sungkyunkwan academy founded in 1398.
Research
- Home to two Institute for Basic Science (IBS) centres: the Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research and the Center for 2D Quantum Heterostructures, with over KRW 180 billion in research grants since 2012.
- A research and education partnership with Samsung, whose Samsung Medical Center is SKKU's School of Medicine teaching hospital.
- A UNESCO Chair for the Promotion of Sustainable Energy System and Clean Environment (2023-2026).
Schools & faculties
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Economics
- School of Business
- College of Natural Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Information and Communication Engineering
- College of Computing and Informatics
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- School of Medicine
- College of Education
Student life
SKKU life is split between two campuses. The Seoul campus, next to the historic Sungkyunkwan academy in Jongno, hosts humanities, social sciences and business. Science, engineering, medicine and the English Track engineering programs are in Suwon. The International Summer Semester and exchange programs bring in large numbers of visiting students each year. Both campuses have dormitories. Alumni range from MLB pitcher Kim Byung-hyun to actors from its acting department, such as Cha Eun-woo.
- SKKU's hero building pairs the restored traditional hall Bicheondang with the modern 600th Anniversary Hall on the Seoul campus.
- The International Summer Semester and exchange programs bring thousands of visiting students each year (1,293 summer/winter students and 992 inbound exchange students in 2024).
- Samsung-sponsored programs send selected SKKU students to summer sessions at top universities abroad.
- Up to three majors, plus interdisciplinary programs such as East Asian Studies (for international students only).
Housing. SKKU runs dormitories on both the Seoul and Suwon campuses; international students apply through the dormitory office after admission.
Location
The Humanities and Social Sciences Campus is in Jongno, in the historic centre of Seoul, beside the original Sungkyunkwan academy. The Natural Sciences Campus is in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, next to Sungkyunkwan University subway station. Science and engineering students live and study in Suwon, while humanities, social science and business students are based in Seoul.
Nearest airport: Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Notable alumni
- HK Hwang Kyo-ahnFormer Prime Minister and Acting President of South Korea; LL.B. 1981
- LW Lee Wan-kooFormer Prime Minister of South Korea
- PB Park Byeong-seugFormer Speaker of the National Assembly; law graduate
- SJ Song Joong-kiActor; majored in business administration
- CE Cha Eun-wooActor and member of the boy band Astro; admitted to the acting department in 2015
- KB Kim Byung-hyunFormer Major League Baseball pitcher; attended SKKU's Faculty of Law until 1999
Frequently asked questions
Can I study at SKKU in English without Korean?
Yes. English Track units such as Global Business Administration, Global Economics, Computer Science and Engineering, several engineering majors and Biomedical Engineering never require TOPIK, whether for choosing a major, taking major courses or graduating.
What TOPIK level do I need for SKKU?
Korean Track applicants should submit TOPIK or a recognised Korean course certificate. TOPIK 4 is needed before choosing a major or taking major courses, and TOPIK 5 to graduate. Without TOPIK you can still receive a preliminary offer, and you are admitted if you reapply to the same unit within two years after reaching TOPIK level 4.
When is the SKKU application deadline for international students?
For Spring 2027, the 2nd round runs November 4-13, 2026 (17:00 KST), with documents due by November 27. The 1st round closed on August 21, 2026.
How much is SKKU tuition for international students?
For 2026 freshmen, the first semester including the KRW 198,000 entrance fee ranged from KRW 5,380,000 (humanities, social sciences, business) to KRW 8,264,000 (Global Business Administration). Engineering and computer science were KRW 6,990,000.
Does SKKU give scholarships to international students?
Yes. Admission scholarships of 10-100% are awarded automatically, high IELTS/TOEFL or TOPIK scores bring 50-100% first-semester waivers, and the Global Leader Scholarship covers 50% of tuition for the whole degree.
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.
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