Exchange guide Yonsei University
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
City
SeoulCountry
South KoreaInternational
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Enrollment
Visible university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.
Study abroad at Yonsei University: overview
Study abroad at Yonsei University makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. Yonsei University, founded in 1885 by American missionary Horace G. Useful proof points: Visible university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Medicine and Health Sciences, Business (Yonsei School of Business), Engineering and Computer Science. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
Visible university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Medicine and Health Sciences, Business (Yonsei School of Business), Engineering and Computer Science and are willing to check language, seats, campus rules and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: Korean (primary); extensive English-taught course selection for exchange students
Exchange & application at Yonsei University
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Yonsei University, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
Exchange document
yonsei_esp_factsheet_spring_2026.pdf
Host-university document shared through UAB partner materials. Check the academic year and faculty scope before applying.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, online application, academic transcript, recommendation letter, personal statement, and passport copy.
📨Nomination Process
Your home international office nominates you to Yonsei OIA by the published deadline. Yonsei then contacts the student directly with application instructions.
🛂Visa Support
Exchange students typically need a D-2 (student) visa for Korea. Yonsei provides admission documents needed for the Korean consulate application. Apply at least 8 weeks before arrival through the Korean consulate in your country.
👥Buddy System
Yonsei International Student Association (YISA) and Yonsei Global Buddy Programme pair exchange students with Korean student volunteers.
🧭Orientation Week
International Student Orientation runs before semester start — visa check, campus registration, housing assistance, and social events. Attendance strongly recommended.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Spring semester | October 31 | November 30 |
| Fall semester | April 30 | May 31 |
Arrival Checklist
- Apply for D-2 student visa at Korean consulate after receiving Yonsei admission letter — allow 6–8 weeks.
- Register for Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days of arrival — do this at local immigration office.
- Open a Korean bank account (Kakao Bank, Shinhan, or KEB Hana) — needed for rent and card payments.
- Download KakaoTalk — primary communication app used by all Korean universities and student groups.
Academics & courses at Yonsei University
Academics combine credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Course pre-selection submitted at application stage. Final registration via YSCEC/PORTAL after arrival. English-taught courses specifically designated for exchange students — check the International Course Catalogue.
🎓Credit System
Korea uses credits (학점). 1 full-time semester = 18 credits ≈ 27 ECTS. Check ECTS conversion with your home university — typically 1 Korean credit = 1.5 ECTS.
💯Grading System
Korean letter grades: A+ (4.5), A (4.0), B+ (3.5), B (3.0), C+ (2.5), C (2.0), D+ (1.5), D (1.0), F (0). Relative grading (bell curve) applies in most departments.
✍️Exam Culture
Mid-term and final exams plus continuous assessment. Korean academic culture is study-intensive — exam periods are serious. Cramming cafes (study cafes) ubiquitous near campus.
📚Library Access
Yonsei University Library — main library plus faculty-specific libraries. Full access with student ID. 24-hour reading rooms available during exam periods.
Tuition & fees at Yonsei University
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | KRW 0 to Yonsei (pay home institution fees only) | Exchange students pay no tuition to Yonsei University. Living costs in Seoul: KRW 800,000–1,500,000/month (~€550–1,050) including accommodation, food, transp… |
| Full degree – Korean domestic | KRW ~8,000,000–12,000,000/year (~€5,500–8,300) | Korean private university fees are moderate by global standards. Varies by faculty — engineering and medicine at higher end. |
| Full degree – international | KRW ~9,000,000–15,000,000/year (~€6,200–10,400) | International full-degree fees slightly higher than Korean domestic. Yonsei UIC (Underwood International College) offers English-medium degrees at comparable… |
KRW 0 to Yonsei (pay home institution fees only)
Exchange students pay no tuition to Yonsei University. Living costs in Seoul: KRW 800,000–1,500,000/month (~€550–1,050) including accommodation, food, transp…
KRW ~8,000,000–12,000,000/year (~€5,500–8,300)
Korean private university fees are moderate by global standards. Varies by faculty — engineering and medicine at higher end.
KRW ~9,000,000–15,000,000/year (~€6,200–10,400)
International full-degree fees slightly higher than Korean domestic. Yonsei UIC (Underwood International College) offers English-medium degrees at comparable…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Yonsei University
Housing near Yonsei University should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Seoul
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Yonsei University
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — NHIS mandatory for D-2 visa holders. Yonsei facilitates registration.
🏥Campus Clinic
Yonsei University Health Services on campus — GP, dental, and mental health consultations. Severance Hospital (strong) affiliated with Yonsei Medical School.
🧠Mental Health
Yonsei Counseling Center — free, confidential counselling and psychological support for all students. Korean cultural pressure around academics is high — use these services proactively.
Korean National Health Insurance (NHIS)
~KRW 80,000–120,000/month
Mandatory for D-2 visa stays over 6 months. Covers hospital and clinic visits at 30–50% co-pay.
Private travel insurance
Varies by provider
Covers shorter stays and supplements NHIS for dental and vision not covered publicly.
Campus services
Office of International Affairs (OIA)
Central contact for exchange admission, D-2 visa letters, course approvals, and arrival guidance.
Dormitory Affairs
Apply for on-campus housing immediately after exchange admission — allocation fills fast.
Yonsei International Student Association (YISA)
Student-run organisation hosting social events, K-culture experiences, and buddy matching for exchange students.
Korean Language Institute (KLI)
One of Asia's premier Korean language programmes — exchange students can enroll in KLI courses alongside exchange curriculum.
Yonsei Counseling Center
Free confidential psychological counselling and mental health support for all students.
Student life at Yonsei University
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Student Clubs
- YISA
- Yonsei Sports
- Korean Language Institute clubs
Buddy Program
Yonsei Global Buddy Programme and YISA pair exchange students with Korean student volunteers before and after arrival.
Sports & Recreation
- Yonsei sports facilities (gym, pool, courts)
- Anam–Yonsei annual athletics festival
- Hiking Baekryeon Mountain behind campus — free and iconic
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend Yonsei International Orientation — ARC registration guidance, NHIS enrollment, campus tour, and social events.
- Register Alien Registration Card (ARC) within 90 days — Seodaemun immigration office is nearest to campus.
- Download KakaoTalk — professors, student groups, and dorms all communicate via Kakao.
- Explore Sinchon and Hongdae on foot — both are right next to campus and define the Seoul student experience.
Key exchange dates at Yonsei University
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Before nomination
Confirm active Yonsei partnership — Business School (YSB) has separate requirements.
-
2
Nomination deadline (Fall)
April 30
Home coordinator nominates to Yonsei OIA — Yonsei sends direct application invitation.
-
3
D-2 visa application
June–July
Apply at Korean consulate after receiving Yonsei admission documents. Allow 6–8 weeks.
-
4
International Orientation
Late August
Arrive before orientation — ARC registration, NHIS, dormitory check-in all start here.
-
5
Anam-Yonsei Festival (Yonsei Ipsijeol)
May
Annual inter-university festival — one of Korea's biggest student events. Don't miss it if on spring semester.