Korea University

Unique study opportunities

• Join the extracurricular program called LTE Language Exchange Program through KU's Global Services Center and accelerate your Korean language speaking ability while meeting local students interested in learning English.
• Enroll in Korea University's Signature English Courses (noted with an 'SC' in the KU catalog), which offer unlimited space for exchange students in popular courses such as International Development, Global Health, Pandemic Response, Geography of the Korea Demilitarized Zone, and more.

Language

Language of Instruction: English, Korean
Language Study: Optional

Korean language courses at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels are offered every semester through the Institute of Foreign Language Studies. These courses can be found in the KU course catalog in the general studies classification under electives. A placement test will be given during the onsite orientation.

Aside from language study, you’ll primarily take courses in English. With approval, you may be able to enroll in courses taught in Korean. A high level of proficiency in reading, writing, and comprehension of university-level Korean is required to succeed in these courses.

Courses and Credit

Requirements While Abroad

To successfully complete this program:

• Take a full-time course of study: Minimum 18 quarter/12 semester UC units (three to four courses). Most courses are 3 KU credits. 3 KU credits equal 4.5 quarter/3 semester UC units. 
• You may take up to a maximum of 28.5 quarter/19 semester UC units (five to six courses).
• If you take 18 UC quarter units, you may take a maximum of one course for pass/no pass credit. If you take 22.5 UC quarter units (5 or more courses), you may select pass/no pass for two courses up to a maximum of 9 UC quarter units.

Current Program Courses

Korea University courses taught in English are offered in many fields, including engineering, computer science, business, international studies, media and communication, liberal arts, linguistics, life sciences and biotechnology, political science and economics, science, engineering, health science, psychology, and education. 

Courses are updated in the catalog in January for the spring semester and in July for the fall semester. It's not guaranteed the same courses will be offered every year; however, there are only minor changes in the course lists each year and the prior list can typically be trusted as an accurate reference.

Courses are assigned a course number related to the level (100, 200, 300, 400). Levels 100 and 200 are lower division. Levels 300 and 400 are upper division, with some exceptions for courses that are comparable to lower division at UC. Courses found in the KU catalog under the general studies and academic foundations classifications are lower-division (regardless of their course number), with very few exceptions. 

Independent study, internships, and research are typically not available on this program.

Course Restrictions

• Courses and departments not available to exchange students include medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, teacher education, Division of Information Security (Department of Cyber Defense), and School of Art and Design.
• Graduate-level courses or courses at the Sejong campus are not open to study abroad students.
• Courses in Business, International Studies, Media and Communications, and Psychology are impacted.
• Courses geared towards English language learners are not open to UCEAP students. In the KU course catalog, these courses are typically found under the general studies classification and/or within a variety of departments (e.g., The Institute of Foreign Language Studies, Department of English Language and Literature, Department of English Language Education, etc.)

Catalogs and resources

• KU Course Information: Search the KU course catalog and select course numbers for syllabi. Courses in English are noted in parentheses.
• KU Global Services Center: View a list of all English-taught courses available to exchange students on the notice board.
• KU Undergraduate Schools: See the list of colleges and departments at KU.
• UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
• Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location. There are currently no listings for this program in the database.

Academic culture

Respect for professors and university rules is a hallmark of Korean academic culture. Students in Korean education settings are expected to show respect through regular attendance and polite interactions. Students are generally polite with both professors and fellow students. And, when opinions are challenged, it’s done with a moderate tone, never demanding or argumentative. Try to be sensitive to the style of each instructor. Instructors may also have heavy accents that are difficult to understand.

The Korea University Buddy Assist (KUBA) program assigns a local Korean student based on language ability and interests established in a personal interview. Your buddy will help you adjust to Korea University life and get involved in KU student life.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Your academic performance is graded according to the following criteria: exams and assignment results, attendance, and class participation. You'll usually take exams twice per semester (a midterm and final) and will be given additional assignments throughout the semester. A minimum of 70 percent attendance is required to earn a passing grade.

Fall grades are usually available from early February to early March. Spring grades are usually available from mid-July to mid-August.