Yonsei University

Academic Program

Live and learn in Seoul while studying at one of Korea’s top universities during the Fall or Spring semester at Yonsei University.

Take a wide range of lecture courses in English and optional Korean language classes. If you’re fluent in Korean, you may also enroll in regular university courses alongside Korean students.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

Searching for Courses in English

1. Go to the Course Search Portal and click ENG (English) in the top left corner.
2. Click the “Course Catalogue and Syllabus” box
3. Under “Year/Semester”, select the most recent year. You may need to reference courses from the previous year.
   • For Spring courses, choose “1ST SEMESTER”
   • For Fall courses, choose “2ND SEMESTER”
4. Under “Category”, select “Undergraduate Programs”
5. Set College to “Study Abroad Course”
6. Click “Search”
7. To view a course syllabus, click the third icon under “Course Code-Sec.-Lab” (it looks like a sheet of paper folded at the bottom-right corner).

Please note: The number of credits Yonsei University’s courses carry is equal to SUNY credits. For example, if a Yonsei University course is listed as 3 credits, it will be 3 SUNY credits. You must take a MINIMUM of 12 SUNY credits while you are studying at Yonsei University. 
 

Course equivalency information for UAlbany Students

Credits earned on this program may be approved to satisfy the World History/International Perspectives or other UAlbany General Education requirements, if you earn appropriate credit in these areas and receive approval using the General Education Substitution Request form found here: General Education Waivers, Substitutions & Appeals | University at Albany. 

Courses may also satisfy major and minor requirements, with approval by the associated academic department(s). You may file a request to have additional courses approved for equivalency as necessary. 

All courses successfully completed through this program abroad that are not assigned a specific UAlbany course equivalency will at least count as UAlbany General Elective credits. Credits and grades will appear on your UAlbany transcript.

Housing

• On-campus housing at Yonsei University is not guaranteed and is very competitive to obtain.
• You may also arrange your own off-campus housing. 
• There are three on-campus housing facilities available: 
  • SK Global House is for both men and women and has single and double-occupancy rooms. 
  • International House is only for women and has double occupancy rooms. 
  • WooJungWon is for both men and women and has double occupancy rooms. 

Meals

There is no meal plan for this program. You may choose to purchase meals in the cafeteria, cook, or eat out at local restaurants.

Estimate of Costs

Review the most recent Estimate of Costs:

• Exchange programs here
• Non-exchange programs here

Upon nomination for the program, you will be informed about whether you were nominated as an exchange or non-exchange student. Note: There may be several tabs in the Estimate of Costs. Please be sure that you are reviewing the tab for your anticipated term and year abroad.

More Information

Click for more information on Program Costs and Financial Aid.
Remember to speak with the Office of Financial Aid at your home campus to determine how your aid package could apply towards your program abroad.

Eligibility Requirements

• You MUST have completed 2 FULL semesters and have 2 semesters worth of college grades that show on your transcript in order to be eligible for the Yonsei University program. You will NOT be able to apply to this Yonsei University study abroad program if you are a freshman at the time of application. 
• You must be a sophomore, junior, or senior in all majors, with at least a 2.5 GPA, to apply. You will NOT be able to apply if your GPA is lower than a 2.5 (even if it’s a 2.49).
• If you are a transfer student, you must have completed at least 1 FULL semester at your previous institution, plus at least 1 FULL semester at your current institution, to apply.
• Prior knowledge of Korean is not required.
• Korean citizens are eligible to apply for this program.
• Other SUNY students are eligible to apply to this Yonsei University program. 

Excursions

University-arranged excursions are not included in this program, but you may enjoy tourist attractions and events off campus, on your own.

Student Clubs and Organizations

Several student organizations on campus are available for you to join. Some of these organizations arrange trips.

Funding Opportunities

Most financial aid and academic awards will apply to semester programs.
External scholarships, listed on our website, are a good way to partially fund your study abroad experience. 
More information on applying to these scholarships is located on the Scholarships web page.

In Their Own Words

“Studying in Seoul, South Korea, as a student at Yonsei University was such an eye-opening experience. It is located in Sinchon, one of the more bustling areas of Seoul, and has lots to offer in terms of shopping, culture, and activities/performances. Being able to spend 4 months surrounded by a different culture and language has been a life-changing experience.”
Kirsten Lynch, Psychology Major

About the City

Yonsei University’s main campus is in a spacious, picturesque, and natural setting, located minutes away from the economic, political, and cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan downtown area. Seoul is one of the leading and rising global cities in the world. It is also home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offers many temples and other cultural attractions.
Yonsei has 3,500 eminent faculty members who are conducting cutting-edge research across all academic disciplines. There are 21 graduate schools, 22 colleges, and 131 subsidiary institutions hosting a selective pool of students from around the world.

Travel Documents

A valid passport is required to participate in this program. If you are a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a visa to enter Korea.
For all other nationalities, please check the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea website to determine whether you are required to obtain a visa for this program. More information regarding the visa application process is available upon acceptance to the program.

Program Dates

Fall 2026 

Sunday, August 23, 2026, to Monday, December 21, 2026

Academic Year 2026-2027 (TENTATIVE Program End Date)

Sunday, August 23, 2026 to Monday, June 21, 2027

Spring 2026

Sunday, February 22, 2026 to Monday, June 22, 2026 

*Please Note: For the most updated Yonsei University academic calendar, you can find it [HERE]. 

Application Availability

Applications become available online one semester before the program start date, based on the following timeline:

• Spring/Winter programs: July
• Fall/Year/Summer programs: December

About the Program

The University at Albany’s exchange affiliation with Yonsei University enables you to study in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, and is intended for U.S. students interested in experiencing Korean daily life and culture while developing Korean language skills and pursuing coursework in English in diverse subject areas.