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Exchange program with partner universities in Seoul, South Korea

Approximately 14 students of Goethe-University can spend one semester (fall term: August/September to December; spring term: February/March to June) at  Korea University, Chung-Ang University, NEW in 2025/26: Kyung Hee University and brand new in 2026/27 University of Seoul. All are located in Seoul, South Korea. The first three offer a wide range of English-taught courses, UoS less of those, all offer Korean language classes.


Exchange students nominated by Goethe University will be exempted from paying tuition fees at our Korean partner universities. All other expenses (e.g. health insurance, travel costs, housing etc.) will have to be paid by the students. On-campus housing is available to exchange students.

Freemovers may apply for the summer and winter programs at the partner universities. They will have to pay the tuition fees; Chung-Ang University offers students of partner universities a discount of 50%. Links see below.  

When to apply? 
 deadline: Tuesday, 3 February 2026 
(for a stay abroad during the acadamic year 2026/27)

Please read the application manual!

Korea University

Foto: © Korea University

Partner universities and number of possible exchange students:

  • Chung-Ang University (max. 4 students for one semester each)
  • Korea University (max. 2 students for one semester each)
  • Kyung Hee University (max. 2 students per semester)
  • University of Seoul (max. 4 students for one semester each)
Chung-Ang University
Course restrictions at Chung-Ang University:
  • Available Colleges for International Exchange Program:
    • Humanities
    • Social Sciences
    • Education
    • Natural Sciences
    • Biotechnology and Natural Resources
    • Engineering / ICT Engineering
    • Software
    • Business and Economics (only for students with a major in these subjects)
    • Arts
    • Sport Sciences
    • Art & Technology
    • Global MBA (only available to graduate level students studying business administration or economics)
    • Graduate School of International Studies (only available to graduate level students studying business, economics or international relations
  •  NOT available for international exchange students: School of Medicine / School of Pharmacy / School of Nursing / School of Law / Graduate School) 
  •  generally: due to high demand exchange students cannot be guaranteed to get into the classes they wish  

Intensive Korean Courses (Fee-Paying Program): International exchange students can take these courses for a 25% discounted fee. Since it is not a regular course, it does not bear academic credits. More information.

On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.


Foto: © Chung-Ang University

Korea University
Undergraduate applicants must have completed a minimum of 2 full semesters at their home institution before the Nomination/Application starts (i.e. before the end of April)!
Course restrictions at Korea University:
  • Exchange students may NOT take classes in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, teacher education, information security, Art and Design; also classes at Sejong Campus are not available and all graduate programmes at the business school;
  • due to high demand undergraduate students may not be guaranteed to get into classes at the Business School.
  • Graduate students may ONLY take classes at departments under “Graduate School" except subjects mentioned above and business related courses (BUS, INT). 
  • Courses at the Graduate School of International Studies are NOT available to exchange students. 
  • KU cannot guarantee any courses for exchange students. Therefore, students are requested to be very flexible with their course selections and also be ready with a plan B. The demand for courses from Business School, Media & Communications, International Studies and Psychology (courses that start with BUSS, JMCO, DISS, PSYC) is especially high.
On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.


Foto: © Korea University

Course restrictions at Kyung Hee University:
  • ONLY undergraduate classes available (Master students may apply but may only take undergraduate classes at KHU)
  • Students may take courses across different colleges and departments BUT may be unable to enroll in certain desired courses due to internal restrictions (e.g. some classes may only be available to regular degree-seeking students).
    Students are responsible for checking the availability of English-taught courses and their prerequisites in advance. The availability of English-taught courses may vary across departments. Exchange students may take classes from
    1. Seoul Campus
      • College of Humanities
      • College of Politics and Economics
      • College of Business Administration
      • College of Hotel and Tourism Management
      • College of Sciences
      • College of Human Ecology
      • Humanitas College (General Elective) 
    2. Global Campus
      • College of Engineering
      • College of Software
      • College of Electronics and Information
      • College of Applied Science
      • College of Life Sciences
      • College of International Studies
      • College of Foreign Language and Literature
      • College of Art and Design (Korean Track Only)
      • Humanitas College (General Elective). 
  • Exchange students may NOT take classes from: College of Medicine, Korean Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Music, Fine Arts, School of Dance, Physical Education
On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.

From the website of the University of Seoul: 

"The University of Seoul, a leading institution of higher education, has been shaping the future of our community for over 100 years. Established in 1918, UOS is widely regarded as one of the top public universities in Korea. It has served as a think tank for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, contributing to the development of Korean society through education, student training, and academic research. With 8 colleges and 10 graduate schools, UOS offers a diverse range of courses in a thriving academic environment."

Master students may apply but have to take into consideration:

  • that English-taught classes are only offered on an undergraduate level
  • classes on a graduate level are only taught in Korean!

On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.

general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):

  • applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
  • applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply during their 1st semester
  • All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
  • Good academic standing 
  • Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
  • good knowledge of  current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
  • good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
  • It is expected of exchange students to return to Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their studies here. 
  • Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
  • Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt

additional application requirements for this exchange:

  • good grades (average of at least 2,5)
  • MA students in their 1st semester: If you get nominated, you will have to submit grades of that 1st semester at Goethe University to the host university by April. 
  • good language proficiency of Korean and/or English (Duolingo English Test (at least 105) may replace Lektor*innensprachzeugnis Englisch )
Program benefits
  • Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
  • Administrative support with application at host institution
  • on-campus housing is available to exchange students (but cannot be guaranteed at all partner universities)
Costs before and during the stay abroad
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:
  • room and board 
  • travel costs
  • insurances 
  • other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees  
  •  exchange students to Korea University have to pay an application fee of $50   
Costs per semester for studying at one of the South Korean partner universities are estimated to be approx. €7.000 (not including flight). At the time of application to the host institution, proof (e.g. bank balance) of approx. $6000 will have to be submitted. 
Application documents:
  • Application form - will be generated from online application (will open approx. 4 weeks prior to application deadline)
  • additional application documents
    please see     application manual
  • You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
Interviews:
  • approx. 3-4 weeks after application deadline (as soon as date is known, it will be published here)
    there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
Selection of exchange students: 
  • Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
  • all applicants will receive an email:
    • invitation to an interview OR  
    • rejection on the basis of submitted application    
  • interview will:
    • be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language) 
    • be about personal and academic motivation of applicant 
    • include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany 
  • final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
  • final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them

How to finance your stay abroad: 
Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:

  • DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
  • DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad) 
  • Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
  • Bildungskredit
  • other scholarships 

More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien. 

Please check carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany. 

You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).

An exchange student at Chung-Ang University talks about her stay in South Korea (recorded during the International Week 2020; in German):

"Studium in Seoul, Südkorea "Live vom Auslandssemester an der Chung-Ang University während Corona"" 

Introductory video for new international students at Korea University
(with one of the exchange students from Goethe-Universität (spring 2021))

Partner universities and number of possible exchange students:

  • Chung-Ang University (max. 4 students for one semester each)
  • Korea University (max. 2 students for one semester each)
  • Kyung Hee University (max. 2 students per semester)
  • University of Seoul (max. 4 students for one semester each)
Chung-Ang University
Course restrictions at Chung-Ang University:
  • Available Colleges for International Exchange Program:
    • Humanities
    • Social Sciences
    • Education
    • Natural Sciences
    • Biotechnology and Natural Resources
    • Engineering / ICT Engineering
    • Software
    • Business and Economics (only for students with a major in these subjects)
    • Arts
    • Sport Sciences
    • Art & Technology
    • Global MBA (only available to graduate level students studying business administration or economics)
    • Graduate School of International Studies (only available to graduate level students studying business, economics or international relations
  •  NOT available for international exchange students: School of Medicine / School of Pharmacy / School of Nursing / School of Law / Graduate School) 
  •  generally: due to high demand exchange students cannot be guaranteed to get into the classes they wish  

Intensive Korean Courses (Fee-Paying Program): International exchange students can take these courses for a 25% discounted fee. Since it is not a regular course, it does not bear academic credits. More information.

On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.


Foto: © Chung-Ang University

Korea University
Undergraduate applicants must have completed a minimum of 2 full semesters at their home institution before the Nomination/Application starts (i.e. before the end of April)!
Course restrictions at Korea University:
  • Exchange students may NOT take classes in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law, teacher education, information security, Art and Design; also classes at Sejong Campus are not available and all graduate programmes at the business school;
  • due to high demand undergraduate students may not be guaranteed to get into classes at the Business School.
  • Graduate students may ONLY take classes at departments under “Graduate School" except subjects mentioned above and business related courses (BUS, INT). 
  • Courses at the Graduate School of International Studies are NOT available to exchange students. 
  • KU cannot guarantee any courses for exchange students. Therefore, students are requested to be very flexible with their course selections and also be ready with a plan B. The demand for courses from Business School, Media & Communications, International Studies and Psychology (courses that start with BUSS, JMCO, DISS, PSYC) is especially high.
On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.


Foto: © Korea University

Course restrictions at Kyung Hee University:
  • ONLY undergraduate classes available (Master students may apply but may only take undergraduate classes at KHU)
  • Students may take courses across different colleges and departments BUT may be unable to enroll in certain desired courses due to internal restrictions (e.g. some classes may only be available to regular degree-seeking students).
    Students are responsible for checking the availability of English-taught courses and their prerequisites in advance. The availability of English-taught courses may vary across departments. Exchange students may take classes from
    1. Seoul Campus
      • College of Humanities
      • College of Politics and Economics
      • College of Business Administration
      • College of Hotel and Tourism Management
      • College of Sciences
      • College of Human Ecology
      • Humanitas College (General Elective) 
    2. Global Campus
      • College of Engineering
      • College of Software
      • College of Electronics and Information
      • College of Applied Science
      • College of Life Sciences
      • College of International Studies
      • College of Foreign Language and Literature
      • College of Art and Design (Korean Track Only)
      • Humanitas College (General Elective). 
  • Exchange students may NOT take classes from: College of Medicine, Korean Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing Science, Music, Fine Arts, School of Dance, Physical Education
On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.

From the website of the University of Seoul: 

"The University of Seoul, a leading institution of higher education, has been shaping the future of our community for over 100 years. Established in 1918, UOS is widely regarded as one of the top public universities in Korea. It has served as a think tank for the Seoul Metropolitan Government, contributing to the development of Korean society through education, student training, and academic research. With 8 colleges and 10 graduate schools, UOS offers a diverse range of courses in a thriving academic environment."

Master students may apply but have to take into consideration:

  • that English-taught classes are only offered on an undergraduate level
  • classes on a graduate level are only taught in Korean!

On-campus housing is available to exchange students but may not be guaranteed due to dorm room shortage. Dormitory placement is on a first-come, first-served basis, and availability is highly limited and competitive.

general application requirements (for all our Direktaustauschprogramme):

  • applicants must be enrolled at Goethe University
  • applicants must be at least in their 2nd semester (BA), MA students may apply during their 1st semester
  • All majors may apply, there may be some restrictions regarding the available courses: students of medicine and law may apply but will not be able to take classes from their major at the host institution; restrictions regarding courses see first tab "host institution(s)"
  • Good academic standing 
  • Good language proficiency (at least B1, if not stated otherwise) - language certificates are valid for 2 years only!
  • good knowledge of  current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country and Germany
  • good knowledge of the host institution, available classes and a detailed study plan specific to the respective host institution(s)
  • It is expected of exchange students to return to Goethe-University after their study abroad period and continue and finish their studies here. 
  • Students who do not have a German Abitur or other German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung and who are enrolled in an English degree have to submit proof of German proficiency (preferably at least B1)
  • Applicants are expected to be able to take on an ambassador role for Goethe University and Frankfurt

additional application requirements for this exchange:

  • good grades (average of at least 2,5)
  • MA students in their 1st semester: If you get nominated, you will have to submit grades of that 1st semester at Goethe University to the host university by April. 
  • good language proficiency of Korean and/or English (Duolingo English Test (at least 105) may replace Lektor*innensprachzeugnis Englisch )
Program benefits
  • Tuition fee waiver (other fees may apply)
  • Administrative support with application at host institution
  • on-campus housing is available to exchange students (but cannot be guaranteed at all partner universities)
Costs before and during the stay abroad
Tuition fees get waived for exchange students. However, costs of studying abroad should not be underestimated. All other costs will have to be paid by the exchange students themselves:
  • room and board 
  • travel costs
  • insurances 
  • other fees at the host institution may apply, e.g. administrative fees  
  •  exchange students to Korea University have to pay an application fee of $50   
Costs per semester for studying at one of the South Korean partner universities are estimated to be approx. €7.000 (not including flight). At the time of application to the host institution, proof (e.g. bank balance) of approx. $6000 will have to be submitted. 
Application documents:
  • Application form - will be generated from online application (will open approx. 4 weeks prior to application deadline)
  • additional application documents
    please see     application manual
  • You will need a letter of reference and a language proficiency certificate. Please see about these well in advance (the sooner the better): talk to a professor/lecturer about the letter of reference and make an appointment for the language test. No late submissions!
Interviews:
  • approx. 3-4 weeks after application deadline (as soon as date is known, it will be published here)
    there might be a preselection based on written applications so that not all applicants will be invited
Selection of exchange students: 
  • Depending on the number of applicants there may be a preselection based on the application documents.
  • all applicants will receive an email:
    • invitation to an interview OR  
    • rejection on the basis of submitted application    
  • interview will:
    • be in English (and, if different, language of host country; only expected of applicants who stated in their application that they have knowledge of that language) 
    • be about personal and academic motivation of applicant 
    • include possible other subjects such current and historic political and cultural affairs of host country as well as Germany 
  • final selection of exchange students by Goethe University's selection committee
  • final approval of the participation in the program is given by host institutions after applications have been submitted to them

How to finance your stay abroad: 
Students participating in our exchange programs may apply for financial aid and/or scholarships at other institutions:

  • DAAD-PROMOS (in April/Mai for fall; in November/December for spring)
  • DAAD-Jahresstipendium (for studying abroad for two semesters; please check the deadlines which are different for different countries and may be several months before the stay abroad) 
  • Auslands-BAföG (apply 6 months before studying abroad)
  • Bildungskredit
  • other scholarships 

More information on our website: Finanzierung und Stipendien. 

Please check carefully whether you are eligible to apply: Some financial aid programs and scholarships might only be for German citizens or students who have graduated from German high school and/or have their permant residency in Germany. 

You will find a data base of testimonials of former exchange students here (in German).

An exchange student at Chung-Ang University talks about her stay in South Korea (recorded during the International Week 2020; in German):

"Studium in Seoul, Südkorea "Live vom Auslandssemester an der Chung-Ang University während Corona"" 

Introductory video for new international students at Korea University
(with one of the exchange students from Goethe-Universität (spring 2021))