Terms | Application Deadlines | Course Information | Program Fees | Housing and Meals | Eligibility
 

**Please note this program is closed for the 2023- 2024 Academic Year due to exchange imbalance.

Yonsei University is the oldest and among the most prestigious universities in South Korea. Founded in Christian principles, the university’s stated mission is to educate leaders who will contribute to humanity in the spirit of "freedom and truth." Yonsei has an enrollment of over 38,000 students, including a large number of exchange students. Yonsei has a modern campus, though it is also home to many historic buildings that reflect traditional Korean architecture. Facilities located on and around the campus include a large athletic center, a counseling and health service center, a large library, a multimedia center, several theaters, and extensive trails.

Yonsei is located on a 240-acre campus in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Seoul is a large, metropolitan city of over 10 million people that is also home to a rich and traditional culture represented in ancient palaces, temples, pagodas, and gardens. The Seoul National Capital Area includes four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung Palace, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Seoul is a hub for land travel throughout South Korea and the nearby Incheon International Airport offers express bus and rail (AREX) services to Seoul.

A Note on Exchange Programs:  
Exchange programs require a balance of sending and receiving students, therefore exchange programs may not consistently be available in the semester you are seeking to study abroad.  Please inquire with the GEO Advisor for the most up-to-date information on your program choice, and have some alternative programs in mind should the exchange program not be available or be competitive. 

Term:
Fall Semester (August--December)
Spring Semester (February--June)
Academic Year (September--June)

Deadlines:
Fall Semester: March 15 (or first Monday thereafter)
Spring Semester: October 1 (or first Monday thereafter)
Academic Year: March 15 (or first Monday thereafter)

Course Information:
The primary language of instruction at Yonsei is Korean, but there are numerous English-taught courses open to visiting students. Yonsei's Underwood International College teaches all its courses in English, and departments throughout the university offer varying numbers of classes in English within their disciplines. W&M students may choose from these broad offerings taught in English. Students proficient in Korean may choose classes from the full curriculum.
 
3 Yonsei credits = 3 W&M credits

Except for History, all courses must be pre- or post-approved. History courses will be automatically approved as HIST 299 once students submit a syllabus to the Global Education Office at Reves. Grades will not appear on transcripts or be included in GPA calculations.

Program Fees:
The tuition exchange agreement between the College of William & Mary and Yonsei University allows W&M students to pay their regular tuition and fees to W&M while taking classes at Yonsei. Students will pay for housing, meals, and other fees on site in Yonsei.
 
$475 study abroad fee, and an international medical/evacuation insurance fee of $170 apply to all students, to be paid to the W&M Bursar's Office prior to the start of the program. Students are responsible for airfare and visa costs. 

Students participating in semester long study abroad programs must have a visa and/or required entry documents. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements prior to applying and begin the application process immediately after you are nominated for the program. As a reminder, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of the program.

Korea Scholarship:
The Korea Scholarship provides financial assistance to W&M students who wish to study in the Republic of Korea. Preference will be given to students with financial need participating in the W&M- Yonsei exchange program.  Students interested in receiving the scholarship should apply online. 
 
Housing and Meals:
Room and board are paid on site in Seoul. Exchange students are typically housed at the Underwood International College on campus along with other international students.

Eligibility:
W&M second-semester Sophomore, Junior, or Senior* in good standing; minimum 2.5 GPA
* Seniors must receive approval from Committee on Degrees
 
For more information on this program and the steps to apply, please review the Getting Started page on our website.