20. The Catholic University of Korea
THE: 601-800. QS: 781-760
The Catholic University of Korea was founded in 1855, and its campus is located in the Banpo-dong neighborhood of Seocho District in southern Seoul. It is celebrated for its strong programs in medicine and health care. With eight affiliated hospitals in major cities of the country, it aims to foster leaders in medicine. Today, it is paying attention to AI, data science and biomedical breakthroughs, according to THE.
THE: 801-1000. QS: 509
Known to many international students for its Korean Language Education Center, which has taught many the Korean language skills they need to study in Korea, Sogang University is a Jesuit university that opened in 1960. It has a particular focus on social sciences, humanities and business studies. The university, bordering Seoul's Sinchon neighborhood, Korea's most popular college town, neighbors Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University and many others in the area. QS views it particularly favorably and considers it the 82nd in all of Asia.
THE: 501-600. QS: 751-760
The fact that the University of Ulsan is in the city of the same name makes it an attractive option for aspiring young professionals, as the city is one of Korea's most economically vibrant cities. Established in 1969, the university focuses on engineering, business administration and transportation systems studies. Its College of Engineering is highly regarded for its mechanical and automotive engineering. It has nine colleges covering everything from medicine, life sciences and human ecology to fine arts.
THE: 501-600. QS: 631-640
Situated in Suwon, Gyeonggi, 30 kilometers (18. 6 miles) south of Seoul, Ajou University was established in 1973. The university focuses on engineering, information technology and health sciences. Created as part of a cultural partnership between France and Korea, the university provides strong support for international students and has partnerships with more than 200 universities in 58 countries, according to QS.
THE: 501-600. QS: 611-620
The only university on this list in Korea's second-largest city of Busan, Pusan National University, was founded directly after the Second World War in 1946. Given its location near the country's largest trading port, it has expertise in marine and ocean sciences research. It also focuses on natural sciences, engineering and business administration. Its placement on THE rankings jumped significantly from the 1001-1200 range to the 501-600 range this year.
THE: 601-800. QS: 498
As one of the higher educational institutions of great historical significance, known for producing women leaders since 1886, Ewha Womans University specializes in humanities, social sciences and liberal arts. Its College of Liberal Arts and College of Social Sciences are considered one of the nation's best and known for their dedication to empowering women with a top-notch education. It also has great programs in engineering, medicine and other science disciplines.
14. Kyungpook National University
THE: 501-600. QS: 520
Kyungpook National University, another Daegu-based university, was founded in 1946. It boasts one of the nation's largest campuses. Its primary academic domains are medicine, engineering and natural sciences, with the School of Medicine highly regarded for its research achievements. QS ranked it high for its employment outcomes.
THE: 401-500. QS: 494
Seoul's Chung-Ang University, founded in 1918, is famous for its focus on the arts, media and international studies. Committed to creativity and innovation, it has produced thousands of notable alums in the film industry, including actors Lee Byung-hun and Kim Hee-sun. QS considers it "the center of the 'Korean culture wave' inside and outside Asia."
12. Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
THE: 401-500. QS: 328
Gwangju Institute of Science of Technology is one of Korea's newer universities, founded in 1993. However, it managed to rise in rankings with its focus on science, engineering and technology. GIST used to only offer graduate programs until 2010. The university offers sizable financial aid packages to its international students, offering full rides to its undergraduate international students. It looks to foster "scientific technologists with advanced leadership skills," according to QS.
THE: 251-300. QS: 436
Sejong University was established in 1940 and has strong business, economics and international relations programs. The university's hospitality and tourism management program is also popular, with partnerships with over 70 companies, offering hands-on training opportunities for its students. It has a rich tradition of producing entrepreneurs, diplomats and successful graduates. THE ranks it especially highly for its research output.
For more rankings:
Korea’s top 30 ranked universities, 30-21
Korea's top 30 ranked universities, 10-1
