Kyungpook National University to launch new department for international students

Kyungpook National University is launching a new department dedicated to international students starting in the 2027 academic year.

The university’s Department of Global Liberal Arts will mark the institution's first academic program designed exclusively for international students. Enrolled freshmen will take academic Korean language classes and foundational courses designed to build baseline competencies for various majors. Students will then select their official majors at the start of their sophomore year.

Admissions will open this October ahead of the program's official launch in 2027.

The university expects the freshman curriculum will help international students adapt to campus life and the local region before they choose a specific field of study. Sophomores can select a major available under the university's international student admissions track, excluding fields in fine arts, music and physical education.

As of 2025, a total of 1,660 international students were enrolled at the university’s main campus, according to the Higher Education in Korea information service.

Recognizing a surge in enrollment at its language institute, the university also plans to leverage the new department to help language students transition into degree-seeking tracks. The number of students enrolled in the university's Korean language program jumped more than fourfold from 162 in 2022 to 712 in 2025.

To streamline admissions, the university plans to allow students who complete Level 4 of its Korean language program to enroll directly in the Department of Global Liberal Arts. Grades earned during the language program may also be eligible for credit exemptions.

“The Department of Global Liberal Arts goes beyond the mere launch of a new academic department — it is a comprehensive support system designed to help international students study Korean, earn a degree and remain in Korea after graduation,” said Choi Hee-kyung, a professor and dean of the university’s Office of International Affairs.

Kyungpook National University ranked 481st in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, climbing 38 spots from the previous year.

It has also been designated an "excellent certified university" under the international education competency accreditation system by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Justice for three straight years. Certified schools receive priority benefits, including simplified visa issuance processes and preferential consideration for government-led internationalization projects.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO   [[email protected]]