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Korean universities restructure, create departments and majors exclusively for international students

Published: 24 Mar. 2026, 13:19 Updated: 24 Mar. 2026, 15:09

YOON SEUNG-JIN
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International students at Sookmyung Women’s University participate in a "darye," or a traditional Korean tea ceremony, on May 19, 2025. [YONHAP]

As Korean universities intensify their efforts to attract international students, they have moved beyond simply offering English tracks and AI translation services; now, they have restructured or created entire degree programs and majors only for international students.

In the first semester of this year, several universities, including Sookmyung Women's University and Dong-Eui University, launched departments and majors exclusively for international students, targeting those interested in fields such as K-pop, K-beauty and Korean health care.

The Korea JoongAng Daily has compiled a list of these new departments and majors for prospective international students who wish to stay informed.

Representatives of Sookmyung Women’s University pose for a group photo at a ceremony to mark the launch of the university’s international students-only Hallyu International College on March 19. [SOOKMYUNG WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY]

Sookmyung Women’s University’s Hallyu International College

Sookmyung Women’s University recently launched the Hallyu International College, with Hallyu being another name for the Korean Wave.

The Hallyu International College comprises two divisions: the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, which focuses on global business, and the Division of Hallyu Studies, which specializes in K-culture education.

According to the university, the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies aims to cultivate competitive business professionals who are equipped with tech-driven skills in market analysis, as well as business planning and operations.

The program emphasizes providing students with knowledge of macroeconomics and features courses on digital marketing, consumer lifestyle analysis, marketing strategy, intellectual property and international finance.

The Division of Hallyu Studies offers students a comprehensive education on the Korean Wave, from K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty and Korean culinary arts to other cultural content. The program includes hands-on courses in makeup, fashion, drama production and food product development, enabling students to gain real-world experience and build practical, industry-oriented skills.

In their final year, students take courses on copyright processes and laws and prepare professional portfolios with the help of their professors and professionals.

As part of its efforts to strengthen its career-oriented education, Sookmyung Women's University is also advancing its industry-academia collaborations. The university recently signed a partnership agreement with SM Universe, a subsidiary of SM Entertainment.

Representatives and international students of Dong-Eui University pose for a group photo at a ceremony to mark the launch of the Dong-eui Global College on Feb. 27. [DONG-EUI UNIVERSITY]

Dong-Eui University’s Dong-eui Global College

Officially launched earlier this month, the Dong-eui Global College integrates four departments: global business, global hospitality management, intelligent computing and automotive engineering.

According to Dong-Eui University , the Department of Global Business offers courses on marketing, finance and business strategy, all of which are tailored to global standards. The Department of Global Hospitality Management provides classes on hotel and convention management and, more broadly, on the food service industry.

The Department of Intelligent Computing focuses on the IT industry and offers courses on software design, artificial intelligence and data analysis. The Department of Automotive Engineering features classes involving the future mobility industry, with a particular emphasis on autonomous driving and EVs.

As part of its efforts to support international students, Dong-Eui University also provides international students with various opportunities to enhance their Korean language proficiency and more easily integrate into the country. These include special lectures for those preparing for the Test of Proficiency in Korean, also known as Topik; mentorship programs with senior international students; and community initiatives designed to connect international students with the local community.

International and domestic freshmen at Soonchunhyang University read a pledge at a welcoming ceremony. [SOONCHUNHYANG UNIVERSITY]

Soonchunhyang University’s International College

Kicking off its first semester with around 80 international students, Soonchunhyang University’s International College has introduced an education system that allows students to start from scratch, from basic Korean language courses to selecting a major within the college and eventually gaining hands-on career-related experience.

Soonchunhyang University’s International College comprises four undergraduate departments: global industrial engineering, global health, global sports management and an open major, the last of which allows students to choose their major in their second year.

The Department of Global Health focuses on health care education and offers courses on hospital administration, health statistics and public health policy. The program also includes on-site training by leveraging the university’s health science infrastructure and partnerships with external institutions.

The Department of Global Industrial Engineering provides classes on the efficient management of smart factories, system operations and logistics. The Department of Global Sports Management features courses in sports marketing, event organization and athlete management.

At Soonchunhyang University’s International College, students focus on improving their Korean language proficiency during their first year. In their second year, they begin taking introductory courses related to their intended majors. During their last two years, they engage in more structured coursework centered on their major, followed by advanced classes, internships and certification programs designed to equip them with field-ready expertise upon graduation.

Through this step-by-step system, the university aims to minimize international students' academic challenges arising from language and cultural barriers and, more generally, improve student retention rates.

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]