Seoul Study Abroad is a semester-length study abroad opportunity that allows students to travel to Seoul, South Korea and complete 15-18 credits through courses offered at either Korea University or Yonsei University. Students will select either Korea University or Yonsei University, and they will have access to a wide variety of courses taught in English in fields that include, among others, the Liberal Arts, Korean Language, Life Sciences, Economics, Computer Science, Health Sciences, Media and Communications, and Art and Design. In addition, students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of co-curricular activities offered by study abroad program provider IES Abroad.
Requirements & Considerations
- All students must enroll according to, and remain in compliance with, the Boston University Study Abroad Course Load Policy.
- Admissions requirements for all programs
- Students must also meet eligibility requirements for IES Abroad.
- 18 years of age
- In good standing at your home school
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs between 2.99 and 2.75 on a 4.0 scale will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students with a GPA below 2.75 are ineligible)
- Second-semester Sophomore, Junior, or first-semester Senior standing when program begins. Neither graduating second-semester Seniors nor college graduates are eligible for this program
Curriculum
Students may enroll in either Korea University or Yonsei University. Students may enroll in one of two program tracks, each of which will include direct enrollment at a local university:
Korea University
Students will enroll at Korea University for a total of 15 to 18 credits. Korea University courses are typically worth 3 US credits. Further information about course content and availability is provided through Korea University course search.
- College of Liberal Arts - Psychology, Sociology, History, Language (including Korean)
- College of Life Science and Economics - Economics, Political Science, Environmental Science, Food and Resource Economics, Biological Science, Life Sciences
- College of Science - Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Math, Physics
- College of Health Science - Biosystems, Health and Environment Science, Health Policy
- College of Informatics (including Computer Science)
- School of Art & Design
- School of Media and Communication
Yonsei University
Students will enroll in 5-6 courses at Yonsei University for a total of 15-18 credits. Yonsei courses are typically worth 3 US credits each.
Through the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at Yonsei University, students may enroll in courses (course code: IEE) offered exclusively to visiting students.
Some popular IEE courses are:
- Korean Popular Culture & Korean Wave
- Contemporary Korean Cinema & Society
- Understanding K-pop
- Media Communication in Korea
- Korean Tradition Music & Culture
- Modern Korean History
- Korean Food & Culture
- Korean Art History
- Korean Government & Public Policy
- Korea-U.S. Relations
Additionally, Yonsei University has hundreds of course offerings in English. Further information about course content and availability is provided through Yonsei Portal Service.
- Economics
- Education
- Human Ecology
- International Studies
- Liberal Arts
- Life Systems (Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology)
- Science (Math, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Astronomy, Atmospheric Science)
- Social Sciences
- Theology
Housing & Student Services
Students will live in a studio apartment conveniently located near public transportation for daily commutes to campus. Each apartment includes a kitchen. Meals are not included.
Program Dates
- Fall: Mid-August to Late December
- Spring: Mid-February to Late June
Application Timeline
- Fall Semester: March 15
- Spring Semester: September 1
In addition to completing the standard BU Study Abroad application, students must apply through the IES Abroad online system.
(Please note that the IES Abroad application may not yet be available for your chosen semester.)
Please note: Non-U.S. citizens must contact BU Study Abroad prior to submitting an application.
This program is rolling admissions; applications are reviewed once all application materials are received, prior to all deadlines. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the BU Study Abroad office. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible as some programs and internship tracks have limited space and may fill up before the deadline. Submitting a complete application prior to the application deadline, does not guarantee acceptance. Students will be emailed an admissions decision within three weeks of a completed application.
Information for BU Students Awaiting an Admissions Decision and exceptions to the standard admission calendar for all students can be found here.
Cost & Financial Considerations
