Sogang University was founded in 1960 by the Society of Jesus to provide an education based on Catholic belief. In spite of its relatively short history, Sogang University has established its place as one of the top universities in Korea, ranking at #10 on 2019 QS South Korea Ranking.
Approximately 3,000 foreign students study annually at Sogang University in various academic programs makes up 40% of the residents on-campus.
Recognized for its high standard of education, Sogang University boasts the highest rate of graduate employment in major corporations in Korea, with over forty thousand alumni working in influential positions in various areas of society. In its efforts to make the campus more international, Sogang University offers the best services to foreign students in order to make their stay at Sogang as seamless and memorable as possible.
Sogang has a very active student organization called Hands Up for Gathering (HUG). Buddies from HUG are Sogang students who help international students adjust smoothly into the life and culture of Korea. HUG organizes different field trips, parties, Korean language tutoring, and many cultural activities. Students can apply for the buddy program when submitting their online application for exchange.
Seoul, the capital city of South Korea is located on the Han River in the north western part of the country. Home to 10 million people, the city is the cultural, economic and political centre of South Korea. Seoul is fashion and technology-forward but also deeply traditional. Here, you will find five UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as state-of-the-art skyscrapers. The city offers beautiful scenic attractions as well as interesting bars, luxury hotels and great food.
South Korea, officially called the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, covering the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing its only land border with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea).
South Korea has a population of around 51.5 million people, and is one of the world's most densely populated countries at 503 people per square kilometer, a number more than 10 times the global average. South Korea is a highly developed country and the world's 11th largest economy. Its capital, Seoul, is a major global city and half of South Korea's population live in the Seoul Capital Area, the fourth largest metropolitan economy in the world.
Nearly 70% of South Korea's land area is mostly uninhabitable due to it being mountainous, a major factor in the population concentration. Despite the large population and city lifestyle, South Koreans are known for being very active, with most weekends spent out of doors for many people.
It’s known for its green, hilly countryside dotted with cherry trees and centuries-old Buddhist temples, coastal fishing villages, beautiful sub-tropical islands, and its advanced high-tech cities such as Seoul, the capital. Today, South Korea is known for its globally influential pop culture such as K-pop and TV dramas, part of the phenomenon referred to as the Korean Wave. Korean and English are the major two languages used in South Korea, and generally English will get you by for exchange.
Did you know…..?
South Korea has the world's fastest Internet connection speeds and the world's second best healthcare system. South Korea is a global leader in many technology and innovation driven fields, being the world's 5th largest exporter and 8th largest importer.
August 1st to go on exchange in SP2
January 11th to go on exchange in SP5
Fall semester (SP5)
September to December
Spring Semester (SP2)
March to June
All students must meet standard exchange selection criteria and any host institution restrictions.
Not all courses offered in English are available for exchange. Please ensure that you check the box next to “Courses for Exchange Students”
Finalized course lists for each semester will be available about a month prior to the beginning of the semester. If students need to sign their Learning Agreements before the semester begins, please refer to the course lists from the past.
Students should also submit the following forms through the online application system if they wish to apply for them.
We recommend that undergraduate students complete 4 courses for 13.5 UniSA units and 5 courses for 18 UniSA units at Sogang University, as each course is valued at 3 credits / 6 ECTS.
Postgraduate students should enrol in 3 courses for 13.5 UniSA units and 4 courses for 18 UniSA units, as postgraduate courses are valued at 3 credits each / 8 ECTS, with a higher workload than UG courses.
UniSA students are not required to provide evidence of English proficiency. However, students from non-English speaking countries are recommended to have English proficiency scores equivalent to or higher than TOEFL iBT 79 (PBT 550) or IELTS 6.5.
August 1st to go on exchange in SP2
January 11th to go on exchange in SP5
Weather
Autumn/Winter: -6°C to 5°C
Spring/Summer: 20°C to 30°C
Currency
₩ South Korean Won
Local language/s
Korean
Airport pickup service by "Hands Up for Gathering (HUG)" International Student Association is available to exchange students who arrive on arrival dates designated by the Office of International Affairs. The arrival dates designated by the Office of International Affairs is usually 3-4 days prior to the start of the semester, in line with the dormitory check-in dates. The dates will be announced by the Office of International Affairs.
Students must apply for airport pickup service online through Sogang's application page. After submitting the airport pickup request form, a buddy from Sogang's HUG will contact you via email and pre-arrange the meeting place around 2 weeks before your arrival. On the day of your arrival, HUG buddies will meet you at the airport and show you the way to Sogang University. Please note that exchange students are responsible for their own transportation costs.
If you do not require airport pickup service or if you arrive on a date other than the designated dates when airport pickup service by HUG is not available, you can take Airport Limousine Bus, airport train AREX or taxi.
For details please refer to the pre-departure handbook you receive from the Office of International Affairs.
More information on how to get to the campus can be found here.
On campus accommodation is available (with meal plans included). Students who wish to live on-campus must apply for housing during the online application period. Students who apply for on-campus housing are required to submit a Health Report Form, officially signed or stamped by a doctor a month before arrival. More information Gonzaga Hall can be found here.
Sogang University OIA does not provide off-campus housing assistance. If you would like to live off-campus, you will have to find housing on your own. More information on accommodation can be found here.
As an exchange partner with the University of South Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees to Sogang University, instead you will pay tuition as you would normally at UniSA. Travel and living expenses are at your own cost. The table below gives an indication of costs you will incur:
Items | Approximate Cost (AUD) |
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Return flights from Adelaide (to Seoul) | $1200 |
Accommodation | $500 to $1850 per month |
Meals/Groceries | $2200 per semester |
Transportation | $350 per semester |
Entertainment and incidentals including phone, laundry etc. | $1700 per semester |
More information can be found here.
You may be eligible to receive additional grants or scholarships to fund your experience. For more information please see the funding and scholarships website.
UniSA offers travel insurance as part of your exchange for up to 270 days (can be extended up to 365 days). For more information please see travel insurance website.
Please click here to read the travel insurance policy.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
If you have any further questions about travel insurance, please contact the UniSA Insurance Office on 08 8302 1678.
August 1st to go on exchange in SP2
January 11th to go on exchange in SP5
It is your responsibility to apply for your visa for your overseas study experience. You can refer to the relevant consulate regarding a specific countries visa requirement. UniSA is legally unable to provide visa advise. Please see below links for more information.
Australian Government DFAT brief on Republic of Korea (South Korea) is available here.
Republic of Korea (South Korea) embassy website can be found here.
Sogang University student visa FAQ is available here.
To participate in an exchange experience, you must register your travel with International SOS (iSOS). We will provide instructions on how to do this throughout the process.
UniSA has partnered with iSOS to offer our students medical, safety and security advice, referrals, emotional support and routine and emergency assistance when travelling or living abroad.
For more information please visit the Travel Health and Safety Webpage.
Before your departure, we strongly encourage you to visit the Smartraveller website.
The website contains important information you need to know about travel documents, up to date travel advisories on destinations you may be travelling to on behalf of the University, travel tips and more.
August 1st to go on exchange in SP2
January 11th to go on exchange in SP5
The Sogang International Summer Program (SISP) is a 4-week program for students who wish to broaden their academic experience. It is also a great opportunity to explore Korea and engage in cultural exchanges with students and faculty members from around the world. By joining our program, students may combine intensive classwork with exciting field trips and various extracurricular activities alongside Sogang University students. Students can also take advantage of their stay in Sinchon where Sogang University is located, the lively college town in the centre of Seoul!
Sogang International Summer Program | |
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Location: South Korea |
UniSA Application Deadline: Program has now passed. Listed here for reference purposes only. |
Program Dates:
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Credit: 3-6 US credits (1-2 courses) (see credit note below) |
Program Fee: |
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Mode of delivery: In-country |
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Language of Instruction: English |
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Program Website: Sogang International Summer Program website Program Brochure: Sogang International Summer Program brochure |
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Credit Notes: *3-4 US credits is equivalent to 4.5 UniSA units |
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Program Fee Information: |
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Funding Available: OS-HELP loans are available for eligible students. This program is part of student exchange agreement - students stay enrolled at, and pay normal tuition fees, to UniSA. |
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Eligibility Criteria: All students must meet standard short-term exchange selection criteria and any host institution requirements. |
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Other Information: |
Want to know more about studying overseas? Check out our returned student reports.