Gwangju University

Study at Gwangju University, South Korea

Gwangju University is a private university in Nam-gu, Gwangju, in southwestern South Korea. It runs a Korean as a Second Language (KSL) program for international students and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. Its scholarships and dorm costs are set out clearly, which helps students from Nepal plan a budget. Toddle guides students through choosing a course, preparing documents and applying.

Why students choose Gwangju University

• A city location that is easier on the budget. Gwangju is a large city with a metro system and good public services. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes by KTX from Seoul, and the campus is under 30 minutes by car from downtown.
• A Korean language route into a degree. The KSL program runs for one or two years. Students who reach TOPIK Level 3 can move on to undergraduate study.
• Scholarships tied to your TOPIK level. A higher TOPIK level means a bigger tuition reduction (details below).
• Dorms on campus. International students can live on campus in shared rooms, with meal plans available.
• International links. The university has exchange agreements with 64 universities in 10 countries.

Colleges and study areas

Undergraduate programs are grouped into these colleges:

• College of Healthcare, Welfare and Education
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• College of Management
• College of Engineering
• College of Culture and Art

Graduate programs are also available. Which departments accept international students can change each intake, so ask Toddle to confirm before you decide.

Who can apply

Program	Academic requirement	Language requirement
Korean language (KSL)	High school graduation or equivalent	None
Undergraduate	High school graduation or equivalent	TOPIK Level 3 or higher
Undergraduate transfer	Two years completed at a four-year university, or a college degree	Confirm with Toddle
Graduate	Bachelor's degree	Confirm with Toddle

Intakes and application timing

Intake	Application period	Classes start
Spring	December	March 2
Autumn	June	September 1

Start preparing your documents at least two to three months before the application period. Nepali documents often need certified translations and verification.

Tuition and costs

Amounts are in Korean won (KRW), taken from the university's international admissions pages.

Tuition

Program	Cost
Korean language (KSL)	4,400,000 per year
Undergraduate: Healthcare, Welfare and Education	2,997,000 – 3,501,000 per semester
Undergraduate: Humanities and Social Sciences	2,750,000 – 3,095,000 per semester
Undergraduate: Management	2,810,000 – 3,470,000 per semester
Undergraduate: Engineering	3,483,000 per semester
Undergraduate: Culture and Art	3,483,000 – 3,581,000 per semester
Health insurance for international students	About 200,000 per year

Dormitory and meals

Item	Cost
4-person room	810,000 per 6 months
6-person room	450,000 per 6 months
Weekday meals (3 a day)	About 650,000 per semester
Meals on weekends, holidays and vacations	4,000 per meal

Rooms have air conditioning. The dorm buildings also have a convenience store, laundry rooms, study rooms, a fitness room and PC rooms.

Scholarships for international students

The university waives the enrollment fee for international students, except in graduate school. Undergraduate tuition scholarships depend on your TOPIK level, running from roughly 25% at Level 3 up to 50% at Level 5. Graduate students can receive 40–50% off tuition. There are also small academic awards based on your grades after you enroll.

The higher your TOPIK score, the more you save. That makes Korean language preparation one of the best investments before you apply. Toddle's TOPIK-I class and basic Korean language class can help you get there.

Campus life

The campus has the Hosim Memorial Library, a music hall, a playground, a basketball court and fitness centers in the men's and women's dorms. The university reports about 550 staff, including 260 full-time professors and 10 foreign professors. Gwangju is a well-known Korean city for arts and culture, and its climate is milder than Seoul's, with an annual average around 13.8°C.

How Toddle helps you apply

1. Counseling: we help you choose between KSL and a direct degree program.
2. Document preparation: we check your academic documents, translations and financial papers.
3. Application support: we follow the university's intake dates and application steps with you.
4. Visa guidance: we support you with the D-4-1 language-training visa or D-2 student visa process.
5. Before you fly: we brief you on arrival, dorm life and costs.

Admission and visa decisions belong to the university and the Korean authorities. Toddle cannot guarantee an outcome, but we do make sure your application is complete and correct.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need TOPIK to apply?
Not for the Korean language (KSL) program. For an undergraduate degree you need TOPIK Level 3 or higher.

When can I apply?
Applications open in December for the March intake and in June for the September intake.

How much does the Korean language program cost?
Tuition is 4,400,000 KRW per year, plus health insurance of about 200,000 KRW per year. Dorm and meals are extra.

Is there a scholarship for Nepali students?
Scholarships depend on your TOPIK level, not your nationality. International undergraduates with TOPIK Level 3 or higher receive a tuition reduction that grows with the level.

Can I live on campus?
Yes, the university offers dorm rooms for international students.

Is Gwangju University the same as Gwangju Women's University?
No. They are two separate universities in Gwangju. See our page on Gwangju Women's University if you want to compare.

Talk to Toddle

Ready to plan your studies in Korea? Visit us at School Road, Hetauda, call +977 57 525392, or email info@toddle.com.np to book a counseling session.

Official source for fees and dates: Gwangju University Office of International Affairs, global@gwangju.ac.kr, +82-62-670-2166.