This South Korean university will accept international students for the first time in 2026
Dreaming of studying in South Korea? Pohang University of Science and Technology, one of the country's leading research-oriented universities, will begin accepting international students in 2026.
Beginning in September, the university will open its undergraduate programs to students abroad.
This would be the first time since POSTECH's establishment in 1986 that it would recruit international undergraduate students.
"We seek for the potential candidates equipped with qualities and skills in STEM areas," its website read.
The Korea Times reported that the university will provide programs specifically designed for international students, featuring courses taught entirely in English. Students will also receive tuition waivers and Korean language classes.
How to apply?
The application for international undergraduate students will open from September 26 to November 3, 2025. Results will be announced on January 5, 2026, and the semester will begin in August 2026.
POSTECH will hold its admissions question-and-answer session online at 4 p.m. on June 23.
Interested applicants can apply through the Study in Korea website.
According to its website, aspirants will be evaluated based on academic achievement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, and English proficiency, as well as potential in STEM areas, academic enthusiasm and attitude, and social relationships.
Eligibility
There are two admission tracks for international applicants. For International Admissions I, applicants and their parents must hold foreign citizenship.
Meanwhile, International Admissions II applicants, including overseas Koreans, foreigners, and international marriage migrants naturalized in Korea, must have completed their entire education course from the first grade of elementary school to the 12th grade of high school outside of Korea.
Requirements
Mandatory requirements include proof of eligibility, English proficiency scores, an official graduation certificate or a certificate of expected graduation with the expected graduation date, an official transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement.
On the other hand, optional but recommended requirements include standardized test scores, explanatory statements or supporting documents, school profile, and supplementary materials such as honors, awards, and volunteer work, among others.
POSTECH is the first bilingual campus and a research-oriented university in Korea. It also ranked first in the 2024 World's Best Small Universities and second in the Young University Ranking for the same year.
Freshmen will be initially enrolled in the Mueunjae School of Undergraduate Studies and follow the unique "undecided" major curriculum. They can explore 11 majors for three semesters and select their major after the first semester of their sophomore year.
POSTECH offers majors in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Life Science, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial & Management Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Convergence IT Engineering.
