Chosun University is a private university located in Gwangju, South Korea. It was established in 1946 through the initiative of approximately 72,000 citizens of the Honam region, making it one of Korea's earliest universities founded through community participation. The university emphasizes character education, practical education and scholarship for talented students.
The university currently has 14 colleges and a range of graduate schools. Its academic portfolio covers humanities, sciences, business, engineering, IT, education, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, arts, physical education and interdisciplinary studies.
As of the university's 2024 overview, it had more than 23,000 undergraduate students, more than 1,000 graduate students, 1,835 faculty members and 421 staff members.
| Acronym | CSU |
| Motto / Slogan | Character Education, Practical Education, Specific Education for Talented Students |
| Colour | Blue |
| Mascot | Crane |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Location | Dong, Gwangju, South Korea |
| Address | Chosun University, Chosundaegil 146(Seo-seok-dong), Dong-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, 61452, Rep. of Korea |
To achieve "Truth and Justice" (the university motto) and provide intensive academic research, teaching, and public service. The university focuses on cultivating national talents, promoting practical and distinctive training, and nurturing creative elites who contribute to national development and international welfare.
To become the premier institution in the Honam Province, rank among the top 15 national universities in South Korea, and operate as a globally competitive Northeast Asian center for future-oriented education, research, and industry cooperation.
Chosun University aims to nurture talented students who can contribute to national and international welfare through providing opportunities of intensive academic research, teaching, and public service based on national educational ideals and the established ideals at our university.
International students can access tuition scholarships. For example, the university's recent undergraduate guide lists 50% tuition waiver for TOPIK Level 3 and full tuition waiver for TOPIK Level 4 or higher for eligible freshmen. Academic-performance scholarships are also available for continuing students
International students can participate in cultural experiences and field trips. The university is also currently running Korean-language mentoring programmes to help international students adapt to life and study in Korea.
Students have access to exchange, dual-degree, summer/winter school and other international programmes. The university also offers global field-study opportunities for graduate students.
One of Chosun University's founding principles is to connect university education with society and provide practical education that prepares students to become professionals.
For international undergraduate admission, the applicant and both parents must be foreign nationals. Applicants with Korean nationality, including dual citizens who hold Korean nationality, are generally not eligible for this international admission route.
Freshman applicants must have completed, or be expected to complete, an education equivalent to Korean elementary, middle and high school education.
Transfer applicants must meet the university's previous-university study requirements. Depending on the transfer year, this includes completing the required semesters and credits at a four-year university or graduating from a junior college.
Language Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following:
For some arts and physical education programmes, a lower TOPIK level may be accepted. Chosun University also provides the CSU-TOPIK as an option for fulfilling applicable language requirements.
Additional Documents for Some Programmes
Students applying to certain Art and Architecture programmes may need to submit a portfolio. Some programmes also require a research plan. For example, Western Painting, Korean Painting and Modern Formative Media have portfolio requirements.
Documents issued outside Korea generally require apostille or consular verification, depending on the document and country. Non-Korean/English documents require notarized Korean or English translations.
1. Nationality: Applicants whose parents and themselves hold foreign nationality
The applicant or either parent holds dual nationality including Korean citizenship.
? Either parent has acquired Korean nationality through naturalization as of the application date.
? In unavoidable cases where it is difficult to submit both parents’ documents due to divorce, remarriage, separation, or death, the applicant must submit official supporting documents issued by a government or public institution (e.g., divorce certificate — divorce agreement in the case of Chinese nationals, single-parent certificate, death certificate, etc.).
If there are any special circumstances related to family relations or nationality (e.g., divorce, remarriage, unmarried status, death, disappearance, acquisition of Korean nationality), the applicant is required to submit official documents as proof.
2. Language Proficiency: The applicant must submit one of the following options: Choose one
1. TOPIK level 3 above or King Se-jong institute Intermediate 2 above (Division of Arts, Sports: TOPIK level 2 or higher)
2. TOEFL 530 (CBT 197, iBT 71), IELTS 5.5, CEFR B2, or TEPS 600 (NEW TEPS 326) or higher. * Applicants who hold nationality from a country where English is the native or official language (e.g., the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland) may substitute proof of higher education completion (e.g., graduation certificate) instead.
3. Completion of the university's intermediate-level Korean language course (Intermediate 2) or higher.
4. Achievement of TOPIK Level 3 or higher in the CSU Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK).
5. Submission of a "Confirmation of Academic Capability" written by the Academic advisor ( Attachment #5).
Official language test scores are valid for two years from the test date, and only scores within the validity period as of the document submission deadline will be accepted. - If there is no expiration date, scores up to 2 years from the test date will be considered valid.
3. Degree
Master’s and Integrated Master’s-Ph.D. Applicants
Those who have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a domestic or overseas accredited university, or are expected to obtain one by August 2026.
Those recognized by relevant laws as having academic qualifications equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
Ph.D. Applicants
Those who have obtained a master’s degree from a domestic or overseas accredited graduate school, or are expected to obtain one by August 2026.
Those recognized by relevant laws as having academic qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree
Final successful applicants must submit the original translated and notarized copy of their final diploma, verified by a consulate or with an Apostille, by the registration period. Failure to do so will result in the inability to issue the standard admission letter and may lead to cancellation of admission.
Any matters not specified above will be subject to the interpretation of the Office of International Affairs, Chosun University.
Applicants residing in Korea must additionally submit the following documents:
Copy of Alien Registration Card (front & back)
The visa on the Alien Registration Card must have at least 3 months remaining.
Applicants who have applied for a visa extension must submit proof of visa extension from the immigration office.
Housing Contract (applicable only to external residents)
For applicants residing in Korea, the address on the alien registration card and the address on the lease agreement must be the same.
Step 1 — Apply Online
Go to the Chosun University English website:
Admission - Apply
Step 2 — Complete and Print the Application
After submitting the online application, print the completed application documents.
Step 3 — Prepare Your Documents
Arrange the required documents in the order specified by the university.
Step 4 — Send the Documents by Post
Mail the printed application and supporting documents to the Chosun University International Cooperation Team. The 2023 guide specified that applications could be submitted by door-to-door delivery or post.
Step 5 — Document Review and Interview
The university evaluates the applicant based on factors including:
Applicants may also be required to attend an interview. Overseas applicants could be interviewed by telephone or Zoom.
Step 6 — Admission Decision
Successful applicants are announced on the university's English website and notified through the stated contact information.
Step 7 — Pay Tuition
Successful applicants must pay tuition into the designated bank account within the specified payment period. Failure to register/pay within the deadline results in cancellation of admission.
Email: [email protected]
Phone : +82 62-230-6497
Prof. Kim Chun-Sung is the current President of Chosun University. He leads the university's academic, research, administrative and international-development activities. The university's official English website identifies him as the President, and recent 2026 university communications continue to identify Kim Chun-Sung as president.
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2020. 11. 1 - Establishment of Regional Innovation Platform Support Center
2019. 5. 7 - 2019 Selection of support projects for universities contributing to high school education (Ministry of Education)
2018. 5. 17 - 2018 Project to support universities contributing to high school education (Ministry of Education)
2011. 5. 26 - Selected as Campus support industrial projects
2010. 9. 7 - Participating in 2010 Convergence Technology Development Project designated by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
2000. 8. 25 - College of Electronics and Information Engineering established
1994. 10. 21 - Graduate school of Small and Medium Industries established
1993. 9. 4 - Graduate School of Environmental and Health Science established
1946. 11. 23 - Gwangju Evening Academy changed its name to Chosun Academy.
government authorization of expansion of divisions, departments and students.