Studying abroad in Korea through a transfer program is an option designed for university students who have completed at least their second year of study and wish to study overseas while earning a bachelor's degree in Korea. This transfer-study program offers many advantages, although it also comes with certain challenges.
Let’s explore with GEA the details of Korea’s transfer study programs and the prominent universities currently offering them!
Korea has long been an ideal study-abroad destination for many young students in Vietnam. With its advanced education system, Korea continues to attract increasing numbers of Vietnamese students. Among various study programs, the transfer program is still relatively new in Vietnam. Let’s explore this pathway with GEA!
The transfer study program is designed for university students who have completed at least their second year and wish to continue their studies abroad to earn a bachelor’s degree at a Korean university.
There are two main formats for the Korean transfer program:
2+2 Program: Two years at a Vietnamese university and the final two years at a Korean university.
3+1 Program: Three years at a Vietnamese university and the final year at a Korean university.
In this format, students pursue a different major at the Korean university in addition to their current major in Vietnam.
For example, a student studying Major A at their Vietnamese university may choose to study Major B (of their choice) when transferring to Korea.
This option is for students who wish to continue the same major they are studying in Vietnam.
For instance, a student studying Major A in Vietnam will continue studying Major A at the Korean university under the transfer program.
Requirements and documents vary depending on the Korean university and the international partnership agreements between Vietnamese and Korean institutions. Each Korean university may have its own additional criteria for accepting transfer students.
Requirements |
Transfer Program |
| Parents must hold foreign nationality. | ✓ |
|
Ability to prove sufficient financial resources for studying abroad. |
✓ |
| Genuine interest in and understanding of Korea. | ✓ |
| Completion of at least 4–5 semesters of a university program in Vietnam. | ✓ |
| A GPA of 6.5 or higher for all completed semesters. | ✓ |
|
Korean or English proficiency:
|
✓ |
| Successfully pass the interview round with the Korean university. | ✓ |
Time efficiency
If you have already completed 2–3 years at a university in Vietnam, you can transfer directly into the 3rd or 4th year at a Korean university without repeating previous years.
High academic effectiveness
Through the transfer program, you will have the opportunity to interact with local and international students, as well as professors. This environment allows your Korean or English skills to improve rapidly.
Mastering a second language
You gain exposure to a multicultural environment and can learn from international peers.
Better job opportunities after graduation
Graduates enjoy improved employment prospects and higher income potential at reputable companies.
Part-time work opportunities
Students can work up to 20 hours per week and have unlimited working hours during holidays.
More cost-effective than regular undergraduate or language programs
Since you skip the early years of university, overall study costs may be lower than traditional study-abroad paths.
Despite being more economical than standard programs, transfer study can still be a financial burden for students with limited resources. Costs include tuition fees at Korean universities, living expenses, and housing.
Students with weak language skills may face language barriers early on.
Academic pressure
Adapting to a new learning environment and teaching method can be challenging at first.
Increased competition, as you will study alongside both Korean students and international students.
The transfer program is offered by many Korean universities, with a wide variety of majors suitable for students who want to experience a new academic environment in Korea.
Below is an example of a Korean university that currently offers transfer programs:
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» Korean Name: 연세대학교 » English Name: Yonsei University » Established: 1885 » Number of Students: 39,000 » Korean Language Program Tuition: 7,080,000 KRW per year » Address: 50 Yonsei-ro, Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea » Website: yonsei.ac.kr |
Yonsei University (연세대학교) is a private university located in Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 1885, it is one of the oldest private universities in the country. Yonsei is widely recognized as one of the top three universities in Korea, along with Seoul National University and Korea University, forming the prestigious SKY trio. These institutions are considered the most reputable in Korea and represent the academic dream of countless Korean students.
Part of the SKY universities – the three most prestigious institutions in Korea.
Ranked 129th worldwide and 18th in Asia according to the QS World University Rankings (2011).
Ranked 104th globally in the QS World University Rankings (2020).
Listed among the Top 30 universities in Asia, Top 50 most influential universities in the world, and Top 200 best global universities according to The Times World University Ranking (2020).
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» Korean Name: 명지대학교 » English Name: Myongji University » Established: 1948 » Number of Students: 28,000 » Korean Language Program Tuition: 5,600,000 KRW per year » Dormitory Fee: 1,039,000 KRW per 4 months » Address: Namgajwa 2-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea » Website: mju.ac.kr |
Myongji University (명지대학교) is a prestigious private university established in 1948. The university operates two separate campuses:
The Humanities and Social Sciences Campus located in Seoul, and
The Natural Sciences Campus located in Yongin, not far from the capital.
Each campus is equipped with a highly qualified and experienced faculty, an excellent academic system, and modern facilities, providing students with a high-quality educational environment.
* Myongji University
The university is well known for its diverse academic system that meets high-quality educational standards. As of 2017, Myongji University had approximately 962 international students and has received numerous recognitions from government agencies, including certifications for Korean Business Education and Korean Engineering Education.
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» Korean Name: 국민대학교 » English Name: Kookmin University » Established: 1946 » Number of Students: ~20,000 » Korean Language Program Tuition: 6,200,000 KRW per year » Dormitory Fee: 705,600 ~ 987,700 KRW per 4 months » Address: 77 Jeongneung-ro, Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea » Website: kookmin.ac.kr |
Kookmin University (국민대학교), established in 1946, is located in the central area of Seoul. The university currently operates 13 undergraduate colleges, with approximately 23,000 students enrolled. Kookmin University maintains active academic exchange partnerships with 136 universities across 26 countries worldwide.
The academic programs at Kookmin University are diverse and comprehensive, including:
49 undergraduate majors
34 master’s programs
28 doctoral programs
Kookmin University is known for its impressive facilities and modern teaching equipment. The Sungkok Library, founded together with the university in 1946, houses millions of books across various fields. It is considered a vast repository of knowledge that fully supports the learning and research needs of students.
* Kookmin University
The university offers many highly regarded majors, among which its design program is considered on par with those of Seoul National University (SNU) and Hongik University. Kookmin University’s Department of Industrial Design is recognized as a training ground for world-class designers.
In addition, the university’s economics and media programs are also well recognized and consistently ranked highly.
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» Korean Name: 중앙대학교 » English Name: Chung-Ang University » Motto: Live in Truth, Live for Justice » Established: 1918 » Number of Students: 25,243 » Korean Language Program Tuition: 6,000,000 – 6,800,000 KRW per year » Dormitory Fee: 900,000 – 1,500,000 KRW » Addresses:
» Website: www.cau.ac.kr |
Chung-Ang University (중앙대학교) has actively promoted student exchange programs with more than 70 universities across 20 different countries. Currently, the university has approximately 33,600 undergraduate students, along with 700 professors and 500 faculty and staff members.
The university is considered one of the most preferred learning environments, as voted by Korean students. Every year, Chung-Ang University offers various scholarship programs to support its students.
* ChungAng University
Chung-Ang University was founded in 1918. It originally began as a private kindergarten operated by a Catholic convent and later became a women’s school for early childhood teacher training in 1922. In 1953, the institution was officially granted university status and became Chung-Ang University.
For more than 70 years since then, the university has continuously strengthened its academic quality and reputation, establishing itself as one of Korea’s leading higher education institutions.
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» Korean Name: 세종대학교 » English Name: Sejong University »Type: Private » Number of Students: 17,000 » Established: 1940 » Korean Language Program Tuition: 6,600,000 KRW per year » Address: 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea » Website: sejong.ac.kr |
Sejong University (세종대학교) is one of the well-known universities in Seoul, founded in May 1940. The university is named after King Sejong, the monarch who created the Korean alphabet (Hangeul).
The university uses a problem-based learning approach, expands internship partnership programs, and encourages interdisciplinary thinking. It also offers a curriculum built around three core values: Creativity, Expertise, and Ethics.
*Sejong University
Sejong University is widely recognized for its excellence in Hotel and Tourism Management, Dance, Animation, and Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Its College of Arts & Physical Education and the College of Hospitality & Tourism Management are considered among the top training faculties in Korea.
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» Korean Name: 충북대학교 » English Name: Chungbuk National University » Type: Public » Established: 1951 » Number of Students: ~17,000 » Korean Language Program Tuition: 5,200,000 KRW per year » Address: 1 Chung-daero, Seowon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk-do, Korea » Website: https://www.chungbuk.ac.kr |
Chungbuk National University (충북대학교) is located in the western part of Cheongju City, approximately 200 km from Seoul and close to Cheongju International Airport. As of 2020, the university consists of 14 undergraduate colleges, 7 graduate schools, and more than 50 research institutes.
Within the campus, students have access to a wide range of modern facilities, including a library, museum, research equipment center, experimental laboratories, computer center, observatory, human rights center, and many other high-quality academic resources. This university offers excellent academic programs and an outstanding learning environment for students.
*Chungbuk National University
With its core educational philosophy grounded in truth, justice, and innovation, Chungbuk National University continuously strives to become one of Korea’s leading research universities. The institution actively collaborates with numerous international programs and major corporations to provide students with abundant development opportunities while helping address employment needs after graduation.
The Korean transfer study program offers many advantages and is particularly suitable for students who wish to obtain a Korean university degree while still saving on overall study costs. Although the application requirements for this program can be demanding and complex, it remains an effective and time-efficient option for second- or third-year university students.
If you are interested in learning more about studying in Korea or exploring available scholarship opportunities, please contact GEA’s Hotline at 094.994.3688 – 090.389.3688 for FREE consultation!
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