A school for teachers
It opened on 21 July 1947 as Andong Normal School, which trained teachers. It became Andong College of Education in 1965 and a national college in 1979.
Gyeongkuk National University
GKNU · Andong, formerly Andong National University
Gyeongkuk National University began in 1947 as Andong Normal School and became Andong National University in 1991. It took its new name when it merged with Gyeongbuk Provincial College on 1 March 2025. The main campus is in Andong.
- Founded
- 1947 as Andong Normal School
- Campus
- Andong Songcheon-dong
- Dorm
- Three halls 1,497 places, mostly rooms for two
- Buddies
- About 15 Korean student ambassadors
Gyeongkuk National University, resizedWhat GKNU is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
Andong National University
It became Andong National University on 1 March 1991.
A new name
On 1 March 2025 it merged with Gyeongbuk Provincial College and started again as Gyeongkuk National University, GKNU for short.
The crane mascots
The school bird is the crane, and the mascots Anu and Ari are cranes. Anu grows up year by year, from a first-year to a graduate. After the merger the school added a new pair, Gyeongi and Kkugi.
- Words you'll hear
- Andong-dae 안동대 The old short name, still widely used
- Gyeongkuk-dae 경국대 Short for the new name
- Hak 학 Crane, the school bird
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From GKNU's official Korean pages on its history and its characters, checked on 27 October 2026.
People
International exchange ambassadors
About 15 Korean students chosen each March. They meet new international students at the airport or bus terminal, show you the campus, help with course registration and your student card, and go with you to the hospital or the bank.
- When they recruit
- They also help at culture festivals and welcome events.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at GKNU.
Netherlands
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Sweden
Finland
PolandGoing with friends? Make a group in A-CHA for your own crew and send them the invite link.
A-CHA events
All eventsOpen to every international student in Korea, not only at GKNU.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
GKNU is the new name of Andong National University since a merger in March 2025. The main campus is in Songcheon-dong, Andong.
Address in Korean
경상북도 안동시 경동로 1375
1375 Gyeongdong-ro, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 36729
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- By train
- KTX-Eum from Cheongnyangni in Seoul to Andong takes about 2 hours.
- By bus
- Buses from Dong Seoul and from Dong-Daegu to Andong run about every 30 minutes.
- Pickup
- Student ambassadors can meet you at the airport or bus terminal and bring you to campus.
- International office
- The contact for English-speaking countries is on +82-54-820-7102.
Every place to eat near campus.
9places to eat near AndongEach place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
Before you come
0 / 2The emails from the school come first. Use this list to check nothing is missing. Ticks stay in this browser only.
Not an official GKNU page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on GKNU's official site before you apply or book anything. GKNU international cooperation ↗ Checked on 26 October 2026
GKNU doesn't post an exchange application, dorm prices or a course list for exchange students online. Your exchange coordinator at home has the forms and deadlines.
Email anukorea@gknu.ac.kr, the contact for English-speaking countries, with questions about the dorm and courses.
After you arrive
Residence card
You need the card to open a phone contract in your own name, open a bank account and sign up for most Korean apps.
Booking the immigration visit. Papers, fee and HiKorea screens step by step. Read the guide
- When
- Within 90 days of arriving. GKNU suggests applying in the first 2 weeks of the semester. The card takes about 3 to 4 weeks.
- What to bring
- The application form, copies of your passport and visa, a certificate of enrolment, one photo taken in the last 3 months (3.5 × 4.5 cm, white background) and proof of where you live, such as a dorm certificate.
- How to apply
- The international student coordinator announces group applications. To go alone, book a visit on HiKorea and go to the Andong immigration office.
- Fee
- The government fee for the card is ₩35,000.
- Trips abroad
- Don't travel to other countries until your card is out. A single-entry visa works only once, so leaving early can stop you from coming back on it.
- Changes
- Report a new address within 15 days of moving, at your local community centre or at immigration. Report a new passport to immigration within 15 days as well. Both are free.
- Immigration helpline
- Call 1345 with visa or residence card questions. It answers in English and other languages on weekdays from 9:00 to 22:00. From abroad, dial +82-2-1345.
Going to GKNU with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
GKNU lists its dorm halls but not how exchange students get a room or what it costs. Ask the international office.
- Solmoe Hall
- 515 places for men.
- Garam Hall
- 100 places for men and 500 for women. Some women's rooms are for four.
- Solbit Hall
- 272 places for men and 110 for women.
- Rooms
- Most rooms are for two.
Room search sites in English
Korean universities point exchange students to these. They're private companies with no tie to any school. Don't send a deposit before you've seen the contract.
Finding a room. Browse rooms near campus in the app. If nothing fits, tell us what you need and we'll ask local agents for you, free.
Questions exchange students ask
How do exchange students meet GKNU students?
International exchange ambassadors
About 15 Korean students chosen each March.
They meet new international students at the airport or bus terminal, show you the campus, help with course registration and your student card, and go with you to the hospital or the bank.
Is there a group chat for GKNU exchange students?
Yes.
GKNU has a room on A-CHA where exchange students meet, and you can join before you land.
How do I get my residence card at GKNU?
Within 90 days of arriving.
GKNU suggests applying in the first 2 weeks of the semester.
The card takes about 3 to 4 weeks.
Who do I contact at GKNU?
Official links and help
International Cooperation Office+82-54-820-7102
anukorea@gknu.ac.krStudent life
- Events
- For international students: orientation in March and September, a culture festival in late May or early June, a sports day, and an end-of-year party in late November or early December.
- International cooperation (Korean)
- Residence card guide (Korean)
- Getting here (Korean)
- International student events (Korean)
- Dormitory (Korean)