Built on a local wish
DGIST says it was founded in 2004 under the long-standing aspirations of the local community. It was registered on 7 September 2004, and the Hyeonpung site was decided on 28 March 2005.
DGIST
DGIST · Daegu
DGIST is a science and technology institute in Daegu, founded in 2004. It has one campus, in Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, where exchange students study and live.
- Founded
- 2004 registered on 7 September
- Campus
- Daegu Express bus 2 from Dongdaegu Station
- Dorm
- About ₩5,670 a day for a shared double, 2025 rates
- Course load
- 12 to 15 credits recommended, graduate courses
Irtofdgist, CC BY-SA 4.0, resizedWhat DGIST is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
From institute to university
DGIST began as a research institute. The graduate school opened in 2011 and the undergraduate school in 2014, with the first matriculation on 3 March 2014.
A Möbius strip in cyan
The symbol is a Möbius strip in a cyan that recalls human DNA. DGIST says it stands for the endless possibilities of R&D.
Four Cs in teaching
DGIST's educational philosophy has four Cs: Creativity, Challenge, Collaboration and Care.
- Words you'll hear
- DGIST 디지스트 How people say the school's name in Korean
- Hyeonpung 현풍 The town where the campus is
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From DGIST's official English pages (greetings, history, at a glance, vision and symbol), checked on 26 October 2026.
People
In your first week the International Affairs Team runs an orientation and campus tour in the Global Lounge, E7 room 261.
DGIST Buddy
Every incoming exchange student gets a DGIST student buddy to help with campus life.
DISA
The DGIST International Student Association, a student group working with the International Affairs Team. They run picnics, trips, dinners, short talks and a Korean language exchange.
@dgist_disaDGIST International Affairs Team
The team's account for cultural courses and events for international members, named in the exchange fact sheet.
@dgist_internationalInstagram accounts checked on 21 October 2026.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at DGIST.
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 DGIST.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
DGIST has one campus, in Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, in the south of Daegu.
Address in Korean
대구광역시 달성군 현풍읍 테크노중앙대로 333
333 Techno jungang-daero, Hyeonpung-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu 42988
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- From Incheon Airport
- The airport limousine bus to Dongdaegu Station takes about 4 hours with no changes. From across Dongdaegu Station exit 2, express bus 2 (직행 2번) runs to near campus in about an hour.
- From Daegu Airport
- The closest airport. A taxi or the metro gets you to DGIST in 40 minutes to an hour.
- By bus from Seoul
- Intercity buses run from Dong Seoul and Seoul Nambu terminals to Hyeonpung Terminal, near campus.
- By taxi
- To get to the dorms, show the driver this address: 대구광역시 달성군 현풍읍 테크노중앙대로 333 DGIST 학생생활관 H205동 앞.
Every place to eat near campus.
118places to eat near HyeonpungVegetarian options 34Each place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
Before you come
0 / 8For Spring 2027. The emails from the school come first. Use this list to check nothing is missing. Ticks stay in this browser only.
Not an official DGIST page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on DGIST's official site before you apply or book anything. DGIST student exchange programme ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
Your home coordinator emails DGIST the list of nominated students by mid-September for spring or mid-March for autumn.
DGIST then contacts you. By mid-October for spring or mid-April for autumn, send the application form, a CV, your transcript in English and proof of English, either a test report or a letter from a professor at home.
DGIST strongly recommends CEFR B2, IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 or above.
Each department decides. Results reach you and your home university by the end of November for spring or the end of May for autumn. Then you fill in the registration form with your details, passport, photo and dorm preferences, which DGIST needs for your Certificate of Admission.
You need a D-2-6 exchange student visa. DGIST sends the Certificate of Admission, an invitation letter and its business registration in December for spring or June for autumn. Apply no more than 90 days before you fly.
By mid-January for spring or mid-July for autumn, send proof of funds, a chest X-ray TB result and proof of measles vaccination in English, your insurance certificate and your flight booking. DGIST puts living costs for a semester at about US$4,000.
Bring medical insurance that covers your whole stay and send DGIST the certificate with the coverage period and amount.
Your buddy uses KakaoTalk to reach you, so set up an account before you come.
Other dates
- 7 DecemberFinal exams
- 3 FebruaryCourse registration
- 22 FebruaryClasses start
After you arrive
Residence card
At the start of the semester the International Affairs Team organises a group application, with the time and transport arranged.
Booking the immigration visit. Papers, fee and HiKorea screens step by step. Read the guide
- When
- Within 90 days of arriving. Bring a photo from home or have one taken after you arrive.
- Papers
- The application form, your passport, a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo on white taken in the last 6 months, a certificate of enrolment and proof of where you live. Write your dorm building and room number on the form.
- Immigration office
- Daegu Immigration Office, 345 Innovalley-ro, Dong-gu, weekdays 9:00 to 18:00. Call 053-980-3512.
- Health insurance
- Once you have a residence card number you're enrolled in National Health Insurance automatically and pay monthly. If your own insurance covers you, the International Affairs Team helps you apply to opt out.
- Bank account
- The iM Bank branch in E16 opens an account for DGIST students with just a passport, before the card is out.
- Leaving Korea
- Hand the card in at airport immigration when you go home.
- 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 DGIST with a friend? Send them this page.
Courses
- In English
- Every graduate school course is taught in English. Graduate courses are numbered 500 to 900, and you can pick courses from other departments.
- How much
- 12 to 15 credits is recommended, usually 4 or 5 courses. To take more than 12, send the excess credit form signed by your department to edu_grad@dgist.ac.kr before registration.
- Registration
- Course offerings are final by late January for spring. You set up a student portal account in early February, and the Educational Affairs Team sends the steps.Course search ↗
- Credits at home
- Most courses are 3 credits, and one credit is one class hour a week. Check with your home university how it converts them.
2 more
- Korean classes
- Korean Level 1 and Level 2 run every semester for international members. They're optional, and you sign up in the course registration period.
- Tuition
- You pay tuition to your home university, not to DGIST.
Questions exchange students ask
How does course registration work at DGIST?
Course offerings are final by late January for spring.
You set up a student portal account in early February, and the Educational Affairs Team sends the steps.
Are there courses taught in English at DGIST?
Every graduate school course is taught in English.
Graduate courses are numbered 500 to 900, and you can pick courses from other departments.
How much is the dorm at DGIST?
DGIST dorms · On campus
From the last semesterAbout ₩5,670 a day
Shared double room, 2025 rates, plus ₩2,000 a day for utilities
What do I need for the visa to study at DGIST?
You need a D-2-6 exchange student visa.
DGIST sends the Certificate of Admission, an invitation letter and its business registration in December for spring or June for autumn.
Apply no more than 90 days before you fly.
How do exchange students meet DGIST students?
DGIST Buddy
Every incoming exchange student gets a DGIST student buddy to help with campus life.
Is there a group chat for DGIST exchange students?
Yes.
DGIST 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 DGIST?
Within 90 days of arriving.
Bring a photo from home or have one taken after you arrive.
Do exchange students at DGIST need health insurance?
Once you have a residence card number you're enrolled in National Health Insurance automatically and pay monthly.
If your own insurance covers you, the International Affairs Team helps you apply to opt out.
How many credits can I take at DGIST?
12 to 15 credits is recommended, usually 4 or 5 courses.
To take more than 12, send the excess credit form signed by your department to edu_grad@dgist.ac.kr before registration.
How do I apply to DGIST as an exchange student?
DGIST then contacts you.
By mid-October for spring or mid-April for autumn, send the application form, a CV, your transcript in English and proof of English, either a test report or a letter from a professor at home.
Who do I contact at DGIST?
Official links and help
International Affairs Team+82-53-785-1315 · Weekdays 9:00 to 18:00
exchange@dgist.ac.krStudent life
- Living Guide
- DGIST's guide for international members covers phones, banks, transport and life on campus.Living Guide ↗