A night school for women
In 1920 Cha Mirisa (1879 to 1955) organised a women's education committee and started a night school for women. Duksung says this began women's education in Korea.
Duksung Women's University
Duksung · Seoul
A women's university in Dobong-gu, Seoul, that counts its start from 1920, when Cha Mirisa began a night school for women. Exchange students study at the main campus at the foot of Bukhansan.
- Founded
- 1920 by Cha Mirisa, a night school for women
- Campus
- Seoul Ui-Sinseol Line, 4.19 National Cemetery Station
- Dorm
- From ₩1,036,000 a semester, 2025 rate
- Tuition
- Waived for exchange students
Duksung Women's University, croppedWhat Duksung is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
First named Geunhwa
Geunhwa Girls' School opened in 1925. Geunhwa means rose of Sharon, Korea's national flower. The school took the name Duksung in 1938.
The founder's advice
Cha Mirisa is quoted as saying: 'Live, but live your own life. Think, but think for yourself. Learn, but learn your own lesson.'
From junior college to university
Duksung Women's Junior College opened in 1950 and became a women's college in 1952. It was promoted to a comprehensive university in 1987.
At the foot of Bukhansan
The Ssangmun main campus is at the foot of Mt. Bukhan National Park. Duksung celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020.
- Words you'll hear
- Deoksung-yeodae 덕성여대 What Koreans call Duksung Women's University
- Ssangmun 쌍문 The neighbourhood of the main campus
- 4.19 Minju-myoji 4.19민주묘지역 The Ui-Sinseol Line station by campus
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From Duksung's official English pages (facts and figures, and the page on Ms Cha Mirisa), checked on 26 October 2026.
People
DIAA buddies and the weekly Global Lounge help international students meet Duksung students.
DIAA
Duksung International Affairs Ambassador, the buddy programme. You're matched with Korean students as a group, and they help with your student ID, bank account and course registration.
- How to join
- No sign-up. Duksung matches international students with the ambassadors.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at Duksung.
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 Duksung.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
Duksung's main campus is in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, in northern Seoul. The international office is there, and the dorms are about 10 minutes' walk from the main gate.
Address in Korean
서울특별시 도봉구 삼양로144길 33
33 Samyang-ro 144-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul 01369
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- Subway
- 4.19 National Cemetery Station on the Ui-Sinseol Line, about 5 minutes on foot.
- Bus
- From Suyu Station on Line 4, the Dobong 2 bus takes about 15 minutes.
- In a taxi
- Show the driver 덕성여자대학교에 가 주세요.
- International Office
- International Hall room 118, weekdays 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00.
- Immigration office
- Students here go to the Sejongno branch of Seoul immigration, in the Seoul Global Center at Jongno 38, near exit 6 of Jonggak Station on Line 1.
Bukhansan National Park within 4 km of campus.
967places to eat near SsangmunRestaurants 654 · Cafés 214 · Bars & pubs 99 · Vegetarian options 68 · · Open late 143Each place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
4.0 km from campus
Bukhansan National Park
Baegundae peak is a 4-5 hour round trip, an hour from the city center. Crampons are essential in winter.
- Coffee & dessert 154
- Korean BBQ 111
- Soups & stews 94
- Korean home food 76
- Street food 71
- Pocha 69
- Fried chicken 68
- Seafood 51
- Western 46
- Bakery 41
- Noodles 41
- Japanese 39
Checked by A-CHA
- 김코수
- 유부애
- 산책
- 미뇨리
- 포36거리
- 바플라이
- 컴포즈커피 덕성여대점Compose Coffee
- 미미분식
- 황금성
- 블랙다운
- 사리원돼지국밥
- 히피스베이글 덕성여대점
Before you come
0 / 5For 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 Duksung page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on Duksung's official site before you apply or book anything. Duksung exchange programme ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
Your home university's international office emails your papers to Duksung, then posts the originals. Last year the spring deadlines were 10 October for the nomination and 10 November for the application.
Exchange programme ↗Men and women can both apply. No test score is needed, but Duksung expects Korean around TOPIK 3 or English around B1. Tuition is waived.
An application form, an English certificate of enrollment with an apostille, an English transcript, a recommendation letter, a study plan, a copy of your passport and an English bank statement showing more than ₩6,000,000 a semester.
Take a TB test before you come to Korea and hand it in on the day you move into the dorm.
Duksung's group insurance was ₩25,000 for spring 2026 and covered March to September. National Health Insurance takes about a month to start.
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
- Register within 90 days of arriving, or you pay a fine.
- Group application
- Duksung's guidebook says it registers D-2 students as a group at the start of the semester. Ask the Center for International Student Service whether that includes exchange students.
- Bring
- The application form with a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo, your passport and visa, proof of where you live, a certificate of enrollment and proof of tuition payment.
- Fee
- The government fee for the card is ₩35,000.
- Health insurance
- You join National Health Insurance automatically, at about ₩79,000 a month in 2026. Pay next month's bill by the 25th.
- 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 Duksung with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
Exchange students are offered a room in Duksung's dorms.
International Dormitory
₩1,036,000 to ₩1,851,000a semester, 2025 rate
- Rooms
- Singles at ₩1,851,000 and triples at ₩1,036,000, each with its own bathroom. Duksung says the price may go up.
- Men
- Men live in a double room in International Hall for ₩1,322,100 a semester.
- Kitchen
- Shared kitchens with a gas stove, microwave, fridge and rice cooker. There's no dining hall, so bring your own cooking things.
- Laundry
- Washers and dryers in the basement, paid with a top-up card.
- Doors
- Open 5:00 to 1:00. You can't get in from 1:00 to 5:00.
- Nights away
- Apply on the Duksung portal by 22:00 on the day. A night out without telling them costs 3 points, and 13 points stops you living there the next semester.
Duksung's 2025 Factsheet and its 2026 International Student Guidebook. Checked on 21 October 2026.
- Living costs
- Duksung guesses US$400 to US$600 a month for food and transport. A cafeteria meal is about US$6 to US$8.
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.
Courses
- Choosing
- Pick any course after checking with your advisor at home, except early childhood education, pharmacy and e-learning. Most courses are taught in Korean.
- English courses
- The Korean & Asian Studies courses are open to Korean and international students, and there is a micro-degree taught in English. Courses change each semester.
- Korean classes
- The Global Education Institute runs Korean courses for credit, and an intensive programme in six levels with fewer than 15 students a class. Exchange students get 50% off the intensive programme.
- Korean Studies
- A major built for international students, with courses such as Korean history and Korean food culture, taught in Korean.
- Attendance
- Korean universities usually fail you after a set number of absences, whatever your grades. Ask each professor in week one.
Questions exchange students ask
Are there courses taught in English at Duksung?
The Korean & Asian Studies courses are open to Korean and international students, and there is a micro-degree taught in English.
Courses change each semester.
How much is the dorm at Duksung?
International Dormitory · About 10 minutes' walk from the main gate
From the last semester₩1,036,000 to ₩1,851,000
A semester, 2025 rate
How do exchange students meet Duksung students?
DIAA
Duksung International Affairs Ambassador, the buddy programme.
You're matched with Korean students as a group, and they help with your student ID, bank account and course registration.
Is there a group chat for Duksung exchange students?
Yes.
Duksung 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 Duksung?
Register within 90 days of arriving, or you pay a fine.
Do exchange students at Duksung need health insurance?
You join National Health Insurance automatically, at about ₩79,000 a month in 2026.
Pay next month's bill by the 25th.
How do I apply to Duksung as an exchange student?
Your home university's international office emails your papers to Duksung, then posts the originals.
Last year the spring deadlines were 10 October for the nomination and 10 November for the application.
Who do I contact at Duksung?
Official links and help
Office of International Affairs+82-2-901-4610 · Weekdays 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00
intl@duksung.ac.krStudent life
- Global Lounge
- Wednesdays 18:00 to 20:00 during the semester, with talks and games in English. International students can join as paid supporters.
- Culture trips
- Duksung runs a culture trip about once a month and an overnight trip once a year. In 2025 these included a Bukhansan hike and a picnic by the Han River.
- Health centre
- Student Union room 107. Basic care and medicine are free. Phone +82-2-901-8055.
- Student ID
- The plastic student ID comes with a Hana Bank account, and Duksung suggests getting one to pay health insurance. There is also a mobile ID app.
- Counselling
- Student Counseling Center, Deokudang room 106. Phone +82-2-901-8056.