Three colleges became one
The Provincial Iri College of Agriculture was approved on 15 October 1947. In October 1951 it was joined with Jeonju Myeongnyun College and Gunsan College to make Jeonbuk National University.
Jeonbuk National University
JBNU · Jeonju
Jeonbuk National University is a national university in Jeonju, North Jeolla, and its roots go back to 1947. It calls itself the flagship national university of its province. Exchange students study on the main campus in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju.
- Founded
- 1947 as an agricultural college
- Campus
- Jeonju About 1 hour 30 minutes from Seoul by KTX
- Dorm
- About ₩1,350,000 a semester with meals, autumn 2026
- Course load
- 6 to 18 credits undergraduates
JBNU press office (Choi Gwang-bok), CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resizedWhat JBNU is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
Opened on 8 June 1952
The inauguration ceremony of JBNU was on 8 June 1952, and the graduate school opened in November that year. The school newspaper began in February 1954 and is now called The JBNU Newspaper.
The leopard
JBNU's symbol animal is the leopard, which the school describes as clever and brave. It was chosen after a survey of about 6,000 members and alumni in December 1981 and set up in front of the main office in May 1982.
A Baekje pattern in the mark
The U-shaped background of the symbol mark comes from traditional Baekje patterns. JBNU says it stands for long tradition, and the shape reaching toward the sky suggests the university's future.
Places in Jeonju
JBNU's location page shows Deokjin Park, Pungnammun Gate and Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju, and says Seoul is 90 minutes away by train.
- Words you'll hear
- Jeonbukdae 전북대 Short for Jeonbuk National University
- Deokjin 덕진 The district of Jeonju where the campus is
- Pyobeom 표범 The leopard, JBNU's symbol animal
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From Jeonbuk National University's official English history, symbols and location pages and its Korean symbols page, checked on 26 October 2026.
People
JBNU runs an orientation before each semester, a buddy programme and a trip for international students every semester.
JBNU Campus Buddy
Two Korean and two international students make a team for one semester, with campus tours and buddy missions.
International Student Council
Country associations for nine countries, with welcome parties, sports days and year-end gatherings.
JBNU Office of International Affairs
The office's account, listed in JBNU's guidebook for international students.
@jbnu_international_affairsInstagram accounts checked on 21 October 2026.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at JBNU.
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 JBNU.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
Exchange students study on the main campus in Deokjin-gu, Jeonju. The Office of International Affairs is on the third floor of the JBNU International Center, open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00.
Address in Korean
전북특별자치도 전주시 덕진구 백제대로 567
567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk 54896
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- Airport pick-up
- JBNU runs a pick-up from Incheon Airport on arrival day. Last spring it was 27 February.
- From Seoul
- The express bus from Seoul's Gangnam terminal to Jeonju takes about 2 hours 45 minutes. The KTX from Seoul station to Jeonju takes about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Every place to eat near campus.
195places to eat near JeonjuVegetarian options 73Each place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
Before you come
0 / 6For 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 JBNU page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on JBNU's official site before you apply or book anything. JBNU inbound exchange ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
You stay for one semester or a full year. Last spring the nomination and online application both closed on 30 November.
You need at least one semester at your home university, and no language test. Graduate students also need a letter or email of consent from a JBNU professor.
The application form, a study plan and self-introduction in Korean or English, your transcript, a certificate of enrolment and a recommendation letter in English, a copy of your passport and two photos on a white background.
A TB chest X-ray report and a record of two measles vaccinations. With only one dose, you need another.
Last spring JBNU checked papers until 5 January and sent the certificate of admission by 10 January.
JBNU sends the certificate of admission and its business registration. You take them to the Korean embassy or consulate and apply for a D-2-6 visa.
Other dates
- 22 DecemberAutumn semester ends
- Last spring: 27 FebruaryAirport pick-up
- Last spring: 28 FebruaryOrientation
- Last spring: 2 MarchClasses 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
- How
- Exchange students apply online in the Hire Visa app, by a deadline JBNU posts each semester. Last autumn it was 7 September. Then you give your fingerprints at the Office of International Affairs.
- Help
- Study assistants and international student mentors at the office help with the application, from 9:00 to 11:30 and 13:00 to 18:00.
- Student insurance
- JBNU's exchange pages ask you to join the student insurance it arranges after you arrive: ₩44,000 for six months or ₩63,000 for a year. It doesn't cover motorbike or driving accidents.
- Health insurance
- You join National Health Insurance automatically once your registration is done. If you don't pay it, you can't extend your visa.
- 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 JBNU with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
Chambit Hall
About ₩1,354,920a semester, autumn 2026
- Meals
- Three meals a day on weekdays. No meals at weekends.
- Room
- Desk, chair, wardrobe, bed, bathroom and internet.
- Bedding
- Not provided. Bring your own.
- Bills
- Water and electricity are included.
Daedong Hall
About ₩1,576,450a semester, autumn 2026
- Meals
- Three meals a day on weekdays, like Chambit Hall.
Before you apply
- Pay before you fly. You send the dorm fee before you enter Korea. JBNU emails the dates and the account, and you send the transfer slip to inbound@jbnu.ac.kr.
- House rules. No cooking, smoking, drinking or open flames. Students who break the rules have to leave the dorm straight away.
JBNU's guidelines for inbound exchange students, autumn 2026. Checked on 21 October 2026.
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
- How much
- Undergraduates take 6 to 18 credits and graduate students 3 to 9. Most courses are 3 credits, and you can take classes from any year.
- Courses in English
- The list is fixed about four weeks before the semester starts. International Studies and the School of International Engineering and Science teach in English.Course tables ↗
- Korean
- Undergraduate exchange students get three free Korean courses for 9 credits, at a level that fits. Graduate students can take a 14-week conversation class for ₩450,000, without credit.
- Transcript
- JBNU posts it to your home university by 15 July for spring and 15 January for autumn. You can also print one at the machine on the first floor of the law school (building 4-1).
Questions exchange students ask
Are there courses taught in English at JBNU?
The list is fixed about four weeks before the semester starts.
International Studies and the School of International Engineering and Science teach in English.
How much is the dorm at JBNU?
Chambit Hall · On campus
About ₩1,354,920
A semester, autumn 2026
Daedong Hall · On campus
From the last semesterAbout ₩1,576,450
A semester, autumn 2026
Does the JBNU dorm give you bedding?
Not provided.
Bring your own.
What do I need for the visa to study at JBNU?
JBNU sends the certificate of admission and its business registration.
You take them to the Korean embassy or consulate and apply for a D-2-6 visa.
How do exchange students meet JBNU students?
JBNU Campus Buddy
Two Korean and two international students make a team for one semester, with campus tours and buddy missions.
Is there a group chat for JBNU exchange students?
Yes.
JBNU has a room on A-CHA where exchange students meet, and you can join before you land.
Do exchange students at JBNU need health insurance?
You join National Health Insurance automatically once your registration is done.
If you don't pay it, you can't extend your visa.
How many credits can I take at JBNU?
Undergraduates take 6 to 18 credits and graduate students 3 to 9.
Most courses are 3 credits, and you can take classes from any year.
How do I apply to JBNU as an exchange student?
You stay for one semester or a full year.
Last spring the nomination and online application both closed on 30 November.
Who do I contact at JBNU?
Official links and help
Office of International Affairs+82-63-270-4893
inbound@jbnu.ac.krStudent life
- Trips
- A workshop trip only for international students once a semester, plus local festivals and Korean culture days.
- Part-time work
- You need a confirmation from JBNU and permission from immigration before you start. The hours you can work depend on your year and TOPIK level.Rules ↗
- Grant last autumn
- Every exchange student got ₩500,000 once, paid in December.