Opened in August 1952
The government approved the university on 27 May 1952, and the opening ceremony was on 8 August 1952.
Jeju National University
JNU · Jeju City
Jeju National University is a national university on Jeju Island, opened in 1952. Its symbol animal is the deer, and its logo draws the island's oreum and waves. Exchange students study and live at the Ara campus in Jeju City.
- Founded
- 1952 opening ceremony on 8 August
- Campus
- Ara, Jeju City Bus 365 from Jeju Airport, about an hour
- Dorm
- ₩800,000 to ₩890,000 a semester, double room
- Course load
- Up to 18 credits for undergraduates
imagejeju, CC BY-SA 4.0What JNU is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
A comprehensive university
On 1 March 1982 Jeju National University was raised to the status of a comprehensive university, and the first president of the new university took office.
The deer
The deer became JNU's symbol in 1983. The university describes it as gentle in temperament and sturdy in spirit, and says members should study all their lives and serve Jeju and the nation.
The nutmeg tree
The nutmeg tree became the symbolic tree in April 1982. JNU says it can live up to 500 years and stays green in every season, and that it stands for the pursuit of truth and justice.
Oreum and waves in the logo
The university logo from January 2009 has a shield-like U that joins the J of Jeju with a torch. A wave and the shape of an oreum, one of Jeju's volcanic cones, stand for the island and the sea around it.
- Words you'll hear
- Jejudae 제주대 Short for Jeju National University
- Ara 아라 The campus and its neighbourhood in Jeju City
- Sasum 사슴 The deer, JNU's symbol animal
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From Jeju National University's official English history and symbol pages, checked on 26 October 2026.
People
What JNU's International Office runs for international students during the year.
JNU E-Buddy
Pairs you one to one with a JNU student for the semester. Buddies meet you at the airport and help with course registration, the library and trips around Jeju.
- How to join
- The International Office matches you by email before you arrive.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at JNU.
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 JNU.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
JNU's exchange students study and live at the Ara campus in Jeju City.
Address in Korean
제주특별자치도 제주시 제주대학로 102
102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju 63243
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- From Jeju Airport
- Bus 365, or the 3003 night bus, goes straight to the Jeju National University stop in about an hour.
- Airport pickup
- Your buddy usually meets you at Jeju International Airport and takes you to the dorm. The pickup is free.
- From Jeju City Hall
- Buses 341, 342, 351, 352, 355, 360, 365, 446, 447 and 455 take about 25 minutes to the university.
- International Office
- Third floor of Ara Muse Hall. Exchange questions go to inbound@jejunu.ac.kr.
Jeju Starlight World within 2 km of campus, and every place to eat nearby.
21places to eat near AraVegetarian options 12Each place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
1.7 km from campus
Jeju Starlight World
It sits in the hills of Ora-dong in Jeju City, where buses stop running at night, so plan on a taxi back. Cloudy nights mean no viewing.
Before you come
0 / 7For 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 JNU page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on JNU's official site before you apply or book anything. JNU exchange study guide ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
Your home university nominates you by 31 October, and you finish the online application by 18 November. For autumn it's 3 May and 20 June. JNU sends the result to your home university, then the certificate of admission.
A GPA of 2.4 out of 4.3, 2.05 out of 4.0 or 80 out of 100, or TOPIK level 3, and enough English or Korean to study. Education, medicine, veterinary medicine, law and pharmacy are closed to exchange students.
The application form, a study plan, a professor's recommendation, an English enrolment certificate and transcript, and your passport. For spring, email a chest X-ray report from after 1 December by 1 January. If you're from outside the OECD, add a bank statement for ₩8,000,000 a semester and an apostilled enrolment certificate.
Exchange students pay tuition at home and nothing at JNU.
Exchange students need a D-2-6 visa from the Korean embassy in their home country, using JNU's certificate of admission.
National Health Insurance starts after you register at the Jeju immigration office, which takes about a month. Bring your own insurance for March and April, or September and October. It then costs about ₩78,000 a month, paid on the 25th for the next month. Japanese and French students can be exempt with proof of their home insurance.
Arrive in the last week of February for spring, or the last week of August for autumn. Send JNU your flight details so your buddy can meet you.
Other dates
- 21 DecemberAutumn semester ends
- 1 MarchKorean level test
After you arrive
Residence card
Register if you stay more than 90 days.
Bring the application form, your passport, a photo, your enrolment certificate and proof of where you live.
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
- Where
- The Jeju immigration office is at 3 Yongdam-ro, Jeju City, phone +82-64-741-5400. Buses 444, 445 and 447 stop at Seonghwa Village Hall nearby.
- 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.
- Part-time work
- You need a confirmation from JNU and permission from immigration first. Undergraduates need at least a C average in the last semester, and students in their first semester with no transcript yet are left out.
- 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 JNU with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
JNU puts exchange students in its on-campus dorms, usually in a double room.
JNU Student Dormitory
₩800,000 to ₩890,000a semester, depending on the building
- Rooms
- Usually a double room with its own bathroom. No kitchen.
- Fees
- Holidays aren't included, and there's no deposit. JNU emails an invoice after you apply, and you pay by international transfer before you arrive.
- Furniture
- A bed, desk, bookshelf, chair, heating and cooling, internet and a small fridge.
- Bring
- Single bedding, towels, toiletries and cleaning things. You can also buy bedding when you arrive.
- Meals
- Meal plans for the dorm cafeteria are optional, and the price depends on the plan.
Before you apply
- TB test. You need a tuberculosis test result to move in.
- Banned items. No electric blankets, heaters or other heating appliances, and nothing for cooking, such as rice cookers, microwaves or kettles for cooking. Staff take them away, and you can get penalty points.
- Moving out. Apply on the portal, clean your room, film it on your phone, then show the video at the office and hand back your key card.
- Leaving early. Hand in a move-out form at least 3 days before you go.
JNU's 2027 exchange factsheet and dorm site. 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
- Korean
- Exchange students can join the Korean Language Program, 182 hours over 15 to 17 weeks, worth 12 credits. Classes usually run Monday to Thursday, 13:00 to 16:00. A level test sorts you into a class on 1 March 2027.
- English courses
- Most courses are in Korean. For 2027 the International Office lists courses in English on Korean film, Jeju culture and Jeju mythology, some only for exchange students.2027 course list ↗
- Courses in Korean
- With TOPIK level 3 or fluent Korean you can take regular courses, though some need a higher level.
- How much
- Up to 18 credits a semester for undergraduates, not counting the Korean programme and the exchange-only courses. One credit is 15 hours of class.
4 more
- Graduate students
- Graduate exchange students can only take courses at the Graduate School of Interpretation and Translation, mostly with TOPIK level 5.
- Grades
- Out of 4.3. An A+ is 97 to 100, and below 60 is an F.
- Semesters
- Spring runs from early March to mid June, with finals in the third week of June. Autumn runs from early September to mid December.
- 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 JNU?
Most courses are in Korean.
For 2027 the International Office lists courses in English on Korean film, Jeju culture and Jeju mythology, some only for exchange students.
How much is the dorm at JNU?
JNU Student Dormitory · On campus, Buildings 1, 4, 5 and 6
₩800,000 to ₩890,000
A semester, depending on the building
What do I need for the visa to study at JNU?
Exchange students need a D-2-6 visa from the Korean embassy in their home country, using JNU's certificate of admission.
How do exchange students meet JNU students?
JNU E-Buddy
Pairs you one to one with a JNU student for the semester.
Buddies meet you at the airport and help with course registration, the library and trips around Jeju.
Is there a group chat for JNU exchange students?
Yes.
JNU has a room on A-CHA where exchange students meet, and you can join before you land.
When should I arrive at JNU?
Arrive in the last week of February for spring, or the last week of August for autumn.
Send JNU your flight details so your buddy can meet you.
How do I get my residence card at JNU?
Register if you stay more than 90 days.
Bring the application form, your passport, a photo, your enrolment certificate and proof of where you live.
Do exchange students at JNU need health insurance?
National Health Insurance starts after you register at the Jeju immigration office, which takes about a month.
Bring your own insurance for March and April, or September and October.
It then costs about ₩78,000 a month, paid on the 25th for the next month.
Japanese and French students can be exempt with proof of their home insurance.
How many credits can I take at JNU?
Up to 18 credits a semester for undergraduates, not counting the Korean programme and the exchange-only courses.
One credit is 15 hours of class.
How do I apply to JNU as an exchange student?
Your home university nominates you by 31 October, and you finish the online application by 18 November.
For autumn it's 3 May and 20 June.
JNU sends the result to your home university, then the certificate of admission.
Who do I contact at JNU?
Official links and help
International Office+82-64-754-8280
inbound@jejunu.ac.krStudent life
- Support centre
- The International Student Support Center on the third floor of Ara Muse Hall helps with daily life and study. It's open on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00, closed for lunch from 12:00 to 13:00. Book a talk with a student helper online first.Book a time ↗
- Events
- Orientation and a campus tour in March and September, an Olle trail walk in April, the World Food Festival in May, a sports day in October and a culture festival in November.
Where to ask. Global Supporters: About 12 Korean and international students picked each semester to plan events and orientation for international students. Ask them about what's on.
- Exchange study guide
- 2027 factsheet (PDF)
- 2027 courses (PDF)
- Visa and residence card
- Dormitory
- Getting to JNU