Opened in June 1952
A supporting association formed in September 1951, and the government approved a national university in October. CNU was set up on 1 January 1952 with five colleges, and the opening ceremony was on 9 June 1952.
Chonnam National University
Chonnam · Gwangju
Chonnam National University is a national university in Gwangju, set up in 1952. Green is its school colour, and the colour goes back to the opening ceremony. Exchange students study on the main campus in Buk-gu, Gwangju.
- Founded
- 1952 opening ceremony on 9 June
- Campus
- Gwangju Songjeong Station, then bus Jwaseok 02
- Dorm
- US$400 to 800 a semester, meals extra
- Course load
- 6 to 18 credits undergraduates
Saigen Jiro, CC0, resizedWhat Chonnam is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
Green, from the first flag
CNU traces its school colour, green, to the opening ceremony on 9 June 1952, when the school flag had CNU's name in red on green. The green stands for the fertile plains of the region.
The laurel crest
The crest is a U for university with a laurel wreath inside. CNU says the dark and light green leaves stand for a teacher and a student learning together.
The zelkova tree
CNU's symbol is the zelkova tree. The university says it stands for strong vitality and unlimited potential, and hopes every member can grow into a zelkova that gives shade to others.
The main gate in 1980
CNU's history page records that in 1980 the May 18 Democratization Movement broke out at the university's main gate.
Joined with Yeosu University
On 1 March 2006 CNU merged with Yeosu University, which is why it has a Yeosu Campus as well as the Gwangju Campus. Exchange students go to Gwangju.
- Words you'll hear
- Jeondae 전대 Short for Chonnam National University
- Yongbong 용봉 The area and road name of the main campus
- Jeongmun 정문 The main gate
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From Chonnam National University's official English pages (history, symbols, facts and an SDG post about the zelkova tree), checked on 26 October 2026.
People
Every exchange student gets a Chonnam buddy, and the International Office runs trips and home visits.
CIC
Chonnam's international students' club, with language exchange, cultural activities and volunteering for Korean and international students.
@cnu_cic_officialChonnam Buddy Program
A Chonnam student helps you check in to the dorm and settle into campus life and classes. It runs for one semester and can go on for a second.
CIS
Student supporters who work with the International Office on programmes for international students.
@chonnam_oia_cisCNU INBOUND
The International Office's account for incoming students, named in the exchange guide.
@studyatchonnamInstagram accounts checked on 21 October 2026.
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at Chonnam.
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 Chonnam.
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 Buk-gu, Gwangju. The Office of International Affairs is in Suite 214 on the second floor of the G&R Hub, open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00.
Address in Korean
전남광주통합특별시 북구 용봉로 77
77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- From Incheon Airport
- Take the limousine bus from exit 9C on the first floor to Gwangju Bus Terminal (U-Square). Buses leave every 30 to 40 minutes, take about 4 hours and cost about ₩35,000. From the terminal a taxi to campus takes about 15 minutes and costs about ₩6,000.
- From the KTX
- From Gwangju Songjeong station, a taxi takes about 30 minutes and costs about ₩15,000. Bus Jwaseok 02 stops at the main gate.
Every place to eat near campus.
302places to eat near GwangjuVegetarian options 104Each 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 Chonnam page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on Chonnam's official site before you apply or book anything. Chonnam incoming exchange ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
Your home university nominates you first, by 30 October for spring. Chonnam then emails you the link, and you apply online by 20 November. Every document goes into the online system. Chonnam doesn't accept papers by courier or email.
A passport photo on a white background with your ears showing, your transcript in English, an English test certificate if you have one, and a copy of your passport's photo page.
By nationality outside the OECD, you also post originals: an apostilled certificate of enrolment and a bank balance certificate showing more than US$5,000 a semester, issued within 30 days of the deadline.
A measles (MMR) vaccination certificate and a TB chest X-ray result.
Accepted students get a package with the acceptance letter, the certificate of admission and the D-2 visa papers. Chonnam asks you to wait for it before you book travel or visit the embassy.
Exchange students need a D-2 student visa from the Korean embassy or consulate at home, even if your country has a visa waiver with Korea.
Students from universities in Asia write to inbound2@jnu.ac.kr. Everyone else writes to inbound@jnu.ac.kr.
Tell your Chonnam coordinator by 31 January for spring or 31 July for autumn. Refunds for the dorm or insurance come back minus the international transfer fee.
Other dates
- 21 DecemberAutumn semester ends
- Mid-JanuaryCourse pre-registration
- Last spring: 3 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
- Where
- Exchange students apply online through Hire Visa, within 90 days of arriving in Korea.
- Papers
- The application form typed rather than handwritten, a copy of your passport, a 3.5 × 4.5 cm colour photo on white taken in the last six months, your visa grant notice, a certificate of enrolment issued after you arrive, and proof of where you live with a start date after your arrival.
- Fee
- The card costs ₩35,000.
- Student insurance
- Chonnam's partner insurance is required for incoming students and costs US$40 a semester. You claim through KakaoTalk (INSCLAIM), in English, Chinese or Vietnamese.
- Health insurance
- Students staying more than three months also join National Health Insurance and pay every month.
- 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 Chonnam with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
Buildings 7 and 8
US$400 to 800a semester, 2026 exchange guide
- Rooms
- Women in Building 8, six to an apartment. Men in Building 7, three to an apartment.
- In the room
- Fridge, desk, bed, wardrobe and a bathroom in each suite.
- Shared
- Lounge, study lounge, kitchen, laundry and gym.
- Meals
- Optional, US$300 to 800 a semester depending on meals a week. You sign up on the dorm site.
Before you apply
- Booked with your application. Once your application reaches the International Office, your room is reserved. You don't send a separate housing request.
Chonnam's 2026 exchange guide and housing page. 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
- At least 6 credits (two courses). Undergraduates take up to 18 credits (six courses) and graduate students up to 9 (three courses). Grades are out of 4.5.
- Pre-registration
- In mid-January for spring and mid-July for autumn, the International Office emails you the list of courses in English and a registration form. You can still add and drop courses in the first week of the semester.
- Closed to exchange students
- Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary medicine and English education.
- Korean on the Yeosu campus
- With Korean below TOPIK level 3, you can spend the semester on the Yeosu campus instead: 12 credits of Korean and 6 credits of Korean culture.
- Transcript
- Chonnam sends one official transcript to your home university when you finish. It doesn't send one to you.
Questions exchange students ask
How does course registration work at Chonnam?
In mid-January for spring and mid-July for autumn, the International Office emails you the list of courses in English and a registration form.
You can still add and drop courses in the first week of the semester.
How much is the dorm at Chonnam?
Buildings 7 and 8 · On campus, behind the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
From the last semesterUS$400 to 800
A semester, 2026 exchange guide
What do I need for the visa to study at Chonnam?
Exchange students need a D-2 student visa from the Korean embassy or consulate at home, even if your country has a visa waiver with Korea.
How do exchange students meet Chonnam students?
Chonnam Buddy Program
A Chonnam student helps you check in to the dorm and settle into campus life and classes.
It runs for one semester and can go on for a second.
Is there a group chat for Chonnam exchange students?
Yes.
Chonnam has a room on A-CHA where exchange students meet, and you can join before you land.
Do exchange students at Chonnam need health insurance?
Students staying more than three months also join National Health Insurance and pay every month.
How many credits can I take at Chonnam?
At least 6 credits (two courses).
Undergraduates take up to 18 credits (six courses) and graduate students up to 9 (three courses).
Grades are out of 4.5.
How do I apply to Chonnam as an exchange student?
Your home university nominates you first, by 30 October for spring.
Chonnam then emails you the link, and you apply online by 20 November.
Every document goes into the online system.
Chonnam doesn't accept papers by courier or email.
Who do I contact at Chonnam?
Official links and help
Office of International Affairs+82-62-530-1270 · Weekdays 9:00 to 18:00
inbound@jnu.ac.krStudent life
- DiscoverK
- You travel in a team with Korean buddies, with about US$100 each in travel support.
- Home visits
- A day with a local family in Gwangju. There's no overnight stay.
- Part-time work
- You need permission from Chonnam and the Gwangju immigration office before you start, a GPA of at least 2.0 last semester and a TOPIK score.Part-time work rules ↗