An emblem from Silla
The emblem is based on Cheomseongdae, the Silla astronomical observatory. Its six stars stand for the original five colleges and one graduate school.
Kyungpook National University
KNU · Daegu
Kyungpook National University is a national university in Daegu, established in 1946. Exchange students study and live at the main campus in Buk-gu.
- Founded
- 1946 a national university in Daegu
- Campus
- Buk-gu, Daegu Bus 937 from Dongdaegu Station to the Main Gate
- Dorm
- About US$500 to 1,000 a semester, depending on meals
- Course load
- Up to 18 credits for undergraduates
Ken Eckert, CC BY-SA 4.0, resizedWhat KNU is like
Things Korean students all know that are new when you arrive.
Chosen by an open contest
KNU says the emblem was first chosen through an open contest and updated in 1999. The circle stands for all-round character, pride and harmony, and the colours are KNU Red and KNU Gray.
Truth, pride, service
KNU's educational philosophy is TRUTH, PRIDE and SERVICE. It calls its students Cheomseongin, linking them to the Silla people who built Cheomseongdae.
Daegu and Sangju
Sangju National University merged with KNU in March 2008. The school's profile lists a Daegu campus of 841,511 sq. m at 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, and a Sangju campus of 522,928 sq. m.
- Words you'll hear
- Gyeongbuk-dae 경북대 Short for Kyungpook National University
- Cheomseongin 첨성인 The name for KNU students and alumni
- Sugang 수강신청 Course registration
From KNU's official English pages (profile, educational goals, symbols and history), checked on 26 October 2026.
People
Country chats
Country chats are for everyone from that country studying anywhere in Korea, not only at KNU.
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 KNU.
Flash meetups. Anyone can start or join a short meetup in the app, like dinner tonight or a hike on Saturday.
Around campus
This guide covers the main campus in Buk-gu, Daegu, the address on KNU's exchange fact sheet.
Address in Korean
대구광역시 북구 대학로 80
80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566
Also on Kakao Map and Google Maps. Naver and Kakao work best in Korea.
- From Daegu Airport
- Take bus 719 or Dong-gu 2 from the airport side of the road to KNU North Gate, about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi takes about 5 minutes.
- From Dongdaegu Station
- Take bus 937 from the station side of the road to KNU Main Gate, about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi takes 5 to 10 minutes.
- By taxi
- Show the driver this line: 경북대학교 본관에 가주세요 (to the KNU main building, please).
Every place to eat near campus.
256places to eat near DaeguVegetarian options 85Each place shows the menu in English and Korean and walking directions.
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 KNU page. Dates and rules change. Check the details on KNU's official site before you apply or book anything. KNU exchange student programme ↗ Checked on 21 October 2026
Your home university nominates you by 15 October for spring or 15 April for autumn. You then fill in KNU's online application by 30 October for spring or 30 April for autumn.
Online application ↗Undergraduates enrolled at a KNU partner university, with enough English or Korean to study. KNU asks for no language test score and no minimum GPA, and follows your home university's nomination rules.
The nomination letter, a certificate of enrolment, your transcript, a passport copy valid for 6 months after you leave Korea and a colour ID photo. Add a bank statement showing ₩8,000,000 for one semester or ₩16,000,000 for two, plus a family relations certificate if the account is your parents'.
Post the original certificate of enrolment with an apostille or Korean consulate legalisation before the application deadline. Apostilles can take a while in some countries, so start early.
The acceptance packet comes by email in late December for spring or late June for autumn. It has your Certificate of Admission, the acceptance letter and a welcome letter about arrival, course registration and the calendar.
Apply for a D-2 student visa at the Korean embassy or consulate within one month of getting the Certificate of Admission. KNU doesn't arrange a visa issuance number, so you need the visa before you fly.
Arrive a week before the semester starts for the compulsory orientation. You get a welcome kit there, with what you need for the residence card application.
Other dates
- 14 DecemberFinal exams
- Mid JanuaryEnglish course list
- 2 MarchClasses start
After you arrive
Residence card
KNU explains the residence card steps at orientation.
Booking the immigration visit. Papers, fee and HiKorea screens step by step. Read the guide
- When
- Register within 90 days of arriving in Korea. Leaving it later can mean a fine.
- Papers
- The application form, your passport, a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo taken in the last 6 months, a certificate of enrolment and proof of where you live, such as the dorm residence certificate.
- Health insurance
- You're enrolled in National Health Insurance automatically once you have the residence card, and the insurance card and a guide come by post to your address in Korea. French and Japanese citizens can ask to opt out at the NHIS office in Buk-gu.
- 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 KNU with a friend? Send them this page.
Housing
KNU dorms
About US$500 to 1,000a semester, from no meals to three meals a day
- Rooms
- Exchange students share a double room in one of several dorms on campus.
- Meals
- The meal plan is optional. The dorm cafeteria has no special diet options.
Before you apply
- Fill in the dorm form. KNU assigns exchange students a room, but you still fill in the online dorm application before the semester.
KNU's 2026-2027 fact sheet and exchange programme page. Checked on 21 October 2026.
- Dorm office
- Questions about rooms go to the dorm office on +82-53-950-6681, or to the exchange team at sabroad@knu.ac.kr.Dorm site ↗
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, which is 2 to 6 courses. Most courses are 3 credits, 3 hours a week for 15 weeks.
- Course list
- The list of courses taught in English comes out in mid January for spring and mid July for autumn. KNU emails it to accepted students with the registration steps.Course lists ↗
- Registration
- You register online during the registration period before the semester. The email explains how.
- K-SAC
- The College of Social Sciences opens courses on Korean society and culture to exchange students, with a certificate if you take at least 4 of them.
2 more
- Internship
- The Global Internship Program places you at a Korean company for 12 weeks, about 12 hours a week, from the start of the semester. It's unpaid and gives no credits.
- Transcripts
- KNU sends transcripts to your home coordinator in July for spring and in February for autumn. You can also print one at knu.certpia.com.Certificates ↗
Questions exchange students ask
How does course registration work at KNU?
You register online during the registration period before the semester.
The email explains how.
How much is the dorm at KNU?
KNU dorms · On campus
About US$500 to 1,000
A semester, from no meals to three meals a day
What do I need for the visa to study at KNU?
Apply for a D-2 student visa at the Korean embassy or consulate within one month of getting the Certificate of Admission.
KNU doesn't arrange a visa issuance number, so you need the visa before you fly.
How do exchange students meet KNU students?
KNU Student Buddy Program
Every new exchange student gets a Korean buddy, usually one buddy for two students.
Your buddy emails you before you leave home.
Is there a group chat for KNU exchange students?
Yes.
KNU has a room on A-CHA where exchange students meet, and you can join before you land.
When should I arrive at KNU?
Arrive a week before the semester starts for the compulsory orientation.
You get a welcome kit there, with what you need for the residence card application.
How do I get my residence card at KNU?
Register within 90 days of arriving in Korea.
Leaving it later can mean a fine.
Do exchange students at KNU need health insurance?
You're enrolled in National Health Insurance automatically once you have the residence card, and the insurance card and a guide come by post to your address in Korea.
French and Japanese citizens can ask to opt out at the NHIS office in Buk-gu.
How many credits can I take at KNU?
Undergraduates take 6 to 18 credits, which is 2 to 6 courses.
Most courses are 3 credits, 3 hours a week for 15 weeks.
How do I apply to KNU as an exchange student?
Your home university nominates you by 15 October for spring or 15 April for autumn.
You then fill in KNU's online application by 30 October for spring or 30 April for autumn.
Who do I contact at KNU?
Official links and help
Inbound Mobility Team+82-53-950-2413
inbound1@knu.ac.kr- Exchange student programme
- Fact sheet 2026-2027
- Visa and residence card
- Dorm site
- Getting to KNU
- Academic calendar