🏅 QS World Rank #42
Yonsei University — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
A founding member of South Korea’s elite ‘SKY’ universities — QS World Rankings 2027 #42
Yonsei University is a private research university in Seoul, South Korea, with roots in 1885. It is one of the three ‘SKY’ universities and ranks 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026). This guide covers programmes, entry, 2026 fees, scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most. Every figure is labeled with its year or ranking edition.
Yonsei Overview
Yonsei traces its roots to 1885, when the Gwanghyewon hospital was founded in Seoul. The university took its present name in 1957. It is one of the three ‘SKY’ universities, together with Seoul National University and Korea University.
Its main Sinchon campus is in western Seoul. Yonsei is known for business, medicine, the liberal arts and a strong employer reputation in Korea.
Yonsei Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Yonsei is 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026. Within Korea it ranks behind Seoul National University (38th) in that edition.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
Yonsei is known for:
- Business and economics
- Medicine — including the Severance medical institutions
- Liberal arts and humanities
- Engineering and computer science
- Underwood International College — English-taught liberal arts and sciences for international and domestic students
- Employer reputation within South Korea
See the official website for the full list.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
International applicants apply through a separate international undergraduate track. Confirm all details on Yonsei’s admissions pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | A separate admission track for international students who meet Yonsei’s eligibility rules |
| First year | According to the 2026 fee table, international freshmen spend their first year in the Global Basic Education Division of Global Leaders College before moving to their chosen major |
| Language | Many programmes need Korean (such as TOPIK), while English-taught options exist, including at Underwood International College |
| Deadlines | Set by Yonsei for each intake. Confirm on the official page. |
| Documents | Transcripts, identification, language evidence and programme-specific documents |
Official source: Yonsei — Admissions.
Yonsei Acceptance Rate
Yonsei does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants. Entry is highly competitive and varies by programme.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on Yonsei’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
Yonsei publishes a 2026 undergraduate tuition table for international students. Tuition is charged per semester, and for 2026 it ranges from about KRW 4.56 million to KRW 9.22 million depending on the college, with the School of Integrated Technology the highest and the College of Social Sciences the lowest, and lower rates in later semesters. Seoul living costs are extra, so budget for rent, food and transport as well. The old US dollar conversion on this page has been removed because exchange rates change.
Source: Yonsei — 2026 undergraduate tuition table. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): the Korean government funds international students at undergraduate and graduate level. Check whether Pakistan is included in the current round.
- Yonsei scholarships: Yonsei offers support for international students. Check the current list and rules.
- Other aid: compare options in our fully funded scholarships for 2027 guide
- No guarantee: awards are competitive
Yonsei for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants follow the standard international process:
- Entry: check whether your qualification meets the international-track rules
- Language: prepare Korean (TOPIK) or an accepted English test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help.
- Scholarships: check GKS and Yonsei awards early
- Visa: a Korean student visa is required
- Budget: plan for tuition plus Seoul living costs
Campus & Student Life
- The main Sinchon campus is in western Seoul, with a separate international campus in Songdo
- Seoul is a large capital city with extensive public transport
- Dormitories are available but limited, and many students rent privately
- Student clubs and societies cover culture, sport and academic interests
Research & Career Opportunities
- Yonsei is research-intensive, with notable work in medicine, business and engineering
- Graduates are widely recruited by Korean conglomerates, finance and technology employers
- Seoul is a major hub for technology, finance and manufacturing
- Yonsei does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- Yonsei graduates hold leading roles in Korean business, politics, medicine and the media
- Yonsei’s medical roots go back to the Gwanghyewon hospital founded in 1885
Contact & Location
Yonsei University
50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, South Korea
Official website: yonsei.ac.kr
Frequently Asked Questions
Yonsei University is ranked 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
SKY refers to three of South Korea’s most prestigious universities: Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University.
Yonsei is best known for business, medicine, the liberal arts and its employer reputation in Korea.
For 2026, undergraduate tuition ranges from about KRW 4.56 million to KRW 9.22 million per semester depending on the college, based on Yonsei’s fee table.
Many programmes need Korean. English-taught options exist, including at Underwood International College.
Yes. International students can apply for the Global Korea Scholarship and Yonsei awards. They are competitive and not guaranteed.
Yes. Pakistani applicants follow the international route and should check eligibility, language and visa requirements.
Yonsei does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants. Entry is highly competitive.
Yes. International students need a Korean student visa. Requirements change, so check the official guidance.
Check Yonsei’s official admissions and tuition pages. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare Yonsei With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, Yonsei’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.