Admissions·East & Southeast Asia· 9 min read

Pusan National University and Inha University Admission Guide

How international students apply to Pusan National University (Busan) and Inha University (Incheon) — admission routes, language tracks, scholarships and visa.

Last updated 13 July 2026

Key facts

Pusan National University: National (public) university, Busan — broad range of fields
Inha University: Private university, Incheon — broad range including engineering
Admission basis: Document-based at both; requirements vary by programme — verify officially
Teaching language: Korean-taught (TOPIK) with some English-taught (IELTS/TOEFL) options
Fees, scholarships & deadlines: Change each cycle — always verify on the official websites

Two strong options beyond Seoul

Not every well-regarded Korean university is in Seoul. Pusan National University (PNU) is a national university in Busan, on Korea's south coast, and Inha University is a private university in Incheon, next to Seoul and the country's main international airport.

Both admit international students across a wide range of fields and can be a good fit if you want a strong university outside the capital. This guide outlines how each handles international admission; confirm the specifics on the official pages below, as requirements and deadlines are set fresh each intake.

Pusan National University (Busan)

PNU is a national university offering a broad spread of undergraduate and graduate programmes. International admission is handled through its international office on a document-based evaluation of your academic records, language proof and supporting documents.

Korean-taught programmes usually require a TOPIK score, while some programmes may be available in English with an IELTS or TOEFL score. Check the language requirement and document checklist for your specific programme on PNU's official English admissions pages before you apply.

Inha University (Incheon)

Inha is a private university in Incheon with a broad range of programmes, including well-established engineering and applied-science offerings. International admission is managed through its International Center, again on a document-based basis.

As with other Korean universities, expect a TOPIK requirement for Korean-taught tracks and an English-test option for English-taught programmes. Verify the exact requirements, intakes and deadlines for your course on Inha's official international admission pages.

Language, scholarships and cost

For both universities, your first decision is Korean-taught (TOPIK) versus English-taught (IELTS/TOEFL) — the required level varies by programme and changes over time, so confirm it officially. Our TOPIK guides explain the levels if you plan to study in Korean.

Both offer scholarships and tuition support for international students, and you may also be eligible for the government-funded Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) via the Study in Korea portal. Eligibility and amounts change yearly and are never guaranteed — verify them on the official pages, and treat any 'guaranteed scholarship' offer as a warning sign. Living costs outside Seoul can differ from the capital; see our Korea cost guide to budget realistically.

Student visa and next steps

After an offer and Certificate of Admission, most international degree students study on Korea's D-2 student visa, applied for at a Korean embassy or consulate. This is general information, not immigration advice — visa rules change, so confirm current requirements on the official Korean government source and your nearest Korean mission before applying.

Then complete enrolment, arrange health insurance and housing in Busan or Incheon, and register your stay as required. Work backwards from the official deadline to leave time for document attestation and the visa process.

Frequently asked questions

Is Pusan National University public and Inha private?

Yes. Pusan National University is a national (public) university in Busan, and Inha University is a private university in Incheon. Both admit international students; confirm the details for your programme on each university's official admissions pages.

Can I study at these universities in English?

Some programmes may be offered in English with an IELTS or TOEFL score, while Korean-taught programmes require TOPIK. Availability varies by programme, so verify the language of instruction for your specific course on the official site.

Are they cheaper than studying in Seoul?

Living costs outside Seoul can differ, but tuition and expenses vary by university and programme, so we do not quote fixed figures. Verify current fees on each official site and use our Korea cost guide to plan your budget.

Do these universities offer scholarships to international students?

Both have university scholarships and tuition support, and you can also consider the government's Global Korea Scholarship. Eligibility and amounts change each year and are never guaranteed — verify officially and avoid any paid guaranteed-admission or guaranteed-scholarship offers.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: Pusan National University — English homepage (official); Pusan National University — Undergraduate Admissions (official); Inha University — International Center / Admission (official); Study in Korea — Scholarships / GKS (Korean Government, NIIED).

Last verified: 13 July 2026.