Grasping the structure and nuances of the Korean university system is essential for prospective students, researchers, or anyone interested in Korean higher education. This guide provides key vocabulary and phrases to help you navigate discussions about universities, enrollment, academic life, and cultural aspects specific to Korea’s higher education landscape.
Table Of Content
Core Terminology
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Expression: 한국의 대학 시스템
Pronunciation: han-guk-ui dae-hak si-seu-tem
Meaning: The Korean university system
Key University-Related Terms
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Expression: 대학교
Pronunciation: dae-hak-gyo
Meaning: University -
Expression: 단과대학
Pronunciation: dan-gwa-dae-hak
Meaning: College (within a university, e.g., College of Engineering) -
Expression: 학과
Pronunciation: hak-gwa
Meaning: Department -
Expression: 전공
Pronunciation: jeon-gong
Meaning: Major (field of study) -
Expression: 교수님
Pronunciation: gyo-su-nim
Meaning: Professor (honorific) -
Expression: 학생
Pronunciation: hak-saeng
Meaning: Student -
Expression: 대학생
Pronunciation: dae-hak-saeng
Meaning: University student -
Expression: 대학원생
Pronunciation: dae-hak-won-saeng
Meaning: Graduate student -
Expression: 캠퍼스
Pronunciation: kaem-peo-seu
Meaning: Campus -
Expression: 총장
Pronunciation: chong-jang
Meaning: University President / Chancellor -
Expression: 교직원
Pronunciation: gyo-jik-won
Meaning: Faculty and staff -
Expression: 신입생
Pronunciation: sin-ip-saeng
Meaning: Freshman / New student
Academic Year and Enrollment
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Expression: 학년
Pronunciation: hang-nyeon
Meaning: Academic year / Grade level (e.g., 1학년 – first year) -
Expression: 학기
Pronunciation: hak-gi
Meaning: Semester / Term -
Expression: 입학
Pronunciation: ip-hak
Meaning: Admission / Entrance into school -
Expression: 입학 시험
Pronunciation: ip-hak si-heom
Meaning: Entrance examination -
Expression: 수능 (대학수학능력시험)
Pronunciation: su-neung (dae-hak-su-hang-neung-nyeok-si-heom)
Meaning: CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test) – Korea’s standardized university entrance exam -
Expression: 등록금
Pronunciation: deung-nok-geum
Meaning: Tuition fee -
Expression: 장학금
Pronunciation: jang-hak-geum
Meaning: Scholarship -
Expression: 수강 신청
Pronunciation: su-gang sin-cheong
Meaning: Course registration -
Expression: 학점
Pronunciation: hak-jeom
Meaning: Credit / Grade point -
Expression: 졸업
Pronunciation: jol-eop
Meaning: Graduation -
Expression: 휴학
Pronunciation: hyu-hak
Meaning: Leave of absence (from school) -
Expression: 복학
Pronunciation: bok-hak
Meaning: Return to school (after leave)
Student Life and Activities
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Expression: 기숙사
Pronunciation: gi-suk-sa
Meaning: Dormitory -
Expression: 도서관
Pronunciation: do-seo-gwan
Meaning: Library -
Expression: 동아리
Pronunciation: dong-a-ri
Meaning: Student club / Circle -
Expression: 학생회
Pronunciation: hak-saeng-hoe
Meaning: Student council / Student association -
Expression: 과제
Pronunciation: gwa-je
Meaning: Assignment / Homework -
Expression: 시험
Pronunciation: si-heom
Meaning: Exam / Test -
Expression: 중간고사
Pronunciation: jung-gan-go-sa
Meaning: Midterm exam -
Expression: 기말고사
Pronunciation: gi-mal-go-sa
Meaning: Final exam -
Expression: 아르바이트 (알바)
Pronunciation: a-reu-ba-i-teu (al-ba)
Meaning: Part-time job -
Expression: MT (Membership Training)
Pronunciation: em-ti
Meaning: Membership Training (Overnight bonding trip for departments or clubs) -
Expression: 개강 총회
Pronunciation: gae-gang chong-hoe
Meaning: General meeting at the beginning of the semester -
Expression: 종강 총회
Pronunciation: jong-gang chong-hoe
Meaning: General meeting at the end of the semester
Types of Universities and Degrees
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Expression: 국립대학교
Pronunciation: gung-nip-dae-hak-gyo
Meaning: National university -
Expression: 사립대학교
Pronunciation: sa-rip-dae-hak-gyo
Meaning: Private university -
Expression: 전문대학
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-dae-hak
Meaning: Junior college / Community college (usually 2-3 years) -
Expression: 학사 학위
Pronunciation: hak-sa hak-wi
Meaning: Bachelor’s degree -
Expression: 석사 학위
Pronunciation: seok-sa hak-wi
Meaning: Master’s degree -
Expression: 박사 학위
Pronunciation: bak-sa hak-wi
Meaning: Doctoral degree (Ph.D.) -
Expression: 교환 학생
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan hak-saeng
Meaning: Exchange student -
Expression: 유학생
Pronunciation: yu-hak-saeng
Meaning: International student (studying abroad) -
Expression: 졸업 증명서
Pronunciation: jol-eop jeung-myeong-seo
Meaning: Graduation certificate -
Expression: 성적 증명서
Pronunciation: seong-jeok jeung-myeong-seo
Meaning: Academic transcript -
Expression: 논문
Pronunciation: non-mun
Meaning: Thesis / Dissertation -
Expression: 학부
Pronunciation: hak-bu
Meaning: Undergraduate studies/department
Korean Culture Notes
Emphasis on University Reputation: In Korea, the name and ranking of the university one graduates from can significantly impact future career prospects and social standing. This contributes to the intense competition for entering top-tier universities, often referred to as ‘SKY’ (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei).
The Suneung (CSAT): The national college entrance exam, 수능 (su-neung), is a major life event for Korean high school students. The entire country often adjusts schedules on exam day (e.g., delaying work start times, limiting air traffic during listening tests) to support the students.
Hierarchical Relationships (Sunbae-Hubae): University life involves distinct senior-junior relationships (선배 sunbae – senior, 후배 hubae – junior). Seniors are expected to guide and often treat juniors, while juniors show respect to their seniors. This dynamic is prevalent in departments and clubs.
MT (Membership Training): MTs are common social events, usually overnight trips, organized by departments or large clubs. They aim to build camaraderie through games, drinking, and shared activities, playing a significant role in university social life.
Importance of Club Activities (Dongari): 동아리 (dong-a-ri) activities are highly valued. They offer students opportunities to pursue hobbies, network, and gain experiences outside academics, often seen as important for personal development and resumes.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An international student (A) asks a Korean university student (B) about the Korean university system.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요! 한국 대학 시스템에 대해 궁금한 게 있어요. 학기는 보통 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! han-guk dae-hak si-seu-tem-e dae-hae gung-geum-han ge it-sseo-yo. hak-gi-neun bo-tong eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello! I have some questions about the Korean university system. How are the semesters usually structured? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 보통 1년에 2학기예요. 1학기는 3월에 시작하고, 2학기는 9월에 시작해요. 중간에 여름방학과 겨울방학이 있고요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. bo-tong il-lyeon-e i-hak-gi-ye-yo. il-hak-gi-neun sam-wol-e si-jak-ha-go, i-hak-gi-neun gu-wol-e si-jak-hae-yo. jung-gan-e yeo-reum-bang-hak-gwa gyeo-ul-bang-hak-i it-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, yes. Usually, there are two semesters per year. The first semester starts in March, and the second semester starts in September. There’s a summer vacation and a winter vacation in between. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 전공은 언제 선택하나요?
Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-ku-nyo. jeon-gong-eun eon-je seon-taek-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I see. When do students usually choose their major? -
Expression: B: 학교마다 조금 다르지만, 보통 1학년 말이나 2학년 초에 전공을 선택해요. 어떤 학과는 입학할 때부터 정해져 있기도 하고요.
Pronunciation: B: hak-gyo-ma-da jo-geum da-reu-ji-man, bo-tong il-hang-nyeon mal-i-na i-hang-nyeon cho-e jeon-gong-eul seon-taek-hae-yo. eo-tteon hak-gwa-neun ip-hak-hal ttae-bu-teo jeong-hae-jyeo it-gi-do ha-go-yo.
Meaning: B: It varies a bit by university, but usually, students choose their major at the end of their first year or the beginning of their second year. Some departments have the major decided upon admission. -
Expression: A: 동아리 활동도 활발한가요?
Pronunciation: A: dong-a-ri hwal-ttong-do hwal-bal-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Are club activities very active too? -
Expression: B: 네, 정말 많고 다양해요! 운동, 예술, 학술, 봉사 등 종류가 아주 많아서 관심사에 맞는 동아리를 찾기 쉬울 거예요. MT도 자주 가고요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jeong-mal man-ko da-yang-hae-yo! un-dong, ye-sul, hak-sul, bong-sa deung jong-nyu-ga a-ju ma-na-seo gwan-sim-sa-e mat-neun dong-a-ri-reul chat-gi swi-ul geo-ye-yo. em-ti-do ja-ju ga-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, there are really many and they’re diverse! Sports, arts, academics, volunteering, etc. – there are so many types, so it should be easy to find one that matches your interests. We often go on MTs too.
Practice Tips
Understanding the Korean university system involves learning specific terms and cultural context! Try using these words when researching Korean universities online~ You can look up different 학과 (hak-gwa) or read about 동아리 (dong-a-ri) activities on university websites. If you know any Korean students, ask them about their 전공 (jeon-gong) or their experiences with 수강 신청 (su-gang sin-cheong)! Familiarizing yourself with these terms will greatly help if you plan to study in Korea or interact with Korean academia. Keep practicing! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
