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Top Universities for PhD Study in South Korea in 2024
Written by Mark Bennett
South Korea’s well-earned reputation as a hotbed for technological innovation is reflected by its excellent universities, which welcome thousands of international students every year. The presence of several global technology powerhouses in South Korea (think Samsung, LG and Hyundai) has been helped by the country’s research and development strengths, making it a prime destination for ambitious PhD students.
One way to decide which institution you want to do your PhD at is to consult the various university rankings systems – this page summarises the performance of South Korean universities.
Top ranked South Korean universities for PhD study
The table below shows the best South Korean universities according to the three main league tables: Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.
| University | THE 2024 | QS 2024 | ARWU 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul National University | 62 | 41 | 94 |
| Yonsei University (Seoul Campus) | 76 | =76 | 201-300 |
| Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | 83 | 56 | 201-300 |
| Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) | =145 | =145 | 151-200 |
| Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | 149 | =100 | 301-400 |
| Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology | =199 | =266 | 201-300 |
| Korea University | 201-250 | 79 | 201-300 |
| Kyung Hee University | 251-300 | =332 | 401-500 |
| Sejong University | 251-300 | =436 | 401-500 |
| Hanyang University | 301-350 | =164 | 201-300 |
| Information in this table is based on the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and Academic Ranking of World Universities. Visit their websites for more information. | |||
So, how good are universities in South Korea for PhD study?
As you can see in the table, there are six South Korean universities among the top 200 in the world according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Quality of research is one of the main metrics used when calculating these ranking systems, so it stands to reason that South Korea’s research intensive universities will make an ideal place for PhD students to complete their projects.
It’s also worth mentioning that South Korea performs well in regional rankings as well as global ones. For example, there are nine South Korean institutions among the top 50 in Asia, according to the Times Higher Education.
Search for a PhD in South Korea
Ready to start looking for your ideal study abroad opportunity? Browse PhDs in South Korea on FindAPhD.com or read our guide to studying a PhD in South Korea.
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Mark Bennett
Mark joined FindAPhD to develop our first ever advice articles in 2013 and now serves as our Director of Audience & Editorial, making sure our websites and information are as useful as possible for people thinking about Masters and PhD study. He has a PhD in English Literature from the University of Sheffield, as well as Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Kent and the University of South Wales.
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