Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Masters Review 2026: Rankings, Fees & Admission
- Jan 1
- 4 min read
Introduction
If you want to study at a university that is owned and managed by the biggest company in South Korea, you choose Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU).
Founded in 1398 (yes, it is over 600 years old!), SKKU was the original royal university of the Joseon Dynasty. Today, it has been transformed into a global research powerhouse thanks to the Samsung Group, which acquired the university's foundation in 1996.
Ranked #123 globally (QS 2026) and consistently in the Top 5 Korean universities, SKKU offers a unique dual-campus experience:
Seoul Campus: Humanities & Social Sciences (located inside the ancient city walls).
Suwon Campus: Engineering, Science & Medicine (located next to Samsung Digital City).
For the 2026 intake, a Sungkyunkwan University Masters is the top choice for Indian engineers who want a direct pipeline into Samsung Electronics, or for Humanities students who want to study in the most historic setting in Seoul.
In this guide, we break down the Samsung advantage, the STEM scholarships, and why SKKU is the fastest-rising university in Asia.
Highlights: Sungkyunkwan University SKKU at a Glance
Point | Details |
University Name | Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) (Official Site) |
QS World Rank (2026) | #123 (Global) |
Location | Seoul (Humanities) & Suwon (Engineering/Science) |
Primary Intake | March (Spring) & September (Fall) |
Language | English (Many Grad Programs) & Korean |
Average Tuition Fee | ₹6.5L – ₹9L / year (Samsung funding keeps fees stable) |
Acceptance Rate | ~25% (International Graduate) |
Application Fee | KRW 100,000 (Approx. ₹6,200) |
Top PG Courses | Semiconductor Engineering, Software, MBA, Korean Studies |
Why Choose an SKKU Masters?
The Samsung Pipeline: Since Samsung manages the university, the curriculum in Engineering and Business is heavily influenced by industry needs. SKKU has specific departments (like Semiconductor Systems Engineering) that guarantee jobs to graduates (mostly for undergrads, but the network benefits Masters students too).
STEM Scholarship: SKKU is famous for its "STEM Scholarship for International Students." If you are a high-achieving engineering or science student, you can receive a 50%, 70%, or 100% Tuition Waiver based on your admission score and professor recommendation.
The "Sherlock" Vibe: The Seoul campus is a filming location for many K-Dramas (like Sungkyunkwan Scandal). Studying here feels like walking through a living museum, with 600-year-old Ginkgo trees and royal palaces right next to your lecture hall.
Important Dates (2026 Intake)
SKKU has two main rounds for international students.
Intake | Round | Application Deadline |
Spring 2026 (March Start) | Round 1 | September 25 – October 10, 2025 |
Spring 2026 (March Start) | Round 2 | November 20 – December 5, 2025 |
Fall 2026 (Sept Start) | Round 1 | March 20 – April 5, 2026 |
Fall 2026 (Sept Start) | Round 2 | May 15 – May 30, 2026 |
Pro Tip: Apply in Round 1. The scholarship budget is fresh, and more seats are available. Round 2 is for filling leftover spots.
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students
SKKU is friendly to international students but expects academic rigor.
1. Academic Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree: A 4-year Bachelor's degree is mandatory.
Percentage: Minimum 75% (3.0/4.0).
3-Year Degrees: NOT accepted. Like other top Korean unis, you need 16 years of education.
Department Fit: For the Suwon campus (Engineering), showing prior research experience (projects/papers) is a huge plus.
2. Language Proficiency
English Track:
IELTS Academic: Minimum 5.5 (Official cutoff), but 6.5+ is needed for scholarships.
TOEFL iBT: Minimum 71 (Official), but aim for 80+.
Note: Many Engineering labs operate fully in English.
Korean Track: TOPIK Level 3 or 4 required for Humanities/Social Sciences.
Admission Process: The "Suwon vs. Seoul" Check
Make sure you know which city your campus is in!
Step-by-Step Application:
Check Campus:
Humanities/Arts/Social Science = Seoul Campus.
Engineering/Science/Sports = Suwon Campus (45 mins from Seoul by subway).
Online Application: Apply via UwayApply or the SKKU Admissions website.
Pay Fee: KRW 100,000.
Mail Documents: Send your Apostilled Degree, Transcripts, and Language Scores to the Office of International Affairs (Make sure you send it to the correct campus address!).
Interview: Some departments conduct phone/Skype interviews.
Fees & Funding
SKKU offers excellent value given its ranking.
Masters Program | Tuition per Semester (KRW) | Annual Tuition (INR approx) |
Engineering / Science | ~6,800,000 KRW | ₹8.5 Lakhs |
Humanities / Social Science | ~5,500,000 KRW | ₹6.9 Lakhs |
Pharmacy | ~7,800,000 KRW | ₹9.8 Lakhs |
SKKU GSB (MBA) | ~50,000,000 KRW (Total) | ₹31 Lakhs (Global Top 50 MBA) |
Cost of Living:
Seoul Campus: Expensive (~₹70k/month).
Suwon Campus: Cheaper (~₹50k/month). You save money by living in Suwon.
Scholarships for Indian Students
STEM Scholarship for International Students:
Benefit: 50%, 70%, or 100% Tuition Waiver.
Eligibility: Automatically assessed for Engineering/Science applicants. Highly dependent on your GPA and Professor's recommendation.
Humanities/Social Science Scholarship:
Benefit: 30%, 50%, or 70% Tuition Waiver.
Eligibility: Based on admission ranking.
Global Korea Scholarship (GKS): SKKU is a major destination for GKS scholars (University Track).
Documents Required
Apostilled Degree & Transcripts: Hard copies required.
CV/Resume: Highlight technical skills (Python, C++, etc.).
Study Plan: Essay explaining your research interests.
Letter of Consent: A form allowing SKKU to verify your degree (download from website).
Bank Statement: Proof of funds (~$20,000).
FAQs
Q1. Is Suwon far from Seoul?
Ans: Not really. It is connected by the Seoul Metro (Line 1). It takes about 45-60 minutes to reach downtown Seoul. Many students live in Suwon during the week and party in Seoul on weekends.
Q2. Is SKKU GSB (MBA) good?
Ans: Yes. It is often ranked the #1 MBA in Korea by the Financial Times. It is taught 100% in English and has a partnership with MIT Sloan (you can do a dual degree).
Q3. Can I get a job at Samsung after SKKU?
Ans: It is not guaranteed, but your chances are higher than from any other university. SKKU holds exclusive "Samsung Recruiting Days" on campus, and many professors have direct projects with Samsung researchers.
Q4. Does SKKU have dorms?
Ans: Yes. The Suwon campus dorms (Shin-gwan) are huge, modern, and affordable. The Seoul campus dorms are smaller and harder to get into (many students live in off-campus apartments called Goshiwons).
Conclusion
Sungkyunkwan University offers the best of both worlds: The ancient history of Korea and the futuristic technology of Samsung. If you are an engineer looking for industry connections, or a humanities student wanting a true "Seoul" experience, SKKU is a top-tier choice that rivals the SKY universities.
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