Undergraduate and graduate programs

As of 2021, the Seoul campus was composed of thirteen undergraduate colleges and thirteen graduate schools; the GLOCAL Campus in Chungju is composed of seven undergraduate colleges and four graduate schools.^{[12][13][14][15]}

Research institutes

Konkuk University has 58 affiliated and special research institutes in the areas of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

Distinguished professors

Four renowned scholars held the position of distinguished professor as of the spring semester of 2018.

• Yongmin Cho, particle physicist
• Roger D. Kornberg, Stanford University professor and 2006 Nobel Prize laureate in chemistry
• William F. Miller, Stanford University professor emeritus
• Hans Robert Schöler, director of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine

Konkuk Language Institute

In 1990, Konkuk University Language Institute began to provide instruction in English and other foreign languages. Courses on Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Vietnamese are available to Konkuk University students and the general public. In 1998, the institute introduced Korean language programs for foreigners with short-term courses lasting 1–2 weeks, as well as longer 3-month courses. The institute also provides training for Korean language teachers.^[16]

Reputation and rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) University Ranks^[17]

• WORLD: 2018 (#501-600), 2021 (#601-800)
• Asia: 2013 (#92), 2021 (#114)

QS University Ranks^[18]

• World: 2021 (#551-560)
• Asia: 2021 (#101)

Domestic rank and project selected by government and its scale of support fund

• 2022 Joong-Ang Ilbo News & Media's comprehensive ranking of university evaluations #7.
• 5th place in 2019 Joong-Ang Ilbo Preference for Entrance (School Parents).
• Support of $1.62 million for 5 years for the Korea Research Foundation LINK+ project in 2017.
• Select BK21 Plus Project for 14 consecutive years in 2019 and select $2.07 million.
• The Ministry of Education's university innovation support project will be carried out for three years in 2019 with $12.1 million worth of projects.
• Project to support Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) was selected for 11 consecutive years in 2019 and is worth $6.7 million.
• 13 years in a row to support universities that contribute to high school education in 2019 and worth $10.9 million.
• Support $5.3 million for four years of selection of SW-centered university project in 2018.
• Top 5 in 2019 NCSI Customer Satisfaction Assessment (private college).

Exchange student program

Foreign students enrolled in Konkuk University's partner universities—such as UC Berkeley in the United States, University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and Osaka University in Japan—can pursue their studies at the main Seoul campus for one or two semesters. Students are selected in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the partnership agreements and only pay tuition to their home institutions.

International Summer Program and International Winter Program

The International Summer Program and International Winter Program are two-week long programs that provide opportunities for foreign students wishing to learn about Korea and experience its culture. Students can take classes on Korean history, culture, and business practices, and participate in field trips and cultural events.

Undergraduate degree-seeking program qualifications

• Freshman Applicants (first grade): Applicants and their parents are foreign nationals without Korean citizenship (foreigners - non-Korean nationals, including dual nationalities). Applicants have graduated or are expected to graduate from accredited primary and secondary schools overseas (12-year education).
• Transfer Applicants (third grade): Applicants have completed or are expected to complete at least 2 years of a 4-year undergraduate degree program with at least 50 percent of the credits required for graduation at an accredited Korean or foreign university with good academic standing. Applicants have graduated or are expected to graduate from a 2 or 3-year associate degree program at an accredited Korean or foreign college with good academic standing (except Hong Kong and Macao).
• Language Proficiency Requirements: All applicants must submit one or more of the following documents: Applicant with a Grade 3 or higher in Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK), Korean Language Program Completion Certificate issued by Konkuk Language Institute with Level 3 or above.

Graduate degree-seeking program qualifications

• Common Qualifications: The applicant must meet one of the following nationality requirements:
  • A foreigner whose parents are both foreigners.
  • A person who has completed all levels of education equivalent to elementary, junior high, high school, and undergraduate school in a foreign country.
• Language Proficiency: The applicant must meet one of the following language proficiency requirements:
  • Korean Language Proficiency Test (TOPIK) Level 3 or higher
  • Completed Korean language level 3 or higher at Konkuk University Language Institute
  • A certain level of official test of English language proficiency (refer to admission guidelines for required scores)
  • If the applicant can speak only English and no Korean, he/she must consult with the department before application is processed to see whether the department will accept the application or not (required).
  • In case applicant does not meet the language requirements, they can be exempted from the language proficiency requirement for a certain period at the entrance stage with the study permit and recommendation by a KU professor of the respected department or program. The applicant requests to check specific requirements for certain departments - Dept. of Korean Language & Literature, Dept. of International Commerce & Business, Dept. of Clothing, and Dept. of Literature & Art Therapy.

MA Program

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and educational attainment equivalent to a bachelor's degree approved by the law of the country of residence.

Ph.D. Program

A master's degree from an accredited college or university and educational attainment equivalent to a master's degree approved by the law of the country of residence.

Konkuk University Museum

Established in 1963, Konkuk University Museum features 4,532 historical artifacts, including Dongguk Jeongun, one of the National Treasures of South Korea. The museum originated in Nagwon-dong, Jongno-gu, and in 1985 moved to the Sanghuh Memorial Hall, the building in which the Chosun School of Politics was founded. The museum is open to the public, and special lectures on Korean history and culture are given throughout the year.^[19][20]

Sanghuh Memorial Library

Sanghuh Memorial Library serves as Konkuk University's main library. Opened in 1989, it was the largest library in Asia at the time.^[21] As of February 2014, the library had more than 900,000 Korean books and 200,000 foreign language books. Six reading rooms with about 2,200 seats are available,^[22] and a reading room on the third floor of the library is open 24 hours a day.^[23] The library has interlibrary loan agreements with Korea University, Dongguk University, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Chung-Ang University.^[24]

Ilgam Lake

Ilgam Lake is located at the center of Konkuk University's Seoul campus. This swamp was converted to an artificial lake when the university moved the campus from Nagwon-dong to the current location in 1954. In the 1950s and 1960s, indoor ice-skating rinks were uncommon, and the lake was used for national competitions. Occupying 55,661 m² (599,130 sq ft), the lake accounts for approximately one-ninth of the campus area. To maintain water quality, 650 tons of underground water is added daily, and a motorboat is used to prevent algal blooms.^[25]

PRIME Project

On May 3, Konkuk University announced that it was selected by the Korean government to participate in the Program for Industrial Needs-Matched Education (PRIME). Higher education institutions receive incentives for restructuring and training students to meet the society's needs under the project. Of the 75 universities that applied, Konkuk University, Ewha Womans University, Hanyang University's ERICA campus, and 18 other universities were chosen. As a result, Konkuk University is expected to receive up to 450 billion won in government funding over three years until 2018. More than 15% will be allocated for scholarships, and a significant portion will be used to improve educational programs and build infrastructure.^[27]

Konkuk Institute of Technology

In 2017, Konkuk University introduced the "Konkuk Institute of Technology" to train and prepare students for industries with significant growth potential. The institute includes eight departments in energy engineering, smart vehicle engineering, smart ICT engineering, cosmetics engineering, stem cell and regenerative biology, systems biotechnology, integrative bioscience and biotechnology, and biomedical science and engineering with 333 students. Konkuk University plans to offer a 5-year BS/MS program, through which all students will receive a scholarship for their graduate education as well as a stipend of 300,000 won per month for book purchases and research, at the institute. The registration fee for all incoming students will be waived.^[27][28]

Plus Semester System

As an alternative to the prevalent 2-semester, 4-year undergraduate programs, Konkuk University introduced the Plus Semester System which will allow students to take initiative in designing their own curriculum. The innovative system is part of an effort to make university education more student-focused and tailored to meet changing industry demands. Konkuk students will be able to choose from a variety of options, including the 2+One-Semester On-The-Job Training program, 3+1 Employment program, 7+1 Self-Designed Semester program, and 4+1 Bachelor's and master's degree program. The 2+One-Semester program allows students to gain work experience during the semester and take classes to fulfill course requirements for their majors during the vacation. For the 7+1 program, students will design their plans for external activities prior to the beginning of the semester. The activities are to develop expertise in areas of interest rather than being limited to opening a new business or finding employment. Once the plans are approved, students receive up to 15 credits once they submit completion reports. The Center for Integrated Science and Technology, which will include four departments in biotechnology and another four in engineering, will offer the 4+1 Bachelor's and master's degree program.^[29]