Most international coverage of Korean higher education focuses on the SKY universities — Yonsei, Korea University, SNU. This misses two institutions that offer genuinely exceptional exchange student experiences, sometimes better suited to specific interests and learning styles. Here's an honest assessment of Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) and Ewha Womans University.

Sungkyunkwan University (성균관대학교, SKKU)

SKKU was founded in 1398 — making it one of the oldest universities in Asia, predating the Joseon Dynasty's consolidation of Seoul as the capital. Today it's a top-5 Korean university by most national rankings and has made enormous investments in global partnerships and English-medium instruction over the past decade.

Two Campuses, Two Personalities

SKKU operates two distinct campuses:

Humanities & Social Sciences Campus (인문사회과학캠퍼스) — in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace. This campus blends historic significance with urban location. If you're studying law, economics, business, humanities, or social sciences, you'll be based here. Nearest station: Hyehwa (Line 4).
Natural Sciences Campus (자연과학캠퍼스) — in Suwon, 40 minutes south of Seoul. Engineering, natural sciences, and medicine are here. The campus is modern and suburban; less exciting culturally but excellent for focused research environments.

Key clarification: When you apply to SKKU as an exchange student, confirm which campus you'll be on. Many students assume Seoul when they're actually assigned to Suwon.

What SKKU Does Well

Strong business and engineering programs backed by Samsung (which has historically had close ties with the university)
English-medium courses are well-organised and expanding — particularly in business, international studies, and engineering
The Jongno campus location gives exceptional access to traditional Seoul culture; Gyeongbokgung Palace is literally next door
International exchange programs are well-run with dedicated support staff

The Neighbourhood

Hyehwa-dong (혜화동), surrounding the Seoul campus, is one of the city's most underrated neighbourhoods — a low-rise arts district with independent theatres, gallery spaces, excellent street food, and a student population from multiple universities. Far quieter than Sinchon or Hongdae, with a distinctly Korean (rather than international) character.

Ewha Womans University (이화여자대학교)

Ewha is the world's largest women's university, founded in 1886 as Korea's first modern educational institution for women. Its campus — immediately adjacent to Yonsei in Sinchon — is architecturally one of the most striking in Korea: the ECC (Ewha Campus Complex), a vast underground structure designed by French architect Dominique Perrault and opened in 2008, is considered a landmark of contemporary Korean architecture.

Exchange Students: Who Can Apply

Despite its status as a women's university, Ewha accepts exchange students of all genders in most academic programs — particularly in humanities, social sciences, business, and arts. Check with your home university's exchange coordinator for your specific program's eligibility. Some departments (particularly in the College of Education) may have gender-specific enrollment requirements.

Ewha's Strengths

Arts and design — Ewha's College of Fine Arts and Music is considered the best of any Korean women's university; the performance and exhibition opportunities are excellent
Korean Studies and Asian Studies — some of the strongest Korean language and culture programs available to exchange students
Location — same subway stop as Yonsei (Sinchon Station, Line 2), meaning you share the social environment of Seoul's most international student neighbourhood while attending a distinctly Korean institution
The shopping street — Ewha's front gate opens onto one of Seoul's most famous fashion shopping streets; irrelevant to academics but frequently mentioned

The Campus Experience

The campus itself rewards exploration. Beyond the famous ECC (which you should walk through even if you're not enrolled), the traditional wooded sections of the upper campus — particularly in autumn — are genuinely beautiful. Ewha's campus café culture is strong; the campus has its own independent coffee shops that reflect the school's aesthetic sensibility.

The Honest Recommendation

Choose SKKU if you're studying business, engineering, or Korean history and culture, and want a campus with genuine historical depth in a location adjacent to Seoul's traditional centre.

Choose Ewha if you're studying arts, humanities, or Korean Studies, and want an internationally respected institution with a strong campus culture in Seoul's most international student neighbourhood.

Both are excellent universities that receive far less international attention than they deserve.

SKKU & Ewha: Seoul's Other Great Universities for Exchange Students