Korea University’s global vision recognized with top spot in new university rankings

Korea University's main building / Courtesy of Korea University

Graphic by Bae So-young

Korea University has solidified its position as a leader in the globalization of Korean higher education, taking the top spot in K-Universities Global Excellence Rankings 2026 (KGER) — a new evaluation assessing how effectively Korean universities are adapting to an increasingly borderless academic landscape.

Launched this year, the rankings are designed to serve as a reliable guide for international students considering Korea as a study destination, while helping local universities gauge and strengthen their global competitiveness. Developed by The Korea Times in cooperation with external experts, the assessment is based entirely on verified data from the Ministry of Education and Naver Scholytics, ensuring both transparency and credibility.

The rankings assessed 54 universities nationwide across four categories — 60 points for education, 50 for research, 40 for student support and 40 for graduate outcomes.

The university topped the list with an overall score of 144.86 points, outperforming Seoul National University and Yonsei University. It ranked first in education, fifth in research and second in both student support and graduate outcomes, demonstrating balanced excellence across all areas of evaluation.

Under the slogan “We Are the Next,” Korea University has been advancing a broad globalization strategy with the goal of joining the world’s top 30 universities. In September last year, it launched its Global Campus initiative, outlining plans to build an inclusive academic, research and administrative environment designed to better serve international students.

The university operates the K-Club research network, which brings together more than 100 distinguished scholars from around the world, and has strengthened global collaboration through joint research with leading institutions such as Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University College London, the National University of Singapore and Peking University.

In addition, the university has expanded customized support for its growing international community, building dormitories exclusively for foreign students, introducing halal-certified dining options and expanding Muslim prayer facilities. It also provides international student assistants, a buddy program and one-on-one academic coaching, while further globalizing its curriculum through new undergraduate programs tailored for international students.

International students participate in a special program in this file photo. Courtesy of Korea University

“The Korea University Buddy Assistants (KUBA) buddies helped us immerse in Korean culture, and the Global Services Center guided us through every step, from paperwork to our first classes,” said Maria Kotova, an exchange student from Russia.

The university has also globalized its administrative system, introducing bilingual documentation and artificial intelligence (AI) translation training for staff to improve accessibility and communication across the campus.

As a result of these efforts, the number of international students at Korea University reached 6,240 last year, making up 22.8 percent of its total enrollment.

These achievements were also recognized in the KGER results, which place strong emphasis on internationalization and the academic environment.

“In Korea, university rankings are often seen from a local, academic perspective rather than through the eyes of international students,” said Mogtaba Musa, a junior student from Sudan studying mechanical engineering at Korea University, highlighting that the result of the new rankings reflects what international students actually feel. "At Korea University, we’ve always felt supported through mentoring programs, language training and even halal food options, which show how the campus is becoming truly global.”

Korea University has also tailored its curriculum to align with its globalization strategy. It established the School of Global Entertainment to train future experts in K-content and launched the Global Open Major Division to provide broader opportunities for interdisciplinary exploration.

In partnership with SK Group, the university also runs the SK Global Scholarship Program, offering full scholarships and specialized education in semiconductor and AI-related fields — key sectors driving Korea’s digital transformation.

Following the university’s top spot in KGER, Korea University President Kim Dong-one said the achievement reflects the collective efforts of the entire university community, which turned challenges such as a shrinking student population and the rise of artificial intelligence into opportunities for growth.

“We will continue to strengthen global cooperation and innovation to become not only the most preferred university among international students but also an indispensable global institution,” he said.