CSE Engineering Exchange: South Korea
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    Academic year, fall, or spring
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    CSE juniors, seniors
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    On-campus residential halls
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    No language requirement
Map of South Korea with Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) pinned.

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About the location

Pohang is a seaport city in southeastern South Korea with a population of more than 500,000.
 
Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) is devoted to nurturing the leaders who make a difference globally, conducting cutting-edge research with outcomes that transform our daily lives, and directly contributing to the betterment of society through science and technology.
 
Watch the 2023 POSTECH promotional video

Academics

1,400 undergraduate students and 2,100 graduate students work with 450 faculty members and 650 researchers in POSTECH's collaborative and intimate academic community. Unlike traditional university concepts in Korea, POSTECH's 11 undergraduate departments and 21 graduate programs have broken down arbitrary interdepartmental barriers to offer a truly cooperative and immersive experience for all its members.

Students may take classes from a variety of disciplines and levels at POSTECH; however, prerequisites must be met.

Exchange students need to be in a standard full-time course load at POSTECH. However, because of the credit conversion (POSTECH credits transfer back to UMN at a rate of 0.9-to-1), students will need to take a minimum of 14 POSTECH credits.

Find more information about the program on the POSTECH website.

When searching for classes offered at POSTECH, note that they have semesters '1, Summer, 2, Winter.' Semester 1 corresponds to UMN's spring semester, and semester 2 corresponds to UMN's fall semester. Pay attention to the language of instruction ('EN' is English). Click on the course name for more information, and from there you can get the course syllabus.

Find more information about courses on the POSTECH website. 

Examples of some UMN courses that have equivalents at POSTECH and are taught in English:

  • CSCI 4011 Formal Languages and Automata Theory (CSED341 Automata & Formal Languages)
  • CSCI 4041 Algorithms and Data Structures (CSED331 Algorithms)
  • CSCI 4211 Introduction to Computer Networks (CSED353 Computer Network)
  • CSCI 4203 Computer Architecture (CSED311 Computer Architecture)
  • CSCI 4707 Practice of Database Systems (CSED421 Database Systems)
  • CSCI 5161 Introduction to Compilers (CSED423 Design of Compiler)
  • CSCI 5271 Introduction to Computer Security (CSED415 Computer Security)
  • CSCI 5607 (CSED451 Computer Graphics)
  • EE 4231 Linear Control Systems: Designed by Input/Output Methods (EECE322 Intro to Automatic Control)
  • EE 4363 Computer Architecture and Machine Organization (EECE375 Computer Design)
  • EE 4741 Power Electronics (EECE425 AC Power Converters)

 

For a list of current evaluated equivalences, view POSTECH in the Transfer Evaluation System TES public view.

Always double check the updated course availability on POSTECH's website.

Courses with passing final grades from CSE exchange partners transfer back to UMN as transfer credit (T). Transfer credit does not affect overall GPA.

Begin your academic planning by visiting the CSE Learn Abroad website.  Work with the CSE International Programs team, your academic adviser, and your department to create an academic plan that works for you.

Housing & Meals

On-campus housing is guaranteed for exchange students at POSTECH unless chosen otherwise. Students should indicate or apply for on-campus housing when completing POSTECH's application for the exchange program. As housing in South Korea can be extremely expensive, it is highly recommended to apply for on-campus housing. The POSTECH Housing Fee must be paid in full by making a cash deposit to the POSTECH Housing Services account within the first week of the semester. 

More information about student life at POSTECH can be found on the POSTECH website.

Program Fee

Fall / Spring Semester: $10,680 + $6,050 in estimated additional expenses (Fall 2024/Spring 2025)

Academic Year: $20,980 + $10,500 in estimated additional expenses (Academic Year 2024-25)

Total costs of participation can be found on the U of M Abroad website.

Most financial aid may be applied to study abroad. University of Minnesota students are eligible for education abroad scholarships. Visit the U of M Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships pages for more information.

POSTECH International Relations offers a few scholarship opportunities, which can be found on the POSTECH website.

Eligibility

CSE students who are in good academic standing, are juniors or seniors, and have a minimum GPA of 3.00.

POSTECH allows only one computer science student per semester from each exchange partner to be nominated.

Academic Calendar

First Semester (Fall Semester): Early/mid September to mid December*

Second Semester (Spring Semester): Mid February to early June*

*Note that exchange students may be required to arrive earlier for orientation

Program dates are subject to change. Contact our office or refer to acceptance materials for arrival information before arranging any flights.

Find more information on the POSTECH academic calendar.

Application Dates & Deadlines

Interested students must be nominated by CSE prior to formally applying for exchange. To be nominated, first have a conversation with CSE International Programs about your interest in the program. Then, email a copy of your passport to [email protected], stating the program and term you would like to be nominated for. After your nomination is accepted by the host institution, you will receive instructions on how to complete their application. Students accepted by the host institution will also be prompted to complete the University of Minnesota application and confirmation procedure. 

Nomination deadlines: March 1 (fall & academic year); Sept. 13 (spring)

Application deadlines: March 31 (fall & academic year); Sept. 30 (spring)

Seeking nomination from CSE International Programs should be done in advance of the above host institution's nomination deadline. Completion of application early is highly recommended.