DEGREE PROGRAM
KAIST
Daejeon
Electrical Engineering; semiconductor system engineering
Korea's leading science and technology university, with many international graduate students.
- FUNDING
- GKS, lab assistantships
- LANGUAGE
- English common
Home / Institutes / South Korea
INSTITUTES · SOUTH KOREA
Studying semiconductors in South Korea
Korea's top universities work closely with Samsung and SK hynix, including contract departments where the company funds students and guarantees jobs on graduation. For international students, KAIST, SNU and POSTECH graduate programs with GKS scholarships are the usual way in.
- 6PROGRAMS LISTED
- GKSMAIN SCHOLARSHIP
- ContractCOMPANY-FUNDED DEPARTMENTS
- KoreanHELPS FOR JOBS
Checked by hand, last reviewed October 2026. Program names, fees and intakes change, so confirm on each institute's official site.
THE LANDSCAPE
Universities tied directly to the memory giants
KAIST, Seoul National University and POSTECH lead in semiconductor research. SKKU and Yonsei run Samsung-sponsored semiconductor departments, and Korea University runs one with SK hynix: students get funding and a job, in exchange for working for the sponsor.
Contract departments are mainly for Korean undergraduates. International students usually enter graduate programs at KAIST, SNU or POSTECH, many funded by the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) or lab assistantships.
Graduate courses often teach in English, but Korean (TOPIK) matters for jobs at Korean companies.
ADMISSIONS AT A GLANCE
How admission works in Korea
| Degree | Master's (2 years), PhD, or integrated MS-PhD. |
|---|---|
| Entry | Direct application, or through the GKS scholarship route. |
| Intake | Spring (March) and Fall (September). |
| Cost | Tuition is often covered by GKS or lab funding. |
| After graduating | Job-seeker visa and work visas; Korean language helps a lot. |
Fees, thresholds and deadlines change every year. Treat these as orientation and confirm on the official sites before you apply.
DIRECTORY
All 6 programs and institutes, filterable
Filter by type, or search a name, city, role or technology. Every link goes to the organisation's own site, not a job board.
Showing all 6
UNIVERSITIES
University programs
DEGREE PROGRAM
Seoul National University (SNU)
Seoul
Electrical and Computer Engineering; semiconductor research
Korea's top university, home to the Inter-university Semiconductor Research Center.
- FUNDING
- GKS, lab
- LANGUAGE
- English / Korean
DEGREE PROGRAM
POSTECH
Pohang
Electrical Engineering; semiconductor engineering
Small, research-heavy and well funded.
- FUNDING
- Lab funding
- LANGUAGE
- English common
DEGREE PROGRAM
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)
Suwon / Seoul
Semiconductor Systems Engineering (Samsung-sponsored)
Samsung's long-running contract department.
- SPONSOR
- Samsung
- FOR
- Mainly Korean undergrads
DEGREE PROGRAM
Yonsei University
Seoul
System Semiconductor Engineering (Samsung-sponsored)
Samsung contract department focused on system semiconductors.
- SPONSOR
- Samsung
- FOR
- Mainly Korean undergrads
DEGREE PROGRAM
Korea University
Seoul
Semiconductor Engineering (SK hynix-sponsored)
SK hynix contract department.
- SPONSOR
- SK hynix
- FOR
- Mainly Korean undergrads
Nothing matches that. Try a broader word, or clear the filter.
AFTER THE DEGREE
From Korean degree to a job
- Join a lab with industry projectsSamsung- and SK hynix-funded labs lead to jobs.
- Learn KoreanTOPIK level 4+ opens far more roles.
- Apply in Korea's hiring roundsLarge spring and autumn recruiting cycles.
KEEP GOING
Related guides
FAQ
Common questions
What is a contract department?
A university department sponsored by a company such as Samsung or SK hynix. Students receive funding and a job offer on graduation in return for working for the sponsor for a set period. They are mainly for Korean students.
Can Indian students study semiconductors in Korea?
Yes, mostly at graduate level through KAIST, SNU, POSTECH and others, often with a GKS scholarship or lab funding.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Studying VLSI already?
Turn coursework into interview answers. Free question banks across 18 domains, and a free live session every month.