Minimum mark 60%
Level Undergraduate
Language/s All teaching is in English
Agreement Scope Faculty of Sciences
Exchange Places 1 full year place for 2026/27
About:
Gwangju Institute of Science & Technology (GIST) is a research-oriented university focused on science and technology that was founded in 1993.
Highlights:
GIST boasts the Nobel Research Centre, where Nobel Laureates serve as directors to conduct joint research with GIST researchers. GIST research specialisms include Advanced Photonics, Solar and Sustainable Energies, Culture Technology, Laser Science, Biomedical Research, Environmental Research, and Artificial Intelligence.
GIST emphasises small-group teaching, with an average 10:1 ratio of teachers to students (as of 2022).
Location:
Gwangju is a city in the southwest corner of South Korea, the sixth-largest metropolis. GIST offers the unique opportunity to study with renowned faculty members along with the chance to explore Korea’s Honam region with easy access to the rest of the country.
Courses / Modules:
GIST is not a suitable destination for Psychology. Physics and Chemistry research project options are not available at undergraduate level.
Modules search - A range of taught undergraduate modules are suitable for York students from the Faculty of Sciences. Students must meet all prerequisites for a module in order to enroll. While the grading criteria may vary depending on modules, the general type of assessments include attendance, test, research reports, learning attitude, assignments and exams (mid-term and final).
Credit (Full-time Load per semester):
You must take a full credit load while on exchange.
12 GIST credits is the equivalent to 60 York credits and 24 is the equivalent to 120 York credits.
Most modules at GIST are worth 3 GIST credits each.
Teaching Periods:
The academic year at GIST is divided into 2 semesters:
Fall semester - September to December
Spring semester - March to June
Language: All teaching will be in English.
Accommodation:
Dormitory accommodations will be provided to all exchange students. The room is for 2 people (twin sharing), furnished with beds, closets, desks, and chairs. Blankets and pillows are not included, and can be rented for USD $20 per month. Shared facilities include restrooms, showers, study rooms, washing machines, clothes, dryer, and a lobby.
Orientation / Welcome week:
Orientation is usually held in early August for international students starting in the Fall Semester. During orientation, students receive various information regarding academic information, GIST campus life, Immigration etc. Also, there will be additional orientation provided by GIST's international student organisation (GISA).
York students should arrive two weeks prior to the beginning of the semester to attend the compulsory orientation.
Support Services:
Disability support may be different to what York can offer, so please contact GIST if you have any specific questions about the support you may need.
Visas:
You may need a visa to study in South Korea. If you are a UK National you must refer to the FCDO Travel Advice page for South Korea to check on any visa requirements, and raise any queries directly with the relevant embassy/consulate. If you are not a UK national you should check equivalent advice for your home country.
GIST states that all applicants who are not Korean need a visa to study in Korea. In order to get a visa, you must apply for one with the original certificate of admission issued by GIST at the embassy or consulate of the Republic of Korea in your home country.
Travel insurance:
If you are approved by the University of York to participate in this program, you will be covered by the University's Travel Insurance Policy. This is a complimentary policy to cover you for the duration of your University of York mobility experience. Please refer to the Insurance website for all travel insurance queries. You may be required to obtain health insurance valid during your exchange.
Health insurance:
Korean National Health Insurance (KNHI) is mandatory for international students who are staying over 90 days. The cost is approximately USD $40 per month (as of 2023). All incoming exchange students must acquire health insurance that covers them during the full duration of their stay overseas either privately or via KNHI.
You could be the first University of York student to study at and share your experiences of GIST! Please read the student experiences on some of our other sites as a guide.
Please note: these tips have been provided by students who have studied abroad in South Korea - Global Opportunities recommends that you use these as a guide only and do your own research on what is best for you.
Money and Banking:
I created a Korean bank account.
Monzo and other similar online banking providers are a good option to consider in order to pay for things while abroad without incurring international transaction fees.
Staying Connected:
I had to buy a prepaid monthly SIM card because other SIM cards aren't available to foreigners.
SIM cards can be preordered to your home address or to be picked up at the airport - I found this to give me a bit of peace of mind that my phone service was already sorted before arriving in Korea.
e-SIMs can be a good alternative.
Food:
Cafeteria had good and cheap food.
Groceries, particularly items like fruit and imported goods, can be very expensive so eating out at restaurants often works out cheaper than cooking at home.
Paperwork and bureaucracy:
There wasn't much paperwork to do at all.
What I wished I'd known...:
Classes are a lot more difficult than at York and professors don't help as much.
The teaching style is a lot more like lectures and less discussion-based like seminars at York. You're expected to revise and go over content in your own time.
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