# Sejong University

Sejong University (SJU; Korean: 세종대학교; Hanja: 世宗大學校; RR: Sejong Daehakgyo) is a private research university located in Seoul, South Korea, known for its standing in hospitality and tourism management, dancing, animation and rhythmic gymnastics. Founded as the Kyung Sung Humanities Institute, it was renamed in 1978 to its present name in honor of Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty and overseer of the creation of the Korean alphabet Hangul. Over the years, the university expanded its academic programs and facilities, including the establishment of its main building in 1987 and the Sejong Museum in 1973. It has developed into a comprehensive university, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

## History
### Beginnings (1940–1987)

The history of Sejong University began in May 1940 when the Kyung Sung Humanities Institute was founded by Dr. Youngha Choo and Dr. Okja Choi. In 1947 the institute grew into the Seoul Women's College of Education, with Dr. Choo as its first director; the following year it was reorganized and became a junior college. In 1948, the institution was reorganized into the Seoul College of Education for Family and Nursing. In 1954 the school became Soodo Women Teachers' College. The college became a four-year institution in 1961 and in 1962 moved to its present campus in Gunja-dong. In 1966 the Graduate School was established. In 1973, the Soodo Museum (now Sejong University Museum), established to house the founders' collection of Korean antiquities, opened its doors to the public. In 1979 Soodo Women Teachers' College changed its name to Sejong College and admitted male undergraduates for the first time.

### 1987–2000

In October 1987, Sejong College grew into Sejong University, consisting of five colleges with an enrollment of 6,000 students. In 1996, Dr. Choo Myung-Gun became chairman of the board of trustees. That year saw the establishment of two new graduate schools (the Graduate School of Information and Communication and the Graduate School of Education) and four new engineering departments (Electronic Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, and the evening division of Computer Engineering), as well as a Ph.D. program in Hotel Management and master's programs in Public Administration, Applied Statistics, and Computer Engineering. Total enrollment rose to over 7,000 by the fall semester of 1997 and since then enrollment has increased by about 1,000 new students each year. In 1998, the College of Tourism and the department of Biological Engineering were founded. Construction began on five new buildings, including the library, the chapel, and the engineering laboratories.
In 1999, three new graduate schools were added: Software Engineering, Science and Technology, and Performance Art Administration. The Materials Engineering department was established.
As a result of a cooperative agreement with Lockheed Martin Aerospace, the Sejong-Lockheed Martin Aerospace Research Center was founded to promote the development of the Korean aerospace industry, and similar agreements to cooperate in the development of science and technology were made with Hanaro Communication, Hansol PCS, Onse Communication, and Prime Company.
In 2000, the Graduate Schools of Film Art and Techno Design were founded; the Graduate School of Business Administration became the Graduate School of Global Business Administration; the College of Tourism became the College of Hotels and Tourism. The new Library opened, housing more than 400,000 volumes; it is the first WTO library in Korea.

### 2001–present

In 2001 a collaborative relationship was established with the Korea Science and Culture Foundation. Two new programs taught in English opened: an M.A program in Asian Studies, and a Global M.B.A. program operated jointly by Sejong University and Syracuse University in the United States. In January 2002 a University Development Advisory Board, composed of the CEOs of 30 major Korean firms, was founded to strengthen the university's ties to industry. In 2002, the education Reform Deliberation Commission officially awarded Sejong University for successfully restructuring and renovating university. In 2004, the Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development recognized Sejong University for excellence in promoting originality, innovation, and academic achievement. In 2007, the Graduate School of Business received certification from the Association of Advanced Collegiate Schools of Business.

## Rankings and recognition

2001: JoongAng Daily, one of the country's premier dailies, chose Sejong the “Most Remarkably Improved” university among 123 universities in South Korea. The Daily ranked the university at No. 16 overall in its 2002 University Listing. In 2008, the university was ranked No. 9 by the Daily among universities without medical schools and No. 4 in Faculty Research Accomplishments.
2007: the university Business Administration Department became the fourth AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business) accredited business school in the country, following Seoul National University, Korea University and KAIST.
In the QS Asian University Rankings 2010: Top 200, Sejong University was ranked 181st among universities in Asia and 39th in Korea.
2010: MoEST named Sejong University one of the Best Universities Educational Reform.
2012: Ranked No. 40 among universities in South Korea by JoongAng Daily.
2013: Ranked No. 26 among universities in South Korea by JoongAng Daily.
2014: Ranked No. 4 in South Korea and No. 24 in Asia among small and medium-sized universities without a medical school by Chosun Ilbo-QS
2015: Ranked No. 4 in South Korea and No. 18 in Asia among small and medium-sized universities without a medical school by Chosun Ilbo-QS
2016: Entered the QS Asia University Rankings Top 100 for the first time at 93rd place. Additionally, in the 2016-2017 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, conducted by the British higher education evaluation institution Times Higher Education (THE), Sejong University was ranked 12th in South Korea and placed in the 501+ range globally.
2017: Ranked 12th in South Korea in the 2018 THE World University Rankings, 88th in Asia in the 2017 QS Asia University Rankings, and 5th in South Korea in the Leiden Ranking.
2018: Ranked 11th in South Korea in the 2019 THE World University Rankings. In the 2018 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management was ranked 1st in South Korea. Additionally, Sejong University ranked 1st among comprehensive universities in South Korea in the 2018 Leiden Ranking.
2019: Ranked 10th in South Korea in the 2020 THE World University Rankings. In the 2019 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the Department of Physics and Astronomy was ranked 8th in South Korea. Sejong University also retained its 1st place ranking among comprehensive universities in South Korea in the 2019 Leiden Ranking for the second consecutive year.
2020: Ranked 11th in South Korea in the 2020 THE Asia University Rankings. In the 2020 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering was ranked 7th in South Korea. Sejong University also maintained its 1st place ranking among comprehensive universities in South Korea in the 2020 Leiden Ranking for the third consecutive year.
2021: Ranked 46th in Asia in the 2021 THE Asia University Rankings, marking the highest ranking increase in Asia (from 78th to 46th place). In the 2022 QS Asia University Rankings, it was ranked 81st in Asia and 11th in South Korea. Additionally, Sejong University retained its 1st place ranking among comprehensive universities in South Korea in the 2021 Leiden Ranking for the fourth consecutive year.
2022: Ranked 8th in South Korea in the 2023 THE World University Rankings. It also maintained its 1st place ranking among comprehensive universities in South Korea in the 2022 Leiden Ranking for the fifth consecutive year.
2023: Ranked 8th in South Korea in the 2024 THE World University Rankings and 76th in Asia in the 2024 QS Asia University Rankings.
2024: Ranked 7th in South Korea in the 2025 THE World University Rankings. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management was ranked 43rd globally. Sejong University also ranked 1st in South Korea in the 2024 Leiden Ranking.
2025: Ranked 4th in South Korea in the field of Social Sciences in the 2025 THE World University Rankings by Subject.

## Affiliated institutions
### Sejong University Library

Established in 1947, the library was renovated as a 12-story building in 2000. It houses 840,000 books, 1,500 journal subscriptions, 20,000 e-journals and 23,000 e-books. It has reading rooms with 3,200 seats and group study areas. It is the first WTO library in Korea.

### Continuing Education Center

The Continuing Education Center complements the education provided by existing universities and offers open and lifelong learning opportunities. It deals with the Sejong Global Program for Studying Abroad, Specialized Program for Casino Dealer Course, Digital Contents, Culinary and Food Service Business, Hotel Business, Physical Education, Music (Piano) and runs a bachelor's degree program based on Academic Credit Bank System.

### Information Services & Technology Center

The Information Services & Technology Center (ITSC) provides information technology support and its related services for all Sejong students, faculty, and staff. Support and services include operation and maintenance of the IT infrastructure such as leading-edge wired and wireless networks, servers, etc., protection of administrative and academic systems and their data, and development and operation of the unified system of the university information technologies.

### The Sejong International Language Institute

Sejong International Language Institute provides language programs for three languages: Korean, English and Chinese. The language programs being offered are Korean language programs at six levels (beginner's, Intermediate and advanced); English as Second language programs (English for Specific Purpose, English for Global Communication skills in Business, and English for Global leaders); Chinese language programs (Chinese Character class and Chinese for Communication skills in Business).

## Academics
### Schools and Major

Sejong University has nine colleges: College of Liberal Arts, College of Social Sciences, College of Business & Economics, College of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Faculty of Law, College of Natural Sciences, College of Life Sciences, College of AI Convergence, College of Engineering, College of Arts and Physical Education, features a Faculty of General Education and seven graduate schools.

### Undergraduate schools

* College of Liberal Arts: Korean Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Japanese Language and Literature, Chinese Trade and Commerce, History, Education
* College of Social Sciences: Public Administration, Media and Communication
* College of Business and Economics: Business Administration, Economics
* College of Hospitality and Tourism Management: Hospitality and Tourism Management, Food Service Management, Franchise Management of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism, Global Culinary Art and Pastry
* Faculty of Law: Law
* College of Natural Sciences: Mathematics and Statistics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Chemistry
* College of Life Sciences: Food Science and Biotechnology, Integrative Bioscience and Biotechnology, Bioresources Engineering
* College of AI Convergence: Department of Electrical Engineering, Semiconductor Systems Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Computer and Information Security, Software, Department of Artificial Intelligence Data Science, Unmanned Vehicle Engineering, Smart Device Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Innovation Design, Comics and Animation Technology
* College of Engineering: Architectural Engineering, Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Energy, Mineral Resources, and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Engineering, Quantum and Nuclear Engineering, Defence Systems Engineering, Aerospace System Engineering
* College of Arts and Physical Education: Painting, Fashion Design, Music, Physical Education, Dance, Film Art
Sejong University also houses the Daeyang Humanity College, a center dedicated to the core principles of liberal arts education. The college focuses on cultivating a deep understanding of human nature, society, and culture, emphasizing the timeless relevance of the humanities in navigating and shaping a rapidly changing world. Through diverse courses in the humanities, the Daeyang Humanity College aims to develop students' ability to critically analyze the reasons behind change, effectively communicate with others, and build a foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability.

### Graduate schools

* Graduate School of Sejong University
* Graduate School of Business
* Graduate School of Public Policy
* Graduate School of Education
* Graduate School of Tourism
* Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Arts
* Graduate School of Industry

### International programs

* Exchange Student Programs
* Dual Degree Programs (the University of Winchester, UK; Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China)
* Joint Sejong-Syracuse MBA Program (Syracuse University, United States)
* Summer Program (Johnson & Wales University, United States)
* Short-term Language Program (Marylhurst University, United States; The University of Winchester, UK

## Notable people
### Alumni

* Chungha, singer
* Gong Hyo-jin, actress
* Guus Hiddink, football coach
* Kino (singer), singer (PENTAGON)
* Han Ji-hye, actress
* Kang In-soo, singer (Myname)
* Kang Shin-hyo, actor
* Kim Bo-mi, actress and singer (M.I.L.K.)
* Kim Hee-chan, actor
* Kim So-hye, actress and singer
* Kim Sung-eun, actress
* Kyeon Mi-ri, actress and singer
* Lee Ah-hyun, actress
* Lee Da-hee, actress
* Lee Joon-ik, film director
* Lee Se-eun, actress
* Lee Seo-won, actor
* Lee Junho, actor and singer (2PM)
* Nam In-soon, activist and politician
* Oh Chang-seok, actor
* Park Hee-von, actress and singer (M.I.L.K.)
* Park Sung-woo, Produce 101 Season 2
* Shim Ji-ho, actor
* Shin Hye-sun, actress
* Shin Soo-ji, rhythmic gymnast
* Song Geon-hee, actor
* Song Hye-kyo, actress
* Yang Seung-ho, singer (MBLAQ)
* Yeon Woo-jin, actor
* Yoo Ha, film director, screenwriter and poet
* Yoo Yeon-seok, actor
* Yoon Jin-yi, actress
* Yoon Young-ah, actress

### Faculty

The university has nationally renowned celebrities on faculty. They include:
* Han Su-san, Korean language and literature, writer, author of a number of bestselling novels, including Bucho (English title: Floating Grass, 1977); Raven (2003); and For Forgiveness (2010);
* Lee Hyun-se, cartoon and animation; received the Presidential Award for Cartoons; chairs the Korean Cartoonists Association; best known for Armageddon; Mythology of the Heavens; and Nambul: War Stories;
* Lee Soon-jae, Chair Professor, film art, TV/film actor; best known for his award-winning role in High Kick! (2007);