Many Korean universities allow students to pursue a second major, minor, interdisciplinary major, or change their first major, but the systems are not standardized. Eligibility, application timing, credit requirements, quotas, excluded departments, and graduation rules differ by university. International students should check the academic regulations that apply to their university, department, and admission track before changing their study plan.
Your major at a Korean university does not always have to remain exactly the same for four years.
Depending on the university, you may be able to add a second major, complete a minor, enter an interdisciplinary major, or transfer to another department.
These options can be useful if your interests change after entering university or if you want to combine two academic fields.
However, there is no single national system. Each university sets its own eligibility rules, application periods, credit requirements, quotas, and restrictions.
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Double Major, Minor, and Change of Major Are Different
These terms describe different academic choices.
A double major generally means completing substantial major requirements in two fields.
A minor means completing a smaller set of courses in another field while keeping your original major as the main degree focus.
A change of major or department transfer means replacing your original major with a new one.
Universities may also offer interdisciplinary or student-designed majors that combine courses from several departments.
Do not assume that these options have the same application rules.
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Can International Students Apply?
In general, once an international student is enrolled as a regular undergraduate, university academic regulations apply to that student’s degree planning unless the university or a specific international program states otherwise.
However, international colleges, special admission tracks, professional programs, and certain departments may have separate restrictions.
Always check both the university-wide regulations and the rules of your own college or program.
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Double Majors at Seoul National University
Seoul National University’s current academic guidance allows students to apply for a double major after registering for more than two regular semesters and earning at least 33 credits.
Students completing a double major generally need 39 credits of major coursework specified by each relevant department and a GPA of at least 2.0 in the applicable major requirements.
SNU also limits how many overlapping credits can be counted toward both majors.
This is a useful example of why adding a second major requires careful credit planning rather than simply taking a few extra electives.
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Minors at Seoul National University
SNU currently describes a minor as requiring at least 21 credits in another major.
Students can apply after more than two regular semesters and at least 33 earned credits, and the university states that students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 for the minor requirements.
Courses taken before formal approval may still be recognized toward the minor when they meet the applicable rules.
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Yonsei University Uses Different Rules
Yonsei University’s current general undergraduate regulations show a different structure.
Students can apply for a double major from the time they are promoted to their first major department until one semester before their graduation semester.
Yonsei states that double-major students generally need at least 36 credits in each major, including required courses, although individual departments can impose additional requirements.
Its current minor standard is generally at least 21 credits, again subject to department rules.
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Korea University Treats the Second Major as an Important Degree Choice
Korea University’s current academic information describes a double major as completing a second major while continuing the first major, allowing students to earn two bachelor’s degrees upon graduation.
Students who have declared their first major and have been enrolled for more than three semesters can generally apply, while transfer students can apply after their second semester at Korea University.
Applications are currently scheduled around May and November, subject to the detailed academic calendar.
Korea University also states that students admitted from the 2004 academic year onward generally must complete either an intensive first major or an approved second-major option such as a double or interdisciplinary major.
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A Minor Is Not Available Everywhere
Do not assume every Korean university currently offers a minor system.
For example, Korea University’s registrar states that its minor program was eliminated beginning with the 2021 academic year.
At the same time, SNU and Yonsei continue to publish minor requirements.
This illustrates an important point: the word ‘minor’ may be common internationally, but the option itself is university-specific in Korea.
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Interdisciplinary and Student-Designed Majors
Some universities offer options beyond the traditional double major.
Korea University, for example, currently offers interdisciplinary majors and student-designed majors as recognized second-major options.
Its student-designed major allows a student to build an individualized curriculum using subjects from three or more departments, subject to approval and eligibility rules.
SNU also offers interdisciplinary or combined-major structures.
These options can be useful if your academic interests do not fit neatly into one existing department.
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Changing Your First Major Is a Bigger Decision
Changing your first major is different from adding a second major.
When you change majors, your academic home becomes a different department.
This can affect graduation requirements, required courses, previously earned credits, academic advising, and the amount of time you need to finish the degree.
Before applying, calculate whether your remaining semesters are sufficient to complete the new curriculum.
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SNU Change-of-Major Example
Seoul National University’s current department-transfer rules generally require students to have registered for at least four semesters and earned credits equivalent to completion of the second year, currently 65 credits.
SNU states that the number of students allowed to change into a department may not exceed 20% of that department’s admission capacity.
It also restricts transfer into or out of certain professional colleges and applies special rules to the College of Education.
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Yonsei Change-of-Major Example
Yonsei University’s general undergraduate regulations currently allow eligible students to apply for a change of affiliation after completing at least three semesters and until the second semester of the third year.
Students who have completed more than six semesters cannot apply under the general rule.
Yonsei also excludes some departments and uses department-level quotas.
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Korea University Department Transfer Example
Korea University’s current intra-campus department transfer system allows eligible students to apply to change their first major within the university.
Its general requirements currently include having taken between one and eight semesters, completing at least six major credits in the current department, and satisfying the additional requirements of both the current and target departments.
Korea University states that a department transfer can be made only once and that the student must meet the graduation requirements of the new department after transfer.
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Not Every Department Is Open
Professional and highly regulated programs often have restrictions.
Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, education, contracted departments, and other specialized areas may limit or prohibit double majors or department transfers.
Even where a university allows double majors generally, an individual department may not accept applicants in a particular semester.
Check the list of eligible departments before building your plan around a second major.
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Admission to a Second Major May Be Competitive
A double-major application is not always automatically approved.
Universities or departments can consider GPA, available capacity, a statement of purpose, interview results, completed courses, or other criteria.
Korea University currently states that evaluation standards can include GPA, interviews, and statements of purpose depending on the college. Yonsei also uses department-level capacity limits for double majors.
Your first-year academic performance can therefore affect the options available later.
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A Second Major Can Delay Graduation
A double major adds additional required coursework.
If many credits overlap poorly between the two majors, you may need extra semesters to complete both sets of requirements.
SNU specifically notes that students with multiple majors may enroll for up to two additional academic semesters under its rules.
Even when an additional semester is not formally required, course sequencing and prerequisites can make a four-year plan difficult.
Build a semester-by-semester credit plan before applying.
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Overlapping Credits Have Limits
A course may sometimes count toward both majors, but universities can limit this.
SNU currently allows overlapping courses in the curricula of two majors to be recognized under specified limits, including a cap on overlapping major credits.
Other universities use their own rules.
Do not assume one course automatically reduces the credit requirement for both majors.
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Changing Majors Can Make Old Credits Less Useful
When you move to a new department, courses from your original major may become general electives rather than required major credits.
Some courses may still be recognized by the new department, especially if they are part of both curricula.
But you should expect the new department’s graduation rules to control your degree after the change.
Korea University explicitly states that students who transfer departments must satisfy the graduation requirements of the new department.
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Think About Career Value, Not Only Academic Interest
A second major can be useful when two fields reinforce each other.
Examples might include:
Business + Data Science / Economics + Mathematics / Media + Design / International Studies + Korean Studies / Computer Science + Business
But adding another major does not automatically make you more employable.
Consider whether the additional coursework will genuinely strengthen your academic or career direction, or simply increase your workload.
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Do Not Add a Double Major Only for Prestige
Students sometimes choose a second major because another department is considered more prestigious.
This can be a weak reason if you do not actually want to study the subject.
A double major can require dozens of additional credits, advanced courses, group projects, and graduation requirements.
Choose it because the field supports your goals, not because the department name looks impressive on a transcript.
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When a Minor May Be Better
Where available, a minor can be a good option when you want structured exposure to another field without completing the full requirements of a second major.
Because the credit requirement is generally smaller, a minor may fit more easily within a four-year graduation plan.
However, not every university offers minors, and the academic recognition of a minor differs from a full second major.
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When Changing Majors May Be Better
Changing your first major may be better than adding a second major when you realize that your original field is no longer the right academic direction.
For example, if you entered one department but discover after several semesters that your long-term goal requires a very different curriculum, completing two majors just to preserve the original one may not make sense.
Before changing, compare the remaining graduation time, credit loss, scholarship impact, and eligibility rules.
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Check Scholarship and Visa Consequences
Changing your academic plan can affect scholarship conditions.
A scholarship may be tied to a specific college, department, academic program, or minimum number of credits.
International students should also make sure their university records and immigration information remain accurate when their academic affiliation changes.
Before finalizing a department transfer, ask the international office whether any visa or reporting procedure applies to your situation.
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Use Academic Advising Before You Apply
Major changes are exactly the type of decision where academic advising is useful.
Bring your transcript and proposed study plan to your department or academic advisor.
Ask:
Which credits will count? / How many semesters will I need? / Which required courses are offered only once a year? / Can I still graduate on time? / Will my scholarship be affected?
Korea University currently encourages students to use academic advising before applying for second majors or department transfers.
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Build a Credit Plan First
Before applying for a second major, minor, or department transfer, create a semester-by-semester plan.
Include:
Current completed credits / remaining first-major requirements / second-major or minor requirements / prerequisites / general education / language requirements / graduation project / expected final semester
If the plan does not fit comfortably, reconsider whether the academic option is worth extending your degree.
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FAQ
Can international students double major at Korean universities?
Often yes, once enrolled as regular undergraduate students, but eligibility and restrictions depend on the university, department, and admission track.
How many credits does a double major require?
There is no national standard. SNU currently generally requires 39 major credits for each relevant major, while Yonsei generally states at least 36 credits in each major, subject to department rules.
How many credits does a minor require?
Where a minor system exists, 21 credits is common at institutions such as SNU and Yonsei. Korea University states that its minor program was eliminated beginning in 2021.
Can I completely change my first major?
Many universities have a department-transfer or change-of-affiliation system, but application timing, quotas, and excluded departments vary.
Can I change into any major I want?
No. Professional and restricted departments may be excluded, and departments can impose their own capacity and academic requirements.
Will a double major delay graduation?
It can. Additional credits, prerequisites, and course scheduling may require extra semesters.
Do all credits from my old major count after changing majors?
No. Some may count toward the new major or general electives, but you must satisfy the graduation rules of your new department.
Is a double major better than a minor?
Not automatically. A double major provides deeper study but requires substantially more coursework. A minor can be more practical if you only want a secondary area of specialization.
When should I decide?
Explore options during your first semesters, but check the university’s eligibility window carefully. Some major-change applications are no longer available after a certain number of semesters.
What should I do before applying?
Review the official academic regulations, calculate your remaining credits, and discuss the plan with your department or academic advisor.
