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Korea National Open University

Korea National Open University (KNOU, Korean: 한국방송통신대학교) is a national university of South Korea. The school provides higher education including undergraduate, graduate and non-degree programs as well as distance-learning courses in Korean for more than 180,000 students. It was established in 1972[4] as a branch faculty of Seoul National University, with 2-year junior college courses. In 1982, KNOU was separated from SNU and established as a national university, launching programs for 4-year undergraduate degrees. As of 2009, the university has 46 offices and regional learning centres nationwide, and domestic cable television channel (OUN) for broadcasting lectures.[5] It provides accredited bachelor's and master's degree for various fields, as well as non-degree qualifications such as diplomas and certificates, or life-long learning units. The school's main campus is located in Daehak-ro, Jongro-gu, Seoul.

Korea National Open University
TypeNational (Public)
Established1972; 53 years ago (1972)
PresidentSoo-no Ryu, Ph.D.
Academic staff
150 (2011)[1]
Students94,656 (2023)
Undergraduates92,079 (2023)[2]
Postgraduates2,577 (2023)[3]
Location
Seoul (Main Campus), Regional centers nationwide
,
South Korea

37°34′44″N 127°00′10″E / 37.5790°N 127.0028°E / 37.5790; 127.0028
Campus86 Daehak-ro, Jongro-gu, Seoul, Korea
ColorsBlue
Websitewww.knou.ac.kr
Logotype of Korea National Open University
Korea National Open University
Hangul
한국방송통신대학교
Hanja
韓國放送通信大學校
Revised RomanizationHanguk Bangsong Tongsin Daehakgyo
McCune–ReischauerHan'guk Pangsong T'ongsin Taehakkyo

With more than 180,000 students enrolled,[6] including 700 postgraduate students, KNOU is the first Open university, distance and lifelong educational institution of South Korea, and the largest educational institution in the country by enrollment. Since its foundation, more than 500,000 students have been enrolled, and 350,000 students graduated[6] from the university. According to university data, the university graduation rate as of 2021 is 42%, which is an increase from the 30% graduation rate in 2011. Most undergraduate students must complete procedures such as a graduation thesis and official language test scores (e.g. TOEIC) to graduate from the department.[7]

The graduation rate of Korea National Open University has increased over time. Before the widespread use of personal computers and smartphones, students participated in classes through radio or television, which made active learning and engagement difficult. However, as personal computers and smartphones became commonplace in South Korea, participation in learning became much more convenient. Additionally, the preference for remote classes has risen since COVID-19, leading to an increase in enrollment among younger populations in their 20s and 30s.

History

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KNOU was founded in 1972 as a branch of Seoul National University. It began by offering a two-year junior college program to 12,000 students and now has over 200,000 full-time, degree-seeking students for four-year university programs and some part-time students for non-degree, lifelong education programs. It also offers online graduate programs for several major areas.

Education

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Students who meet certain qualifications may pursue a double major. However, if they fail to complete the graduation requirements set by the department, such as a graduation thesis, they will not be able to graduate even if their first major meets the graduation requirements.

The university includes four colleges:

  • College of Liberal Arts
  • College of Social Science
  • College of Natural Science
  • College of Education

It also includes seventeen graduate schools:

Campus

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The university has campuses in every major city of South Korea. Cities which have KNOU campuses include: Seoul, Daejeon-Chungnam, Busan, Daegu-Gyeongbuk, Incheon, Gwangju-Jeonnam, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Jeonbuk, Chungbuk, Gyeongnam, Ulsan, Jeju.

Tuition fee

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The tuition fee is generally around $250 per semester. However, students who qualify for scholarships—such as young adults, senior citizens, naturalized foreigners in South Korea, or recipients of basic living subsidies—can reduce the total cost per semester to as little as $30, significantly lowering the financial burden or, in some cases, waiving the fee entirely. These low tuition fees are due to the university’s status as a national and open institution, as well as its large student body of approximately 100,000 registrants annually.

Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Error Page". Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Student total". Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Student total". Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  4. ^ "About KNOU". Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  5. ^ "Error Page". Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  6. ^ a b "About KNOU". Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  7. ^ "2021 graduation statistics". www.knou.ac.kr. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
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