국립한국해양대학교Korea Maritime & Ocean University

About University

Korea Maritime & Ocean University is the only national “island campus” university in South Korea, occupying the entire Archi Island in Yeongdo, Busan as its campus. Established in 1945, it is Korea’s first four-year national maritime university and has a strong identity as an “ocean platform university” dedicated to nurturing maritime professionals and leading the global maritime industry. This unique environment, where the entire island is a single university, offers students a special experience to learn and grow in the closest proximity to the sea. The greatest strength of Korea Maritime & Ocean University lies in its top-level specialized education and practical training infrastructure in the maritime field. A wide range of maritime-related departments—including navigation, ocean engineering, maritime law, shipping management, marine sports, and marine life sciences—offer curricula that integrate theory and practice. The university is well-equipped with hands-on educational facilities such as training ships, advanced marine simulators, and the Marine New Industry Innovation Convergence Center, enabling students to acquire practical competencies upon graduation. With nearly 80 years of tradition under the motto “Pursuit of Truth, Creation of Culture, Cultivation of Character,” the university boasts extensive industry-academic cooperation with maritime industries, providing abundant opportunities for employment and internships. Its proximity to Busan Port gives students an advantage in securing jobs in new industries such as shipping logistics, offshore plants, and marine environment, and many graduates have gone on to work for domestic and international shipping companies, the Korea Coast Guard, and international organizations. The university has produced not only maritime experts but also a variety of social leaders. Notable alumni include Kim Min-su, a former Korea Coast Guard Special Forces member and popular YouTuber; Ha Ji-min, a three-time Asian Games gold medalist in yachting; Director Jeong Hwan-ho in shipping management; and Han Hee-seung, Chairman of Polaris Shipping. The alumni network, active in media, business, academia, and culture and the arts, provides students with practical mentoring and career guidance. The university holds significant historical importance for its central role in the development of the maritime industry and the growth of the Korean economy, and its symbolic status as an “island university” attracts students with a strong sense of pride. Support for international students is also highly systematic. Korea Maritime & Ocean University is certified by the Korean Ministry of Education’s IEQAS (International Education Quality Assurance System), which provides additional points for foreign students when applying for visas and scholarships. Various majors offer courses taught in English, and language education programs and mentoring systems are available for students with limited Korean proficiency. Both undergraduate and graduate programs have special admissions tracks for international students, and there are ample support benefits such as scholarships for outstanding academic performance and TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) improvement scholarships. Modern dormitory facilities prioritize international students for residence, providing a safe and comfortable living environment. The International Affairs Office regularly organizes orientation, cultural experiences, counseling, and other customized programs for international students, greatly assisting with adaptation to life in Korea and networking. The Archi Island campus is located at the intersection of Busan Port, the East Sea, and the South Sea, offering expansive ocean views along with the convenience of city life. The campus is well-equipped with walking trails, beaches, various sports facilities, a library, and student cafeterias, and has convenient transportation links to downtown Busan and the international airport, making domestic and international travel easy. In this unique environment where “the school is an island,” Korea Maritime & Ocean University serves as the best place for students dreaming of a maritime future and as a starting point for their global ambitions.