Korea University Academic Information

Regulations Concerned

Korea University Constitution Article 17 (Leave of Absence), Academic Regulations Article 23 (Application, Approval and Term of Leaves of Absence), Article 24 (Classification of Leaves of Absence), Article 25 (Extension of General Leaves of Absence), Article 28 (Mid-semester Leaves of Absence), Article 38 (Length of Studentship), Article 41 (Schedule of Tuition Refund)

Definition

Application Period

Mid-semester Leaves of Absence: Students should submit their application for a leave of absence to the Administration Office of their department/division/school. 

Application Procedure

Undergraduate

• General Leave of Absence
  • Application through KU Portal (No documents required) -> Registered online by the Department Administration Office
• Leave of Absence for Military Service
  • Application through KU Portal (Scan and attach notice of military enlistment/conscription)
    * Applications shall not be approved without the required document(s), i.e., certification of expectant enlistment/conscription or letter of acceptance.
• General Leave of Absence after Discharged from Military Service
  • Application through KU Portal -> Scan and attach copy of Certificate of Discharge from Military Service.
    * Application shall not be approved without the required document(s).
    i.e., certification of military service or certificate of discharge from military service.

Application for leave of absence after the application period (mid-semester leave of absence) must be submitted to the Administration Office of the relevant department/division/school.

Graduate Leaves of Absence

• Application through KU Portal

Terms of Leaves of Absence

• The total period of absence shall not exceed three years (six semesters).
• Leave of absence for treatment of illness(For students who have completed at least one semester): Extendable up to a maximum of one year.
  • Required documents: medical certificate stipulating a duration lasting at least four weeks issued by the director of the University’s auxiliary hospital or other general hospital and confirmatory statement from the academic advisor or head of the department/division
  • Terms of Leaves of Absence due to medical treatment for Freshmen, transfer students, and re-admitted students are as below
• First year students (Freshmen), transfer students, and re-admitted students shall not be granted a leave of absence for the first semester after admission unless the absence is due to military service or medical treatment.
  • For Leave of Absence for medical Treatment, submission of the following documents is required: (1) medical certificate indicating hospitalization for a duration of at least four weeks (issued by the director of the University’s auxiliary hospital or other general hospital) and (2) certificate of hospitalization for a duration of at least four weeks
• Leave of absence for training after passing a national examination: The period of leave of absence is extendable until the end of the training period (Required documents must be submitted).
  •  The period of a leave of absence in cases of special leave of absence (such as pregnancy, start-up, military service, etc.) is not subject to the term stipulated in the total period of leave of absence and is processed separately (Required documents must be submitted).

Tuition of Students on a Leave of Absence

The tuition carry-over system for students on a leave of absence has been abolished as of December 1, 2014 (commencing from the Spring Semester of 2015). Tuition fees paid by students on a leave of absence are refunded in accordance with Article 40 (Reason for Return of Tuition) and Article 41 (Schedule of Tuition Refund) stipulated in the Academic Regulations.

Tuition Refund

Facilities

• Students on a leave of absence remain eligible to use libraries and reading rooms and sports facilities.
• Students on a leave of absence are still eligible to take summer and winter courses.

Important Notes

• First year students (freshmen), transfer students and re-admitted students shall not be granted a leave of absence for the first semester after admission unless the absence is due to military service or medical treatment.
• Student applicants submitting documents in person, upon submission of an application for a leave of absence, shall receive and retain the filing receipt.
• For graduate school students, applications for a leave of absence/return may be submitted via the Internet.