Overview
Located in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, and Ganghwa County in Incheon, South Korea, Anyang University (AYU) is a four-year private Christian university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Daeshin). The institution traces its origin to Daehan Theological Seminary, founded in 1948 by the esteemed Reverend Kim Chi-sun, known for his passionate and patriotic preaching. Over the years, AYU has transitioned from a seminary into a well-rounded comprehensive university.
Despite financial stability being a common metric for evaluating institutions, AYU’s endowment ratio of 18.9%—which measures basic property assets designated for institutional profit—is below the national average. While this figure has gradually improved, it still lags behind peer institutions in the Seoul metropolitan area, many of which saw dramatic asset increases due to recent real estate revaluations.
International Student
Anyang university recently open window for international student but only for master’s student. They started with only one subject which is English taught, Master’s in Business Administration. IELTS requirements 5.5.
Required Documents
When applying, prepare the following documents:
- Completed Application Form
- Official High School Diploma or a certificate of expected graduation
- Transcripts from elementary, junior-high, and senior-high schools
- Study Plan and Personal Statement
- Certificate of Entry and Exit Records (if you’ve resided in or visited Korea)
- Birth Certificates or Citizenship Certificates for you and your parents
- Financial Sponsor’s Bank Certificate showing a balance exceeding USD 10,000
- Sponsor’s Employment Certificate or Business Registration
- Property Tax Payment Certificate
- Affidavit of Financial Support
- Application Fee: KRW 100,000
Tuition & Scholarships
- Tuition Fees:
- Undergraduate programs: Approximately $3,000–$7,000 USD per year
- Graduate programs: Approximately $6,000–$13,000 USD per year
- Scholarships:
- Anyang University offers partial scholarships of around $3,000 USD for international students.
- Scholarship eligibility and amounts may vary; it’s advisable to contact the university’s admissions office for specific details.
Name and Identity
The university’s name, Anyang, stems from a Buddhist term meaning “peace and rest” or “paradise,” which may seem ironic for a Christian institution. However, because the name originates from the city of Anyang itself—named after the historic Anyang Temple—the religious connotation is largely overlooked. The English acronym AYU is currently in use, though AU was used previously.
Among students, the university is affectionately nicknamed “Nyang-i” or “A-nyang-i“—a playful word resembling the Korean onomatopoeia for a cat. Foreign students sometimes humorously refer to the school as “Onion University” due to the phonetic similarity between “Anyang” and “onion.”
AYU has had international partnerships, including one with the Anyang Institute of Technology in Henan, China. Despite similar names, Anyang Normal University in China is not affiliated with AYU.
Historical Development
AYU’s journey from a night seminary (Jangrohoe Night School of Theology) to a fully-fledged university spans multiple transformations:
- 1948: Founded as Daehan Seminary
- 1991: Became Daeshin College
- 1995: Renamed Anyang University
The university settled in Anyang due to zoning restrictions in Seoul, particularly the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act, which prevented the original seminary from remaining in Seodaemun District.
AYU is the foundational institution among the various schools associated with the Presbyterian Church (Daeshin), such as the Daeshin Graduate School of Theology and Daeshin Pastoral Seminary. It remains the only government-accredited entity in this group, as others are mostly unrecognized by the Ministry of Education.
Academic Structure
Colleges and Departments
Anyang University consists of six main colleges:
- College of Theology
- College of Humanities
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Arts
- College of Creative Convergence
- College of Sports (newly separated from Arts in 2024)
Programs range from traditional disciplines like Theology and Music to unique offerings such as:
- Marine Bioengineering (Ganghwa Campus)
- Cosmetic Invention and Design (nation’s only)
- Beauty Medical Design, Game Content, and AI Convergence
AYU is notable for its commitment to interdisciplinarity and practical education. It offers a flexible curriculum encouraging double majors and cross-departmental electives.
Graduate Schools
AYU’s graduate division is housed on the Anyang campus and includes:
- General Graduate School (offering master’s and doctoral programs)
- Daeshin Theological Seminary Graduate School
- Graduate School of Business and Public Administration
- Graduate School of Education
- Global Graduate School
Theological studies remain a major attraction due to AYU’s deep-rooted Presbyterian legacy. Other programs attract working professionals from nearby cities like Seoul and Gwacheon for continuing education.
Academic Strengths and Reputation
While AYU began as a seminary, its expansion into liberal arts, engineering, and practical sciences has helped it earn growing recognition. Particularly, its programs in:
- Urban Information Engineering
- Environmental Energy Engineering
- Tourism and Hotel Management
- Food and Nutrition
…are well-regarded, with some having secured national research grants and government support. Its unique offerings and competitive admissions in Arts and Design further bolster its appeal.
QS University Rankings (Asia)
- 2021: Unranked
- 2022: 701–750
- 2023: 801+
- 2024: 801–850 in Asia; 347th in East Asia
Although AYU’s global ranking remains modest, it is gradually rising in Asia-specific rankings due to increased academic output and international engagement.
Campuses and Facilities
Anyang Campus
Located at the foot of Mt. Surisan, the Anyang campus is famous for its steep gradient—earning playful nicknames such as “Anyang Mountain” among students. Despite the incline, the campus offers breathtaking views of Anyang city, especially from the Surigwan student cafeteria.
Main buildings include:
- Daeshin Hall
- Surigwan
- Subong Hall
- Ilwoo Central Library
- Ari Hall
- Vision Hall
- Convergence R&D Center
Ganghwa Campus
Located in Ganghwa County, Incheon, this campus is surrounded by mountains yet was developed on flatland. It hosts specialized programs like Marine Bioengineering and Sports Science.
Student Life and Organization
AYU maintains a vibrant student community. As of 2025:
- The 77th Student Council, “DoHwa,” is active.
- The 44th Club Federation, “Memoria,” organizes cultural and club events.
- The 23rd Ganghwa Campus Student Council, “Pado (Wave),” serves students at the secondary campus.
Student media includes:
- Anyang Tribune (English monthly)
- Anyang University Newspaper (monthly Korean paper)
- ABC Radio Broadcast
The Everytime online community is widely used for class scheduling and campus discussions.
Access and Transportatio
The Anyang campus is easily accessible from Anyang Station (Line 1), a 15-minute bus or taxi ride away. The Ganghwa campus, though less accessible, has improved over time. AYU operates shuttle services and is relatively well connected to Seoul and surrounding areas.
Culture and Mascot
AYU’s official mascot is the mountain goat (Sanyang), represented in sculptures and illustrations across campus. The choice reflects both the mountainous terrain of its location and a sense of perseverance and endurance—traits the university wishes to instill in its students.
The university motto “Illuminate a Corner” signifies a commitment to spreading knowledge and service, no matter how small the scope may initially appear.
Conclusio
Anyang University is a unique institution that blends its theological roots with modern, practical education. With an expanding range of programs and a growing academic presence, it is well-positioned to nurture global citizens grounded in ethics, community service, and interdisciplinary learning.
As it celebrates over 75 years since its founding, AYU continues to illuminate both local and global corners of knowledge—remaining faithful to its heritage while embracing the future.
Official Website: https://www.anyang.ac.kr
