YONSEI
HISTORY

Yonsei’s history is consistent
with the milestones of
South Korea’s social development.

Yonsei University was founded in 1885 by visionaries who recognized the value of education that transcends racial and national boundaries.
The pure passion and dedication of Yonsei’s founders to nurture future leaders in the service of humanity live on to this day.
Over the past 139 years, approximately 370,000 people have earned a degree at Yonsei University,
contributing to the development of society in the spirit of truth and freedom.

  1. 1885

    yonsei university history images
    1. 1885. 4

      Gwanghyewon, Korea’s first modern hospital, is founded as a royal hospital.

    2. 1886. 3

      Chejungwon opens as the first medical school in Korea.

    3. 1904. 9

      Through a donation from Mr. L. H. Severance, the hospital is reconstructed, and the medical college is finalized.

    4. 1908. 6

      The first seven graduates receive the first ever medical doctors’ licenses issued by the Korean government.

    5. 1915. 4

      Chosun Christian College is established. First classes are held at the YMCA.

    6. 1917. 4

      Chosun Christian College is accredited as Yonhi College, a private institution. Humanities, Mathematics and Physics, Business, Agriculture and Theology is newly accredited.

    7. 1917. 5

      The school develops into Severance Union Medical College Foundation.

    8. 1917. 9

      The current location of the main campus is acquired with a generous donation from Mr. John T. Underwood

  2. 1957

    1. 1957. 1

      Yonhi University and Severance Medical College merge to become Yonsei University.

    2. 1959. 4

      Korean Language Institute is established.

    3. 1962. 6

      Medical School Faculty, Nursing School Dormitory, and Severance Hospital are opened. Facilities moved from Seoul Station area to Sinchon Campus (Constructed in 1955 with donations from the China Medical Board and 8th US Army).

    4. 1969. 4

      English Language Institute is established.

    5. 1970. 5

      Yonsei Eagle Statue is unveiled.

    6. 1977. 11

      Largest celestial telescope in Korea is constructed.

    7. 1978. 10

      Wonju Campus (College of Health Science) is established.

    8. 1979. 3

      New Central Library is constructed.

    9. 1981. 1

      Wonju Campus becomes Wonju College, with 10 departments (Pre-Med, Medical School, Health Science, English Language and Literature, Economics, Business, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology).

    10. 1985. 5

      Yonsei University celebrates its 100th anniversary.

    11. 2005. 5

      New Severance Hospital is opened.

    12. 2007. 3

      Wonju Campus starts the first Residential College (RC) education in Korea.

    yonsei university history images

  3. 2010

    yonsei university history images
    1. 2010. 3

      International Campus officially opens.

    2. 2011. 3

      Residential College (RC) education begins at the International Campus.

    3. 2014. 4

      Yonsei Cancer Center is opened.

    4. 2015. 3

      Global Institute of Theology (GIT) is founded.

    5. 2015. 7

      Yonsei-IBS Institute is founded.

    6. 2015. 10

      Baekyang Road Re-creation Project is completed.

    7. 2016. 8

      Yonsei ranks 9th in Reuters Asia’s Most Innovative Universities.

    8. 2017. 9

      Institute for Global Engagement & Empowerment (IGEE) is founded.

    9. 2017. 12

      Yonsei University places 1st in Social Responsibility Index Rankings by Korea CSR Institute.

    10. 2019. 4

      Yonsei ranks 1st in Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2019 (SDG#9 : Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

    11. 2019. 5

      Yonsei is awarded Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year at 2019 Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia.

    12. 2019. 9

      Wonju Campus is renamed Mirae Campus.

  4. 2020

    1. 2020. 4

      Yonsei ranks 1st in South Korea and 47th globally in Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2020.

    2. 2020. 4

      Yonsei ranks 147th in Nature Index 2020 tables: Institutions-Academic.

    3. 2020. 5

      Yonsei celebrates its 135th anniversary and declare new vision “Yonsei: Toward Truth and Freedom”

    4. 2020. 6

      Yonsei ranks 22nd in THE Asia University Rankings 2020.

    5. 2020. 6

      Yonsei ranks 85th in QS World University Rankings 2021.

    6. 2020. 10

      Yonsei-Incheon City wins Korean NIBRT Program-Bioprocessing Training Center Project

    7. 2020. 12

      MOU for the phase 2 of International Campus construction project is signed

    8. 2021. 4

      Yonsei ranks 1st in South Korea and 30th globally in Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021.

    9. 2021. 6

      Yonsei ranks 79th in the QS World University Rankings 2022.

    10. 2021. 9

      LearnUs is opened to the public.

    11. 2021. 9

      Yonsei ranks 151th in the THE World University Rankings 2022.

    12. 2021. 10

      MOU for Collaboration on Quantum Computing is signed.

    13. 2022. 1

      17 Universities Network for Online Joint Lectures is established.

    14. 2022. 4

      K-NIBRT training center is opened.

    15. 2022. 6

      Yonsei ranks 73rd globally in QS World University Rankings 2023.

    16. 2022. 7

      MOU for Yonsei-IBM Quantum Computing Center is signed.

    17. 2022. 10

      Yonsei ranks 78th globally and 1st among Asian Private Universities in THE World University Rankings 2023.

    18. 2023. 6

      Yonsei ranks 76th globally and 1st among Asian Private Universities in QS World University Rankings 2024.

    19. 2023. 9

      Yonsei ranks 76th globally and 1st among Asian Private Universities in THE World University Rankings 2024.

    yonsei university history images