How to Find a Student Studio Near Seoul National, Yonsei, or Korea University (Especially if You Missed Dormitory Housing)

Intro

Many international students come to Korea to attend language programs, undergraduate courses, or graduate school. But there’s one challenge almost everyone faces at least once:

“I didn’t get a dorm room. Now what?”

Dormitory spots at Seoul National University (SNU), Yonsei University, and Korea University (KU) are extremely limited—especially for new international students. As a result, many students scramble to find off-campus housing right before the semester starts.

If that’s you, don’t worry.
This guide explains the realistic housing options near each campus and introduces a safe, flexible solution designed specifically for students who need short- or medium-term accommodation.

Why It’s Hard for International Students to Get a Dorm in Korea

Even though universities advertise dormitories, most campuses cannot house all incoming students. Common issues include:

• Limited dorm space for international students

• First-come-first-served registration

• Priority given to scholarship students

• Delayed admissions timeline for language programs

• Short-term students (1 semester) often deprioritized

So if you didn’t get a dorm: you’re not alone.

Most international students end up living off-campus—usually in one-room studios (원룸), officetels, goshiwons, or co-living houses.

But finding housing in Korea can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t speak Korean. Many local sites require a Korean phone number, ARC card, or a long-term contract.

That’s where more flexible and student-friendly solutions come in.

What Student Housing Options Exist Around SNU, Yonsei, and Korea University?

Option 1: One-room studios (원룸) — common but require long contracts

Most Korean students live in one-room apartments, but:

• Landlords usually require 1-year contracts

• Deposits can be 1–10 million KRW

• Korean bank accounts and ARC are often required

For short-term students or first-time arrivals, this is often unrealistic.

Option 2: Goshiwon / Hasuk House — affordable but limited privacy

These are small rooms with shared facilities. Pros and cons:

Pros

• Low deposit

• Cheap monthly cost

• Available near all major campuses

Cons

• Very small space

• Shared bathroom/kitchen

• Not ideal for long-term comfort or studying

Option 3: Co-living spaces

Modern shared housing popular with young professionals.

Pros:

• Furnished

• Better design and shared spaces
  Cons:

• Less privacy than a studio

• Limited availability near campuses

Option 4: Short-term furnished studios via platforms like LiveAnywhere

This is especially helpful for:

• students waiting for their ARC

• students staying for one semester

• students who need quick, clean, furnished housing upon arrival

• students who don’t want a Korean guarantor

We’ll explain more below.

What Are the Neighborhoods Near Each University?

Seoul National University (SNU) — Gwanak-gu

Popular areas:

• Naksungdae (낙성대)

• Sillim (신림)

• Bongcheon (봉천)

• Gwanak SNU-dong area

These neighborhoods are filled with one-room studios and student housing.

Yonsei University — Sinchon / Seodaemun

The Yonsei area is one of the most student-dense neighborhoods in Seoul.

Popular areas:

• Sinchon (신촌)

• Ewha Womans Univ area (이대)

• Hongdae (홍대, slightly further but convenient)

• Yeonhui-dong (연희동, quieter and more residential)

Korea University (KU) — Anam / Seongbuk

Popular areas:

• Anam (안암)

• Bomun (보문)

• Jeongneung (정릉, more affordable)

• Wolgok (월곡)

These areas are filled with goshiwons, officetels, and student apartments.

A Major Challenge: Many Apartments Require Korean Contracts

Students often discover problems like:

• 1-year leases only

• Large deposits (1 million–10 million KRW)

• Need for a Korean guarantor

• No furnished options

And most landlords prefer Korean-speaking tenants.

That’s why more international-friendly, flexible housing platforms are now essential for students coming to Seoul.

LiveAnywhere: A Flexible, Safe Housing Option for International Students

LiveAnywhere provides fully furnished, legal, short-term studios and officetels near Seoul’s major universities.

Perfect for students who:

• didn’t get a dorm

• need a place immediately upon arrival

• want to avoid long-term contracts

• don’t yet have a Korean phone number or ARC

• prefer privacy + a clean, safe studio

⭐ No long-term lease required

Stay from 6 nights / 7 days, with flexible extensions.

⭐ Very low deposit and no Korean guarantor needed

Book like a hotel—simple and international-friendly.

⭐ Furnished studios with Wi-Fi

Everything a student needs from day one:

• bed

• desk

• kitchen

• washing machine

• fast Wi-Fi

⭐ Walkable distance from major campuses

LiveAnywhere frequently offers rooms in:

• Naksungdae / Sillim / Bongcheon (near SNU)

• Sinchon / Hongdae / Ewha area (near Yonsei)

• Anam / Bomun / Jeongneung (near Korea University)

⭐ Pricing optimized for students

Per-night pricing with automatic discounts for longer stays.
No hidden cleaning or service fees.

FAQ for Incoming International Students

Do I need a Korean bank account to book housing?

Not with LiveAnywhere.

Can I stay while waiting for my ARC?

Yes—no long-term lease required.

Are the studios furnished?

All LiveAnywhere homes are fully furnished and ready to move in.

Is it cheaper than Airbnb?

For multi-week or semester-length stays, yes—thanks to long-stay discounts.

Conclusion: You Have Safe, Flexible Housing Options Near SNU, Yonsei, and Korea University

Missing the dorm doesn’t mean you have to struggle with Korean landlords, long leases, or high deposits.

You can find clean, private, student-friendly housing quickly and confidently through platforms designed for your situation.

👉 Explore fully furnished student studios near major universities on LiveAnywhere and start your semester stress-free.