Overview of Ewha Womans University
Ewha Womans University, founded in 1886, is a prestigious private research-intensive institution located in Seoul, South Korea. Established by American missionary Mary F. Scranton, Ewha is the world’s largest female educational institution. With a student body exceeding 20,000 and encompassing 15 undergraduate colleges and 13 graduate schools, Ewha operates a single urban campus renowned for its architectural distinction. The university has played a pivotal role in advancing women’s education and maintains a significant academic footprint in Asia and beyond.
Academic Strengths and Structure
Ewha is recognized for its leadership in disciplines such as natural sciences, engineering (notably through its College of Engineering established for women), humanities, social sciences, business, and life sciences. The university offers over 70 undergraduate and 60 graduate programs, emphasizing interdisciplinary and globalized education. Ewha fosters research excellence, ranking among the top universities in South Korea (QS Asia University Rankings) and producing over 10,000 scientific publications annually. It maintains extensive collaborations with leading institutions worldwide, offering joint degree programs and exchange partnerships with over 350 universities. Ewha is distinguished by achievements including the establishment of Asia’s first women’s medical college.
Student Life and Community
Campus life at Ewha is vibrant, with more than 100 student-run clubs, a range of cultural festivals such as the annual Ewha Festival, and dedicated international student support. The university champions diversity and inclusivity, enrolling over 2,000 international students from more than 70 countries, and promotes global citizenship through multilingual programming. On-campus housing accommodates both Korean and international students, while sports, music ensembles, theater, and art exhibitions are integral to extracurricular life. The campus provides extensive wellness resources, mentoring, and leadership training to foster holistic student development.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Ewha Womans University is driven by a mission to empower women as leaders and innovators, nurturing global citizens committed to equity, sustainability, and social responsibility. It seeks to advance knowledge and education in the service of humanity.
