Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Machinery Associate Degree

South Korea is a global leader in HVAC innovation—home to industry powerhouses like Samsung, LG, and Daesung. For the first time, international students can access this cutting-edge expertise through the 3-Year Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Machinery Associate Degree program, now offered entirely in English!

Intuition is proud to represent Dongwon Institute of Science and Technology (DIST), home to Korea’s top-rated HVAC program. This unique degree sits at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and smart-farming technology, where you'll be equipped with the skills needed for one of today’s most dynamic and fast-growing technical fields.

🏫 Campus Information

College Name: Dongwon Institute of Science and Technology (DIST)
Location: Yangsan (10min bus ride to Yangsan downtown, 50 min subway ride to Busan downtown)
Founded Year: 1990
Website: https://www.dist.ac.kr/kor/Main.do

❄️ What is HVAC?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning—the systems behind climate control in buildings, transportation, factories, and farms. From skyscrapers and hospitals to data centers and greenhouses, HVAC systems are everywhere.

This program goes beyond traditional training, combining mechanical engineering fundamentals like thermodynamics and fluid dynamics, with industrial engineering approaches to system efficiency, sustainability, and smart-farming integration.

🚀 Why Choose This Program?

English-Taught Curriculum: No Korean language required to apply. Learn technical skills in a fully English environment.
Korean Language Classes: All students receive free Korean language lessons during their first year, helping you adapt culturally and enhancing job placement opportunities after graduation.
National Certification Ready: Prepares you for the Korean HVAC & Refrigeration Industrial Engineer National Certification.
Smart-Farming Integration: Explore how HVAC tech powers controlled-environment agriculture and next-gen food systems.
Hands-On Training: Learn by doing. Curriculum is practical-based, with workshops and labs fitted with real equipments and real-world systems.
Career-Ready Skills: Graduates are prepared to work in commercial refrigeration, air-conditioning, smart farming, and green tech industries.
Affordability: World-class training at a fraction of the cost of similar programs in the U.S., Canada, or Europe.
Growing Market: Korea’s HVAC industry is expected to reach $5.57 billion USD by 2030, with a 5.8% CAGR—and there’s a shortage of qualified engineers.

📈 Why HVAC in Korea?

South Korea’s HVAC sector is expanding fast—valued at $3.63 billion in 2023 and expected to reach $5.57 billion by 2030. There's a growing need for trained HVAC professionals, especially with advancements in smart infrastructure and green technology.

Also, do you know that the largest HVAC manufacturer in the world is Samsung Electronics, with $234.08 BILLION in revenue in 2022?

📚 What You’ll Learn

PS: This is the regular Korean Track program curriculum. English Track students will have more Korean language classes in the early semesters and more core courses in the later semesters.

🎓 Who Should Apply?

High school or tech school graduates
Future engineers interested in green tech or agricultural innovation
Students seeking a career-focused, globally-relevant technical degree
Anyone who wants to study in Korea and work with future-ready infrastructure

💰 Tuition Fee

2,932,000 KRW per semester (approx. 2,000 USD)

🌟 Scholarship

Semester 1-2 (Year 1) = 50% scholarship with IELTS 5.5 or iBT TOEFL 71
Semester 3-6 (Year 2-3)

TOPIK level 3 = 20% scholarship

TOPIK level 4 = 40% scholarship

TOPIK level 5-6 = 50% scholarship

Students will be given Korean language classes in the first year, and then they can take the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exam and submit their score level for scholarship from the second year. This prepares students for furthering their education or domestic job-placements after graduation.

🧑‍🔧 Paths After Graduation

Students can enroll for 1 more year and obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Machinery Engineering at the same university, or transfer to another university with the same major.

Or, you can also jump straight to employment! Depending on your interests and skills, you could explore roles in:

HVAC Technician / Engineer
Smart Farm Systems Operator
Refrigeration Specialist
Building Systems Manager
Green Energy HVAC Consultant
Maintenance Supervisor

You can also take Korea's National HVAC & Refrigeration Industrial Engineer qualification license!

📅 How to Apply

Admissions for the 2025 September intake are now open until May 30, 2025. Join the only English Track Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Machinery program in Korea. Seats are limited—apply early to secure your place. Send us a message now to apply and let's get started preparing your documents.