Savanna Hoffman
Seoul National University (SNU) is one of the top universities in Seoul, South Korea, with more than 27,000 students, including foreign applicants. SNU has a low acceptance rate, reportedly more competitive than top American universities, and offers several international student exchange programs. The university offers scholarships for both foreigners and Koreans, and tuition costs are reasonable. The majority of courses are taught in Korean, with only a few in English. International students can apply for SNU admissions for 110+ undergraduate programs offered in 50+ departments and 106 graduate programs across five study fields. The application process involves submitting transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, statements of purpose, and other documents, along with paying an international student fee.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Method | Online |
| Application Requirements | High school graduate or equivalent, renounced Korean citizenship (if applicable), transcripts, language test scores, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, certificate of nationality, certificate of entry and exit, etc. |
| Language Requirements | TOEFL score of 61 or IELTS bandwidth score of 6.0 (higher for graduate and nursing school students) |
| Application Fee | KRW 2,442,000- 5,038,000 per semester; $200 international student fee |
| Intakes | Fall and Spring |
| Scholarships | Available for international students |
| Teaching Language | Majority of courses in Korean, some in English |
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What You'll Learn
Application process and requirements
Seoul National University (SNU) is one of the top universities in Seoul, South Korea, with more than 27,000 students, including foreign applicants. SNU has a low acceptance rate, with only a small percentage of applicants being selected each year.
There are two ways to apply for international admissions at SNU:
International Admissions I:
- The applicant and their parents are not citizens of Korea.
- The applicant has graduated from high school or has attained an equivalent level of education.
- If the applicant or their parents previously held Korean citizenship, they must have renounced it and should submit relevant certificates of renunciation.
- The applicant and their parents must have acquired foreign nationality before the applicant’s admission to high school.
International Admissions II:
- The applicant holds Korean or foreign citizenship and has received all prior education outside of Korea (from elementary school to high school graduation).
- Check the intake dates for your desired program, as SNU has two intakes: Fall and Spring.
- Check the medium of instruction for your chosen course, as the majority of courses are taught in Korean, with only a few classes in English.
- Prepare application materials, including transcripts, language test scores, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and other additional documents.
- Submit TOEFL or IELTS results. While SNU does not require a language exam score for admission, language competency is necessary for obtaining an F-1 Student Visa.
- International students are required to pay a fee of $200 to assist in processing international documents.
- Complete the online application by creating an account, logging in, and submitting the application.
- Submit standardized test results (SAT, AP, IB, ACT, etc.) as supplementary material.
- International transfer students from an SEVP-approved US school must complete the International Transfer Student Information Request Form.
- Graduate students must complete any additional requirements for their specific graduate programs.
- Submit a financial statement of support, indicating how tuition, school fees, and living expenses will be covered during enrollment.
- Await the admission decision.
It is important to note that SNU does not accept transfer students from abroad, and applicants must submit their applications as freshmen. Additionally, SNU does not count credits earned from other institutions towards the credits needed for graduation.
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Eligibility criteria
Seoul National University (SNU) is one of the top universities in Seoul, South Korea, with more than 27,000 students, including foreign applicants. SNU offers 110+ undergraduate programs and 106 graduate programs across five study fields. The university has a low acceptance rate of 15%, making it more competitive than some of the best American universities.
To be eligible for admission to SNU as an international student, you must meet the following criteria:
International Admissions I
- Neither the applicant nor their parents are citizens of Korea.
- The applicant has graduated from high school or has attained an equivalent level of education.
- The applicant must have renounced their Korean citizenship before the application deadline if they previously held Korean nationality. Documentary evidence, such as a certificate of renunciation of Korean citizenship, is required.
International Admissions II
- The applicant holds Korean or foreign citizenship and has received all their education outside of Korea, from elementary school to high school graduation.
- If the applicant or their parents have dual citizenship of nations other than Korea (e.g., China or the US), they are still eligible for International Admissions II without renouncing their Korean citizenship.
Academic Requirements
- Academic excellence, including a minimum GPA of 3.6, is required for a fair chance of acceptance.
- Standardized test scores, such as SAT, AP, IB, or ACT, are considered.
- English language proficiency is required, with a TOEFL score of 61 or an IELTS bandwidth score of 6.0. Higher scores are required for graduate and nursing school students.
Application Materials
- Transcripts
- Language test scores
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Certificate of nationality
- Certificate of entry and exit
- Additional documents as required by the specific program
Other Considerations
- International students must submit an application as a freshman; SNU does not accept transfer students from abroad.
- The application fee for SNU varies based on the chosen subjects and level of study.
- A financial statement of support should be submitted, indicating how tuition, school fees, and living expenses will be covered.
- International students may be required to pay an additional fee of $200 to assist in processing their international documents.
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English language requirements
Seoul National University (SNU) offers a variety of courses taught in English, but the majority of specialized classes are in Korean. SNU has a low acceptance rate, and applicants must meet various requirements, including academic excellence, language proficiency, and standardized test scores.
To demonstrate English language proficiency, international applicants to SNU must submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores. The required scores vary depending on the program:
- For undergraduate programs, a TOEFL score of 61 on the internet-based exam or an IELTS bandwidth score of 6.0 is needed.
- Graduate and nursing school students must achieve a TOEFL score of 79 on the internet-based exam or an IELTS bandwidth score of 7.0.
It is important to note that students transferring from another SEVP-approved US school or institution are exempt from submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores if they have successfully completed two or more semesters or obtained 24 or more credit hours.
While SNU does not require a specific language exam score for admission, language competency is necessary to obtain an F-1 Student Visa. Therefore, applicants should carefully review the English language requirements and prepare accordingly to meet the necessary proficiency standards.
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Application fee
To apply to Seoul National University as an international student, you will need to pay an application fee. The amount of the application fee is not specified, however, there is a separate international student fee of $200 to assist in processing international documents.
There are two types of international admissions at Seoul National University:
- International Admissions I: For applicants who are not citizens of Korea and have graduated from high school or attained an equivalent level of education.
- International Admissions II: For applicants who hold Korean or foreign citizenship and completed their primary and secondary education outside of Korea.
The fees for students at Seoul National University depend on the subjects being taken. On average, international students pay KRW 2,442,000- 5,038,000 per semester.
You can complete payment of the application fee via the online application using either an account deposit or a credit card.
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Scholarships
Seoul National University (SNU) offers several scholarship opportunities for international students. The scholarships available vary based on the specific scholarship requirements, and while some are open to all nationalities, others have specific nationality criteria.
One notable scholarship is the Silk-Road Scholarship, which is designed for exceptional international students. This scholarship covers full tuition for up to four semesters, provides a monthly stipend of KRW 600,000, includes economy round-trip airfare, and fully funds Korean language training. Another prestigious award is the SNU President Fellowship Program (SPF), which is geared towards Ph.D. students. The SPF covers full tuition fees and provides monthly stipends ranging from KRW 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 for 3 to 4 years. Additionally, it offers economy class round-trip airfare, access to Korean language training, and reimbursement of National Health Insurance fees.
For graduate students, the POSCO Asia Fellowship is an excellent opportunity, as it invites promising Asian graduate students to the Master's Program at the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), covering full tuition for up to four semesters. SNU also offers Graduate Scholarships for Excellent Foreign Students, and international students can also explore external funding opportunities and Korean Government Scholarships.
It is worth noting that SNU provides scholarships for both foreigners and Koreans, making it accessible to a diverse range of students. Additionally, an SNU student shares that they received a scholarship for their freshman year, and they have successfully applied for another scholarship from the Engineering College each semester after the first year to cover their tuition.
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