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Seoul National University

Seoul, South Korea

Seoul National University is a national research university in Seoul, South Korea, established in 1946. It offers undergraduate, master's, doctoral and professional programs across fields including engineering, the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, business and medicine. Most courses are taught in Korean with a selection of English-taught courses, and international applicants must demonstrate Korean (TOPIK) or English (TOEFL/IELTS) proficiency; verify current requirements on the official website before applying.

Last updated

A modern high-tech Asian campus with glass-and-concrete buildings, cherry-blossom trees and lush greenery in soft spring light.
Full admissions guideSeoul National University (SNU) Admission Guide8 min read · verified 12 July 2026

Location

Seoul

Established

1946

Degree levels

Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Professional

Instruction

Local language

Rankings

Rankings are published annually by their respective organisations and change every year. Confirm the current-year position on the official ranking website before relying on it.

How to apply

Direct via university (SNU online application system)

Admission tests

TOPIK (Korean) or TOEFL iBT / IELTS (English) language proficiencyHigh school diploma + academic transcripts (undergraduate); prior degree for graduate entryStatement of purpose + letters of recommendation

Requirements change from one intake to the next — confirm the current ones on Seoul National University’s official site (opens in a new tab) before you apply.

Applying to universities in East & Southeast Asia

Application platform
Direct via each university (no single regional platform; Japan via university portals/JASSO, Hong Kong undergraduate via JUPAS for local students)
Intakes
Varies by country — Japan: April & Sept/Oct; Singapore & Malaysia: Aug/Sept; South Korea & China: March & Sept
Student visa
Student visa / pass (varies by country)
Working while studying
Varies by country — many allow limited part-time work during term (for example Japan up to 28 hrs/week with permission; Singapore restricted); verify current rules on the official source before relying on them.

Official sources: Study in Japan — Government of Japan · Study in Korea — Government of Korea · Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore. Visa and work rules change — verify on the official source before relying on them.

Popular fields of study

EngineeringBusiness AdministrationNatural SciencesHumanitiesSocial SciencesMedicine
Visit official website

Source: Seoul National University official website. Details here are for guidance only — tuition, deadlines, rankings and eligibility change every academic year, so confirm on the official university site before applying.

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