Seoul National University (SNU) is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Korea and has exchange programs with some of the top universities in the world. A great variety of programs, a diverse mix of professors and students, as well as three beautiful campuses are available in the mesmerizing city, Seoul. Korea is a wonderful and fascinating place to spend your time abroad and will surely enrich your life. Whether or not you speak the Korean language, you will be able to expand your horizons and learn many new things.

The city of Seoul lies at the heart of the Korean Peninsula and maintains a temperate climate. Its population is about 25% of the total Korean population, commanding the status of mega city with over 25 million inhabitants, making it the second largest metropolis of the world, only second to Tokyo. If you favor busy, bustling cities, SNU would be the place to choose. Seoul has also been designated a special city, and leads in several industries around the planet with one of the most advanced infrastructures seen in any technological sphere.

It also provides many opportunities for visitors. For those who appreciate historical sites, Seoul contains fortresses from the Joseon Dynasty and from the Three Kingdom Era, and for those who enjoy nature, Seoul has beautiful rivers, streams, and mountains.
 

Founded in 1946, the well-respected Seoul National University (SNU) was the first of its kind founded in Korea. Seoul National University offers international students various ways to study, not only as degree-seeking students but also as short-term students such as exchange or visiting students. A large number of international students in the past have enjoyed studying at Korea’s most prestigious university and learning about Korea and Korean culture. Currently there are more than 2,000 students and visiting scholars from over 50 countries on campus.

To be an exchange student, candidates must be officially nominated by their home institution and pay the tuition fee to their home institution, not to SNU. On-campus housing is provided and fees for taking Korean language courses will be partially supported. For more information on this program, visit the website of the SNU Office of International Affairs.
 

Classes are taught in English and Korean—depending on what you want to study at SNU. We we suggest students take an introductory course in Korean to familiarize with the basics of the language. Please refer to SNU's undergraduate programs for specific course offerings in English for the following departments:

• Korean, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, and Asian Language and Literatures
• Linguistics
• Korean History
• Asian History
• Western History
• Archaeology and Art History
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies

Applicants must be full-time students at the time of application, at least sophomore status during the session abroad, have departmental approval for participation, and an overall G.P.A. of 3.0.

Special Note: SNU College of Business Administration will consider a student's GPA as the most important factor as they decide acceptance. They will restrict the number of exchange students they receive and reject students' applications that have overall GPA below 3.3 (out of 4.0).

• On-campus (Gwanaksa Dormitory or BK International House) - Recommended
  • SNU Gwanaksa Dormitory has 28 dormitory buildings with 2,600 rooms, housing over 4,500 students. Since it is located near the rear gate of the Gwanak Campus, you can reach dormitories by walking from any of the buildings on campus. It also has subsidiary facilities such as cafeterias, laundry rooms, concert hall, study room, indoor stadium and gymnasium, public bathrooms, a table tennis room, and common rooms.
  • BK International House, located near the rear gate of the Gwanak Campus provides accommodations for international faculties, researchers and their families. There are 316 singles rooms and 74 cluster rooms (with two rooms). Each room is furnished with a kitchen, bathroom, bed, desk, wardrobe, refrigerator, gas stove, and air-conditioner. Application for the BK International House can be made through the applicant’s department office, and applicants will be placed on a waiting list until rooms have been assigned.
• Off-campus (Studio, Boarding Housing, Apartments, Gwanak)
  • Students who cannot be accommodated at the dormitory or those who wish to have a private place to live in can consider the following off-campus options. Note that most off campus information and contract process will be available only in Korean. Therefore, if you are not sufficient with Korean, you may need your acquaintance’s assistance.
• Temporary Accomodation
  • The Hoam Faculty House is a facility operated by Seoul National University for its professors and staff. HFH is equipped with Korean and occidental restaurants, comfort guest house, a convention hall, and halls for conferences and seminars. HFH is furnished with the equipment for simultaneous interpretation in three different languages, LCD projector, the latest audiovisual technology, and a Business Center to support the efficient progress of an event.

Academics: The International Summer Institute (ISI) offers approximately 40 courses each summer. There are three main study subjects: East Asian Studies, Korean Studies, and General Courses offered in English and Korean

All courses are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
- All courses have a limited quota of 40 students, apart from Korean Arts (20) and Korean Language (limitless).
- All SNU ISI lectures are conducted in English.
- Courses are subject to change, and any changes will be notified on this website.
- Courses with less than 3 students may be subject to cancellation.
- Time slots: A = 9:00am-12:00pm (noon), B = 13:00pm-16:00pm, C = 16:00pm-18:00pm