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Global Durham
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Seoul National University (SNU)

Tracing its roots back to 1895, SNU became the first comprehensive university of independent Korea, founded with the primary aim of producing intellectual elites who would lead the newly liberated country.
Find out more at SNU's exchanges page
South Korean temple roof ornate architecture

Number of places available: 2 full year places

Dates

Term dates

Spring Semester: March to August

Fall Semester: September to February

Application

After your nomination is confirmed, students will receive a link to apply to SNU by email.

Application deadline: 20 March (Korea Standard Time)

Academic Information

Courses

Students can find information on the courses that were provided in the previous semesters through the course registration website http://sugang.snu.ac.kr (Course Search Instruction).

Study Load

36 credits per academic year. 

Language Requirements

Language proficiency of either English or Korean is highly recommended, but not compulsory. Korean language courses will be partially supported.

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How to Apply

Applicant Restrictions

  • COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION is restricted to students who are currently majoring in business or economics at their home university.
  • Applicants who apply for the KOREAN HISTORY/ PSYCHOLOGY/ STATISTICS MAJOR must provide proof of Korean language ability. A satisfactory level of Korean language ability should be either (1) Level 5 or above of official Korean Language Proficiency Test or (2) Level 5 or above of the Korean Test conducted at the SNU Language Institute.
  • COLLEGE OF LAW is NOT open to undergraduate-level students.*

* School of Law, a specialized law school for graduate level students, will be open to undergraduate level students from Fall 2018. Please note that these undergraduate students will be enrolled as graduate (Master’s) students in SNU law school during their study.

Applicants who want to study in the discipline of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Music, and MBA must, in advance, be advised of the eligibility by SNU coordinators.

  • COLLEGE OF MEDICINE is no longer available to exchange students.
  • COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY is open ONLY to masters level students currently enrolled in a master program at School of Dentistry or equivalent at their home university. The student exchange program is NOT available at the undergraduate level for the College of Dentistry.
  • VOCAL MUSIC MAJOR is restricted to students who are currently studying vocal music at their home university.
  • MBA PROGRAM is restricted to current full-time MBA candidates in our respective partner schools. For further information about MBA courses, please visit SNU GSB website at gsb.snu.ac.kr or contact MBA Office at mba@snu.ac.kr

Academic Requirements

All applicants must have a GPA 3.0 or above (out of 4.0).

  • To apply for the College of Business Administration, a GPA score of 83 out of 100 is required. If the score is not written in the official transcript clearly, applicants’ home universities should submit a letter to us to prove the equivalent. 

Required Supporting Documents

  • Online Application
  • A certificate of enrolment from your current university
  • Official University transcript
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor at the home university
  • A statement of purpose
  • A copy of the applicants passport
  • Only for Fine Arts, Music, and Physical Education applicants: Photographs of works/recording of performances
South Korean temple roof ornate architecture

Support @ SNU

Seoul National University offers a wide range of support services which are free to all international students. These include on-campus counselling and mentoring, learning support, career coaching, and resources specifically for students with disabilities. All services available in English.

Counseling and Mentoring Programs Center for Students with Disabilities

Other Information for Applicants

Accommodation

Accommodation at SNU includes 28 dormitory buildings with 2,600 rooms, housing over 5,000 students. Accommodation is, however, not guaranteed with allocation for all (exchange and non-exchange) students made on lottery basis before term. Resources and assistance are provided for unsuccessful students. Off-campus housing is also available.

Insurance

All international students are required to have a health insurance plan. Students MUST have one of the following three options: Study-abroad Insurance from home country, Korean National Health Insurance Service, or Private Insurance in Korea.

Promotional Information

Summer Opportunities 

Experience an unforgettable 5-week journey with the International Summer Program (ISP) at SNU. Through this summer school, you will be able to immerse yourself in academic studies in various topics taught in English, appealing to both international and SNU students. Dive into Korean culture, history, and traditions while being in the heart of Seoul, one of Asia's most dynamic cities. 

GO Full Year Study: Step by Step

How does it work?

Find out details of how full-year GO study works

Where can I go?

Find out about Durham's partner universities

How to apply

Find out the application process

Preparing to go

What students must do pre-departure

Currently Abroad

Help and resources for students abroad

Returning Students

Find out what to do on your return
Want to go for less than a year? Click here for more options