Located in Seoul, South Korea, the Seoul National University has long served as the industry leader in providing higher education in Korea. As one of the leading public universities in Korea, Times Higher Education placed the Seoul National University at 54th position in World University Ranking 2022.
Securing admission to Seoul National University is considered more challenging than some of the top universities in the US.
The Seoul National University opens its doors to over 27,000 students every year for its undergraduate and postgraduate programs. However, the number of international exchange students is only in the 200s. The SNU acceptance rate is around 15%.
Because getting admission into the University is challenging and competitive, applicants often have several questions on how to get admission to Seoul National University.
Eligibility criteria
The Seoul National University admission criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate courses vary based on which Class the international applicant falls into. There are two classes under which an applicant may apply – International Admissions I and International Admissions II.
The admission requirements for International Admissions I undergraduate applicants are –
Neither the applicant nor their parents should be Korean citizens.
The applicant must have completed their High school graduation or an equivalent degree.
The admission requirements for applicants that fall under International Admissions II for undergraduate courses are –
The applicant holds Korean or any other foreign citizenship.
The applicant completed their entire education outside of Korea (from elementary to high school).
The Seoul National University admission requirements for postgraduate applicants under International Admissions I include –
The applicant must have completed their graduation under a reputed institution.
Both the applicant and their parents must not have Korean citizenship.
The admission criteria for postgraduate applicants under International Admissions II include –
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s or higher educational degree from a reputed institution.
Applicants (despite having Korean or foreign citizenship) must have completed their education outside of Korea from elementary school to high school.
Documents required
The Seoul National University admission requirements include the submission of various documents by both undergraduate and postgraduate international students. For each category, the documentation requirements are further split into two categories based on –
Whether the applicant has completed their high school education in Korea as of February 28th, 2023
Whether the applicant has completed their entire education before graduation outside of Korea
The following are the required documents for students who meet the criteria for International Admissions I to the Seoul National University –
Application Form
Personal Statement and Study Plan
Letter of Recommendation
Letter of Recommendation from Counsellor
Proof of Language Proficiency
Official Certificate of Enrolment for High School
Official Transcript for High School
Certificate of Nationality of the applicant
Certificate of Nationality of the applicant’s parents
Certificate of Parent-Child Relationship
Some optional documents may also be submitted, including Standardised Test Scores, Explanatory Statement, School Profile, Proof of Proficiency in a language other than English/Korean, and Supplementary Material
Applicants seeking admission to the College of Music or Fine Arts also need to submit their portfolio and a pledge
The list of mandatory documents required of students who meet the International Admissions II criteria includes –
Application Form
Personal Statement and Study Plan
Letter of Recommendation
Letter of Recommendation from Counsellor
Proof of Language Proficiency
Official Certificate of Enrolment for elementary, middle school, and high school
Official Transcript for elementary, middle school, and high school
Official High School Graduation Certificate
Certificate of Nationality of the applicant
Certificate of Fact on Entry and Exit along with its Power of Attorney
Some optional documents can also be scanned and uploaded, such as Standardised Test Scores, Explanatory Statements, School Profile, Supplementary Material, and Proof of Language Proficiency other than Korean/English
Applicants applying to the College of Music or Fine Arts also need to submit their portfolio and a pledge
The Seoul National University admission requirements for postgraduate applicants also involve similar categorical criteria. For postgraduate applicants that meet the criteria for International Admissions I, the following are the mandatory documents required –
Application Form
Personal Statement and Study Plan
Two Letters of Recommendation
Proof of Language Proficiency in English or Korean
Certificate of Graduation, even if expected
Academic Transcript for Bachelor’s Program
Certificate of Applicant’s Nationality
Certificate of Parents’ Nationality
Certificate of Parent-Child Relationship
Some optional documents may also be uploaded, such as Explanatory Statement, Language Proficiency Certificate for languages other than Korean or English, Supplementary Material, and Thesis
Department-specific documents may also be required, such as a pledge and portfolio for Music and Fine Arts, a portfolio and writing sample for Architectural Engineering, and an academic writing sample for College of Human Ecology
Postgraduate applicants applying under International Admissions II need to submit the following necessary documents –
Application Form
Personal Statement and Study Plan
Two Letters of Recommendation
Proof of Language Proficiency in Korean or English
Certificate of Graduation (expected)
Applicant’s Certificate of Nationality
Certificate of Entry and Exit
Some optional documents may include an Explanatory Statement, Proof of Language Proficiency other than English or Korean, Thesis, and Supplementary Material
Department-specific documents may include a portfolio and pledge for Fine Arts and Music, an academic writing sample for Child Development and Family Studies, and a portfolio and academic writing sample for Architectural Engineering
Tests required and average scores
The Seoul National University admission criteria include basic proficiency tests for Korean and English. The proficiency test for Korean is TOPIK and applicants must pass at least Level 3 or 4 from university language centres across Korea.
As for English-speaking applicants, they must pass TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest, IELTS Academic English Language proficiency tests with a minimum score of 80 for TOEFL iBT, 269 for TEPS, and overall 6.0 for IELTS.
Note that the University does not consider results for TOEFL ITP tests.
On average, the total student enrollment for Seoul National University is 27,000+. The University offers 85 undergraduate courses through 15 colleges and 106 postgraduate courses across five distinguished fields of study. Some of the most popular undergraduate courses offered by the University include –
Food and Animal Biotechnology
Applied Biology and Chemistry
Business Administration
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Oriental Painting
Food and Nutrition
Liberal Studies
Preliminary Medicine
The top postgraduate courses of Seoul National University, renowned worldwide, include –
Anthropology
Archaeology and Art History
Political Science and International Relations
Agricultural Economics and Rural Development
Consumer Science
Social Studies Education
How Seoul National University evaluates applicants
When deciding whom to admit, Seoul National University considers a number of factors such as the Grade Point Average or GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and personal achievement records.
While reviewing applications, the admissions committee looks into the –
Features of the attended institutions
Quality of achievements
Suitability of goals with the chosen subject
Proficiency in Korean and other languages
Other than these, assessment tests and interviews may also be conducted depending upon the policy of the department or college.
Tips for applying to the Seoul National University
According to the QS Rankings 2023, Seoul National University ranks 29th among the best global universities. Given its track record for excellence and high performance, the Seoul National University acceptance rate is significantly low.
Compared to other Universities, the Seoul National University places greater importance on academic brilliance than non-academic qualities and achievements of the applicants. However, the application process offers numerous opportunities for applicants to shine before the reviewers.
Given below are some valuable tips to help students secure a seat at the Seoul National University –
Study hard and take up standardised tests. Usually, the combined scores of high school or undergraduate grades and standardised tests are considered to understand how successful a student can be.
A personal statement is the way to make a great impression on the reviewer. So, students shouldn’t forget to include why they love the subject they are applying for and the important moments that deepened their love for it.
Reach out to relevant teachers in advance for their letters of recommendation. Students should ensure the teachers or counsellors chosen know them well as a person.
Never shift the reviewer’s focus from what’s important to the trivial. Meaning, highlight important milestones and achievements while keeping the content to the point and crisp.
Finally, proofread applications thoroughly, perhaps even from a friend or family member, before submitting it.
Application deadlines
Seoul National University Application Deadlines 2024 (Exact Dates)
In conclusion, Seoul National University's acceptance rate for Indian and international students reflects its standing as one of the most prestigious institutions in South Korea and its commitment to academic excellence. While the acceptance rates are notably competitive, reflecting the university's high standards and the large volume of applicants, SNU continues to encourage diversity and global perspectives within its student body. For Indian and international students, gaining admission to SNU signifies not only an acknowledgment of their academic abilities but also an opportunity to immerse themselves in a vibrant educational environment, rich in cultural exchange and intellectual rigor. As such, aspiring students should view the application process as a challenge to showcase their unique strengths and potential, aligning themselves with SNU's ethos of innovation and leadership in the global academic arena.
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