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Seoul National University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements
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- Estd. 1946
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The application deadline for SNU will be in Early Mar 2026. Check Seoul National University reviews from here.
Why choose Seoul National University?
Founded in 1946, Seoul National University is among the top public university located in South Korea. SNU has enrolled over 29,000, out of which 16,000+ are UG students, 6,700+ are PG students, and 5,900+ are Doctoral students.
This university is one of the top-ranked universities in the world and ranks among the Top 100 Universities worldwide in 2025. It ranks at #31 in the world as per a top-ranking publisher. The university offers around 85 UG courses and 106 master’s courses. Doctoral programs are also offered. In the context of admission, Seoul National University acceptance rate is between 15% - 20%. The acceptance rate justifies that the university is very selective at the time of admission. Notable alumni of this university include Ban-Ki Moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Lee Jong-Wook, former Director of WHO, among others. Also Check: Study in South Korea for Indian students
Things to Know about SNU
A few of the important facts about Seoul National University are given below:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Established |
1946 |
|
Type of university |
Public research university |
|
Acceptance rate |
Between 15% - 20%. |
|
IELTS requirement |
6.0 or higher |
|
Courses offered |
UG and PG |
|
Rankings |
#38 in QS rankings 2026 | #62 THE Rankings 2025 |
|
Total no. of students |
29,073 |
|
Campus size (Main campus) |
4,108 acres |
|
No. of UG students |
16,359 |
|
No. of Master's students |
6,756 |
|
Affiliations |
APRU, AALAU, AUA |
History
Seoul National University was founded in 1946 with a declaration on the establishment of a National University in Seoul. It was the first comprehensive university of independent Korea, founded with the aim of producing intellectual elites. The university opened with 9 colleges and 1 Graduate school. In 1960, the first SNU Council was organized. From 1961-1973, new professional graduate schools were established or expanded. In 1970, Gwanak Mountain was selected as the new site of SNU campus.
In 2002, SNU became a world-class research university as it was listed in the Top 30 of the Science Citation Index. In 2011, this university became a leading university through corporatization. It transitioned from a government institution to an autonomous corporation. In 2025, the university is marking its 50th anniversary of integration into the Gwanak campus.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
As per the unofficial sources, Seoul National University acceptance rate is between 15% - 20%. The general entry requirements at SNU include having a high school education for admission to UG courses. For admission to Master's courses, the applicants are required to have a UG degree. English language / Korean language proficiency is also required.
SNU offers courses that are taught in English language. A majority of the courses in English are offered at the UG level. The university advises students to study Korean during their time at the university. Note that Korean language proficiency is dependent on the programme a student wishes to attend. Korean language proficiency can be proven by submitting TOPIK level 3 or higher.
SNU South Korea is a public research university in Seoul, South Korea. As a result of the university's commitment to fostering productive research environment, many of this university's departments and research institutes, especially in Engineering and Natural Sciences fields are globally recognised for its cutting-edge research. They are placed within the Top 20 in terms of citations and publications of the Scientific Citation Index.
Seoul National University Ranking 2026
Seoul National University is a globally renowned university and consistently ranks among the top universities in the world. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Seoul National University ranking is #1 at the national level. The university is also ranked by QS at #31 in 2025 for the World University Ranking category. SNU South Korea QS ranking in 2026 is #38.
Subject Rankings
A few of the subject rankings of Seoul National University in THE rankings are given below:
|
Subjects |
THE Subject Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
|
Engineering |
#40 |
|
Medical & Health |
#44 |
|
Computer Science |
#49 |
|
Life Sciences |
#63 |
|
Business & Economics |
#75 |
#90
#1
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
In Times Higher Education rankings, Seoul National University ranks at #62 in 2025. It is one of the top 10 universities in South Korea in 2025 as per THE rankings. Seoul National University ranks at #1 position in THE rankings particularly for South Korea. Even Shiksha has ranked this university at #1 position in the Popularity rankings for 2025.
SNU QS rank is #38 in 2026 and #31 in 2025. It took the lead in the QS rankings among the Korean Universities category. A few of the indicators used by QS rankings are academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, international student ratio, etc.
Seoul National University Courses for Indian Students
Seoul National University offers courses at UG and PG level. UG degree programs at the university are offered via 15 colleges. In the case of graduate programs, the university has one Graduate school that offers 106 programs across five fields of study. However, note that only UG programs of this university are taught in English.
An unofficial source has cited that the alumni of this university study courses in disciplines like Electrical and Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Computer Science, etc. A few of the popular Seoul National University courses among Indian students are in the fields of Engineering & Technology, Business & Economics, Medical & Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, and more.
In total, there are 16 colleges at SNU South Korea. A few of the colleges at this university are College of Humanities, College of Social Sciences, College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Fine Arts, College of Medicine, College of Nursing, etc. A few of the SNU South Korea Graduate Professional schools are Graduate School of Public Health; Graduate School of International Studies; Graduate School of Business; School of Dentistry; Graduate School of Data Science, etc.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
SNU offers courses at UG and PG levels. UG degree programs at the university are offered via 15 colleges. For graduate courses, there is one Graduate school that offers 106 programs across five fields of study. A majority of the UG courses at the university are taught in English. A few of the colleges at the UG level are:
- College of Humanities
- College of Social Sciences
- College of Natural Sciences
- College of Business Administration
- College of Engineering
- College of Fine Arts
A majority of the UG courses at the university are taught in English. Though the courses at the university are offered in English, the university advises students to Korean during their time at the university. To know the level of Korean language proficiency required, it is advised to check with the respective department.
Seoul National University Admissions 2026
To apply to SNU, the applicants are required to apply online. An application fee has to be paid too.
Application Deadlines
Admission intakes at SNU for international students are Spring and Fall. The application deadlines are listed below:
|
Particulars |
Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
|
UG & PG |
Early Mar 2026 |
Requirements
The general entry requirements for SNU are given as follows:
- UG: The applicants must have passed high school
- PG: For admission to Master’s courses, the applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, for admission to Doctoral courses, the applicants must have a Master’s degree.
- Documents proving English language or Korean language proficiency are required. English language proficiency tests that are accepted are IELTS / TOEFL
Acceptance Rate
Seoul National University acceptance rate is between 15% - 20%. This means that this university is very selective at the time of admission.
Application Fee
Seoul National University application fee is KRW 70,000 for UG students (Around INR 4k) and 90,000 KRW (Around INR 5,300) for PG students.
Eligibility
The entry requirements at SNU vary as per the course levels, however, a few of the documents required to apply are:
- High school transcripts
- Graduate school transcripts
- LOR
- Standardized test scores (official)
- English language proficiency score
- Korean language proficiency score
- Other admission related document
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Here are some of the general entry requirements to get into SNU:
- UG: The applicants should have completed high school education
- PG: The applicants should have a Bachelor's degree for admission to a Master's degree. Whereas, for admission to Doctoral courses, the applicants should have a Master's degree
- English language proficiency tests that are accepted are IELTS / TOEFL. Korean language proficiency is also required, wherever necessary
SNU accepts IELTS / TOEFL scores as English language proficiency tests. Minimum scores required in these tests are given as follows:
- IELTS of 6.0 or higher or TOEFL iBT with 80 or higher
- Wherever required, Korean language proficiency is also required. It can be proven by submitting TOPIK level 3 or higher.
The applicants at SNU can submit the application online and an application has to be submitted too. Seoul National University application fee is KRW 70,000 for UG students (Around INR 4k) and 90,000 KRW (Around INR 5,300) for PG students. A few of the documents required to apply are:
- High school transcripts
- Graduate school transcripts
- Standardized test scores (if students wish to submit)
- Letter of recommendation
- English language proficiency score
- Korean language proficiency score
- Other admission related document
Seoul National UniversitySeoul National University Scholarships for Indian Students
Seoul National University offers scholarships to both Undergraduate and Graduate international students. The university follows the process of giving scholarships before admission and after admission. A few of the Before admission scholarship details at SNU are given below:
- Global Korea Scholarship: This is for international undergraduate students who want to study at SNU. As per this scholarship, tuition exemption for 8 semesters will be allowed and a living expenses waiver of 1,133,330 KRW per month (Around INR 66k). Airfare, one economy round trip, Korean language training fee, and other expenses like medical insurance, settlement and returning expenses are also covered
- Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students: This scholarship is for non-Korean students currently enrolled in Graduate programs. As per this scholarship, full-tuition exemption for a maximum of 4 semesters and a living expenses waiver of a minimum of 500,000 KRW per month (Around INR 29.5k) are allowed.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
International students applying for SNU's Graduate programs are eligible for the Korean Government Scholarship Program. As per this, full tuition fee for 4 semesters for the Master's programme and 6 semesters for PhD programme are covered. Additionally, living expenses of 1,308,330 KRW per month (Around INR 77k) are allowed. Airfare one round economy trip, Korean language training fee, and other expenses like medical insurance, printing fees, research fund, settlement and returning expenses are also covered.
For international students, yes a few scholarships at SNU are available. These cover the scholarships for applicants taking admission before admission and after admission. A few of the details of these scholarships are listed below:
- Global Korea Scholarship: International undergraduate students who want to study at SNU are eligible for this scholarship. Tuition fee exemption for 8 semesters will be allowed and a living expenses waiver of 1,133,330 KRW per month (Around INR 67k). Additionally, Airfare, one economy round trip and Korean language training fee and other expenses like medical insurance, settlement and returning expenses are also covered
- Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students: Non-Korean students currently enrolled in Graduate programs are eligible for this SNU scholarship. Full-tuition exemption for a maximum of 4 semesters and living expenses waiver of minimum of a 500,000 KRW per month are allowed (Around INR 29k).
To know about the after-admission scholarship at SNU, students ae advised to check the university’s official website.
SNU Global Scholarship falls in the category of scholarship for international students in enrolled in Graduate programs. The number of recipients of this university is 160 approximately It covers the tuition fee, living expenses, housing cost, and airfare. Also, language support can be offered for those who seek to master Korean language. Additional funding can be offered to those who require academic support.
Seoul National UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
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(1) 1 person found this helpfulSeoul National University Placements
As per the facts, the average employment rate of SNU MBA graduates has been above 90% in the recent three years
Top Employers
A few of the global companies that have hired SNU MBA graduates are Disney Korea, Bank of China, SAP, Porsche Korea, Apple Music, Amazon Web Services, etc.
Seoul National University Fees
As per Shiksha Study Abroad, Seoul National University fees for Indian students are around INR 2.44 lakh for UG courses.
Cost of Living: Besides the tuition fee, students are required to pay the living expenses too. The expenses may vary as per the students’ lifestyle, but, the monthly estimate is given as follows:
|
Particulars |
Expenses |
|---|---|
|
Housing |
128,500 – 255,500 KRW (UG On-campus) 221,500 – 312,100 KRW (Graduate, On-campus) 400,000 – 800,000 KRW (Off-Campus) |
|
Local transportation |
50,000 – 80,000 KRW (Around INR 3k – 4.7k) |
|
Meals |
400,000 KRW (Around INR 23k) |
|
Books / school supplies |
150,000 per sem KRW (Around INR 8,900) |
|
Telecommunication |
30,000 – 100,000 KRW (Around INR 1.7k – 6k) |
|
Personal expenses |
300,000 KRW (Around INR 17.7k) |
Note: This data is as per 2022 data.
Also Check: Seoul National University Fees
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
BBA(1 course) | INR 3 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
For UG students, SNU fees for UG courses is around INR 2.4 lakh. The estimated per month living expenses for international students:
Particulars | Expenses |
|---|---|
Housing | 128,500 – 255,500 KRW (UG On-campus) 221,500 – 312,100 KRW (Graduate, On-campus) 400,000 – 800,000 KRW (Off-Campus) |
Local transportation | 50,000 – 80,000 KRW (Around INR 3k – 4.7k) |
Meals | 400,000 KRW (Around INR 23k) |
Books / school supplies | 150,000 per sem KRW (Around INR 8,900) |
Telecommunication | 30,000 – 100,000 KRW (Around INR 1.7k – 6k) |
Personal expenses | 300,000 KRW (Around INR 17.7k) |
Seoul National University Notable Alumni
Here are some of the famous personalities who have studied at SNU:
| Names | Designation | Image |
| Ban-ki Moon | Former Secretary General of the UN |  |
| Kim Tae-hee | South Korean actress |  |
| Lee Sang-yoon | South Korean actor |  |
| Lee Jong-wook | Former Director of WHO |  |
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Famous personalities who have studied at SNU are listed below:
Names | Designation |
|---|---|
Yoon Suk Yeol | 20th President of South Korea |
Kim Tae-hee | South-Korean Actress |
Lee Sang-yoon | South-Korean Actor |
Kim Keon-hee | South-Korean Businesswoman |
Lee Jae-yong | Chairman of Samsung Electronics |
Seoul National University Vs Korea University Vs Yonsei University
Considering the world-rankings of these three universities, Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University, SNU ranks better at #31 in 2025. A comparison of these 3 universities is given below:
|
Particulars |
SNU |
Korea University |
Yonsei University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
QS rankings |
#31 |
#67 |
#56 |
|
First-Year Tuition Fees |
INR 2.44 L |
INR 4.3 L |
INR 2.14 L |
|
Acceptance rate |
Between 15%-20% |
Around 8% |
Around 18% |
Compare Seoul National University with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 2.93 L | #38 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 5.16 L | #61 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 7.06 L | #126 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 10.52 L | -/- | |
| INR 2.57 L | #50 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 5.24 L | -/- |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
SNU ranks better at #31 in 2025 in the QS rankings. However, the tuition fees of SNU and Yonsei University are almost the same ranging between INR 2 Lacs – INR 2.5 lakh. The final decision to choose to study between these universities is dependent on the students. A comparison of these three universities is given below:
Particulars | SNU | Korea University | Yonsei University |
|---|---|---|---|
QS rankings | #31 | #67 | #56 |
First-Year Tuition Fees | INR 2.44 L | INR 4.3 L | INR 2.14 L |
Acceptance rate | Between 15%-20% | Around 8% | Around 18% |
Seoul National UniversityStudying in South Korea
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Seoul National University Campus
Libraries
Opened in 1946, SNU Library holds the largest collection of materials in Korea, with over 5.3 million volumes of books and 470,000 types of academic and electronic journals. Also, note that the university’s library consists of the main building, Kwanjeong building, a space customized for its users, and 9 branch libraries.
Museum
SNU Museum opened in 1946. It maintains four sections of Archaeology and History, Natural History, Traditional Arts, and Anthropology and Folklore. It is one of the most active institutions for archaeological research in Korea and has made significant contributions to the study of prehistory and early history of Korea. Also, it is well known for its superb art history and ethnology collections.
Sports Facilities
A number of sports facilities are offered by SNU South Korea, such as gym. There is also an indoor court (badminton, basketball, volleyball, handball), dancing room, physical fitness center, boxing gym, etc. Additionally, at this university, there is one main stadium, university tennis court, POSCO Sports Center, Gwanak Residence Halls Physical Fitness Center, etc.
Student Clubs / Society
A number of student activities and sports clubs are there at Seoul National University, including choir, musical bands, orchestra, dance, travel clubs, and SNU International Students Association (SISA). Sports clubs at this university range from Golf, Fencing, Rugby, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, etc.
Commonly asked questions On Others
SNU International Students Association has been founded in 2007. This represents international student body at the university. Its main aim is to make the life of international students easy, safe, and comfortable. Each year, this association organizes a number of events such as International Students Sports Festival, SISA party, and so on. It also provides international and Korean students with opportunities to take part in voluntary activities to help students in need.
Seoul National University FAQs
Yes, Indians can take admission to SNU South Korea. This university accepts students in Undergraduate and Graduate studies. To take admission to this university, students are required to meet the Korean or English language requirements. The documents that have to be submitted can be submitted through the university's online system. There are two tracks of admissions for international students.
1) Both the applicants and his / her parents are not the citizens of Korea and the applicant has obtained high school graduation
2) The applicants holds either Korean or foreign citizenship and undertook his / her education (both primary and secondary; from the first year of elementary school to high school graduation) outside of Korea
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Seoul National UniversityTake a look at Campus
Building
Conference RoomSeoul National UniversityLocation
| University City | Seoul, Other - South Korea, South Korea |
Seoul National UniversityContact Information
1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Seoul ( Other - South Korea)
(For general query)
(For admission query)
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