Seoul National University 2025 | Admissions, Eligibility, Requirements

The Seoul National University, abbreviated as SNU Korea is the no. 1 university in South Korea for students. Its popularity among both domestic and international students rises from the fact that it’s a public university and has a variety of courses and specialisations to choose from. 

Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea (SNU Korea) is one of the top 10 universities in South Korea and ranks on “=38” position in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Over 400 - 800+ courses are taught in English at SNU Korea and more and more are to be introduced soon. This is aimed at attracting higher international student enrollment numbers. Around 96% of the faculty at SNU are doctoral degree holders and this is an added advantage for international students applying for admission at Seoul National University. 

International students can apply for SNU admissions for 110+ undergraduate programs offered in 50+ departments and 106 graduate programs offered across five study fields. There are two intakes at SNU Korea - the Fall intake with classes starting in  September and Spring intake with classes starting in March. 

Applicants can check if the course instruction medium is in English or Korean and then check out its admission requirements. This article will help international students understand the admission process for Seoul National University. 

Check out: Top 10 Universities in South Korea

Seoul National University Admission Highlights 

Seoul National University Eligibility Criteria  

International students in South Korea are referred to as those who are not from Korean background and so are their parents. If applying as an international student, the applicants will have to have graduated from high school or completed a curriculum equivalent to high school. Foreign students who are eligible for this level of education can apply for admission to Seoul National University. 

Also note, that applicants from government-approved high schools are eligible to apply for admission at Seoul National University. 

In case, the applicant or applicant’s parents renounced their Korean citizenship then they should also mention that in the application form. And they must attach the relevant certificates of renunciation as well while applying for SNU Korea. 

Admission Requirements at SNU for International Students 

At Seoul National University, admission requirements for international students vary based on their course level of study. There are a couple of common requirements but there may be separate and additional documentation required for graduate level of education at SNU. Check out the section below for all important information related to admission, documents required, application process and application fees at Seoul National University: 

Documents Required for SNU Online Application 

Check out the list of documents to be attached to the online application of Seoul National University for international students in the proposed format below: 

Recommendation Letters 

Once the applicant pays the application fee, they will be able to nominate their recommenders who will get a link for filling up their recommendations when applying to Seoul National University.  

However, those applicants who have yet to submit their applications can send the recommender website link to their recommenders. 

Language Proficiency Proof 

Those applicants who have graduated from an English-speaking institution can submit scores of the following tests to SNU Korea: 

• TOEFL iBT: 80 or above or, 
• IELTS: 6.0 or, 
• TEPS: 269 or above 

These scores can be submitted by scanning the result page or by taking a screenshot of the result. 

Please note: SNU institution code for TOEFL, IELTS Score Report: 7972 

Standardized Test Score Reports 

Applicants applying for various courses at SNU will have to submit either of the scores mentioned below level-wise for admission. Check them out below. For undergrad courses at SNU Korea, the following test scores will be required: 

• ACT 
• A-LEVEL 
• Advanced Placement (AP) 
• IGCSE 
• IB 
• NCEA 
• SAT 

Official High School Certificate of Enrollment at Seoul National University

The certificate of enrollment must indicate the enrollment period(start/end date of each semester), academic year, and semester.  

Applicants who have skipped grades or graduated early must submit an explanatory statement AND documentary evidence 

Official High School Transcript 

Those applicants must submit high school transcripts who have not yet graduated must submit the latest transcript. Applicants must submit high school transcripts even if they submit final A-level or IB scores.  

Official High School (Expected) Graduation Certificate 

The expected date of graduation must be highlighted in the certificate.  

If the certificate of (expected) graduation cannot be issued due to official reasons it may be substituted with an official letter which should be issued by the school authority with a school seal/stamp on it, a certificate of enrollment, or a transcript stating the (expected) graduation date.  

Nationality Certificate 

Applicants will have to submit a copy of their latest passport. If unavailable, submit an original or notarized copy of the nationality certificate, or a notarized copy of the identification card. If submitting ID cards, SNU Korea will not accept them without notarization or those ID cards that do not indicate nationality will be rejected as part of documentation.  

The below-given documents are supposed to be attached for graduate admissions at Seoul National University along with the above-given ones (since they are common for both levels of study):

Portfolios

Portfolios are required to be submitted for applicants applying to the following departments/majors at Seoul National University: 

• College of Fine Arts (Except for Interdisciplinary Program in Art Management)  
• College of Music 
• Interdisciplinary Program in Fine Arts Education, College of Education 
• Interdisciplinary Program in Music Education, College of Education  
• Department of Architecture & Architectural Engineering, College of Engineering  
• Department of Child Development and Family Studies, College of Human Ecology 

Two Recommendation Letters 

LORs can be requested from the applicant’s school teachers or professors who have taught the applicant at schools or colleges of enrollment. LORs may also designated to individuals who are well aware of their academic abilities if their school teachers or professors are unavailable for submitting a letter of recommendation for the applicant. 

*Note: Applicants can also submit additional documentation for explanation if the need arises. These additional documents are optional for submission, thus, submit only if required. 

How to Apply for Seoul National University? 

There are separate applications to apply for Seoul University admissions. Check out the following sections which will help international students navigate how to apply at SNU based on the level of course: 

For Undergraduate Admissions at SNU  Korea

The application process for undergraduate admissions at Seoul National University is simple, applicants will have to log on to https://admission.snu.ac.kr and look for the dates and link to the application.  

Applicants must keep the documents ready in the desired format and apply with a fee of KRW 70,000 for international undergraduate admissions at Seoul National University.  

Once the application is submitted with the required fee, applicants will be able to share links to the recommenders for submitting an LOR for the applicant. In case the admission application cannot be submitted, they can still send recommenders a link to submit recommendations.  

For Graduate Admissions at SNU Korea

The following are the online application requirements for graduate admissions at Seoul National University: 

Three Short Essay Prompts: 

1. Please describe any unique characteristics of your institutions or distinctive qualities of your previous education. Give a brief account of the curriculum and mention any set of pedagogically significant courses. 
2. About your academic interests and personal perspectives, please describe your aptitude and motivation for the department of your choice, including your preparation for this field of study, your academic achievement and your commitment. You may briefly elaborate in addition to any of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below. 
3. Personal Essay: This personal essay helps us become acquainted with you in ways different from courses, grades, test scores, and other objective data. It will demonstrate your ability to organize your thoughts and express yourself. Given your background, evaluate a significant experience, achievement, or risk you have taken; or discuss an issue of personal, local or international concern and its importance to you; or describe a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that impact. We are looking for an essay that will help us know you better as a person and as a student.  

Personal Statement & Study Plan 

A 600 words English essay based on the desired outline as suggested in the application which is as follows:  

Please explain in some detail your purpose in studying at Seoul National University and your study plans. Be as specific as you can regarding your academic interests and the curriculum you expect to follow in achieving your goals. 

As an exception, applicants to the following programs must write an essay in 1,500 Korean characters for the following:  

• Korean Language and Literature 
• Korean History 
• Asian History 
• Business Administration 
• Interdisciplinary Program in Art Management 

Finally, an application fee of KRW 90,000 will be charged for an international graduate admission application at Seoul National University.  

Applicants must note that only one application per course will be accepted from international applicants applying at Seoul National University. Application and document submission deadlines vary per intake; hence applicants must check all dates and then apply accordingly to SNU Korea.  

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