Seoul National University

Seoul National University is South Korea's first national university and its flagship public research institution, founded in 1946 in Seoul.

Where you study shapes your rent, your commute, and your daily life. Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi area are the busiest and priciest; regional cities cost less and move at a gentler pace.

Beyond tuition, budget for rent, food, transport, phone, and insurance. Costs vary most by city: living in Seoul runs noticeably higher than in a regional town.

The main Gwanak campus sits at the foot of Gwanaksan in southern Seoul: a large, self-contained campus with on-campus dormitories, libraries, and sports facilities. An international office runs orientation and buddy programs for incoming students.

42 of 70 listed programs have English-taught options. Use the language filter on the programs table above to see exactly which programs run in English.

1. 01

   Pick one program

   You apply to a single university and department at a time. Choose the program whose language, field, and requirements match you, using the programs table above.

2. 02

   Prepare and legalize documents

   Gather your transcripts, certificates, and forms, and get the required ones apostilled or consular-confirmed. This step takes the longest, so start early.

3. 03

   Submit before the deadline

   Apply through the route that fits you: the Global Korea Scholarship (embassy or university track) or the university's own international admission. Watch the calendar below.

4. 04

   Interview and results

   Shortlisted applicants may sit an interview. Final results arrive in rounds, so keep an eye on your email and the official portal.

This list follows the Global Korea Scholarship requirements, the most common route international students take. A university you apply to directly may ask for a slightly different set, so always cross-check its own guideline.

1. Embassy track application deadline

   mid-October 2026
2. Embassy 1st round results

   late October 2026
3. University track application deadline

   late October 2026
4. Embassy documents arrive at NIIED

   mid-November 2026
5. University 1st round results

   late November 2026
6. University documents arrive at NIIED

   late November 2026
7. Embassy 2nd round results

   within November 2026
8. Embassy 3rd round results

   late December 2026
9. University 2nd round results

   within December 2026
10. Notify your final university choice

    early January 2027
11. Final successful candidates announced

    early-to-mid January 2027

Dates for the upcoming cycle are estimates based on the last published calendar. Confirm each one on the official source when it is released.

On a D-2 study visa you may work part-time after your first semester, with permission from your university and the immigration office. Weekly hours are capped during term and expanded over vacations, and the work must meet your visa conditions and pay at least the national minimum wage.

This is guidance drawn from the facts on this page, not a prediction of your chances. Only the university decides who is admitted.

• Leaving apostilles to the last minute

  Legalizing documents can take weeks and depends on your home country's process. Start as soon as you have your transcripts.

• Assuming everything is in English

  Many programs are Korean-taught. Confirm the language of your specific department, not just that the university offers some English options.

• Missing the one-university rule

  For the government scholarship you may apply to only one university per round. Choose deliberately.

• A generic study plan

  Your personal statement and study plan carry real weight. Write specifically about this university and program, not a generic love letter to Korea.

• Ignoring the TOPIK requirement

  Even English-track students often need Korean eventually. Check the level your program asks for and plan your study around it.