Quick Information
| Tuition Fee | KRW 2,442,000–5,038,000 per semester (undergraduate); graduate KRW 3,278,000–5,789,000 per semester |
|---|---|
| Last Verified Date | November 10, 2026 |
Seoul National University, known as SNU, is South Korea’s most prestigious university, ranked joint 38th in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Founded in 1946, it has educated a large share of Korea’s leaders in government, business, science and the arts, and it leads the country’s research in almost every field. For students who want to study in East Asia, SNU offers world-class teaching at a fraction of the cost of comparable universities in the United States or Britain.
Course Fees
| Programme | Tuition fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | KRW 2,442,000–5,038,000 per semester | Depending on the college. Roughly KRW 4,884,000–9,290,000 per year as published. |
| Graduate | KRW 3,278,000–5,789,000 per semester | Depending on the college. No annual graduate figure is published here — check the official tuition page for the annual total for your college. |
Tuition at SNU is the same for domestic and international students, which keeps it affordable by international standards. Check the exact fee for your college on the official SNU tuition page before applying: Seoul National University official website.
Student Reviews
We do not publish student reviews written by us, and we do not invent ratings. Read what students and visitors actually say on the university’s real Google Maps reviews: Seoul National University on Google Maps. If you have studied at SNU and want to share your experience with future applicants, tell us through our Admission Inquiry page.
Admission Process
There are two intakes a year, in March and September. Applications for spring entry open in July the year before. Applicants can qualify with TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0, or TEPS 269, or with Korean TOPIK Level 3. Most courses are taught in Korean, so learning Korean is very important for daily study and campus life, even for programmes that advertise English-taught courses.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July (the year before) | Applications open for spring (March) entry |
| March | Spring intake |
| September | Autumn intake |
This university does not publish a downloadable brochure — check its official admissions page for the latest information.
Placements and Careers
SNU does not publish a single overall placement or employment rate that we can verify, so none is given here. The university’s careers service supports students and graduates with advice, events and employer connections — see the official SNU website for the latest careers information. Do not rely on employment figures quoted on other websites: they are not verified here.
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2026 place Seoul National University joint 38th in the world.
Campus Gallery
The featured image above shows the Former Main Building of Seoul National University — a verified photograph of the university’s own campus. No additional gallery photographs have been added yet: extra campus photos will be added only once each one is verified as SNU’s own campus. If you have a freely-licensed photograph of the SNU campus, tell us through the Admission Inquiry page.
Campus and Infrastructure
SNU’s main campus is in Gwanak, in southern Seoul, at the foot of Mount Gwanak, with green surroundings and views across the city. Seoul itself is one of the world’s most dynamic capitals — a centre of technology, pop culture, food and fashion — with an excellent metro system, fast internet and a very safe environment for students. The university provides dormitory housing for many international students and runs Korean language courses to help newcomers settle in.
Faculties and Departments
SNU has sixteen colleges covering engineering, business administration, medicine, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, and more. Engineering and business are the most popular choices for international students, and the university is strong across the sciences. Many graduate programmes offer courses in English, though undergraduate teaching is mostly in Korean.
Compare with Similar Universities
Compare universities side by side with our Compare Universities tool — pick any two universities and see their fees, rankings, intakes and degree levels together. Similar universities on this site: KAIST (South Korea, THE 2026: 70th in the world) — the only other South Korean university on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start at SNU?
There are two intakes a year, in March and September. Applications for spring entry open in July the year before. Check the admissions calendar on en.snu.ac.kr for the current cycle’s dates.
What language score do I need for SNU?
Applicants can qualify with TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0, or TEPS 269, or with Korean TOPIK Level 3. Most courses are taught in Korean, so learning Korean is very important for daily study and campus life, even for programmes that advertise English-taught courses.
How much is tuition at SNU?
Tuition is the same for domestic and international students. Undergraduate tuition is KRW 2,442,000–5,038,000 per semester depending on the college, or roughly KRW 4,884,000–9,290,000 per year. Graduate tuition is KRW 3,278,000–5,789,000 per semester — check the official tuition page for the annual total for your college, as figures vary by college.
Are scholarships available for international students?
Yes — SNU offers scholarships for international students, including the Global Scholarship, which can cover tuition and living costs. Check the university’s admissions pages on en.snu.ac.kr for the latest awards and deadlines.
What can I study at SNU?
SNU has sixteen colleges covering engineering, business administration, medicine, natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, and more. Engineering and business are the most popular choices for international students. Many graduate programmes offer courses in English, though undergraduate teaching is mostly in Korean.
Scholarships
SNU Global Scholarship — for international students, which can cover tuition and living costs; check the university’s admissions pages on en.snu.ac.kr for the latest awards and deadlines. Also see the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) on this site. Open and closed status is shown on each scholarship’s own page; expired awards are never shown as open.
Address and Location
Seoul National University
1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, South Korea