Seoul National University

Overview

Local Name: 서울대학교

Acronyms: SNU

Founded: 1946

Control Type: Public

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #58

Rank in South Korea: #1

Motto: Veritas Lux Mea

Colours: Blue

Mascot: Zelkova Tree

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Established in 1946, the Seoul National University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large metropolis of Seoul (population range of over 5,000,000 inhabitants).

This institution also has a branch campus in Suwon. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Korea, Seoul National University (SNU) is a large-sized coeducational South Korean higher education institution.

Seoul National University (SNU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 78-year-old South Korean higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades.

The acceptance rate range is 10-19% making this South Korean higher education organization an extremely selective institution.

International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. SNU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.

Location & Contact

Seoul National University's campus address and the ways prospective students can reach the institution. For visa queries, contact the international student services office directly rather than central admissions.

Academic Details

Seoul National University's student body, faculty composition, and recognition framework are summarised below. Use this section to gauge institutional weight before drilling into specific programmes.

Academic Structures

Seoul National University's internal academic organisation — faculties, schools, and constituent units — is broken down below. Each unit handles a specific subject cluster and houses its own programmes and faculty.

Programs Offered

Each programme at Seoul National University is grouped by the degree it leads to. New programmes can take 6–12 months to propagate through search engines, so the live catalogue here is the authoritative list.

How to apply to Seoul National University

A short guide to applying to Seoul National University — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.

1. 1
   Research programmes at Seoul National University

   Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Seoul National University offers 116 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.

2. 2
   Review admissions criteria

   Each programme at Seoul National University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.

3. 3
   Gather supporting documents

   Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.

4. 4
   Lodge your application

   Apply directly via Seoul National University's online portal at www.snu.ac.kr. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.

5. 5
   Confirm receipt and track progress

   After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +82 (2) 880 4447. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Seoul National University

Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about Seoul National University, drawn directly from institutional records.

Members of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)

Strategic alliances often grow alongside Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) membership — bilateral agreements deepen collaboration beyond the broader network frame. Such alliances sometimes exist between Seoul National University and specific members below.

Zhejiang University

Hangzhou · Public · Rank #3

Tsinghua University

Beijing · Public · Rank #4

Peking University

Beijing · Public · Rank #6

Stanford University

Stanford · Private · Rank #8

University of Washington

Seattle · Public · Rank #19

Faculties at Nearby Universities

Regional admissions cycle quirks (early-deadline schemes, regional aid programmes) apply consistently across the universities near Seoul National University. Worth knowing during shortlisting.

Yonsei University

Seoul · Private · Rank #102

Korea University

Seoul · Private · Rank #117

Hanyang University

Seoul · Private · Rank #199

Kyung Hee University

Seoul · Private · Rank #300

Chung-Ang University

Seoul · Private · Rank #476

Where Else to Study Education & Teaching

Faculty publication output for Education & Teaching researchers at each South Korea institution signals research-active culture. Active publication usually correlates with funded supervision capacity.

Universities Often Compared with Seoul National University

Comparable peer metrics — selectivity, yield, faculty awards — give a fuller picture than headline rankings alone. The universities below cluster around Seoul National University on most of these signals.

UN

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Chengdu · Public · Rank #55

Jilin University

Changchun · Public · Rank #50

Beihang University

Beijing · Public · Rank #67

SO

South China University of Technology

Guangzhou · Public · Rank #47

Chongqing University

Chongqing · Public · Rank #72