Seoul National University, established in 1946, is a premier institute of higher education in Korea. It was the first full-fledged university in independent Korea, established to produce brilliant graduates to take the newly liberated country forward. Affected by the war period in the 1950s, the university recovered remarkably and is today seen as Korea’s ‘flagship university.’
Committed to quality training and research, SNU’s efforts have borne fruit: its many research centers and departments are internationally recognized for their excellent output, and the university is consistently ranked amongst the top universities in Asia and the world. Alumni of the institute are distinguished members of society, occupying key positions in various sectors nationally and internationally. SNU is also an attractive destination for students, promising a fulfilling academic and cultural experience in the vibrant city of Seoul.
Read on to learn more about the cost of studying at SNU for international students.
How Much Does it Cost for a Full Academic Year at the Seoul National University?
Tuition fee costs vary between ₩2,500,000 to ₩5,500,000 for regular degree programs at Seoul National University. You can find more information about undergraduate and graduate tuition fees on the university website.
The cost of university education is more than just the tuition fees — students will also have to account for food, accommodation, transport, books, and miscellaneous expenses.
Study Costs at Seoul National University
The cost of attendance for international students includes several aspects, from academic to logistic to personal needs. Read on to learn about the financial investment you will need to make to study at Seoul National University as an international student.
Application Costs at Seoul National University
The first expense of university education comes much before you attend when you are going through the application process — with most universities having an application charge. At SNU, the application costs are different for undergraduate and graduate studies. According to the university, the application fee for an international bachelor’s program is ₩70,000, while graduate applications carry a fee of ₩90,000.
Paying the application fee completes the process of application submission. Once you fill in the application and pay the fee, you will be given an application number.
Tuition Fee Costs at Seoul National University
The most obvious, and often the biggest, expense goes towards tuition fees. Tuition fee varies depending on a lot of factors: the student’s nationality, the type of degree, and the program selected. Tuition fees are also subject to change, and you’ll notice a slight rise year-on-year in most universities.
Tuition fees at SNU are generally paid before the beginning of every semester. This is twice a year–at the end of February and the end of August every year. Find out the fee structure for international students at SNU below.
Bachelor’s Tuition Costs
SNU offers a wide range of undergraduate academic programs. The academic expenses vary between different programs: from ₩2,442,000 at the College of Humanities to ₩3,916,000 at the College of Music. Professional degree programs are a bit more expensive, such as the clinical medicine program at ₩5,038,000.
Fees for every undergraduate program can be found in the university’s helpful undergraduate admission guide here.
Master’s Tuition Costs
As with the undergraduate programs, the tuition fees vary across the wide range of graduate programs offered by SNU. Here, the College of Humanities offers the most economical program at ₩3,278,000, and the most expensive regular master’s program is ₩5,362,000 for a Global Public Administration major. Again, professional courses cost more: the programs in clinical medicine and dentistry set you back by ₩6,131,000.
Fees for all graduate programs can be found in the university’s helpful graduate admission guide here.
Other Academic Costs at Seoul National University
Now that we have covered tuition costs, it’s also important to consider the other study and living expenses incurred as an international student in South Korea.
Books and Miscellaneous Expenses
The university estimates that students need about ₩150,000 per semester as book expenses.
Accommodation and Transportation
The biggest chunk of your monthly budget will probably go toward housing. Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you choose to stay on campus or off it, whether you live alone or with family, which area you want to live in (if you choose off-campus), whether you are willing to share, and the features you require in your accommodation.
For undergraduate students who stay on campus, the university estimates that the accommodation costs are the cheapest, between ₩128,500 – ₩255,000 per month. SNU offers Gwanak Residence Halls, a student dormitory with around 6000 students. Dorms are also a great way to experience university life and one of the quickest ways for foreigners to adjust to a new setting and culture.
For graduate students who stay on campus, the university estimates costs to be around ₩221,500 – ₩312,100 per month.
Many students also choose to stay outside the campus, which can offer freedom and more facilities but is also the most expensive option. Renting accommodation off-campus can cost anywhere between ₩400,00 and ₩800,000 per month, depending on location, size, and amenities. Keep in mind that most owners will also ask for a deposit, which is not included in this estimation. Deposits are returned at your stay’s end unless the property has incurred damage.
Another major expense is transportation, costing somewhere in the range of ₩50,000 – ₩80,000. Seoul has a good public transport system that includes subways, buses, and taxis.
Living Expenses
The last big expense (and some would argue the most important expense) is food. The university estimates that students spend around 400,000 KRW per month on meals. This can easily go up if you’re in the habit of eating out often, particularly at expensive places. Seoul has a great food culture for all pocket sizes, and this is one avenue to look forward to as an international student.
Another expense that can’t be forgotten in today’s world is a phone and internet charges, which can cost anywhere between ₩30,000 – ₩100,000 per month depending on your usage.
Apart from this, it is always good to budget some money as personal expenses, to cover other needs that crop up during your stay. The university suggests that students factor in 300,000 KRW per month as personal expenses, and this may go up or come down depending on how frugal or lavish you are, and whether you face any emergency.
To sum up, the amount of cost of studying at SNU as an international student can be high, depending on your program of study, accommodation type, and lifestyle choices. While higher education is often an expensive affair, the university offers several financial aid options like scholarships that help students afford the education.
We hope this article on the cost of studying at Seoul National University was helpful. You can also check out the several available courses for international students and the Study in Korea page to explore your study options.
