Seoul National University Scholarships for International Students 2026

Most SNU scholarships are designed for enrolled, on-campus degree students (and sometimes exchange/language training that is tied to enrollment), rather than funding standalone online courses.

Both. SNU offers Korean-taught courses and English-taught courses, and the mix depends on your college/department and level (undergraduate vs. graduate). Recipient experiences vary by program: Nirmana said “all courses are conducted in English,” while Munkh-Erdene described a mixed environment where “around 30-40% of the classes and seminars are in English and the rest are in Korean.” In business, Karina explained that “the classes are taught in Korean,” but professors often allow English participation, adding that they “understand English well.”

It depends on the scholarship. Many university-administered scholarships focus on your academic fit and enrollment status, while some government scholarships have strict age rules. For example, the Korean government’s GKS program commonly includes age criteria (e.g., “Under 25” for undergraduate programs and “Under 40” for graduate programs in published eligibility summaries). If you’re applying through a specific scholarship (like GKS or a foundation scholarship), always check that scholarship’s current eligibility page for the exact age cutoff for your intake year.

SNU scholarships can cover a wide range of majors (generally across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, arts, and more), but some scholarships explicitly prioritize certain fields. For example, some SNU scholarships give priority to areas such as engineering, medicine/public health, agriculture, development studies, and Korean studies. So yes, engineering and STEM fields are commonly supported, business is supported (e.g., business school recipients like Karina), and humanities are also included depending on the scholarship.

It varies by scholarship type. Some are broadly for international students enrolled at SNU (for example, scholarships that simply define eligibility as “international students” in SNU graduate programs). Others target specific groups: some scholarships are aimed at students “from developing countries” (often referenced via international lists like the OECD DAC ODA recipients list), and government scholarships like GKS typically require you (and often your parents) to be non-Korean citizens and may also be limited by country quotas or annual country lists. Practically, this means SNU scholarships can be open to many nationalities, but you must match the exact category (international student, developing-country applicant, overseas Korean category, etc.).

For admissions, SNU commonly asks applicants to prove language ability in either Korean or English (the accepted proofs depend on the program). Recipient examples show different paths: Munkh-Erdene applied with strong scores (IELTS 7.5 and TOPIK 6), and Karina reported a very high TOEFL score (116/120). For scholarships, language can be a strict requirement in some cases; for example, some GKS tracks and related awards require TOPIK (e.g., TOPIK level 4+ for certain self-financed GKS awards). Even when not strictly required, strong language scores can strengthen your scholarship competitiveness and help you succeed once enrolled.

SNU admissions decisions are typically holistic and based on an overall evaluation of the documents you submit rather than a single universal “minimum GPA” that guarantees admission. In practice, successful applicants often have strong academics: Nirmana shared, “I had a GPA of 3.97 out of 4.00,” Karina reported a 3.83/4.00 in her prior degree, and Munkh-Erdene reported 99.6/100. For scholarships after enrollment, minimum GPA rules are common (for example, some SNU scholarships require maintaining a 3.0 term GPA to renew).

A strong academic record helps, but many scholarships also look for fit, motivation, and a credible plan. From recipients: Karina emphasized presenting herself as “a well-rounded and motivated candidate,” pairing academics with relevant experiences and a clear purpose. Nirmana highlighted top performance in prior study, and Munkh-Erdene combined excellent grades with strong language scores (IELTS/TOPIK). A “good background” usually means: strong grades, evidence you can handle your intended language of study (English/Korean), and a study/research plan that matches the program.

Exact requirements depend on undergraduate vs. graduate and your department, but commonly requested items include an application form, academic transcripts, graduation/degree certificates, proof of language proficiency, and recommendation letters, plus program-specific items (portfolio, etc.). Recipient checklists can be very practical: Ananda Eka said, “I had to submit the documents required by the scholarship provider, such as my study plan, recommendation letters, and language proficiency certificate,” and advised applicants to “make a checklist of the required documents.” For scholarship or sponsored routes, requirements can be longer: TJ listed submitting “medical certificate, employer letter, study plan, motivation letter, recommendation letters, academic transcripts, graduation certificates, birth certificate, and passport copy.” Karina also warned about “administrative requirements,” including “getting my certifications apostilled,” which can take time.

SNU offers a broad range of programs across major colleges and graduate/professional schools. Major areas include humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, business administration, medicine, pharmacy, nursing, agriculture & life sciences, fine arts, music, education, human ecology, and more. In short, you can find options across STEM (including engineering and natural sciences), business, humanities, and health/medicine, subject to each department’s admissions rules and language of instruction.

Yes, SNU typically charges an application fee for international admissions, and the amount can differ by applicant type and intake. For example, one published international undergraduate admissions guide states the application is completed once the application fee “(KRW 70,000)” is paid. Always confirm the exact fee for your intake (Spring/Fall) and level (undergraduate/graduate) in the latest admissions guide linked from SNU’s official admissions announcements.