Seoul National University
Seoul National is also the first of Korea's famous SKY universities, known for their academic performance and elite status within the country.
Seoul National University is considered the most prestigious university in South Korea, and is ranked #37th in the world (QS 2020). Seoul National has a population of over 28,000 students, and boast alumni like the 8th Secretary-General of the UN, former President of the International Criminal Court, former Director-General of the World Health Organization, and CEO and chairman of Samsung Electronics. It is also the setting for a variety of Korean dramas.
Key information
Application information
Program details
University-wide areas of study:
Seoul National offers a variety of courses in: Archaeology, Anthropology, Art/Fine Art, Art History, Communications, East Asian Language & Cultural Studies, Economics, Geography, International Relations, History, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Math, Natural Sciences, Physics, Statistics, and Engineering (Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Energy, Geomatics, Mechanical, Oil & Gas, Software). Typically students must choose 1 department at SNU that best fits their academic needs and take the majority of their courses from that department. Click here for the undergraduate departments list - there are links beside each department name to view the homepage, curriculum (all courses), and English-taught courses.
Restricted/limited programs: Medicine, Pharmacy, Law, Dentistry. Vocal Music, Economics, and Business courses are only open to students enrolled within the relevant program at UCalgary. Department of Computer Science and Engineering courses are extremely limited as well, so placement is not guaranteed.
Course requirements:
Students at Seoul National must take a minimum of 3 up to 6 courses (18 credits). 3 credits = 3 units at UCalgary.
Course registration for Fall/full-year students takes place in late July, and for Winter students, in late January. You can also take Korean Language Program courses provided by the SNU Language Education Institute, but will be assessed fees for this.
Students applying to the Department of Korean History, Psychology, or Statistics must show proof of Korean language proficiency.
The academic year is divided into two semesters, Fall and Spring.
- Fall Semester runs from early September to late December
- Spring Semester runs from early March to mid-June
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations etc in your budget planning. South Korea mandates all students be enrolled in a national health insurance service. This will be applied for at the time of application to your host university, and costs about $60/month. As the coverage is not comprehensive and doesn't include places outside of Korea, students should also seek their own medical insurance in addition to the coverage in Korea.
Seoul cost comparison vs. Calgary: Click Here
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Funding
Seoul National offers a Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) for select incoming exchange students nominated by University of Calgary International and the Haskayne School of Business to apply for the competitive scholarship. Nomination does not guarantee award selection.
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange?
Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Proficiency in English or Korean is strongly recommended, but no certification is required (except for Korean History, where TOPIK Level 5+ certification is required).
An academic reference is required for a complete application.
In some years, applicants to SNU have been required to submit references on a specific template. When asking your professor/instructor for a reference, please let them know that you may need to ask them later to re-write their reference on a template form and ensure they will be available to do this (for example, if you are applying for the Priority Deadline in January, your professor/instructor should be available around February to re-write the reference). You will be asked to submit this only after you have been nominated for exchange and the reference requirement confirmed by SNU.
Also, if you are a music, fine arts, or physical education student, you may be required to submit a portfolio including pictures of your work or recordings of your performances.
Haskayne Students:
Haskayne students at UCalgary can ONLY apply for this partner through Haskayne, and must meet the Haskayne requirements for exchange.
What resources are available for new students?
There is a student-run organization called SNU Buddy which helps exchange students’ settlement at SNU. SNU Buddy organizes various events and cultural activities throughout the semester. All exchange students offered acceptance will receive an invitation e-mail to join SNU Buddy before the beginning of the semester. Buddies may also be able to assist with logistic advice such as finding off-campus accommodation, phones/banking, etc.
How can I learn or improve my Korean?
Exchange Students can additionally take Korean Language Programs provided by the SNU Language Education Institute, on a fee-paying basis. OIA will provide partial financial support for the tuition fee for exchange students. Please visit the following website to see the program information: https://lei.snu.ac.kr/mobile/en/klec/main/main.jsp
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Flavien Niederst
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.