Seoul National University

Seoul National University is a public research university located in Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 1946 and has since become one of the top universities in Asia and the world. The university has a strong academic reputation and is known for its commitment to research excellence across a range of disciplines, including science, technology, humanities, social sciences, and medicine. The university has a diverse student body, with over 28,000 students from all over the world. Seoul National University also has a number of partnerships and collaborations with other leading universities and research institutions around the world, which allows for a global exchange of knowledge and expertise.
Seoul National University (SNU) was founded in 1946 as the first national university in South Korea. It was established by merging ten institutions of higher education around the Seoul area, including Gyeongseong (Seoul) University, the largest university in Korea at the time.
SNU played a key role in the development of South Korea after its independence from Japan in 1945. The university provided a highly educated workforce that helped to fuel the country's rapid economic growth in the following decades. SNU has also been a leader in research and innovation, and its faculty and alumni have made significant contributions to Korean society in a wide range of fields.
Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, Seoul National University is positioned as the #31 top university in the world, which makes it the #1 top university in South Korea. The university's global rank is improved by 10 points from last year.
University Profile
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2025 Ranking | #31 #1 |
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University Name | Seoul National University |
Name in Local Language | 서울대학교 |
Acronym | SNU |
Year Established | 1946 |
Motto | Veritas Lux Mea |
Motto in English | The Truth is My Light |
Governing Type | Public |
Student Body | Co-education |
Highest Degree | Doctorate |
Campus Type | Urban |
Colors | Blue |
Location
The university is located in Seoul. Find the address and map of the university below.
Address | 599 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
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Contact
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Phone | +82 (2) 880 4447 |
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Fax | +82 (2) 880 4449 |
Website |
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Click here to send email | |
More Links |
Admission Info
Seoul National University has different admission requirements depending on the level of study and the course. Generally, undergraduate applicants are required to have completed their high school education and achieved a certain level of academic performance, which is usually indicated by their grades. In addition, applicants are required to take the national university entrance exam (Suneung) in order to be considered for admission. For international students, a certain level of Korean proficiency may also be required, which can be demonstrated through standardized language tests such as the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). Postgraduate applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in a related field, and may also be required to provide evidence of their English proficiency. The university encourages applicants to check the specific admission requirements for their chosen course before applying.
Accepts International Students | Yes |
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Admission Info | Click here |
Scholarship and Financial Aids
Seoul National University offers a range of scholarships to support its students, including domestic and international students. These scholarships are based on various criteria, such as academic merit, financial need, research potential, and leadership potential. For example, the Global Scholarship for Excellence provides full tuition fee waivers and living expenses for outstanding international students. The university also offers scholarships for specific programs, such as the GSK Science Scholarship for students studying in the natural sciences. In addition, there are also scholarships available for students from specific countries or regions, such as the ASEAN Scholarship for students from ASEAN countries. Students can apply for scholarships through the university's scholarship portal and are required to submit an application form and other supporting documents.
Programs and Courses
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Bachelor's Degrees | Master's Degrees | Doctorate Degrees | Diplomas | |
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Arts & Humanities | n/a | n/a | ||
Business & Social Sciences | n/a | n/a | ||
Engineering | n/a | n/a | ||
Language & Cultural Studies | n/a | n/a | ||
Medicine & Health | n/a | n/a | ||
Science & Technology | n/a | n/a |
Click on the following button to explore a detailed list of programs and courses of this institute.
View Course ListGlobal Ranking History
The following chart shows how the global ranking of this university has changed over the last 5 years.
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