About
Founded in 1946 by the merger of ten higher education institutions, Seoul National University (SNU) is considered to be the most prestigious university in the country.
SNU is also a member of the unofficial but prestigious and most competitive universities in South Korea known as ‘S.K.Y’; this consists of Korea University and Yonsei University. This would be the equivalent to ‘Oxbridge’ in the UK. Students here are rigorously challenged in their academies and pushed beyond the boundaries to think differently, whilst being taught by renowned professors who are experts in the field and present a world view of knowledge. SNU is a publicly-owned university unlike Korea and Yonsei.
Students live, work and socialise on campus, which contains all the facilities needed for healthy and happy student life. There are plenty of cafeterias (with discounted meals for SNU students!) and snack bars on campus (though vegetarians may find the Korean diet a challenge), and a wide range of clubs, societies and activities designed to fill students’ social calendars and immerse foreign students in Korean culture.
Sporting activities, whether competitive or recreational, keep students in good shape mentally and physically, while arts and culture also rank highly on the list of what to do on campus, with students able to visit a world-class art gallery as well as attend concerts and recitals by anyone from the top K-pop sensation of the day to classically trained musicians. This includes the "SNU Fest" taking place on campus at the start of every term, where idols, musicians and dancers from both SNU and external to the university come perform for all SNU students to attend.
Location
South Korea is an engaging, welcoming place where the benefits of a fully industrialised, high-tech nation are balanced alongside tradition and the ways of old Asia.
The capital and largest city, Seoul, is the centre of Asia's third-largest economy. This round-the-clock city is constantly on the move. Yet there are plenty of areas to escape the crowds. Popular tourist spots include the ancient palaces and royal shrines of the Joseon Dynasty, the historic Namhansan Mountain Fortress, the Han River which runs to North Korea, and the Seoul World Cup and Olympic Stadia. Further, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the most visited tourist attraction in Seoul as well as Namsan Tower.
Seoul is within comfortable flying distance of Japan and China, with Tokyo, Beijing and Shanghai all less than three hours flight away.
The SNU campus is located in the Gwanak District of Seoul in the Sillim neighbourhood, which is vibrant and has much to offer 24/7. The campus is located at the base of the small ‘Gwanaksan’ (Gwanak mountain), which is frequently hiked up by Seoul citizens and tourists. It is worth a good morning or afternoon hike, with surrounding trails nearby for a more moderate outdoor experience. The campus is located near Line 2 (the busiest and best subway line to get around anywhere in Seoul). Shuttle buses transport students to the Seoul National University Subway Station from campus every 10 mins for free (Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm) – most students live in this area, or use the station to get around Seoul. It is alternatively a 30-min walk from campus. The same service is available to the Daehak-dong neighbourhood (where many students live), which is about a 35-min walk from campus.
Level of competitiveness
Very competitive ***
The level of competitiveness (Less competitive * / Competitive ** / Very competitive ***) refers to one's chances of being allocated an exchange space at this partner. This is an approximation determined by the number of applications received for this destination during the last academic year versus the total number of exchange spaces available to Queen Mary students.
Academic Calendar
As SNU's academic calendar runs across the calendar year, their "semester one" takes place during the first half of the calendar year, and their "semester two" takes place during the second half of the calendar year. Queen Mary students going on exchange to SNU complete "semester two" (our autumn) of one calendar year if they are going for an optional semester exchange, and full year students then also complete their "semester one" of the following calendar year after the Winter break takes place (during which many students make travel plans). In other words, full-year exchange students always complete a year exchange across two halves of two calendar years.
- Semester two: Beginning of September – Mid-December
- Winter break: Mid-December to late February
- Semester one: Beginning of March – Mid-June
- (Summer break: Mid-June - late August, although Queen Mary students do not stay at SNU during this period)
More information on important dates can be found on SNU's academic calendar.
Courses
Not available to students studying strictly Drama of Business Management degree programmes at Queen Mary.
Space available for students reading degrees in Computer Science, Engineering, Business and Economics is limited due to a lack of course capacity - module availability cannot be guaranteed. The School of Korean History/Psychology/Statistics and Pharmacy is only available to students with language proficiency in Korean.
Undergraduate applicants for SNU’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering must have earned at least 15 credits in CSE-related courses (one credit corresponds to 15 lecture hours or 30 lab hours). This must be explicitly shown on the official transcript.
The majority of courses are taught in Korean but each college and department offers some courses in English as well. The course catalogue for the new semester is available at the beginning of January and July each year. Until then, applicants will have to refer to the previous year’s catalogue.
Important: Course registration is held online a month before the semester begins; it is on a first-come-first-served basis and exchange/visiting students are not provided with any guarantees with regard to registering for courses/faculties.
Restrictions
Please visit this page to view a full list of restrictions.
Credits
Students must take 4 modules per semester (no fewer) and up to a maximum of 18 credits per semester.
Find out more about credit transfer and grade conversions.
Find comprehensive information for incoming exchange students on SNU's "Life at SNU" webpage (see all topics on left-hand menu navigation).
Queen Mary student feedback:
Blog posts on Queen Mary Global Bloggers:
Instagram takeovers:
Accommodation
Exchange students can apply for on-campus housing, and there are two types of residence halls available on the main campus. A dormitory application guide is provided by SNU to students who are offered acceptance from SNU.
Offer holders who plan to apply for on-campus should be aware in advance that a mandatory chest x-ray is required (screening for tuberculosis), so offer holders who plan to apply should make arrangements to have this carried out in the UK before dorm applications open (otherwise applicants may have to go private to obtain this at short notice).
While all exchange students can apply, spaces are not guaranteed due to high demand. SNU uses a lottery system to allocate the students who submit a dorm application to be allocated rooms, therefore it is very normal to not get into campus accommodation. So offer holders who do apply for this should also make back-up arrangements as early as possible if they are not allocated a room (see below), following the guidance from the SNU OIA to carry out their search safely in order to prevent being victims of fraud.
Off-campus housing is available around the campus, and there are several types of options; Queen Mary students who are unsuccessful in receiving on-campus housing live off-campus, finding houseshares, etc. Most students stay in a goshiwon (small room with a bed, desk, wardrobe, ensuite), which is much cheaper than London rent, and off-campus in various walkable locations from campus. The SNU OIA can assist students in searching for housing, yet it is a student's own responsibility to find accommodation outside the campus and to obtain and maintain the off-campus housing contract.
Cost of Living
Seoul National University provides information on the cost of living as a student here. You can find more general, up-to-date information about the cost of living in Seoul compared to London here.
Please consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures for this destination country available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
According to previous Queen Mary student feedback, the cost of living in Seoul is generally cheaper than London in terms of rent, eating, drinking, social activities and public transport and to a very high quality. However, students find that groceries are very expensive and so eating in campus cafeterias (which provide freshly cooked, affordable meals as well as being a social activity) is a much more feasible way of living. Eating out in restaurants is also a normality in Seoul and inexpensive.
Support Services
SNU has a Health Service Center available for all students. SNU Center for Students with Disabilities, located in the campus centre, facilitates academic accommodations and services for students with disabilities so that these students have equal access to any on-campus facilities and offerings and fully immerse themselves into campus life. It is strongly advised that students with disabilities contact SNU OIA as early as possible to inform their necessities. More information on accessibility can be found on Seoul National University's page for students with disabilities.
Campus Life
With a student ID card, exchange/visiting students can take advantage of access to on-campus facilities and get a discount at designated cafeterias.
The SNU Buddy was established in 2005 to help international exchange and visiting students settle in SNU and to build a real friendship and network. Sign-up notice will be e-mailed to all incoming exchange/visiting students before the semester starts.
There are a number of extracurricular activities, student organisations, and sports clubs at SNU, including musical bands, choir, orchestra, dance, painting, photography, student newspaper, traditional Korean music, travel clubs and SNU International Students Association (SISA). Sports clubs ranging from fencing, golf, basketball, rugby, scuba-diving, snowboard, ski, horse riding, baseball, yacht, judo, kendo, soccer, taekwondo, tennis, etc.
