Seoul National University

 

Overview: 

Founded in 1946, Seoul National University was the first national university in South Korea, and has served as a model for the many national and public universities in the country. Throughout its history, Seoul National University has been regarded as the most prestigious of all post-secondary educational institutions in the country by the general public and consistently recruits top-notch high school students. SNU also has been recognized for its leading role in Korean academia, and entry into the university is viewed as a ticket to success. Overall, SNU has over 27,000 students, with over 2,000 coming from outside of South Korea. A large number of international students in the past have enjoyed studying at this prestigious university and learning about Korea and Korean culture. SNU currently accepts about 300 international students for exchange programs. This program is university-wide, meaning any undergraduate Pitt student regardless of major may participate.

 

 

Fact sheet: 
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Learning Objectives: 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
  • a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in South Korea.
Partner Information: 

Office of International Affairs

CJ International Center (Bldg. # 152), 

Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, 

Seoul 08826 Korea

+82-2-880-4447

Location Description: 

Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea or South Korea, is in the northeastern region of the country. Despite its historical roots date, which back two thousand years, it is a modern metropolis a population over nine million people. Seoul is home to some of the world’s most iconic Korean companies including Samsung, LG, Hyundai and others.  

Housing Description: 

SNU offers options for university-affiliated housing or private accommodations. Although Pitt students are not guaranteed spots within university-affiliated housing, SNU will provide instructions on when and how to apply for housing. See SNU’s website for general housing information. 
 

Academic Description: 

At SNU, courses are taught in Korean and in English. Overall, about 25% of the coursework at SNU are conducted in English and in Korean. Specific courses will be offered in one of the two languages. Credits taken at SNU are equivalent to credits received at Pitt according to a 1:1 ratio. For example, 3 credits at Yonsei will transfer as 3 Pitt credits.  

 

All credits taken at SNU require approval by both your academic advisor(s) and study abroad program manager. Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours. Courses taken at SNU will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university. 

 

As a part of the cultural experience, SNU offers Korean Language Courses specifically designed for visiting students. These may be considered for credit or not for credit. Verify with the study abroad program manager regarding their transferability.  

 

For an overview of courses, students may visit SNU's curriculum as well as their course catalog. 

Students who have attended this program in the past have taken classes in the areas of:: 
Korean
Astronomy
Religious Studies
History
English Literature
Anthropology
Sociology
Psychology
Music
University Course Catalog: 
SNU Course Registration System - Click "English"
Grading: 

Like Pitt, SNU’s grading scale follows the practice of assigning letter grades, such as A, B, C, D and F. For more information about the grading scale at SNU, see their explanation.  

 

For Pitt transfer credit, in order to earn a grade of “S,” (satisfactory) at Pitt, you must make an equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher. An equivalent to a “C-” or lower will result in a grade of “NC” (no credit) at Pitt.

 

SNU will provide hardcopy (or electronic transcripts) to the University of Pittsburgh’s Study Abroad Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are receive. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: 3959 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Electronic copies should be sent to the designated exchange program manager under “SAO Staff.”  

 

Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received. 

Pitt students may utilize the following online resource to understand the grading scale within this host country.

 

Program Fees: 
Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.  
 
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition* $10,077 $19,260
Mandatory Fees $645 $645
Study Abroad Fee $400 $400
Total Billed by Pitt* $11,122 $20,305
 
*The tuition rate listed is defaulted to reflect the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. For Pitt students of another Pitt school or campus, the tuition rate will reflect the home school or campus. See posted rates on the Institutional Research page.

 

How Much To Budget: 

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,000
Room & Board $3,100
Personal Expenses $2,180
 
The Estimated Costs reflect information provided by SNU and are reported to OAFA to calculate financial aid packages.The listed costs are defaulted to one semester. Multiply the costs by two for two semesters. 
 
Personal expenses vary with individual students. Review the SNU's website for more information, and visit our budgeting page for more information. 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the exchange university you will attend requires purchase of a specific health insurance coverage per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at SNU for either a full semester (fall or spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). SNU's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Unlike Pitt, SNU’s academic calendar follows a Spring-Fall progression, meaning Spring is the first semester followed by the Fall semester as the second. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Dr. Shawn Alfonso Wells

Greetings! I manage the Arts and Sciences and Exchange and am the Pitt in Spain Program Manger. I have a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh and am an Adjunct professor of Anthropology who has taught in the Anthropology, History, Sociology, and Africana Studies departments at Pitt and CMU. I did my fieldwork on Color Classification in Cuba and have led many ground breaking experiential student trips to Cuba. I love learning about different cultures and want to help facilitate students being able to travel abroad to learn about the world. I look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals of a global experience.

 

Schedule a Zoom appointment with me below or get in touch with me through email to discuss exchange options and your future global experience.

 

E-mail: 
smwst20@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!

Appointment Link: https://pathways.campus.eab.com/pal/mT8JxcvuBG

 
 
Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!

Application Instructions: 

Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to SNU. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review SNU's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student at SNU. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to SNU's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.  
 
The exchange university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:  

  • Application Form 
  • Copy of Valid Passport 
  • Official Pitt Transcript 
  • Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment 
  • Statement of Intent or Purpose 
  • Resume or CV 
  • Official Language Evaluation 
  • Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations 
  • Up to 2 passport photos 

 

Additional Information: 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers are advised to show evidence of English proficiency either through the IELTS or the TOELF. In order to take courses in Korean at SNU, Pitt students are advised to submit evidence of Level 5 Korean proficiency through the KLAT or TOPIK. Please check with SNU regarding these recommendations.  

Insurance Requirements: 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. However, South Korea requires Pitt students to purchase additional coverage through their national health plans. See the details here.  

Visa Requirements: 

In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

 

For those without Korean nationality, students must obtain a D-2 student visa to study in South Korea. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review SNU's website.  Also, check the Korean Embassy or consulate closest to you for additional information.  SNU will provide general direction after formal admission on for how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website. In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Seoul. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!