Description
Seoul National University, founded in 1946 as the first national university of Korea, welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds. SNU recognizes that international students provide diverse perspectives and contribute to a dynamic learning atmosphere and offers its students outstanding cultural and recreational opportunities with a wide variety of additional entertainment options available in the city of Seoul.
Quick Facts
Partner Program Type – Exchange
Minimum GPA – 2.85
Eligibility – Good academic and disciplinary standing, Min Age: 18, Open to All Majors, Junior or Senior class standing by the time of departure
Term Options
Fall Semester – late August to mid-December
Spring Semester – late February to mid-June
- students must miss both winter and spring quarters at UCSC to participate in this session
Academic Year – late August to mid-June
Partner Program deadline dates
Cost
Location
City & University
Fashion- and technology-forward but also deeply traditional, this dynamic city has palaces, temples, cutting-edge design, and even mountain trails. Seoul, home to more than ten million people and 280,000 foreigners, is a diverse bustling city.
Accommodations
You can apply to two different types of on-campus housing at the main campus. Off-campus housing is also available around the campus. Learn more about On-Campus Housing and Off-Campus Housing.
Student Support
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) provides a range of services and support for exchange students. Additionally, SNU offers resources and opportunities for exchange students to integrate successfully into the culture and society.
Country Information Resources
- U.S. Department of State Country Information Page
- CDC Travelers’ Health
- OSAC Country Security Report
Students with Disabilities
If you need support services abroad, notify your UCSC Disability Resource Center (DRC) Coordinator.
The SNU Center for Students with Disabilities 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.
Identities Abroad and Away
UC Santa Cruz Global Learning is committed to inclusion and equity in our various program options as well as striving to make everyone’s experiences abroad enriching, positive, and safe.
Learn more on our Identities Abroad and Away webpage.
Academics
Host University Courses
As an SNU exchange student, you will enroll full-time in courses alongside other local and international students for a semester or full academic year.
Course Search
Search course offerings at SNU:
- If the above link does not work, restart your browser
- At the top of the page, click the toggle icon next to the search bar
- When the pop-up window appears, select the “Advanced Search” button to see all search filters
- Check the box for “English lecture”
- Narrow down courses by subject in the Department fields
- 1st Semester = Spring Semester, 2nd Semester = Fall Semester
- An “R” signifies that there are some restrictions to accessing the course
Study Korean through the Korean Language Program at the Language Education Institute (LEI). While courses are not included in the cost of the regular exchange program (there is an additional tuition cost), SNU offers financial support to exchange students who study Korean Language at the LEI.
Satisfying Requirements
It may be possible to satisfy major, minor, GE, and/or electives on this program.
Learn more about:
- How to request major or minor credit
- How to request GE credit
Course Load Requirements
You are required to enroll in a full-time course load while abroad as defined by your host institution:
- A full course load is 4 courses per semester. One course usually carries 3 credits. Exchange students can take up to 18 credits per semester.
As a UCSC student, you must also continue to meet UCSC Satisfactory Academic Progress, which requires students to enroll in a minimum of 12 UCSC quarter credits per quarter. At SNU, you are required to ensure you meet this requirement by enrolling in the equivalent of at least 12 quarter credits in fall semester and at least 24 quarter credits in spring semester after conversion (see below).
Credit Conversion
SNU uses semester credits. These will be converted to UCSC quarter credits when added to your UC transcript.
- 1 semester credit = 2 UCSC quarter credits
- 2 semester credits = 3 UCSC quarter credits
- 3 semester credits = 5 UCSC quarter credits
- 4 semester credits = 6 UCSC quarter credits
Academic Restrictions
Some courses abroad may have enrollment limitations and/or restrictions, such as prerequisites. Review course information provided by the university partner to understand any course limitations and/or restrictions prior to official course enrollment abroad.
If you are unsure about your eligibility to enroll, please contact UCSC Global Learning at globallearning@ucsc.edu before applying to this program.
Academic Differences
Please note that the academic system, such as assignments, exams, course structure, grading system, etc., at your host institution may be different from what you are used to at UCSC. We highly recommend researching the academic system at your host university in advance to best prepare for your experience abroad.
Academic Calendar
We recommend comparing the host university academic calendar to the UCSC academic calendar to see how the academic calendars, holidays, and breaks differ