Exchange Program

Exchange students are selected every semester. Please refer to an announcement for the detailed schedule.

The exchange program is a program to support students to study abroad as a regular student, including but not limited to participating in a language course abroad. Therefore, students who want to participate in the program are highly recommended to make a decision about the desired university and the curriculum in consultation with their departmental advisor or the head of their department. Please note that graduate students must sufficiently discuss with their advisor or the head of their department before applying, on how to choose the advisor at the partner university and which laboratories to work in. Students must also take an official language exam in advance.

  • The number of exchange students changes every year since the number of spots is decided after a discussion and review with the partner universities, on an annual basis. The specific number is confirmed immediately before the announcement for the call for application is made.
  • Students in all majors and programs are eligible. (Some universities may have restrictions.)
  • Students can apply up to three partner universities in the following areas:
    1. Asia, the Americas and Oceania, and
    2. Europe.
Admission Procedure
Procedure
  1. Information session
  2. Application announcement
  3. Online application and submission of supporting documents
  4. Application review process
  5. Selection result announcement
  6. Recommendation of host universities
  7. Submission of application documents to host universities
  8. Orientation before departure
  9. Admission decision from host universities (Admission letter)
  10. Visa process
  11. Exchange Program starts
Requirements
  • Undergraduate students must have completed at least two semesters at Seoul National University. Graduate students must have completed at least one semester at Seoul National University.
  • GPA: Undergraduate students must have at least 2.7, and graduate students at least 3.3. (Those who are selected for exchange program must continue to meet the above criteria right up until the point of departure.)
  • Restrictions
    • Those who have ever been penalized for academic dishonesty
    • Those who have participated in a study abroad program for at least two semesters at the undergraduate level and two semesters at the graduate level
    • Those who have been selected for exchange program by the SNU OGA (both who have previously participated in the program and those were selected to participate but who have canceled the participation for whatever reasons).
    • Those who are scheduled for military service.
Required Documents
  • One online application form
  • One academic transcript in English
  • Official language exam records that were obtained within two years of the start date of the exchange period will be considered valid. (Each university has its own language requirement. All applicants must meet the minimum score requirement.)
  • One statement of purpose (1-2 pages on A4-sized paper; formatting is up to you)
  • One letter of recommendation from your department advisor or dean
Choosing Host Universities
  • Applicants can apply to a total of three host universities in each application.
  • Applicants must check the requirements of each university they want to apply to on their own. Please see the attachments or visit the websites of the universities.
  • You can find experience reports (reviews) written by the past participants of our program on our website. (Outbound Program → Exchange program → Reports)
Admission Criteria
  • Applicants who meet the requirements (including academic performance, language score, etc.) are selected in the order of the overall GPA.
  • Applicants must prepare the official language test scores for each university if you apply online. Applicants need to check the minimum scores required by universities. If you have recently taken a language exam but have not yet received the original score report, you are not eligible to apply for the program.
  • Academic performance means the overall GPA printed on the transcript. If there are multiple applicants who have the same overall GPA, then the person who have completed a higher number of credits will be selected. (If the credits are the same, then the statement of purpose will be considered.) (If the applicant is a graduate student, only the GPA earned during the graduate program will be considered.)
  • If you have been selected to participate in the exchange program to a certain area, then you cannot not apply for any other exchange programs to other areas through the SNU OGA.
Contact Us
Mr. Hyuk Joo Lee, Office of Global Affairs (outgoing@snu.ac.kr)
Scholarships
OGA Scholarships
  • Eligibility: Students who are selected for exchange program through the SNU OGA
  • Amounts: KRW 2,000,000 per semester
  • The number of recipients is flexible.
  • Applicants’ economic situation including the household income will be considered in the selection procedure.
  • Application period: January (for the spring semester) / July (for the fall semester)
  • Required documents
    • One copy of the Statement of Payment of National Health Insurance contribution of each parent
    • One copy of local tax certificate (by category) of each parent
    • One application letter (formatting is up to you)
    • One copy of bank statement
  • The recipients will receive a one-time payment of the lump sum of scholarship to their bank account.
  • The recipients will receive the scholarship for one or two semesters. (If you make the decision to extend the exchange period, you are not eligible to receive additional scholarship for the extended semester.)
  • The recipients cannot receive other scholarships from both inside and outside SNU.
  • If a recipient drops out of the exchange program during the exchange period or alters the exchange period, they must return the received scholarship in its full amount.
  • Contact: SNU Office of Global Affairs
Other Scholarships