- Overview
- Location and Housing
- Academics
- Pricing and Dates
- Program Staff
- Application Instructions
- Additional Information
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.





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.
Office of International Affairs
CJ International Center (Bldg. # 152),
Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu,
Seoul 08826 Korea
+82-2-880-4447
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.
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.
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.
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.
Items Billed by Pitt |
||
---|---|---|
In-State | Out-of-State | |
Tuition* | $9,546 | $17,062 |
Mandatory Fees | $645 | $645 |
Study Abroad Fee | $400 | $400 |
Total Billed by Pitt* | $10,591 | $19,107 |
Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs |
||
---|---|---|
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit | $2,000 | |
Room & Board | $3,100 | |
Personal Expenses | $2,180 |
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.
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

Hujambo, Hola, Bon jour! I am the Exchange and Panther Programs 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 recently helped students to achieve their goals as their Academic Advisor. 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 learn the world. I look forward to assisting you to achieve your goals.
Schedule a Zoom appointment with me below or get in touch with me through email to discuss exchange options and your future global experience.
Schedule an appointment
Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!
- Click here to schedule an appointment with me through Pathways.
- Log into Pathways with your Pitt username and password
- Select Find Available Time
- Select the time that works for you
- Click the schedule button
- You will see a confirms message on the screen. You will also receive a confirmation in your Pitt email.
Don't see a time that works for you? Just send me an email!
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
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.
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.
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)