Seoul National University Graduate Scholarships 2026: Fully Funded Opportunities

Seoul National University (SNU), ranked 31st globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), offers fully funded scholarships for international graduate students in 2026. These scholarships support Master’s and PhD programs across various fields, covering tuition, living expenses, and more.

With a short application window (July 7–10, 2025, for most programs), start preparing now to join one of Asia’s top universities. Below, we’ve simplified the details, eligibility, benefits, and application processes for SNU’s graduate scholarships to help you apply with confidence. Click here if you are interested in Seoul National University Undergraduate Scholarships 2026: Fully Funded Opportunities

Scholarship Programs for Graduate Students

Following are the graduate programs offered:

• Humanities & Social Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Engineering
• Medicine
• Art
• Interdisciplinary Programs

SNU offers scholarships that you can apply for before or during admission and after admission. Here’s a breakdown of each program.

Scholarships Before or During Admission

These scholarships are applied for during the SNU admission process or specific recruitment periods.

1. SNU President Fellowship (SPF)

• Who Can Apply:
  • Faculty members from universities in developing countries (Asia, Africa, South America, etc.) without a PhD degree.
  • Newly admitted PhD students at SNU (priority for faculty from eligible regions).
• Number of Recipients: ~8 per semester.
• Benefits:
  • Full tuition waiver for up to 6 semesters.
  • Monthly stipend: KRW 1,500,000–2,000,000 for 3–4 years.
  • Round-trip economy airfare.
  • Korean language training (evening classes during semesters).
  • National Health Insurance reimbursement.
• Application Period: During SNU’s international admission period (July 7–10, 2025, for Spring 2026).
• How to Apply:
  1. Apply for PhD admission via SNU’s admissions portal.
  2. Check the “Apply for Scholarship” box for SPF.
  3. Submit documents to SNU’s Office of International Affairs (OIA).
  4. Attend an interview (if shortlisted).
  5. Await results.

2. Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students (GSFS)

• Who Can Apply:
  • Non-Korean students from eligible developing countries (list varies each semester; check SNU’s OIA website).
  • Accepted into designated SNU colleges/schools participating in GSFS (e.g., humanities, engineering; list announced each semester).
• Number of Recipients: ~20 per semester.
• Benefits:
  • Full tuition waiver for 4 semesters.
  • Monthly stipend: Minimum KRW 500,000 (varies by major).
• Application Period: During SNU’s international admission period (July 7–10, 2025, for Spring 2026).
• How to Apply:
  1. Apply for graduate admission via SNU’s admissions portal.
  2. Check the “Apply for Scholarship” box for GSFS.
  3. Colleges/schools select recipients based on admission documents.
  4. Await results.

3. Overseas Koreans Scholarship

• Who Can Apply: Overseas Korean students pursuing graduate degrees at SNU.
• Benefits:
  • Full tuition waiver for 4 semesters (if conditions met).
  • Monthly stipend: KRW 900,000 for 4 semesters.
  • Round-trip economy airfare.
  • 6-month Korean language training fee exemption at SNU’s Language Education Institute.
  • Private medical insurance.
• Application Period: February or March 2026 (1-month recruitment period).
• How to Apply:
  1. Apply online via the Overseas Koreans Foundation and submit documents to Korean embassies.
  2. Embassies make the first selection.
  3. Overseas Koreans Foundation finalizes selections.
• Contact:
  • Overseas Koreans Foundation: scholarship@okf.or.kr, +82-64-786-0274.

Also Check: Lund University Announced 21 Fully-Funded PhD Positions

4. Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP/GKS)

• Who Can Apply: International students applying for SNU’s graduate programs.
• Number of Recipients: ~40–60 annually.
• Benefits:
  • Full tuition waiver (4 semesters for Master’s, 6 semesters for PhD).
  • Monthly allowance: KRW 1,308,330 (covers living expenses, textbooks, insurance, TOPIK scholarships, thesis printing, etc.).
  • Round-trip economy airfare.
  • 1-year Korean language training (mandatory; must achieve TOPIK Grade 3 to enter degree program).
  • Medical insurance, research funds, and settlement/returning expenses.
• Application Period: February 2026.
• How to Apply (Choose one):
  • University Recommendation: Apply via SNU’s admissions portal; SNU forwards applications to the National Institute for International Education.
  • Embassy Recommendation: Apply via Korean embassies; embassies forward selections to the National Institute for International Education.

5. Silk-Road Scholarship

• Who Can Apply: Students from Silk Road countries studying humanities or social sciences (e.g., Korean language, history, culture, politics, economics).
• Number of Recipients: ~5 new graduate students annually.
• Benefits:
  • Full tuition waiver for 4 semesters.
  • Monthly stipend: Up to KRW 600,000 for 4 semesters.
  • Round-trip airfare (up to KRW 1,000,000).
  • Korean language training fee exemption at SNU’s Language Education Institute.
• Application Period: During Fall 2026 admission (check SNU’s OIA for exact dates).
• How to Apply:
  1. Apply for admission via SNU’s admissions portal.
  2. Submit scholarship application to SNU’s OIA.
  3. Colleges/schools select recipients based on admission documents.

Scholarships After Admission

These scholarships are available to enrolled international graduate students at SNU.

Also Read: 11 Fully-Funded PhD Scholarship Opportunities at NTNU, Norway

1. SNU Global Scholarship

• Who Can Apply: International students enrolled in SNU graduate programs.
• Number of Recipients: ~160 students.
• Benefits:
  • Tuition fee support (varies by student).
  • Living expenses, airfare, and housing cost support (amount varies).
  • Korean language training support (optional).
  • Additional funding for academic support (if needed).
• Application Period: After receiving SNU admission.
• How to Apply: Apply through SNU’s OIA after enrollment; details provided post-admission.

2. Glo-Harmony Scholarship

• Who Can Apply: International students from developing countries on the DAC list of ODA recipients.
• Benefits:
  • Tuition support for up to 4 semesters (Master’s) or 6 semesters (PhD).
  • Subsidy amount determined by Samsung Dreams Scholarship Foundation.
• Application Period: January and July 2026.
• How to Apply:
  1. Submit application to SNU’s OIA.
  2. OIA makes the first selection.
  3. Samsung Foundation conducts reviews and interviews.
  4. Final selection announced.

3. Korean War Memorial Foundation Scholarship

• Who Can Apply: Direct descendants of foreign war veterans who participated in the Korean War.
• Benefits:
  • Full tuition waiver.
  • Dormitory fee support (subsidized by SNU).
  • Monthly stipend: KRW 500,000.
• How to Apply:
  1. Submit application to your SNU college.
  2. College makes the first selection.
  3. SNU’s OIA makes the second selection.
  4. Korean War Memorial Foundation confirms final recipients.
• Contact: hosu14@gmail.com, +82-2-792-1950.

General Eligibility Requirements

• Nationality: Non-Korean citizenship (applicant and parents).
• Academic Qualifications:
• Master’s: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
• PhD: Master’s degree from a recognized institution.
• Language Proficiency: English (TOEFL iBT 80–90+, IELTS 6.0–7.0+) or Korean (TOPIK) may be required, depending on the program. GKS requires TOPIK Grade 3 within 1 year.
• Additional Notes:
  • Strong academic record and leadership potential required.
  • Applicants must not be enrolled in other scholarship programs.
  • Specific scholarships (e.g., SPF, GSFS) have additional criteria; check details above.

Application Process (General)

1. Check Eligibility: Review scholarship-specific requirements on SNU’s OIA website.
2. Prepare Documents:
   • Online application form (via SNU’s admissions portal).
   • Personal statement and study plan.
   • Two letters of recommendation.
   • Academic transcripts and degree certificates (translated into English/Korean, notarized if required).
   • Passport copies (applicant and parents).
   • Proof of nationality/parent-child relationship (e.g., birth certificate).
   • Language proficiency scores (if applicable).
3. Apply Online:
   • For most scholarships: Apply via SNU’s admissions portal and check the “Apply for Scholarship” box.
   • For GKS/Overseas Koreans: Apply via Korean embassies or designated organizations.
4. Submit Documents: Upload to the portal or send hard copies to SNU’s OIA (if required).
5. Await Results: Admission and scholarship decisions are announced via SNU’s website or OIA.

Key Deadline: Spring 2026 admission and scholarship applications: July 7–10, 2025 (except for GKS, Overseas Koreans, and Glo-Harmony; check specific dates).

Tips for a Successful Application

• Start Early: The application window is short (4 days for most scholarships).
• Verify Documents: Ensure translations and notarizations are complete.
• Tailor Your Application: Highlight academic achievements and alignment with SNU’s programs.
• Contact OIA: Reach out to intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr for clarifications.

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Learn More

• SNU Admissions: en.snu.ac.kr/admission
• SNU Office of International Affairs: oia.snu.ac.kr
• Contact: intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr, +82-2-880-2519
• Overseas Koreans Foundation: scholarship@okf.or.kr, +82-64-786-0274
• Korean War Memorial Foundation: hosu14@gmail.com, +82-2-792-1950

Sources: SNU Office of International Affairs, Scholarship Announcements