Aesthetics

The Aesthetics program at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to explore the profound depths of aesthetic theory, art criticism, and the philosophy of beauty. This program aims to cultivate students' critical thinking, analytical skills, and creative expression, equipping them with a deep understanding of aesthetic principles across various cultural and historical contexts. Students will engage with a broad range of subjects, including art history, aesthetics, visual culture, modern and contemporary art, and philosophical debates surrounding beauty and taste. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and practical applications, encouraging students to develop their interpretative skills through critical analysis of artworks, cultural phenomena, and aesthetic experiences. Courses are taught by distinguished faculty members renowned for their expertise in philosophy, art history, and cultural studies, fostering an intellectually stimulating environment that promotes innovative thinking and scholarly excellence. Students will have opportunities for research, internships, and participation in exhibitions, seminars, and international conferences, which enhance their academic and professional development. The program prepares graduates to pursue careers in academia, art curation, cultural management, media analysis, and related fields, or to continue their studies at the postgraduate level. Seoul National University's strong network with cultural institutions and its vibrant academic community provides an ideal setting for exploring the multifaceted dimensions of aesthetics in a globalized world. Whether you are passionate about understanding the philosophical foundations of art or interested in practical applications within cultural industries, the Aesthetics program at Seoul National University offers a rigorous and enriching educational experience that fosters critical vision and artistic sensibility.

• Aesthetics of Music
• Aesthetics of Plastic Arts
• Aesthetics of Dance
• Psychology of Art
• Sociology of Art
• Theory of Music History
• Theory of Art History
• History of Asian Aesthetics
• Beauty and the Theory of Taste
• Arts and the Theory of Genius
• Topics in Contemporary Aesthetics
• Contemporary Anglo－American Aesthetics
• Contemporary German Aesthetics
• Aesthetics of Film
• Aesthetics of Theatre
• Seminar in Asian Aesthetics
• Theory of Art Criticism
• Theory of Music Criticism
• Thoughts of Korean Arts
• Seminar in German Aesthetics
• Seminar in Anglo－ American Aesthetics
• Guidance on Senior Thesis Writing

1. Online
   application
2. Either
   proof
   of
   Korean
   or
   English
   proficiency
   is
   required;
   
   
   
   
   1)
   Korean
   Proficiency:
   TOPIK
   level
   3
   or
   higher
   
   
   
   
   2)
   English
   Proficiency:
   TOEFL
   (PBT
   550,
   CBT
   213,
   iBT
   80),
   TEPS
   551, IELTS
   5.5
   or
   higher
   
   
   
   3)
   Other
   official
   documents
   indicating
   proof
   of
   language
   proficiency (ie.
   SNU
   Korean
   Language
   Center
   Level
   4
   or
   higher)
3. Personal
   Statement
   and
   Study
   Plan
4. Letter
   of
   Recommendation
5. Counselor
   Reference
   
6. Official
   High
   School
   Transcript
   and
   Graduation
   Certificate
7. A
   Copy
   of
   the
   Applicant’s
   Passport
8. Certificate
   of
   Facts
   concerning
   the
   Entry
   and
   Exit
9. Portfolio,
   Records
   of
   Achievement,
   etc.
10. Agreement
    for
    Verification
    of
    Academic
    Record

If you wish to apply for the scholarship program, please fill out the scholarship application form every semester. Application period:

• During November(1st semester)
• During May(2nd semester)

New  Student (Merit scholarship)

• Funding: Fully funded or partially funded (admission fee + tuition 10%)
• Eligibility: New undergraduate student (Full fund – 2 by college (excluding science and engineering);

Partial fund – selected within the 30% of the registered students)

Current Student (Merit scholarship)

• GPA requirement: Completed more than one semester; 3.6 GPA or higher (average of all semesters)
• Funding: Fully funded
• Eligibility: Undergraduate student (selected from the allotted pool)

International Student Scholarship:

• GPA requirement: 2.4 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
• Funding: Tuition and fees (partial or fully funded)
• Eligibility: International student in the government-funded (government-invited) scholarship, international

  student (self-funded), Korean student living overseas and studying in Korea (undergraduate and graduate course)

SNU Foundation Scholarship:

• GPA requirement: 2.7 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
• Funding: Tuition and fees (partial or fully funded)
• Feature: Scholarship funded by some 200 funds created by Seoul National University Foundation

The following is the scholarship programs offered for undergraduate applicants. Students may apply for the programs before or during the admission application period. Applicants may find program details via this website http://en.snu.ac.kr/apply/info or supporting organizations.

Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)

Eligibility

• International applicants who wish to apply for 4-year undergraduate programs of SNU.
• * Those who wish to study in the programs longer than 4 years – such as medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and architecture – cannot apply for this scholarship.

Number of Recipients

• Approximately 20~40 every year

Subsidies

• Full tuition fee: tuition exemption for 8 semesters
• Living expenses: 800,000 KRW per month
• Airfare: one economy round trip
• Korean language training fee: one year
  * Korean language training is mandatory and when the student does not achieve TOPIK grade 3 within a year, she/he is not eligible to enter the degree program.
• Others: medical insurance, settlement and returning expenses

Application Period

• September

Selection Procedure

• Applicants submit applications for this program to Korean embassies in their countries ⇒ the embassies make the first selection ⇒ the National Institute for International Education make the final selection

Contact

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-6971, sck590@snu.ac.kr

Reference

• NIIED: http://www.studyinkorea.go.kr (English version) ⇒ GKS ⇒ Introduction to the projects ⇒ Korean Government Scholarship Program
• 2016 KGSP Guideline Download

Overseas Koreans Scholarship

Eligibility

• Overseas Korean students who wish to take undergraduate degrees at SNU

Number of Recipients

• Approximately 5 students

Subsidies

• Full tuition exemption for a maximum of 8 semesters
• Living expenses: 800,000 KRW per month
• Airfare for one economy round trip
• Korean language training fee: fee exemption at the Language Education Institute for 8 months
• Medical insurance fees

Application Period

• March

Selection Procedure

• Applicants submit applications to Korean embassies in their countries ⇒ the embassies make the first selection ⇒ the Overseas Koreans Foundation make the second selection

Contacts

• SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr
• Overseas Koreans Foundation: 82-2-3415-0174, ljh@okf.or.kr
  * The latest announcement on this scholarship can be found only via the foundation’s website.

Reference

• Overseas Koreans Foundation: http://scholarship.korean.net (Korean)

The Aesthetics program at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive exploration of the nature, history, and philosophy of beauty and art. It is designed to foster critical thinking and a deep understanding of aesthetic principles across various cultural and historical contexts. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from philosophy, art history, cultural studies, and other related fields to develop well-rounded perspectives on aesthetic phenomena. Students engage with both classical and contemporary theories of beauty, examine various artistic expressions, and consider the societal and psychological impacts of aesthetic experiences. The curriculum includes courses on the philosophy of art, history of aesthetics, contemporary aesthetic theories, and practical art analysis. Through lectures, seminars, and research projects, students are encouraged to cultivate analytical skills and develop their own aesthetic evaluations. The program also aims to prepare graduates for careers in the arts, cultural management, education, and academia, by providing them with a solid foundation in aesthetic theory and critical thinking. Seoul National University’s Aesthetics program benefits from its faculty of distinguished scholars and researchers who are actively involved in cutting-edge aesthetic research. The university’s extensive resources, including museums, libraries, and art collections, support students’ academic pursuits and foster an environment conducive to creative and scholarly growth. Overall, the program offers a rigorous academic pathway for those passionate about understanding and contributing to the fields of art, culture, and aesthetics, emphasizing both theoretical knowledge and practical application.