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art history program at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to deepen students' understanding of visual culture, artistic movements, historical developments, and cultural contexts from ancient times to contemporary periods. The program aims to cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and a scholarly approach to the study of art across various regions and eras, including Korean, Asian, European, and global art histories. Students will engage with a diverse range of art forms, such as paintings, sculptures, architecture, and new media, while also exploring their social, political, and cultural significance. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning by integrating methods from history, anthropology, archaeology, and cultural studies, enabling students to develop a nuanced perspective on the role of art in human societies. Through rigorous coursework, research projects, and fieldwork, students will learn to critically analyze artworks, interpret their meanings, and understand their historical context. The program also encourages engagement with contemporary art theory and practice, preparing graduates for careers in academia, museum curation, art criticism, cultural preservation, and related fields. Faculty members are renowned scholars with expertise in diverse areas of art history, providing mentorship and fostering an academic environment that promotes intellectual curiosity and innovative research. The Seoul National University Art History program is committed to promoting cross-cultural understanding and appreciation of global artistic heritage, supporting students in becoming well-rounded scholars and professionals who contribute meaningfully to the discourse on art and culture. Our state-of-the-art facilities, extensive library holdings, and active international partnerships provide students with an enriching educational experience that blends rigorous academics with practical training. Graduates of this program will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and scholarly mindset necessary to pursue advanced studies or to take leadership roles in cultural institutions, academic circles, and creative industries. Join us in exploring the rich world of art history and uncover the stories that have shaped human civilization across time and space.
- Studies in Korean Sculpture
- Studies in Korean Art
- Studies in Korean Painting
- Seminar in Korean Craft
- Studies in Modern and Contemporary Korean Art
- Studies in Chinese Art
- Topics in Japanese Art
- Topics in Indian Art
- Topics in Central Asian Art
- Topics in Southeast Asian Art
- Seminar in East Asian Ceramics
- Studies in Asian Art
- Studies in Western Art
- Studies in Buddhist Art
- Topics in Methodology of Art History
- Seminar in Ancient Art of the West
- Seminar in Baroque Art
- Seminar in 18th-Century European Art
- Studies in 19th-Century European Art
- Studies in 20th-Century Art of the West
- Seminar in Contemporary American Art
- Studies in Visual Arts and Cultural Theories
- Seminar in Renaissance Art
- Seminar in Medieval Art of the West
- Seminar in Korean Ceramics
- Seminar in Photography
- Online application
- proof of Korean proficiency is required; 1) Korean Proficiency: TOPIK level 3 or higher 2) Other official documents indicating proof of language proficiency (ie. SNU Korean Language Center Level 4 or higher)
- Personal Statement and Study Plan
- Letter of Recommendation
- Counselor Reference
- Official High School Transcript and Graduation Certificate
- A Copy of the Applicant’s Passport
- Certificate of Facts concerning the Entry and Exit
- Portfolio, Records of Achievement, etc.
- 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)
International Student Scholarship
- GPA requirement: 3.0 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)
Lecture/Research Scholarship
- GPA requirement: 3.3 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester; excluding new students)
- Eligibility: Graduate student recommended by the advising professor; an annual income of less than KRW 12 million
- Working condition: 10 or more hours a week (40 hours/month)
- Responsibility: Assist the lectures by the professor, general electives and research; help students with their course; manage assignments; manage laboratory; fulfill administrative duties for the undergraduate course, etc.
- Funding: Current student: Fully funded tuition and fees and monthly scholarship;
Research student: Monthly scholarship
- Termination: If on leave of absence, disciplinary action or determined to be unqualified for other reasons
Core TA Scholarship
- Eligibility: Returning graduate student and research student
- Funding: Type A – Tuition (partially funded) and monthly research aid / Type B – Half of the monthly research aid
- Duration: 1st semester : March – August (6 months) /
2nd semester: September – February of the following year (6 months)
- Responsibility: Attend the assigned lecture; supervise discussion; check assignments; focus on Laboratory
sessions/Experiment/Practice courses; assist practice, etc.
SNU Foundation Scholarship
- GPA requirement: 3.3 GPA or higher (average of the previous semester)
- Funding: Tuition and fees (partially or fully funded)
- Feature: Scholarship funded by some 200 funds created by Seoul National University Foundation
The following is the scholarship programs offered for graduate applicants. Students may apply for the programs before or during the admission application period. The annual announcement will be posted on this websitehttp://en.snu.ac.kr/apply/info.
Graduate Scholarship for Excellent Foreign Students (GSFS)
Eligibility
- Asian students, excluding Japanese and Chinese nationals, who wish to study one of the designated graduate programs
* The programs eligible for this scholarship are subject to change, and different by applicants’ nationalities. The eligible programs list is announced every semester.
Number of Recipients
- Approximately 20
Subsidies
- Tuition fee: full tuition exemption for a maximum of 4 semesters
- Living expenses: 500,000 KRW per month (different according to recipients’ majors)
Application Period
- During admission period for international students every semester
Selection Procedure
- Applicants who submit admission application to SNU’s Office of Admissions ⇒ applicants submit scholarship application to SNU’s Office of International Affairs ⇒ Selection made by respective Colleges/Schools based on the admission documents ⇒ decision noticed
Contact
- SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr
Silk-Road Scholarship
Eligibility
- Applicants from the countries in the ‘Silk-Road’ area who want to study humanities or social sciences, including Korean language, history, culture, politics, and economics
Number of Recipients
- About 5 new graduate students
Subsidies
- Tuition fee: full tuition fee exemption for a maximum of 4 semesters
- Living expenses: maximum of 600,000 KRW per month for 4 semesters
- Airfare: maximum of 1 million KRW for one economy round trip
- Korean language training fee: fee exemption at the Language Education Institute
Application Period
- During admission period for international students every Fall semester
Selection Procedure
- Applicants who submit admission application to SNU’s Office of Admissions ⇒ applicants submit scholarship application to SNU’s Office of International Affairs ⇒ Selection made by respective Colleges/Schools based on the admission documents ⇒ decision noticed
Contact
- SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr
Overseas Koreans Scholarship
Eligibility
- Overseas Korean students who wish to take graduate degrees at SNU
Subsidies
- Full tuition exemption
- Living expenses: 800,000 KRW per month for 4 semesters
- Insurance fees: approximately 30,000 per month
- Settlement expenses aid upon initial arrival: 500,000 KRW (one-time payment)
- Airfare for one economy round trip
- Language training expenses: for 2 semesters
Application Period
- March and September
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
Contact
- SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-2519, intlscholarship@snu.ac.kr
Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP)
Eligibility
- International students applying for SNU’s graduate programs
Number of Recipients
- 325
Subsidies
- Full tuition fee: tuition exemption for 4 semesters for master’s program and 6 semesters for Ph. D program
- Living expenses: 900,000 KRW per month
- Airfare: one economy round trip
- Korean language training fee: for 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, research fund, thesis printing fees, settlement and returning expenses
Application Period
- February
Selection Procedure
※ Applicants choose one of the following application methods.
- University Recommendation Program: applicants submit applications to SNU’s Office of Admission ⇒ the National Institute for International Education make the selection
- Embassy Recommendation Program: applications submit applications to Korean Embassies in their countries ⇒ the National Institute for International Education make the selection
Contact
- SNU staff in charge: 82-2-880-6971, sck590@snu.ac.kr
The Art History program at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to cultivate a deep understanding of the historical development, cultural significance, and aesthetic values of visual arts across different periods and regions. The program aims to equip students with analytical skills to interpret artworks within their historical and cultural contexts while fostering critical thinking and research abilities. Students engage in various coursework that covers a wide range of topics, including ancient, medieval, renaissance, modern, and contemporary art, as well as specialized fields such as Asian art, Korean art history, and international art movements. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore related fields such as archaeology, anthropology, and cultural studies to enrich their understanding of art within social and political frameworks.
Faculty members are distinguished scholars with expertise in diverse areas of art history, providing students with mentorship and guidance in their academic pursuits. The university offers modern facilities, including well-equipped galleries, libraries, and research centers, to support in-depth study and research activities. In addition to coursework, students have opportunities for internships, curatorial projects, and participation in international conferences, enhancing their practical experience and global perspective. The program prepares graduates for careers in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, academia, and related fields, emphasizing both scholarly research and professional application. Collaborative projects with cultural organizations and exhibitions are often part of the curriculum, fostering real-world insights and networks within the art world. Graduates of the Art History program at Seoul National University are well-regarded for their rigorous academic training and their ability to contribute to the preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of art and cultural heritage.