Asian History

Asia History program at Seoul National University offers an in-depth exploration of the diverse and complex historical developments across the Asian continent. Designed for students with a keen interest in understanding the cultural, political, social, and economic transformations that have shaped Asia over centuries, this program provides a comprehensive curriculum that spans ancient civilizations to modern times. Students will have opportunities to study China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and other regions, gaining a nuanced understanding of their interconnected histories and unique trajectories. The program emphasizes critical analysis of primary and secondary sources, encouraging students to develop their research and interpretative skills. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and field trips, participants will engage with key historical debates and contemporary issues influenced by Asia’s rich past. Faculty members are renowned scholars specializing in Asian history, offering mentorship and guidance tailored to individual research interests. The program also promotes cross-cultural understanding and interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from economics, politics, anthropology, and cultural studies. Graduates will be well-equipped for careers in academia, international organizations, education, journalism, and cultural preservation. With a rigorous academic environment and a diverse student body, the Asia History program at Seoul National University aims to produce scholars capable of analyzing Asia’s historical dynamics in global contexts and contributing to solutions for contemporary challenges rooted in the continent’s history.

• Readings in Primary Sources of Asian History
• Readings in Chinese Source Materials of Asian History
• Tradition and Transformation in Middle Eastern Societies
• Formation of Japanese State and Culture
• The Feudal Society of Japan
• Transformation of Central Eurasia in the Modern World
• Formation of Civilization and Empire in China
• Vlkerwanderung and Sui－Tang World Empire
• Thought and Religion in Traditional China
• The Early Modern Muslim Empires and Their Legacy
• Formation and Unfolding of the Modern State in Japan
• Topics in Asian History
• General History of Vietnam
• Modern Southeast Asia and Imperialism
• Formation of the Literati Society and Neo－Confucianism
• The Gentry and Chinese Society
• Seminar in Asian History
• The Idea of History and Historiography in Traditional China
• Socio－Economic History of Asia
• Supervised Research in Asian History
• Reform and Revolution in Modern China
• Society and Culture in Modern and Contemporary China

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 Asian History program at Seoul National University offers students an in-depth exploration of the historical developments, cultural evolutions, and socio-political changes across the Asian continent. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Asia's diverse civilizations, from ancient times through the modern era. Students engage with a wide range of topics including the history of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, emphasizing regional interconnections and global influences. The curriculum includes courses on classical Asian civilizations, colonial histories, contemporary political movements, economic transformations, and cultural traditions. Students are encouraged to analyze historical sources critically and develop a nuanced perspective on the complex histories that have shaped modern Asian societies. The program also emphasizes language proficiency in Asian languages such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and others, to facilitate primary source research and deepen regional understanding. Faculty members are renowned for their expertise in Asian history, and the program offers research opportunities, seminars, and field trips to cultural sites. Graduates of the program are equipped for careers in academia, international relations, cultural preservation, journalism, and policy analysis. The program reflects Seoul National University’s commitment to fostering a global perspective with a strong regional focus, preparing students to become informed and engaged scholars and professionals with a deep appreciation for Asia’s rich and diverse historical landscape.