German Language and Literature

The German Language and Literature program at Seoul National University offers students a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of the German language, literature, and culture. This undergraduate program is designed to develop advanced language proficiency, critical reading skills, and a profound understanding of the historical and contemporary contexts of German-speaking countries. Students will engage with a broad range of texts, from classical to modern literature, and acquire the ability to analyze linguistic features, literary styles, and cultural themes. The curriculum emphasizes both language mastery and literary analysis, fostering skills that are valuable for careers in translation, international relations, education, and cultural studies. Through diverse coursework, including linguistics, translation techniques, and German civilization, students gain a multi-faceted perspective on German cultural heritage and societal development. The program also encourages intercultural competence and communication skills vital for participating in globalized environments. Students have opportunities for internships, study-abroad programs, and research projects, enhancing their practical experience and global outlook. Faculty members are distinguished experts in German linguistics, literature, and cultural studies, providing mentorship and leading cutting-edge research. Graduates are well-equipped to pursue further studies or careers that require bilingual proficiency, cultural insight, and critical thinking. Overall, the German Language and Literature program at Seoul National University prepares students to become proficient language users and knowledgeable cultural scholars, fostering a deep appreciation of the German-speaking world and its contributions to global culture.

• Theories of German Grammar
• German Pragmatics
• Studies in German Phonology
• Studies in German Syntax
• Studies in German Semantics
• Studies in German Stylistics
• Studies in Medieval German Literature
• Studies in the 18th Century German Literature
• Seminar in Goethe
• Topics in the 19th Century German Literature
• Modern German Literary Criticism
• Methods of Research in German Literature
• Studies in German Morphology
• German Textlinguistics
• Seminar in Middle High German
• History of German Language
• Avangardism in German Literature
• Studies in the 20th Century German Poetry
• Realism and Modernism in German Literature
• Seminar in Modern German Literature
• Seminar in Major German Writers
• Seminar in Methods of Research in German Linguistics
• Seminar in German Linguistics
• Seminar in German Literaturwissenschaft
• Studies in German Classicism
• Studies in German Romanticism
• Studies in German Naturalism
• Studies in German Expressionism
• Studies in German Theatre and Its Theories
• Studies in German Novel and Its Theories
• Studies in Modern German Novel
• Studies in German Drama
• German Literature and Translation
• German Poetry and Its Theories
• Reading and Research 

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)

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 Department of German Language and Literature at Seoul National University is a distinguished academic program dedicated to the comprehensive study of the German language, literature, culture, and history. This program aims to cultivate students' linguistic proficiency, critical thinking skills, and cultural awareness through a rigorous curriculum that encompasses both language acquisition and literary analysis. Students are exposed to a wide range of German literary works, from classical to contemporary, enabling them to develop a profound understanding of literary themes, stylistic devices, and historical contexts.

The program offers specialized courses in German linguistics, translation, and intercultural communication, preparing graduates for careers in academia, international business, diplomacy, and translation services. Practical language training is emphasized through various immersive activities, including conversation classes, writing workshops, and possible study abroad opportunities in German-speaking countries, which facilitate real-world language application and cultural exchange.

Faculty members are experienced linguists and literary scholars committed to high-quality teaching and research. They guide students through the complexities of German language evolution, literary periods such as Romanticism, Modernism, and Postmodernism, and socio-cultural issues reflected in German literature. The program also encourages critical engagement with contemporary German societal issues, fostering a well-rounded understanding of the nation’s cultural landscape.

Graduate outcomes include proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking German at a professional level, as well as the ability to analyze literary texts critically. Many graduates find employment in fields such as translation, international relations, academia, publishing, and tourism. The university’s strong network with German universities and cultural institutions supports research collaborations and exchange programs, providing students with valuable international exposure.

Admission requirements typically include a strong background in language studies, proficiency in German, and motivation to pursue advanced studies in linguistics and literature. The program is designed to not only provide language skills but also to deepen students' appreciation of German culture and history, making it an ideal choice for those interested in European languages and cultural studies.

Overall, Seoul National University’s German Language and Literature program offers a rigorous, comprehensive education that prepares students for successful international careers and promotes intercultural understanding.