Korean History

The Bachelor of Arts in Korean History at Seoul National University offers students a comprehensive understanding of Korea’s rich and complex historical development from ancient times to the modern era. This program is designed to cultivate a deep appreciation and critical insight into Korea's diverse historical contexts, cultural transformations, social structures, political developments, and interactions with neighboring countries and the wider world. Through a rigorous curriculum, students will explore periods such as the Three Kingdoms, Unified Silla, Goryeo Dynasty, Joseon Dynasty, Japanese colonial rule, and contemporary Korea, gaining both broad chronological knowledge and specialized expertise in various historical themes.

The program emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches, integrating archaeology, historiography, cultural studies, and political science to provide a well-rounded perspective on Korean history. Students are encouraged to develop analytical skills through extensive engagement with primary sources, scholarly research, and fieldwork. The curriculum includes courses in ancient history, medieval history, modern history, Korea’s international relations, cultural heritage, and historiography, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political and cultural developments of Korea over millennia.

In addition to core courses, students have opportunities to participate in seminars, research projects, and internships that connect academic learning with practical applications. The program aims to prepare graduates for diverse career paths, including academia, cultural preservation, public history, government service, international relations, and education. Faculty members are distinguished scholars recognized for their expertise in Korean history, actively involved in research and publication, and dedicated to mentoring students.

Students enrolled in the Korean History program will also benefit from the university's extensive library resources, archives, and partnerships with cultural institutions, providing an immersive environment for historical inquiry. The program emphasizes critical thinking, research methodologies, and effective communication, equipping graduates with essential skills to contribute meaningfully to the understanding of Korea’s historical heritage. Graduates will emerge with the knowledge, analytical ability, and cultural awareness necessary to interpret Korea’s past and its continuing impact on the present and future.

• Ancient History of Korea
• Early－modern History of Korea
• Modern History of Korea
• Medieval History of Korea : Koryo
• Intellectual History of Ancient Korea
• History of Korean Foreign Relations
• Topics in Korean History 1
• Socio－Economic History of Korea
• Topics in Contemporary History of Korea
• Korean Pre－modern Intellectual History
• Thesis Writing on Subjects of Korean History
• Classical Chinese Readings in Korean History
• Multimedia Tools and Methods in Korean Historical Studies
• Commerce and Industries in Korean History
• Seminar in Korean History 1
• Science and Technology in Korean History
• Intellectual History of Medieval Korea
• Topics in Korean History 2
• History of National Independence Movements
• Korean Historiography
• Korean Politico－Social History
• Contemporary Korean History
• Seminar in Korean History 2

1. Online
   application
2. 
   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)
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 Department of Korean History at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate program dedicated to the study of Korea's historical development, culture, society, and politics. The program aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of Korea's rich history from ancient times to the modern era, integrating scholarly research, critical analysis, and cultural exploration. In undergraduate studies, students are introduced to various periods in Korean history, including the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo, Joseon, and modern history, while also examining Korea's interactions with neighboring countries and its role in regional and global contexts. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of primary source analysis, historiography, and interdisciplinary approaches, combining archaeology, anthropology, and cultural studies to foster a well-rounded understanding of Korea's past.

Graduate programs in Korean History at Seoul National University are designed for students interested in advanced research and specialization. Master's and doctoral candidates undertake original research projects under the guidance of renowned scholars in the field. The program encourages innovative approaches to historical questions, including the exploration of social, economic, political, and cultural transformations. Students can focus on particular eras, themes, or topics such as gender history, urban development, intellectual history, or historical memory. The department also promotes the use of historical documents, artifacts, and digital tools for research and publication, preparing students for careers in academia, cultural preservation, and public history.

The faculty members of the Korean History department are distinguished scholars with publications and research projects related to various aspects of Korea's past. They participate in academic conferences, publish in international journals, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects. The department maintains strong ties with cultural institutions, archives, and research centers to facilitate student internships, field trips, and collaborative research projects. It also offers various seminars, workshops, and lecture series featuring prominent historians and experts from Korea and abroad.

The university's Department of Korean History emphasizes fostering critical thinking, research skills, and cultural awareness among its students. Graduates of the program often pursue careers in academia, research institutions, museums, cultural heritage management, journalism, and governmental agencies involved in cultural policy and international relations. The program is committed to promoting a nuanced understanding of Korea's historical trajectory, contributing to academic scholarship and cultural dialogue both domestically and internationally. With its rigorous curriculum, experienced faculty, and strong research infrastructure, Seoul National University’s Korean History program stands as one of the premier institutes for the study of Korean history in South Korea.