Linguistics

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at Seoul National University offers students a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of human language, its structure, function, and role in society. Designed for those fascinated by the mechanics of language, the program provides a rigorous curriculum that combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications. Students engage with core areas such as phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, gaining a solid foundation in understanding how languages are constructed and used across different cultural contexts. The program emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills, encouraging students to examine language patterns, linguistic diversity, and language change over time.

Throughout their studies, students have the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary approaches, including cognitive science, neurolinguistics, sociolinguistics, and psycholinguistics, which expand their understanding of the human mind and social aspects of language. The program fosters research capabilities through various projects, seminars, and fieldwork, enabling students to contribute original insights to the field of linguistics. The university's extensive academic resources, including specialized laboratories and libraries, support rigorous research and experiential learning.

Additionally, the program prepares students for a variety of career paths, including academia, language education, translation, computational linguistics, and language policy planning. It also emphasizes the importance of language technology and computational methods, equipping students with skills relevant to modern linguistic applications. With a diverse faculty comprising experts in various linguistic disciplines, students receive personalized mentorship and guidance to develop their academic and professional interests. Graduates of the program are well-equipped to analyze and interpret language phenomena, critically evaluate linguistic theories, and contribute to advancements in linguistic research and applied fields. Overall, the Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at Seoul National University offers a rigorous and enriching educational experience that prepares students to become thoughtful, innovative contributors to the global understanding of human language.

MA students of Linguistics are required to take 24 credits (8 courses) at the graduate level, plus 6 credits (2 courses) of Reading and Research (논문연구) under the tutelage of their supervising professor. To foster a more complete understanding of the entire field of linguistics, the following courses taken from each of the four research tracks of the department (phonetics/phonology, syntax/semantics, historical linguistics, computational linguistics) are required:
  – Phonology 1
  – Historical Linguistics 1
  – Syntax 1
  – Computational Linguistics 1

The complete list of courses offered by the Department of Linguistics is given below.
All courses are taught in Korean, unless otherwise noted.

• Studies in Phonetics 1
• Studies in Phonetics 2
• Studies in Phonology 1
• Studies in Phonology 2
• Studies in Syntax 1
• Studies in Syntax 2
• Studies in Semantics 1
• Studies in Semantics 2
• Studies in Historical Comparative Linguistics 1
• Studies in Historical Comparative Linguistics 2
• Studies in Experimental Phonetics 1
• Studies in Experimental Phonetics 2
• Studies in Altaic Linguistics 1
• Studies in Altaic Linguistics 2
• Studies in Indo-European Linguistics 1
• Studies in Indo-European Linguistics 2
• Computational Linguistics 1
• Computational Linguistics 2
• Seminar in Phonetics
• Seminar in Pnonology
• Seminar in Syntax &Semantics 1
• Seminar in Syntax &Semantics 2
• Seminar in Historical Comparative Linguistics 1
• Seminar in Historical Comparative Linguistics 2
• Seminar in Individual Languages 1
• Seminar in Individual Languages 2
• Seminar in Linguistic Theory
• Studies in Sociolinguistcs
• Mathematical Background for Linguistics
• Studies in Pragmatics
• Studies in Dialectology
• Studies in History of Linguistics
• Studies in Psycholinguistics
• Studies in Morphology
• Studies in Linguistic Typology
• Studies in Spoken Language Processing 1
• Studies in Spoken Language Processing 2
• Seminar in Spoken Language Processing

1. Online
   application

2. Test Subjects

       2.1.1) Language exam

                Foreign students need to write one of the language exams. You do not need to write both the foreign language exam and the Korean exam. 

                - Foreign language exam

                Choose one of Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and German. This test involves translation of the foreign language into Korean or English.

               - Korean exam

                This test is conducted by the Korean language & literature department at SNU.

       2.1.2) Major exam

                Choose 1 question out of 1 section; choose 3 sections out of 4 sections; you cannot choose more than 2 questions from one section

                – Phonetics/Phonology

                – Semantics/Syntax

                – Historical linguistics

                - Computational linguistics/ Spoken language processing

       2.2) Cutline

              For MA students, 60 out of 100 in both the foreign language exam & the major exam 

       2.3) Requirements for the exam

              MA / Ph.D – Complete at least 2 semesters & earn at least 12 credits

              You should take the foreign language exam before you finish the course work. This means that you cannot take the exam once you register as a researcher who has finished his/her course work and is working on the thesis. 

       2.4) English test

              TEPS or TOEFL scores must be submitted within 2 years from taking the test. The cutline scores are 701 and above (TEPS), 240 and above (CBT), 94 and above(IBT)

              If you applied to this department with a TEPS score above 701 (or equivalent), you do not need to take the test again. Native English speakers do not need to submit English test scores.

       2.5) Substitute courses

              You are exempt from the Korean language exam if you take two courses, ‘Understanding Korean & Korean culture 1 & 2′ offered in the Korean literature and language department. You need to receive a grade of ‘S’ in order to pass.

              *These courses are not included in the course work credits required for graduation.

3. Delaying the examination of a thesis

        MA students should submit their thesis within 4 years of completing one’s course work. If this is not possible, you need to submit a form that seeks approval of a thesis submission delay. Once your application is approved, you can extend the submission/examination of your thesis up to 4 semesters.

4. Personal
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5. Letter
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6. Counselor
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7. Official
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   and
   Graduation
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8. A
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9. Certificate
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10. Portfolio,
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11. Agreement
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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 Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics at Seoul National University offers students an in-depth understanding of language structure, language use, and the cognitive and social aspects of language. The program aims to equip students with comprehensive knowledge of phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, providing a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied linguistics. Students learn to analyze language data, understand linguistic diversity across different languages, and grasp the historical development of language systems. The curriculum often includes courses in syntax, phonetics, phonology, semantics, language acquisition, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and computational linguistics. Seoul National University emphasizes research, critical thinking, and practical skills, fostering the ability to apply linguistic knowledge in various fields such as education, translation, international business, technology, and cultural studies.

The program encourages interdisciplinary learning, integrating insights from psychology, anthropology, computer science, and communication studies. Students have opportunities to participate in research projects, internships, and language technology development, preparing them for careers in academia, language research, language teaching, and language policy. Collaboration with other departments and participation in seminars and workshops provide a dynamic educational environment that supports scholarly inquiry and innovation in linguistics. Graduates of the program often pursue advanced studies or enter careers in fields requiring linguistic expertise, including language documentation, speech therapy, artificial intelligence, and international communication. Ankara University’s linguistics program infrastructure encompasses modern laboratories, extensive language resources, and active faculty engaged in pioneering research that informs the curriculum. Overall, the program at Seoul National University is designed to develop well-rounded linguistic scholars capable of addressing both theoretical questions and practical challenges related to language and communication in a globalized world.