Religious Studies

The Department of Religious Studies at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of diverse religious traditions, thought systems, and practices across the globe. Established to foster a profound understanding of the role of religion in historical and contemporary societies, the programme emphasizes critical analysis, cultural awareness, and interdisciplinary approaches. Students enrolled in this programme gain not only a solid foundation in the major world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism but also delve into indigenous and lesser-known spiritual traditions, new religious movements, and religious philosophies. The curriculum is designed to develop analytical skills through the study of religious texts, rituals, institutions, and cultural impacts, encouraging students to examine the social, political, and ethical dimensions of religion.

The programme at Seoul National University emphasizes research methodology, enabling students to undertake independent and scholarly investigations in religious studies. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and practical exercises, students are encouraged to engage critically with theological concepts, religious history, and contemporary issues related to religion’s influence on society. The faculty comprises renowned scholars specializing in various religious traditions, philosophy, and comparative religion, providing students with a diverse and enriching academic environment.

The department also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary learning, integrating perspectives from anthropology, sociology, history, philosophy, and literature, thus offering a holistic view of religious phenomena. Students are encouraged to participate in fieldwork, participate in interfaith dialogues, and undertake projects that foster intercultural communication and understanding. Graduates of the programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, education, public service, cultural preservation, and religious administration. They possess critical thinking skills, cultural sensitivity, and a nuanced understanding of the complex role religion plays in shaping human history and society. Overall, the Religious Studies programme at Seoul National University aims to cultivate open-minded, culturally aware, and cognitively skilled individuals capable of engaging thoughtfully with the diverse religious landscape of the modern world.

• Seminar in Medieval Western Philosophy
• Seminar in History of Philosophy
• Seminar in historical philosophy
• Seminar in Comparative Philosophy
• Seminar in Contemporary Western Philosophy
• Seminar in Theory of Knowledge
• Seminar in Ontology
• Seminar in Metaphysics
• Seminar in Ethical Theory
• Seminar in Social Philosophy
• Seminar in Philosophy of Logic
• Seminar in Philosophy of Language
• Seminar in Philosophy of Science
• Seminar in Philosophy of Culture
• Studies in Philosophy of Culture
• Seminar in Philosophical Methodology
• Seminar in Ancient Western Philosophy
• Seminar in Modern Western Philosophy
• Seminar in Philosophy of Mind
• Studies in Philosophy of Mind
• Seminar in Western Philosophy
• Studies in Western Philosophy
• Studies in Ancient Western Philosophy
• Studies in Modern Western Philosophy
• Studies in Contemporary Western Philosophy
• Studies in Theory of Knowledge
• Studies in Metaphysics
• Studies in Ethical Theory
• Studies in Philosophy of Language
• Studies in Philosophy of Science
• Reading and Research

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)

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's Degree Program in Religious Studies at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of religious phenomena, traditions, and beliefs across different cultures and historical periods. The program aims to cultivate critical thinking, analytical skills, and cultural awareness related to religion and its role in shaping society. Students are exposed to a diverse range of topics, including the study of sacred texts, religious practices, rituals, ethics, and the influence of religion on politics, art, and social movements. The curriculum integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from history, anthropology, philosophy, and theology to foster a holistic understanding of religious phenomena.

Students have the opportunity to engage in fieldwork, participate in seminars, and undertake research projects that deepen their knowledge and practical understanding. The program also emphasizes the development of language skills, encouraging proficiency in classical and modern languages relevant to religious texts and scholarly sources. Graduates of the program are equipped to pursue careers in academia, education, cultural policy, religious counseling, journalism, and international relations, among other fields. The program benefits from the university's extensive resources, including research centers related to religious studies and collaborations with institutions worldwide, promoting international exchange and scholarly collaboration. Overall, Seoul National University’s Religious Studies program aims to foster scholars who are well-versed in understanding diverse religious traditions and capable of contributing thoughtfully to academic discourse and societal dialogue on religion.