Religious Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at Seoul National University offers students a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of religious beliefs, practices, and traditions from around the world. This program is designed to foster a deep understanding of the role religion plays in shaping cultures, societies, and individual lives across different historical contexts. Through a multidisciplinary curriculum, students examine various religious systems—including major world religions such as Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and indigenous faiths—while also engaging with contemporary religious issues, interfaith dialogue, and the impact of religion on modern societal developments.

The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and cultural awareness, encouraging students to critically analyze religious texts, rituals, and institutions. Core courses cover the history of religion, philosophy of religion, religious texts and literature, anthropological perspectives on religion, and the sociology of religion. Students have the opportunity to participate in fieldwork, academic seminars, and religious site visits, providing practical insights into religious communities and practices.

Additionally, the program promotes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from anthropology, history, philosophy, and cultural studies to provide a holistic understanding of religious phenomena. Students are encouraged to develop research skills through individual and group projects, culminating in a senior thesis or research paper. The program prepares graduates for diverse careers in academia, education, cultural administration, non-governmental organizations, journalism, and religious leadership.

Seoul National University’s strong academic faculty, cutting-edge research resources, and active engagement with global religious studies communities create an enriching environment for students. The university’s vibrant campus life and international partnerships further enhance the educational experience, fostering a global perspective on religious issues. Graduates of this program will be equipped to critically examine and engage with the complex and multifaceted world of religion, contributing thoughtfully to societal dialogue and understanding.

1st Year:

• World Religions
• Religion & Religious Studies

2nd Year:

• Introduction to Buddhism
• Introduction to Christianity

3rd Year:

• Religions in China
• Introduction to Islam
• History of Religious Studies
• Phenomenology of Religion
• Sociology of Religion
• Psychology of Religion
• Contemporary Religions
• Religions in India
• Introduction to Confucianism
• Introduction to Taoism
• Philosophy of Religion 
• Religions in Korea

4th Year:

• Anthropology of Religion
• Christianity in Korea
• Confucianism in Korea
• Mysticism
• Guidance in Senior Thesis Writings
• Ancient Religions
• Mythology
• Comparative Study of Religions
• Buddhism in Korea
  Religions in Japan
• Canons & Classics
• Guidance in Senior Thesis Writings
• Primitive Religions

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 Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies at Seoul National University offers students an in-depth exploration of various religious traditions, philosophies, and cultural practices around the world. The program aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the role religion plays in human history, society, and individual lives. It covers a diverse curriculum that includes the study of major world religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and indigenous spiritual practices. Students are also introduced to religious texts, rituals, ethical systems, and the sociopolitical dimensions of religion. The program encourages critical thinking, comparative analysis, and an appreciation for religious diversity, fostering a broad perspective on the impact of religion in modern society.

The curriculum is designed to integrate both historical and contemporary perspectives, allowing students to analyze religious phenomena through various disciplinary lenses, including anthropology, philosophy, history, and sociology. Students gain skills in research, textual analysis, and critical discussion, preparing them for careers in academia, education, journalism, public policy, or religious organizations. The program emphasizes active engagement with issues of religious tolerance, interfaith dialogue, and the role of religion in global conflicts and peace-building efforts.

Faculty members are distinguished scholars in their fields, offering mentorship and guidance throughout the student’s academic journey. Graduates of the program are equipped with intercultural competence and a nuanced understanding of religious dynamics, enabling them to contribute effectively to multicultural environments and policy-making contexts. The university also provides opportunities for internships and exchanges with religious and cultural institutions, enriching the practical learning experience. Overall, the Religious Studies program at Seoul National University seeks to cultivate knowledgeable, thoughtful individuals who appreciate the complexity of religious life and its significance in shaping human civilization.