Russian Language and Literature

Program Description:
The Department of Russian Language and Literature at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive undergraduate program designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the Russian language, its rich literary tradition, and its cultural context. This program aims to develop students' proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding Russian, enabling them to engage critically with a wide range of literary texts from different historical periods, genres, and authors. Students will explore classical and contemporary Russian literature, including works by renowned authors such as Pushkin, Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, among others.

The curriculum combines language acquisition with literary analysis, linguistic studies, and cultural studies, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to Russian studies. Courses cover various topics, including Russian grammar, phonetics, historical linguistics, translation, and stylistics. Additionally, students have opportunities to study Russian culture, history, politics, and society to better understand the context in which Russian literature developed. Practical language training is emphasized through conversation, reading comprehension, writing exercises, and oral presentations, ensuring students achieve a high level of fluency.

The program includes a range of electives that allow students to tailor their studies according to their interests, whether in classical literature, modern prose, poetry, or film. Opportunities for study abroad and exchange programs in Russia are also available, providing immersive language learning experiences and cultural exchange. Research projects, seminars, and workshops encourage critical thinking and academic inquiry, preparing students for careers in translation, education, international relations, or further graduate studies.

Graduates of this program will possess advanced language skills, a deep understanding of Russian literary traditions and cultural nuances, and the ability to analyze texts critically. They will be well-equipped to pursue careers in academia, diplomacy, international business, journalism, or cultural diplomacy, where expertise in Russian language and culture is valuable. The program’s aim is to produce proficient professionals who can foster cross-cultural communication and understanding between Korea and Russian-speaking countries. Through rigorous academic coursework, practical language training, and cultural immersion, students will develop the skills necessary to succeed in a globalized world.

• Intermediate Russian 1
• Intermediate Russian 2
• Readings in Russian Literature
• History of Russian Literature 1
• Russian Poetry and Songs
• Russian Language and Society
• Russian Language and Society
• Russian Language and Society
• Russian Cultural Criticism
• Understanding Russian Poetry
• Advanced Russian 1
• Advanced Russian 2
• History of Russian Language
• History of Russian Literature 2
• Studies in Russian Authors 1
• Studies in Russian Authors 2
• Introduction to Russian Linguistics
• Russian Folklore
• Women in Russian Literature
• Topics in Russian Linguistics
• Russian Theater
• Topics in Russian Linguistics
• Russian Literary Criticism
• Understanding Popular Culture in Contemporary Russia

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 Russian Language and Literature program at Seoul National University offers a comprehensive curriculum aimed at providing students with a deep understanding of the Russian language, its literature, culture, and history. The program is designed for students who are interested in exploring the rich literary traditions of Russia, from classical authors like Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov to modern writers such as Bulgakov and Solzhenitsyn. The curriculum emphasizes proficiency in the Russian language, combining language instruction with literary analysis, cultural studies, and historical context. Students engaged in this program develop advanced language skills, enabling them to read and interpret complex texts in their original language, as well as to communicate effectively in academic and professional settings related to Russia and Slavic studies.

Additionally, the program encourages students to engage with interdisciplinary approaches, integrating linguistics, history, political science, and cultural studies. This holistic approach aims to prepare graduates for careers in academia, international relations, translation, interpretation, journalism, and cultural diplomacy. Courses are taught by faculty members who are experts in Russian linguistics, literature, and cultural history, and the program often features language proficiency exams, research projects, and opportunities for internships or exchanges with institutions in Russia. The program also promotes understanding of Russia's socio-political developments, cultural heritage, and modern societal issues, providing students with a balanced perspective on Russia’s influence globally.

Students typically have access to extensive library resources, language labs, and cultural events such as film screenings, lectures, and literary seminars. The program encourages active student participation and offers various extracurricular activities to deepen students’ engagement with Russian culture. Graduates of the program often pursue further studies, including master's and doctoral degrees, or enter careers in diplomatic services, international organizations, academia, or media outlets specializing in Russian affairs. The program's goal is to produce highly skilled linguists and cultural experts who can contribute to fostering international understanding and cooperation between Korea and Russia.