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South Korea · Seoul National University

Seoul National University Scholarship for International Students

IELTS Requirement & Application Guide

IELTS
6
Components
L 5.5 / R 5.5 / W 5.5 / S 5.5
Level
PG, PhD
Deadline
March–April (Fall) or September–October (Spring)

Last verified: 2026-03

About Seoul National University Scholarship for International Students

Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea's most prestigious university, offers multiple scholarship tracks for international graduate students including the SNU Global Scholarship, Development Cooperation Scholarship, and department-based research assistantships. Support includes full tuition waivers, a monthly living allowance, and research support funds.

Official Website

IELTS Required

OverallLRWS
65.55.55.55.5

Accepts: Academic / General

Also accepted: TOEFL iBT 80, TOPIK Level 4

Tips for Meeting the Requirement

  1. 1SNU requires IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each component. For competitive programmes in business, engineering, and sciences, scoring 6.5+ will meaningfully strengthen your application.
  2. 2SNU has two intakes: Fall (apply March–April) and Spring (apply September–October). Check your department's specific deadline, as some departments have earlier cutoffs.
  3. 3Practice academic writing and reading comprehension, as SNU's graduate programmes involve extensive English-language research. TOPIK Level 4 can supplement your IELTS score if you plan to study Korean-taught courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What IELTS score do I need for the SNU Scholarship?
Seoul National University requires IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. TOEFL iBT 80 and TOPIK Level 4 are accepted alternatives.
Does SNU accept TOEFL instead of IELTS?
Yes, SNU accepts TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 80. TOPIK Level 4 or above is also accepted for Korean-taught programmes.
Can I apply for the SNU Scholarship without IELTS?
You need IELTS, TOEFL, or TOPIK certification to apply. SNU does not generally waive language requirements, though graduates of English-medium programmes may check with individual departments about potential exemptions.

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