Seoul National University has achieved a great deal in its fifty-year history. As an indisputable leader of higher education in Korea, it is known for its quality graduates. The University has earned this distinction by maintaining a high standard of instruction and research.
The founding of SNU in 1946 marked the opening of the first national university in modern Korean history. Originally, the university was composed of one graduate school and nine colleges, with 491 faculty members and 4,500 students.
The main campus of the university, called Kwanak, accommodates two graduate schools, eleven colleges, twenty-eight research institutes, and other supporting facilities, and is located at the foot of the magnificent Kwanak Mountains in a 4.3Km2 area. The colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry, as well as the Graduate School of Public Health and the University Hospital are all located on the Yongon Campus in downtown Seoul.
ON-Campus Housing
SNU has 28 dormitory buildings with 2,600 rooms, housing over 4,500 student.
The residence buildings are available to all students registered, but application is highly competitive. Disabled students have priority access to the rooms. The Family Dormitory is available to students with families. Each room and flat is fully furnished, but one must provide one's own beddings and towels. Cooking facilities are not available for individual units, but they are included in family flats.
Off-Campus Housing
In 2004, Seoul was reported to have one of the highest housing prices among big cities, ahead of New York and behind Tokyo. Although it is more economical to live in a student dormitory, the dormitories cannot house all of the students. As a result, international students, excluding exchange students, often need to find accommodation off-campus.
Food Services
The cafeterias on campus are always working on the improvement of the environment as well as the expansion of facilities. Dieticians are assigned to each cafeteria and close attention to nutrition and hygiene is paid. Kwanak Campus has various self-service restaurants and snack bars. Self-service restaurants provide meals and light snacks. Although meals are generally provided only during meal times, snacks are also available between meal times.
Banking
What you will need to open an account is your passport and Foreign Registration card. You will need to provide your local address and fill out an application form. On the form you can choose optional services such as online banking, phone banking and a message service to your cell phone.
Post Office
On campus post office is located in the first floor of the Administration Building (Building No.60). You can also find post offices at other adjacent areas of campus.
Medical Care
The Student Medical Mutual Aid Service financially assists students by paying for a portion of their medical treatment fee when they need medical care. This system has been put into operation in order to contribute to improving students' health. The students are charged with a fixed fee upon admission and become members of the service during their time at SNU.
Facilities&Service Centers
Library - The Seoul National University Library was founded in 1946 by undertaking the collections of the Kyongsung University Library.
Museum - Seoul National University Museum aims to maintain a constant rapport with the general public, and this website is one of many efforts in facilitating that rapport.
Kyujanggak Archives - The history of the Kyujanggak Royal Library begins with its establishment in 1776 in the rear garden of Changdeokgung palace by King Jeongjo the twenty-second king of the Joseon dynasty. Being founded at the height of Joseon culture, it enjoyed enormous privileges bestowed by the founding King, but its role experienced ups and downs in the Joseon government until the end of the dynasty. From the colonial period to the Korean War, the Kyujanggak has shared with the Korean people both the glories and trials of Korean history.
Medical Center - The Seoul National University Hospital, the leading tertiary care facility in Korea, has now extended its services and programs of the International Clinic, in response to the increasing demand of foreign residents in Korea. Its services and programs include the inpatient and outpatient care and consultations, mostly provided by a comprehensive range of advanced specialists.
Hoam Faculty House - Hoam Faculty House(HFH) is a facility operated by Seoul National University for its professors and staffs. HFH is equipped with Korea and occidental restaurants, comfort guest house, convention hall, and halls for conferences and seminars.
Clubs&Activities
There are over 100 students clubs and organizations affiliated with SNU. Student activities include sports, cultural, performing arts, religious clubs and more. From Taekwondo to Jazz Clubs to Computer Study Group, there is something for everyone to get involved in.
Participation in clubs is the best way to make friends, develop your responsibilities and find your leadership qualities. This will enable you to grow and to learn from new experiences on campus.
