South Korea's top university considers $748 monthly stipend, free tuition for first foreign-only class

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Seoul National University is considering covering full tuition and paying a monthly stipend of 1 million won (US$748) for every student in the first intake of its international-only undergraduate division, which will start admissions in fall 2027.

"Because we expect to select only a small number of students initially, we are preparing to provide scholarships to all of them," Noh Yoo-sun, the SNU College dean overseeing the launch of the Global Talent Division, told The Korea Herald.

Under the plan, students would receive the support for roughly their first three semesters, a period Noh described as "incubation" before they enter their majors.

The division will admit international students without requiring them to declare a major. Students are expected to spend about two to three semesters on intensive Korean-language and foundational courses before moving into eligible majors across 10 colleges.

"The amount has not been finalized yet," Noh said. "What we are currently considering is full tuition and 1 million won a month in living expenses."

SNU expects a first cohort of about 36 students but will set no fixed quota, he said, with the final number depending on the size of the applicant pool and how many candidates the university considers sufficiently qualified.

Noh said student support, including scholarships, can play a decisive role in the competition for top students, citing Vietnamese students admitted to SNU who chose the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) instead. About nine students have made a similar choice, he said.

"If we want to attract outstanding students, what the university can offer those students becomes very important," he said.

He acknowledged that offering the division's students better scholarships than other international students admitted through SNU's special admissions for foreigners could raise fairness concerns.

The main gate of Seoul National University’s Gwanak campus in Seoul. Photo courtesy of Seoul National University

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