Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) is a private research university located in Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 1398 as Sungkyunkwan, the Joseon Dynasty’s first imperial academy. Today, SKKU is one of the leading universities in South Korea and East Asia, with a strong focus on research and innovation. 

The university is ranked among the top five universities in Korea. Alumni from SKKU include some of the most influential figures in the nation such as former Prime Ministers Hwang Kyo-Ahn, Lee Wan Koo, and Chung Hong-won, and actors Bae Yong-Joon and Song Joong-ki, among others.  In this article, we learn more about Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea, the courses it offers, its fees, and much more. 

Courses and Faculty

There are a total of sixteen colleges and departments at Sungkyunkwan University. The College of Humanities, the College of Social Sciences, and the College of Natural Sciences are among the most prominent ones. Besides these three colleges, the Graduate School of International Studies is the most popular graduate school, while the Samsung School of Business is the most popular professional school. 

All of SKKU’s colleges and departments offer a wide range of courses across multiple disciplines such as marine biology, engineering,  business management, social sciences, media studies, and music. The faculty at SKKU work diligently to ensure that each student has the opportunity for a successful future. For instance, they facilitate creative campus activities for students, such as seminars, workshops, and various competitions, or assist them with their research through one-on-one sessions. 

Fees and Scholarships 

Attending Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) can be an expensive affair, especially for international students as there are many costs to consider besides the tuition fee, such as room and board, transportation, and internet charges, among others. Tuition fees for the academic year 2020 were fixed between 4,225,000 KRW to 6,575,000 KRW per semester, depending on the courses. 

Fortunately, SKKU offers several scholarships which can help reduce the cost of attending school here. The amount and type of scholarship awarded depends on various factors, such as academic performance, financial need, and extracurricular involvement. As the application process is competitive, only the best candidates are selected for scholarship awards.

Careers and Placement 

A degree from SKKU transforms students into well-rounded professionals; thereby, ensuring that they are highly sought after by employers. SKKU alumni have successful careers across several industries, including business, engineering, law enforcement, medicine, and teaching, among others. The SKKU Career Center provides excellent careers and placement opportunities for its students. It has an extensive database of job postings and information about upcoming career fairs and other events. It also offers counseling services to help students choose the right career path and develop their job-search skills. 

SKKU has also partnered with Samsung, one of the world’s leading technology companies, to provide students with unique internship and job opportunities. 

Admission Requirements 

In order to be admitted to SKKU, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have a GPA of 2.5 and above on a scale of  4.0 or 3.0 and at least 3.3 on a scale of 5.0. 
• You will be required to submit scores of standardised tests such as SAT/ACT or GMAT/GRE.
• You must present letters of recommendation along with the application. 
• You must submit a personal statement explaining why you want to attend SKKU. This is because SKKU is a highly selective university and only admits students who can keep up with its rigorous curriculum.
• You must also have a valid passport from your country of citizenship and submit proof of financial support. 
• Additionally, you must demonstrate strong English skills by submitting an official TOEFL score report or IELTS score report.  

If you are looking for an academically challenging environment where you will be surrounded by motivated peers and an illustrious community of scholars and leaders, then SKKU is the perfect school for you. We hope that the information provided in this article enables you in making an informed choice and will help you with the application process!