Seoul National University (SNU; Korean: 서울대학교; Hanja: 서울大學校) is a national research university located in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Founded in 1946, SNU is considered the best and most prestigious university in the country. It is also one of the three SKY universities, considered the top universities in Korea. The university aims to foster global leaders through its education and research programs.
With over 27,000 students and 2,800 faculty members, SNU offers 76 undergraduate programs, 103 masters programs, 99 doctorate programs, and 19 professional programs across its 10 colleges and 1 graduate school. The student body consists of students from all over Korea as well as international students from over 90 countries.Notable alumni of SNU include Nobel Prize laureate Lee Sang-hoon, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, and president of Samsung Electronics Oh-Hyun Kwon.
The main campus is located in Gwanak District on 1 Gwanak-ro, Seoul 08826 while the medical campus is located in Jongno District on 101 Daehak-ro Jongno-gu Seoul 03080. The two campuses are connected by an underground shuttle bus system.
Seoul National University was founded on August 27th 1946 with 85 professors including 25 from overseas and 599 students enrolled in its first year. At that time it was only composed of four colleges – liberal arts & sciences (now called ‘college of humanities & social sciences’), engineering (which later split into 3 different colleges), agriculture & forestry (which later became ‘college of life sciences & biotechnology’) ,and law(later combined with political science to create the ‘college of social sciences’). In 1959 construction began for what would eventually become one of seoul’s landmarks -the tower building which houses many administrative offices as well as classrooms for natural science departments including physics ,chemistry ,mathematics & statistics department . It wasn’t until 1963 that seoul national university started admitting women into their undergraduate programmes . When it did so it became the first higher education institution in korea to do so .
“Seoul National University produced Koreas First female astronaut”
In May 2008 Yi So Yeon made history when she became not just Koreas but also east Asia’s first female astronaut . She completed her training at russian space agency cosmonaut training center before being selected for a mission to International Space Station(ISS) . Yi spent 11 days aboard ISS where she conducted various experiments including testing effects Of microgravity On plant Seedlings . After returning back to earth Yi said “I hope my achievement will serve as an encouragement For Women everywhere who dream Of becoming astronauts One day.”
Seoul National University has long been considered not just one Of Korea’s premier institutions Of higher learning but also East Asia’s equivalent to Ivy League schools such As Harvard or Yale . Unequivocally regarded As THE best university In Korea ,it has been ranked number 1 By Korean Times Higher Education Evaluation every year since 2009 And Is currently ranked 87th In QS world rankings 2020 making It Also oneOf Asia’s top Universities . Located In seouls bustling metropolitan downtown area near To Konkuk University And Ewha Womans University Its central location allows easy access For both local And international students seeking world class education .”