Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations

Seoul National University · College of Social Sciences · Seoul, South Korea
  • Full time
  • In person
  • Korean or English evidence accepted
12 min read · Published on October 16, 2026 · Updated on October 16, 2026
Full-programme planning totalINR 36.93 lakh

tuition, living and application

TuitionKRW 13,112,000

four-semester planning basis

CreditsNot published

no programme total found

Duration2 years

standard planning case

Confirmed intakeSpring 2027

international route; applications closed

Next deadlineNot published

check the next SNU notice

LanguageIELTS 6.0

programme conditions can be stricter

What is Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

Within MA Political Science and International Relations, political analysis frames the starting model while research methods challenges it with evidence. The proposal needs one defined object, one method and one result that could weaken its conclusion; naming the discipline broadly does not supply that research boundary.

The final political-science output should connect a focused domestic, comparative or international question to a transparent method and an inspectable result. Political analysis sets the conceptual boundary, research methods test competing explanations and academic writing records what the available evidence cannot establish.

A first-semester plan for MA Political Science and International Relations should narrow political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions to one answerable boundary. Within that boundary, political analysis defines what is measured or interpreted, research methods determines how competing explanations are compared and international relations identifies the capability that must be new. This sequence prevents the proposal from promising an entire discipline instead of one graduate project.

The key comparison is not SNU against a generic university; it is MA Political Science and International Relations against a route centred on a different research object. If academic writing is peripheral and research methods supplies all the needed evidence, the alternative may be more direct. If academic writing changes what can be tested, this programme has a clearer academic purpose.

How much does Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations cost for an Indian student?

The 24-month planning case is KRW 52,082,000, about INR 36.93 lakh. It uses the 2026 tuition table published in SNU’s Spring 2027 guide for four semesters, ordinary living costs and one application fee. No scholarship or earnings are deducted, and fee changes remain possible.

ItemINRLocal currencyWhen it is due
Tuition across the planning periodINR 9.30 lakhKRW 13,112,000Across the planned course
Living, housing and ordinary study costsINR 27.57 lakhKRW 38,880,000Across the planning period
International applicationINR 6,381KRW 90,000At application
Full-programme planning totalINR 36.93 lakhKRW 52,082,000Before flights, visa and contingency

This is an unawarded planning case, not a fee quote. Flights, visa, deposits, exchange spread and contingency remain outside it. Converted at KRW 1 = INR 0.0709 using the 30 September 2026 market reference.

SNU publishes a Graduate Scholarship for Foreign Students with full tuition for up to four semesters and a monthly stipend, subject to eligibility and selection.SNU Spring 2027 international graduate guide

The tuition line multiplies the guide’s KRW 3,278,000 first-semester figure by four. SNU says the table is for academic year 2026 and can change, so this is not a 2027 invoice.

Living costs use KRW 1,620,000 a month for 24 months as a conservative planning allowance, not a university charge. Housing choice and personal spending can change it materially.

SNU’s Graduate Scholarship for Foreign Students can cover tuition for up to four semesters and a monthly stipend, subject to eligibility, selection and college conditions. The table assumes no award.

Flights, visa, document authentication, deposits, exchange spread and contingency remain outside the total; a longer research period also raises living costs.

Can an Indian applicant meet Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations entry rules?

The academic fit for MA Political Science and International Relations is a political science, international relations or related social-science bachelor’s degree. The central Spring 2027 guide requires TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0 or TEPS 269, or an accepted Korean-language or medium-of-instruction route. SNU publishes no universal Indian percentage conversion, so the official transcript and grading scale matter.

RequirementPublished ruleWhat you do
Academic preparation (India)a political science, international relations or related social-science bachelor's degreeMap completed modules and assessed work to the proposed field
Language evidence (India)TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0 or TEPS 269, or an accepted Korean-language or medium-of-instruction routeFollow the programme and live-cycle rule before paying
Research direction (India)evidence linking political analysis with international relationsUse one project or paper with a method, result and limitation
Programme condition (India)Spring 2027 is confirmed in the international graduate guide, but its application window closed on 9 July 2026; the following cycle was not published when checkedConfirm the next open cycle and departmental instructions

Evidence for MA Political Science and International Relations begins with a political science, international relations or related social-science bachelor’s degree. Pair that transcript evidence with an inspectable political analysis output: define its problem, expose its method, show what research methods changed and state a limitation. That combination lets an SNU reviewer distinguish preparation for political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions from grades that reveal no method or research judgement.

From the earlier political analysis result, the study plan should advance toward international relations. Name a feasible opening question for political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions, identify the preparation still missing and explain why theory-led empirical research and a supervised thesis supplies the right test. If the test relies on academic writing, document a credible academic writing access plan instead of assuming access from the department name.

A transcript for MA Political Science and International Relations should be annotated around preparation, not prestige. Mark where political analysis was learned, where research methods was assessed and which result demonstrates readiness for international relations. If the evidence comes from employment or independent work, describe the applicant’s own contribution so that political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions competence is not inferred from a team outcome.

The writing sample or portfolio should reveal judgement specific to political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions. It should explain why one research methods method was selected, what an alternative would miss and how uncertainty was handled. For MA Political Science and International Relations, a polished result without that reasoning is less useful than a smaller political analysis project whose decisions and limitations remain visible.

Four checks that can stop a MA Political Science and International Relations application

  1. The live guide controls language evidence

    A central minimum does not cancel a department-specific Korean, English, portfolio or interview condition.

  2. Related degree names do not prove preparation

    The transcript and assessed work need to show a political science, international relations or related social-science bachelor’s degree.

  3. Only one programme can be selected

    SNU’s Spring 2027 form permits one programme choice, so comparisons must be completed before payment.

  4. Indian documents need formal handling

    Prepare complete records, translations where needed, and apostille or consular authentication under the current guide.

How should an Indian applicant apply for Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

Apply through SNU’s international graduate notice. The confirmed Spring 2027 route accepted applications from 6 to 9 July 2026 and is closed. The next open cycle was not published on 15 October 2026, so this page does not invent or recycle a deadline.

Choose one exact programme, prepare academic and language evidence, two recommendations and the study plan, submit online, then provide authenticated originals after a preliminary offer.

StepTaskAllowanceWhy it matters
01Audit programme fit21 daysMap prior study to a political science, international relations or related social-science bachelor's degree.
02Prepare language evidence75 daysAllow score delivery and any department-specific Korean requirement.
03Prepare recommendations and study plan35 daysSNU requests two online recommendations and a programme-specific plan.
04Submit and pay online2 daysThe programme choice cannot be changed after payment.
05Authenticate final records35 daysFollow the apostille or consular route in the live guide.
06Complete visa and residence steps60 daysAdmission and immigration remain separate decisions.

The allowances are preparation estimates, not deadlines or processing times published by Seoul National University. Start dates remain unconfirmed.

Build the file around political analysis and international relations, not a generic statement about SNU.

The current guide controls uploaded documents, recommendations, language evidence and any programme-specific additions.

The KRW 90,000 application is complete only after payment and an application number; selection and scholarship review are not guarantees of each other.

After an offer, registration, visa issuance and immigration permission remain separate steps.

Current route status

The next open international graduate cycle must be taken from a new SNU notice; the closed Spring 2027 date is not reused as an open deadline.

What jobs can follow Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

Defensible directions include policy analyst, international-affairs researcher, political-risk analyst and doctoral researcher. South Korea’s student and graduate status rules remain separate from admission, and legal eligibility is not a placement promise. Each role still depends on evidence from the student’s assessed work and employer selection.

MeasureFigureBasis
Political AnalysisPolicy AnalystAssessed work using political analysis and research methods
Research MethodsInternational-Affairs ResearcherA result showing how research methods changed a decision
International RelationsPolitical-Risk AnalystAn inspectable output from theory-led empirical research and a supervised thesis
Placement guaranteeNone publishedA doctoral researcher direction still depends on hiring and status

These MA Political Science and International Relations directions aren't Seoul National University placement rates or salary forecasts; they are curriculum inferences.

For a policy analyst portfolio, preserve the chain from the political analysis question through method, result and limitation. A international-affairs researcher portfolio instead foregrounds how research methods changed a decision in political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions. Although both outputs may come from one thesis, each needs its own evidence, and neither becomes credible merely because Seoul National University awarded the degree.

The political-risk analyst direction depends on a international relations output that another reviewer can inspect or reproduce. The doctoral researcher direction may depend more heavily on academic writing, professional context or later research training. Decide which of those political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions outcomes the final project must optimise before selecting a laboratory, research group, studio or supervisor.

For policy analyst, the useful artefact from MA Political Science and International Relations may be a model, analysis, experiment, design or argument, but it must show political analysis in use. For international-affairs researcher, the same artefact should expose a decision informed by research methods. Recruiters can then judge the work itself instead of guessing capability from a module list.

Movement toward political-risk analyst should be tested against the actual vacancies or doctoral projects the applicant would pursue. Record which ones request international relations, which expect academic writing and which value a different qualification. That exercise turns the broad promise of political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions into a concrete evidence plan without claiming that SNU controls hiring.

Who is Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations for, and who should avoid it?

A credible candidate already has evidence in political analysis and needs depth in international relations. It isn't a strong fit when research methods repeats earlier study or the applicant expects a guaranteed job, scholarship or visa outcome. The intended project, teaching language and available research setting also shape the decision.

VerdictYour backgroundWhy
Strong fitReady in political analysisExisting work supports progression into international relations.
Strong fitNeeds stronger research methodsThe theory-led empirical research and a supervised thesis can create new evidence.
Needs evidenceChoosing between policy analyst and political-risk analystMake academic writing serve one clear direction.
Needs evidenceFunding is near the limitThe INR 36.93 lakh case excludes flights and contingency.
Do not shortlistMissing political analysis foundationsThe programme is an expensive way to repair prerequisites.
Do not shortlistNeeds guaranteed employmentNo exact-programme placement guarantee is published.

Readiness for MA Political Science and International Relations means discussing one unresolved political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions problem without reducing it to themes. The applicant separates political analysis from research methods, locates the main uncertainty and explains what stronger international relations evidence could establish. That explanation should also show what the present work cannot conclude and why graduate research is needed.

The fit weakens when policy analyst is the only goal but theory-led empirical research and a supervised thesis holds no interest. It also weakens when academic writing is unavailable, when the political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions question repeats an earlier project or when the plan requires guaranteed funding, employment or immigration permission. Each condition removes an essential reason to choose MA Political Science and International Relations now.

A borderline candidate for MA Political Science and International Relations should run a short diagnostic project using political analysis and research methods. If that work reveals curiosity about the unresolved political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions question and a need for international relations, the master’s case strengthens. If the work feels like prerequisite repair, delaying the application may protect both time and money.

Supervision fit matters differently from admission fit in MA Political Science and International Relations. Admission evidence can show readiness for political science and international relations across domestic, comparative and global questions, while research fit asks whether the available environment supports academic writing and the proposed international relations method. A candidate can satisfy the first test and still rationally decline when the second remains uncertain.

Should an Indian applicant shortlist Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

Shortlist Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations when political analysis is already visible in your record, international relations is the next clear capability gap and the INR 36.93 lakh plan works without assumed funding or earnings. The route still needs a specific academic purpose and suitable project access.

The route can move prior political analysis work towards policy analyst or political-risk analyst evidence through theory-led empirical research and a supervised thesis. Seoul National University doesn't publish an exact-programme placement or salary guarantee.

Two checks matter most: whether the current timetable supports the language you need, and whether supervision or project access exists for academic writing.

Key takeaways
  • Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations is a full-time master's route under College of Social Sciences.
  • Spring 2027 is confirmed but closed; the next open graduate deadline was not published on 15 October 2026.
  • The full planning case is KRW 52,082,000, about INR 36.93 lakh.
  • The language position used here is Korean or English evidence accepted.
  • Spring 2027 is confirmed in the international graduate guide, but its application window closed on 9 July 2026; the following cycle was not published when checked
  • SNU publishes no exact-programme placement or salary guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

How much is Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations for an Indian student?

The unawarded 24-month planning total is KRW 52,082,000, about INR 36.93 lakh. It combines four semesters of published tuition, living costs and one application fee; flights, visa, authentication, deposits and contingency are extra.

What is the 2027 deadline for Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

The Spring 2027 application closed on 9 July 2026. SNU had not published the next open international graduate deadline when checked on 15 October 2026, so applicants should monitor the official notice.

What language score does Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations require?

The central guide accepts TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic 6.0, TEPS 269, qualifying Korean evidence, or an accepted medium-of-instruction document. The department can impose a stricter rule.

How long is Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

This page uses four semesters and 24 months as the planning case. SNU states that a master's normally spans four to eight semesters, so research progress can increase time and living cost.

Does Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations require GRE or GMAT?

The central Spring 2027 guide does not set a universal GRE or GMAT requirement for this programme. Departmental interviews, examinations or extra evidence may still apply, and a voluntary score cannot replace required records.

Can an Indian graduate work in South Korea after Seoul National University MA Political Science and International Relations?

A graduate can pursue the status and employer route available at that time, but the degree is not a work permit, placement guarantee or residence promise. Employer selection, occupation rules, language expectations and current immigration conditions still apply.

Sources

These sources support the programme, admission, cost and immigration information used on this page.

Sources checked on October 15, 2026. The next intake covered here is Next open graduate cycle not published.

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