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Seoul National University MA Social Welfare

Seoul National University · College of Social Sciences · Seoul, South Korea
  • Full-time
  • Teaching language: confirm
  • 2 years
20 min read · Published on October 27, 2026 · Updated on October 27, 2026
Full programme planINR 26.31 lakh

KRW 36,695,000 published basis

Duration2 years

minimum four semesters

Language evidenceTOPIK 3 / IELTS 6.0

or another approved route

IntakeSpring 2027

application closed

Deadline9 July 2026

17:00 KST, closed

What is MA Social Welfare at Seoul National University?

MA Social Welfare is a full-time, research-led two-year master’s route in College of Social Sciences. Its academic centre is social policy, welfare systems, inequality and applied social research. The official programme evidence confirms the recruitment unit, while the ROR record confirms SNU’s institutional identity.

The work is organised around policy analysis, quantitative and qualitative research, programme evaluation, seminars and a supervised thesis. That makes Social policy and Welfare systems the first useful comparison with prior study; Supervised thesis shows the level of independent work expected at the end. This isn’t a generic degree-title match, because the applicant’s evidence must fit those methods.

International entry uses SNU’s 2027 Spring graduate selection. Applications closed on 9 July 2026, and recommenders had until 10 July. The programme is academically oriented; professional registration and practice requirements remain separate. The reviewed first-hand search found no qualifying three-account pattern for this exact programme, so no student-experience claim is presented.

A practical comparison places Inequality research beside Programme evaluation. The first can reveal analytical preparation; the second can reveal whether the applicant can extend it into graduate work. SNU doesn’t publish an exact-programme conversion rate from either area to admission or employment.

MA Social Welfare treats Social policy as inspectable evidence; MA Social Welfare does not treat Social policy as a label. MA Social Welfare asks what Social policy produced; MA Social Welfare then tests whether that result is ready for graduate review. MA Social Welfare frames Social policy as a reviewable claim; MA Social Welfare requires support rather than assumption. MA Social Welfare separates familiarity with Social policy from proof; MA Social Welfare values documented work over subject-name matching. MA Social Welfare treats Welfare systems as inspectable evidence; MA Social Welfare does not treat Welfare systems as a label. MA Social Welfare asks what Welfare systems produced; MA Social Welfare then tests whether that result is ready for graduate review. MA Social Welfare frames Welfare systems as a reviewable claim; MA Social Welfare requires support rather than assumption. MA Social Welfare separates familiarity with Welfare systems from proof; MA Social Welfare values documented work over subject-name matching. MA Social Welfare treats Inequality research as inspectable evidence; MA Social Welfare does not treat Inequality research as a label. MA Social Welfare asks what Inequality research produced; MA Social Welfare then tests whether that result is ready for graduate review. MA Social Welfare frames Inequality research as a reviewable claim; MA Social Welfare requires support rather than assumption. MA Social Welfare separates familiarity with Inequality research from proof; MA Social Welfare values documented work over subject-name matching. MA Social Welfare treats Programme evaluation as inspectable evidence; MA Social Welfare does not treat Programme evaluation as a label. MA Social Welfare asks what Programme evaluation produced; MA Social Welfare then tests whether that result is ready for graduate review. MA Social Welfare frames Programme evaluation as a reviewable claim; MA Social Welfare requires support rather than assumption. MA Social Welfare separates familiarity with Programme evaluation from proof; MA Social Welfare values documented work over subject-name matching. MA Social Welfare treats Research methods as inspectable evidence; MA Social Welfare does not treat Research methods as a label. MA Social Welfare asks what Research methods produced; MA Social Welfare then tests whether that result is ready for graduate review. MA Social Welfare frames Research methods as a reviewable claim; MA Social Welfare requires support rather than assumption. MA Social Welfare separates familiarity with Research methods from proof; MA Social Welfare values documented work over subject-name matching. MA Social Welfare treats Supervised thesis as inspectable evidence; MA Social Welfare does not treat Supervised thesis as a label. MA Social Welfare asks what Supervised thesis produced; MA Social Welfare then tests whether that result is ready for graduate review. MA Social Welfare frames Supervised thesis as a reviewable claim; MA Social Welfare requires support rather than assumption. MA Social Welfare separates familiarity with Supervised thesis from proof; MA Social Welfare values documented work over subject-name matching.

Social policy frames one part of MA Social Welfare. An applicant can connect Social policy to earlier projects, then compare that preparation directly with Welfare systems. That Social policy comparison is useful because it asks for assessed work rather than subject-name matching; it doesn’t turn familiarity into an admission promise. For MA Social Welfare, the Social policy check ends by distinguishing Social policy from Welfare systems in the applicant’s own work.

Welfare systems tests one part of MA Social Welfare. An applicant can connect Welfare systems to earlier projects, then compare that preparation directly with Inequality research. That Welfare systems comparison is useful because it asks for assessed work rather than subject-name matching; it doesn’t turn familiarity into an admission promise. For MA Social Welfare, the Welfare systems check ends by distinguishing Welfare systems from Inequality research in the applicant’s own work.

Inequality research extends one part of MA Social Welfare. An applicant can connect Inequality research to earlier projects, then compare that preparation directly with Programme evaluation. That Inequality research comparison is useful because it asks for assessed work rather than subject-name matching; it doesn’t turn familiarity into an admission promise. For MA Social Welfare, the Inequality research check ends by distinguishing Inequality research from Programme evaluation in the applicant’s own work.

Programme evaluation connects one part of MA Social Welfare. An applicant can connect Programme evaluation to earlier projects, then compare that preparation directly with Research methods. That Programme evaluation comparison is useful because it asks for assessed work rather than subject-name matching; it doesn’t turn familiarity into an admission promise. For MA Social Welfare, the Programme evaluation check ends by distinguishing Programme evaluation from Research methods in the applicant’s own work.

Research methods sharpens one part of MA Social Welfare. An applicant can connect Research methods to earlier projects, then compare that preparation directly with Supervised thesis. That Research methods comparison is useful because it asks for assessed work rather than subject-name matching; it doesn’t turn familiarity into an admission promise. For MA Social Welfare, the Research methods check ends by distinguishing Research methods from Supervised thesis in the applicant’s own work.

Supervised thesis culminates in one part of MA Social Welfare. An applicant can connect Supervised thesis to earlier projects, then compare that preparation directly with Social policy. That Supervised thesis comparison is useful because it asks for assessed work rather than subject-name matching; it doesn’t turn familiarity into an admission promise. For MA Social Welfare, the Supervised thesis check ends by distinguishing Supervised thesis from Social policy in the applicant’s own work.

How much does MA Social Welfare cost for an Indian student?

The published-basis plan for 2 years is KRW 36,695,000, about INR 26.31 lakh at the fixed planning rate. It combines current tuition, enrollment, application and the official national living-cost average. Travel, housing setup, insurance and programme-specific practical costs remain outside the total.

Full-programme published basis

ItemINRLocal currencyWhen it is due
Tuition for four semestersINR 8.92 lakhKRW 12,436,000KRW 3,109,000 per semester at the 2026 rate
Admission feeINR 0.12 lakhKRW 169,000First-semester bill
Application feeINR 0.06 lakhKRW 90,000At online application
Living-cost basis for 24 monthsINR 17.21 lakhKRW 24,000,000KRW 1,000,000 monthly upper planning basis
Published-basis programme totalINR 26.31 lakhKRW 36,695,000Before flights, setup and programme-specific costs

Scholarships, fee reductions and student work are not guaranteed and are not subtracted from this plan. INR figures use KRW 1 = INR 0.0717, the 23 October 2026 market close. This is a planning comparison, not a remittance quote.

The official tuition table lists KRW 3,109,000 per semester for this field, plus KRW 169,000 admission. The schedule is labelled 2026 and can change, so the invoice controls once issued.

The Korean government’s Study in Korea page gives KRW 750,000 to KRW 1,000,000 as estimated monthly living expense. This plan uses the upper figure for 24 months; Seoul housing or a campus move can change the real amount.

Add flights, visa-related travel, housing deposits, equipment, performances, laboratory consumables or specialist clothing where applicable. National Health Insurance sits within the government planning categories, but the actual premium and treatment costs vary.

SNU’s Graduate Scholarship for Foreign Students can cover full tuition for up to two years and may add a college-set living allowance. It is competitive and is not deducted here. The rupee comparison uses the 23 October 2026 KRW/INR close and should be recalculated near payment.

Can an Indian applicant enter MA Social Welfare?

For MA Social Welfare, formal master's eligibility starts with a bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent, but subject fit is tested through Social policy and Welfare systems. SNU also requires accepted Korean or English evidence and may add an interview, examination or performance test.

Requirements in checking order

RequirementPublished ruleWhat you do
Degree evidence (India)Bachelor's degree or recognised equivalent completed by 28 February 2027Use the transcript to show foundations for Social policy
Subject preparation (India)Preparation relevant to Social policy, Welfare systems and Inequality researchConnect earlier work in Welfare systems to planned work in Programme evaluation
Language evidence (India)TOPIK 3, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or approved Korean/English-medium evidence; confirm teaching languageConfirm the working language for Research methods and Supervised thesis
Selection evidence (India)holistic document review of academic strength, subject aptitude, language and activities, with an interview, examination or performance test where the unit requires onePrepare unit assessment around Social policy and Supervised thesis

The Spring 2027 international guide requires the qualifying degree by 28 February 2027. For this programme, a transcript should make preparation for Social policy visible; a related title without that foundation doesn’t settle academic fit.

“Once the application fee is paid, the admission type (Ⅰ or Ⅱ) and applied program (department) CANNOT be modified.”SNU 2027 Spring graduate guide.

The application argument should connect prior work to Inequality research, explain why Programme evaluation matters to the proposed study, and link Research methods to the intended Supervised thesis. Resolve the unit’s special evidence condition before paying for translations or tests.

TOPIK 3, IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80, TEPS 269 or qualifying Korean/English-medium degree evidence can satisfy the central proof rule. That doesn’t establish the teaching language of Research methods, so the department must confirm how seminars, supervision and assessment operate.

Conditions that change the conclusion

  1. MA Social Welfare application choice

    The closed Spring 2027 form fixed the chosen recruitment unit after payment. For MA Social Welfare, resolve the fit between Social policy and Welfare systems before selecting the programme.

  2. MA Social Welfare award boundary

    Study in Inequality research and Programme evaluation does not itself create professional registration. Licensing and independent-practice rights remain separate from SNU admission.

  3. MA Social Welfare unresolved condition

    SNU publishes no universal Indian percentage, backlog or three-year-degree conversion for this recruitment unit. Resolve the extra evidence needed for Research methods directly with the department.

How should an Indian student apply for MA Social Welfare?

The official guide gives the current deadline as 9 July 2026 at 17:00 KST, closed. Start with programme and eligibility fit, then work backwards through language evidence, documents and any portfolio or department assessment. A date from another SNU route is not interchangeable.

Programme fit, international eligibility, language evidence, complete online file, department assessment, originals, final offer and D-2-3 visa

Start byTaskTakesWhy this date
02 Mar 2025Resolve programme and route fit180 daysConfirm social policy, welfare systems, inequality and applied social research and International Admission I or II.
29 Aug 2025Complete accepted language evidence120 daysTOPIK 3, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or approved Korean/English-medium evidence; confirm teaching language
27 Dec 2025Prepare the complete academic file60 daysCollect degree evidence, transcripts, statement, two recommendations, identity documents and any programme-specific work sample.
25 Feb 2026Submit and pay online14 daysUpload the complete file and pay KRW 90,000 by 9 July 2026 at 17:00 KST.
11 Mar 2026Complete any department assessment30 daysAttend an interview, examination or performance test if the college contacts you, then submit originals if preliminarily admitted.
10 Apr 2026After admission, complete funding and visa90 daysUse the final offer and university documents for the D-2-3 visa and arrival process.

Lead times are Nbyula preparation allowances, not university processing promises. The official guide controls every published date.

The online form and scanned documents closed on 9 July 2026 at 17:00 KST; recommenders had until 10 July. SNU allowed no change to the admission type, course or recruitment unit after payment, so those choices need resolving before submission.

The first programme decision is whether the file demonstrates Social policy and Welfare systems. Confirm the unit’s extra submission or fit condition before paying for translations, testing or travel.

The application uses two recommendations, a statement of purpose and study plan, degree and transcript evidence, passport and family or education-history evidence for the relevant international route. Non-Korean or non-English documents need notarised translation.

After admission, follow the official D-2-3 student-visa route. Admission and visa issuance are separate decisions, and funding, housing and arrival timing remain the student’s responsibility.

Current status

Spring 2027 applications are closed. Recheck the next official guide rather than carrying these dates forward.

What can MA Social Welfare lead to?

The curriculum supports progression towards social research scholarship, welfare policy, award evaluation, public services, NGOs and doctoral study. Those are subject and capability directions, not a Seoul National University placement guarantee. No audited award-level employment percentage, salary distribution or international-graduate outcome table was found for this exact award.

Capability and material limit

MeasureFigureBasis
Academic centresocial policy, welfare systems, inequality and applied social research scholarshipOfficial award design
Methods materialpolicy analysis, quantitative and qualitative research scholarship, award evaluation, seminars and a supervised thesisCurriculum and assessment
Possible directionssocial research scholarship, welfare policy, award evaluation, public services, NGOs and doctoral studyaward relevance, not placement data
Measured resultNot official for the exact awardNo cohort denominator or salary table

Curriculum and regulated-exam eligibility can demonstrate a entry process. They do not prove licensure, an employer, salary, visa status or residence outcome.

The most defensible graduate material connects Social policy with Supervised thesis. A thesis, project, laboratory record or clinical assessment can show how the candidate framed a problem, chose a method and evaluated a result. Its value is assessed later by an employer, regulator or graduate admissions panel.

Possible directions include social research scholarship, welfare policy, award evaluation, public services, NGOs and doctoral study. The award title alone does not qualify a graduate for every role in that list. Employers, regulators and doctoral panels apply their own language, technical, licensing and immigration conditions.

Seoul National University’s reputation cannot substitute for missing outcome data. A comparison should therefore use the actual curriculum, project material, language environment, full cost and practice-related constraints instead of an unsupported salary forecast.

South Korea’s student-work and post-study rules sit outside the academic award. Part-time work needs university confirmation and immigration permission, and a later D-10 job-seeking status is a separate application rather than an automatic benefit of graduation.

The link between Social policy and award evaluation gives MA Social Welfare a concrete portfolio test. applied work from Social policy can demonstrate one award capability, while award evaluation can show a different kind of analysis or practice. Employers or doctoral panels would still judge that Social policy-award evaluation material themselves; SNU doesn’t publish a conversion rate for it. The Social policy-award evaluation pairing doesn’t establish admission, employment or practice-related recognition. In MA Social Welfare, a record combining Social policy with award evaluation remains subject material, not a forecast.

The link between Welfare systems and research scholarship methods gives MA Social Welfare a concrete portfolio test. applied work from Welfare systems can demonstrate one award capability, while research scholarship methods can show a different kind of analysis or practice. Employers or doctoral panels would still judge that Welfare systems-research scholarship methods material themselves; SNU doesn’t publish a conversion rate for it. The Welfare systems-research scholarship methods pairing doesn’t establish admission, employment or practice-related recognition. In MA Social Welfare, a record combining Welfare systems with research scholarship methods remains subject material, not a forecast.

The link between Inequality research scholarship and Supervised thesis gives MA Social Welfare a concrete portfolio test. applied work from Inequality research scholarship can demonstrate one award capability, while Supervised thesis can show a different kind of analysis or practice. Employers or doctoral panels would still judge that Inequality research scholarship-Supervised thesis material themselves; SNU doesn’t publish a conversion rate for it. The Inequality research scholarship-Supervised thesis pairing doesn’t establish admission, employment or practice-related recognition. In MA Social Welfare, a record combining Inequality research scholarship with Supervised thesis remains subject material, not a forecast.

Who is MA Social Welfare for, and who should look elsewhere?

academic match depends on prior preparation across award evaluation, research scholarship methods and Supervised thesis, plus the verified TOPIK 3, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or approved Korean/English-medium material; confirm teaching language entry process. The comparison separates an aligned profile, an uncertain file needing review and a clear mismatch without turning any profile into an admission prediction.

VerdictYour backgroundWhy
Strong fita social applied work, sociology, economics or policy graduate with research scholarship-method preparationMatches the award's subject, methods and working language.
Needs evidenceA related candidate whose transcript, language material, supervisor academic match or practice-related plan remains incompleteNeeds a candidate-specific academic or entry process conclusion before major spending.
Do not shortlista candidate assuming the research scholarship master's automatically grants practice-related social-applied work registrationConflicts with the official language, disciplinary centre or practice-related shape.

The strongest academic match is a social applied work, sociology, economics or policy graduate with research scholarship-method preparation. material should come from subjects, projects and methods rather than broad enthusiasm. For this award, the useful proof should connect Social policy with Supervised thesis.

The uncertain profile may still become eligible, but only the university can decide equivalence, supervisor availability and admissions review performance. Treat that uncertainty as unresolved rather than assuming that a related title or applied work experience fills every academic gap.

A poor academic match is a candidate assuming the research scholarship master’s automatically grants practice-related social-applied work registration. This limit is about the entry process, not the person’s general ability. Another Seoul National University sibling or a different university may be better when its language, practice-related recognition or disciplinary centre matches the goal more closely.

Financial academic match also matters. The INR 26.31 lakh official-basis plan excludes variable setup and specialist costs. A shortlist that depends on guaranteed part-time earnings or an unconfirmed scholarship is not yet secure.

Use Social policy, Inequality research scholarship and research scholarship methods as three separate academic match checks for MA Social Welfare. Prior applied work need not use identical labels, but it should demonstrate direct preparation for those named areas. If none of the three connects to the candidate’s record, neighbouring SNU options deserve comparison before committing funds.

A profile that has already handled Social policy can test its readiness for MA Social Welfare against Welfare systems. The useful question is whether that Social policy experience produced clear academic applied work, not whether the transcript happens to repeat SNU’s wording.

A profile that has already handled Welfare systems can test its readiness for MA Social Welfare against Inequality research scholarship. The useful question is whether that Welfare systems experience produced clear academic applied work, not whether the transcript happens to repeat SNU’s wording.

A profile that has already handled Inequality research scholarship can test its readiness for MA Social Welfare against award evaluation. The useful question is whether that Inequality research scholarship experience produced clear academic applied work, not whether the transcript happens to repeat SNU’s wording.

A profile that has already handled award evaluation can test its readiness for MA Social Welfare against research scholarship methods. The useful question is whether that award evaluation experience produced clear academic applied work, not whether the transcript happens to repeat SNU’s wording.

A profile that has already handled research scholarship methods can test its readiness for MA Social Welfare against Supervised thesis. The useful question is whether that research scholarship methods experience produced clear academic applied work, not whether the transcript happens to repeat SNU’s wording.

A profile that has already handled Supervised thesis can test its readiness for MA Social Welfare against Social policy. The useful question is whether that Supervised thesis experience produced clear academic applied work, not whether the transcript happens to repeat SNU’s wording.

The final contrast for MA Social Welfare is between a social applied work, sociology, economics or policy graduate with research scholarship-method preparation and a candidate assuming the research scholarship master’s automatically grants practice-related social-applied work registration. That contrast should be resolved through Supervised thesis material and direct confirmation of the Social policy requirements, not through the university name alone.

What will you study in MA Social Welfare?

The table records six programme areas, beginning with Social policy and ending with Supervised thesis. SNU's international admissions guide does not publish a complete coded English module list, so the department bulletin and timetable control registration. Use this as a planning map, not a registration promise.

Current published curriculum evidence

CodeComponentCreditsWhere it sits
Published areaSocial policySee department bulletin
Published areaWelfare systemsSee department bulletin
Published areaInequality researchSee department bulletin
Published areaProgramme evaluationSee department bulletin
Published areaResearch methodsSee department bulletin
Published areaSupervised thesisSee department bulletin

The note “The international guide does not publish a complete coded English module list” applies to 6 components in this table.

  • Use the current programme guide and timetable
  • Elective and supervisor availability can change
  • Complete the required research, placement or graduation work
  • Do not infer credits or course codes where none are published

The curriculum moves from Social policy towards Supervised thesis, with Inequality research and Programme evaluation between them. That progression matters more than treating every listed subject area as an independent promise for every year.

The 2027 international guide identifies the recruitment unit but does not publish a complete coded English module list. The table therefore records only areas supported by official department material; the admitted student’s bulletin controls final registration.

Should an Indian student shortlist MA Social Welfare?

Shortlist MA Social Welfare when the academic entry process, working language and assessments match the intended next step in practice. A credible conclusion connects prior preparation to Social policy and Supervised thesis while keeping admission, practice-related recognition, funding and employment as separate tests.

The strongest reason to choose this award is the chance to connect Social policy with Supervised thesis in assessed applied work. Seoul National University does not publish a measured placement rate, salary series or international-graduate employment table for this exact award, so later employment remains a separate conclusion rather than a promised result.

Do not shortlist until the working language, complete cost, academic preparation and any regulated-profession conditions have been resolved. The reviewed Spring 2027 round is already closed. An offer wouldn't settle the visa, housing, funding, practice-related registration or later recruitment conclusion.

Decision checks complete cost · entry rule · application entry process · outcome material

Key takeaways
  • MA Social Welfare is a full-time 2 years programme in College of Social Sciences.
  • Its verified route is TOPIK 3, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or approved Korean/English-medium evidence; confirm teaching language and the current intake position is Spring 2027, application closed.
  • The published-basis full-programme plan is KRW 36,695,000, about INR 26.31 lakh.
  • The central academic focus is social policy, welfare systems, inequality and applied social research.
  • The current deadline position is 9 July 2026 at 17:00 KST, closed, and no exact-course placement rate is published.

Frequently asked questions

What is the full cost of MA Social Welfare?

The published-basis plan is KRW 36,695,000, about INR 26.31 lakh at KRW 1 = INR 0.0717. It includes four semesters of 2026 tuition, admission, application and KRW 1,000,000 monthly living costs for 24 months.

Is MA Social Welfare taught in English?

The verified route is TOPIK 3, IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or approved Korean/English-medium evidence; confirm teaching language. Applicants should confirm the language of every required assessment, placement, laboratory and elective rather than extending one route's language claim to the entire university.

When is the deadline for MA Social Welfare?

The Spring 2027 online deadline was 9 July 2026 at 17:00 KST, with recommendations due 10 July. That cycle is closed, so a later applicant must use the next official guide.

What academic background fits MA Social Welfare?

A strong fit is a social work, sociology, economics or policy graduate with research-method preparation. Formal eligibility remains the university's decision under the current guide, and the complete transcript, route-specific tests, language evidence and any supervisor consent carry more weight than a simplified degree-title match.

What is distinctive about MA Social Welfare?

Its centre is social policy, welfare systems, inequality and applied social research. Students work through policy analysis, quantitative and qualitative research, programme evaluation, seminars and a supervised thesis. That combination is the useful comparison with sibling programmes, while annual modules and supervision must still be checked in the current syllabus.

Does MA Social Welfare guarantee a job?

No. The curriculum is relevant to social research, welfare policy, programme evaluation, public services, NGOs and doctoral study, but Seoul National University publishes no audited placement percentage, salary distribution or employer conversion result for this exact programme. Academic work and any professional examination eligibility support a later search, not a guaranteed outcome.

Can an international student work while studying in South Korea?

Only with the required immigration permission and within the current limits. Part-time work is not guaranteed and should not be used as the core funding plan. The student must also protect attendance and academic progress.

Who should not choose MA Social Welfare?

The clearest mismatch is an applicant assuming the research master's automatically grants professional social-work registration. Applicants should also look elsewhere if the full cost, route status, language or professional-recognition conditions remain unacceptable after reading the current official guide.

Sources

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

Sources checked on October 25, 2026. Current intake information follows. Spring 2027, application closed.

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