Academic Information

Exchange Program Application Guide

Step 1. Nomination by Home Institution

Only students who are currently enrolled at partner institutions that have an exchange agreement with SWU are eligible to apply. Each partner institution has its own nomination process to select students for the Student Exchange Program. Therefore, students must first be nominated by their home institution. Students are advised to contact their study abroad coordinator at their home institution for detailed instructions regarding the nomination process.

Step 2. Application Submission

Once nominated, applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with all required supporting documents to the International Affairs Team at SWU, with the approval of their home institution. Applicants must be currently enrolled at their home institution at the time of application and be able to take regular courses conducted in Korean or English (please note that the number of courses offered in English is limited).

Step 3. Review and Admission Decision

SWU retains the right to review all nominated applicants and to make the final decision regarding admission. After reviewing the submitted application materials, SWU will issue an official Admission Letter and related documents to successful applicants. Please note that meeting all the requirements does not guarantee admission. In particular, enrollment may not be possible if the student’s visa application is denied by the Korean consulate in their home country. SWU does not provide advisory services regarding visa applications, and applicants are responsible for handling their own visa process.

Financial Requirement

For exchange students, proof of financial capability is required. Applicants must submit a bank balance certificate showing funds equivalent to the monthly minimum living cost for a single-person household as specified in the “Housing Benefit Eligibility Criteria and Minimum Guarantee Level” announced annually by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korea. As this standard is updated every year, applicants are advised to check the latest requirement at the time of application.

When you apply

Step 1. Get Application Form from Your University

You can apply for Exchange program only after you are nominated from your university. After your nomination is confirmed, you will receive an application form to apply to Seoul Women’s University via email. Please make sure you give most frequently used e-mail address to your study abroad advisor.

Step 2. Application Period

Fall semester (Sep–Dec): by May 31 (Korea Standard Time)
Spring semester (Mar–Jun): by November 30 (Korea Standard Time)

Step 3. Required Documents

Completed Application Form, including:
- Application for Student Exchange Program
- Essay: A 500-word introduction about yourself in Korean or English
- Application for SWU Buddy
Official English Transcripts of all college work to date
Official Certificate of Enrollment
Official Bank Statement
- Minimum of US$ 4,000 for one semester
- Minimum of US$ 8,000 for two semesters (one academic year)
※ A personal account of applicant which is issued within 3 months
Copy of Valid Passport
- Must be valid at least 3 months after your semester at SWU ends
Health Insurance
- All incoming international students are obligated to possess medical insurance plan that covers medical expenses to be incurred during their stay in Korea. Seoul Women's University accepts following plans:
  - National Health Insurance (Mandatory)
  - International medical insurance plan that is applicable in South Korea (proof must be provided)
  - Foreigner Student Insurance Plan
  - It is mandatory for international students (D-2, D-4) staying in Korea to subscribe to the National Health Insurance.

After Acceptance

Step 1. Get your visa

Exchange/visiting students are required to obtain a visa from Korean Embassy or Consulate in their home country before departure to Korea.

Basic Required Documents Provided by SWU
- Certificate of Admission
- Acceptance Letter
- Certificate of Business Registration

Step 2. Accommodation

Exchange students are given priority when applying for on-campus housing (dormitory). Students must indicate in their application whether they intend to live in the dormitory. Please note that dormitory placement is arranged based on the information provided at the time of application. Requests to apply for on-campus housing after arrival or after the semester begins may not be accommodated. Therefore, students are advised to make their decision carefully in advance.

Step 3. Course Registration

Please note that there are enrollment limits for each department and course at SWU. As a result, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to register for all the courses you initially plan to take. If you have any required courses for graduation, it is strongly recommended that you complete them at your home institution. Please also be advised that requests for early departure, schedule changes, or other exceptions due to inability to enroll in specific courses or delays in graduation will not be accommodated after arrival.

Course List & Syllabus : Classroom & Schedule Search

Step 4. Insurance

All international students are required to submit a copy of private health insurance that covers entire stay in Korea after they have been admitted to Seoul Women’s University.

Period of Study

The academic year runs from March to December and is made up of 2 terms at SWU. The terms are approximately 15-16 weeks long. Exchange/Visiting students have a choice of 3 study periods:

Full academic year : Two Semesters (Spring to Fall / Fall to Spring)
Spring semester : March ~ June
Fall Semester : September ~ December

Credit Transfer

Exchange/visiting students can take minimun 10 credits and max 18 credits per semester. Academic credits earned through this program can be transferred under the exchange regulations and used to satisfy degree requirements at their home institutions. Visiting students must check with their home institution regarding the credit acceptability of chosen courses. For each student who has completed his/her courses successfully, a certified transcript of academic performance will be sent to the student’s home institution upon request.

Assessment

Each student’s academic performance is graded according to the following criteria:
exams and assignment results, attendance, and class participation. Students usually take regular examinations twice per semester (mid-term and final). They may also be given additional assignments by their professors. A minimum 70% of attendance is required in order for a student to earn a passing grade. Student’s performance is normally graded on a 100 point scale.

성적 등급, 백분율 점수 및 평점 기준표
등급	백분율점수	평점	등급	백분율점수	평점
A+	95-100	4.5	C+	75-79	2.5
A0	90-94	4.0	C0	70-74	2.0
B+	85-89	3.5	D+	65-69	1.5
B0	80-84	3.0	D0	60-64	1.0
-	-	-	F	0-59	0.0

Please note that the specific assessment methods and grading criteria may vary depending on the professor.

Academic Transcripts

For exchange/visiting students who have completed their whole semester(s) at SWU, a ‘Transcript of Academic Records’, which lists the courses taken, grades and the number of credits earned for each course, will be issued. An Official Transcript will be mailed to the International Affairs Team of students’ home university after the entire exchange period has ended.

Course Offerings

SWU offers limited number of classes taught in English. It is important that you ensure that your intended courses will be offered in your registered semester. The list of courses offered in English is updated and available for you to check online in January for spring semester and in July for fall semester on extCcsSOpenSubSearch.

Course Registration schedule


Term	Confirmation of Course List & Announce for Course Registration	Course Registration Deadline
Spring Semester	Mid January	Late January
Fall Semester	Mid July	Late July

Academic Support

The Center provides general academic support to help students adapt to university life, including assistance with course registration, academic adjustment, and overall student activities. Support from multinational student staff is also available to help students navigate campus life.

Daily Life Support

The International Affairs Team supports students in adjusting to campus life by organizing orientation sessions upon arrival and providing guidance on essential administrative procedures, such as residence registration. The team also offers continuous support with daily life matters, student activities, and any necessary documentation before departure, ensuring that students can focus on their studies and fully engage in campus life.

Student Counseling Service

The Student Counseling Service Center provides mental health care services to SWU international students. Counseling Center provides a maximum of 12 individual counseling sessions. Each individual session is 50 minutes ling and this normally continues for 10~12 sessions.

Our counsellors can assist you to gain a clearer understanding of the problems you face and how to identify appropriate strategies so you can make the best possible decision for yourself. Although we can provide guidance, it is important to recognize that our counsellors cannot solve your problems for you.

Please visit the Student Counseling Center to make a reservation.

Hours : Friday 9:00~17:00 (Lunch Break 12:00~13:00)
Location : #205, Student Nuri Building Student Counseling Center
How to apply : Prior to making appointment , you must complete a set of online forms.
Website : 서울여자대학교 학생상담센터
Contact Us : ssgc@swu.ac.kr

One-on-One Counseling

Our counsellor will listen without judgement, offer new perspectives and work with you on strategies that are right for you. Partners, friends and family can be included in the counselling sessions if you and the counsellor agree that it will be helpful.

Group Sessions

Group sessions are also available to students who may be in the similar situation. Please visit the Website to see what sessions are available.