Sookmyung Women's University is a private women's university located in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Founded in 1906 by the Korean Imperial Royal Family, it is one of Korea's most historic institutions of women's education and identifies itself as the country's first women's educational institution established by Koreans. The university's educational philosophy is rooted in Modesty, Wisdom, and Justice, with a strong emphasis on women's leadership, academic excellence, creativity, service, global citizenship and social contribution.
As of 2026, Sookmyung has 12 undergraduate colleges and 53 schools/departments, together with a Graduate School, Business School, Graduate School of Education and 10 special graduate schools.
The university's current development direction emphasizes becoming a global women's university, cultivating "Outthinkers Sookmyung" who can lead future society through interdisciplinary education, global engagement, technology and humanities.
| Acronym | SM |
| Motto / Slogan | “Gentle power to change the world” |
| Mascot | Nunsong-i |
| Founded | 1906 |
| Departments | 53 |
| Location | Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea |
| Address | Sookmyung Women’ s University. Cheongpa-ro 47-gil 100 (Cheongpa-dong 2ga), Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04310, Korea |
Sookmyung's current vision is centered on becoming a global women's university that develops future female leaders.
For its 120th anniversary, the university has adopted the direction of “Sookmyung Outthinkers”, with the aim of leading the future of women's education and creating a new model for global women's universities. The university emphasizes:
Sookmyung Women's University boasts a top-tier employment rate among women's universities in South Korea and offers robust career design and internship programs.
The university features diverse undergraduate and graduate programs, cutting-edge AI platforms for student growth like "SNOWISE", and specialized global cooperation departments.
Sookmyung offers diverse programs across areas such as humanities, social sciences, business, science, engineering, pharmacy, music, arts, education and technology. This provides international students with multiple options for undergraduate and graduate study.
Sookmyung has an established international education system and welcomes students from different countries. It is also an IEQAS-certified university, demonstrating that it meets Korea's standards for international student management and support.
Graduate students can benefit from Sookmyung's research centres, laboratories and academic partnerships. The university promotes interdisciplinary research and collaboration across different fields.
Applicants must have graduated (or to be expected) from accredited high schools, either domestic or international.
Language Requirements:
Applicants must submit one of the following language proficiency scores: TOEFL iBT 3.5, IELTS 5.5, New TEPS 327 or higher, or a nationally recognized English proficiency test score equivalent to the required level (TOPIK scores are not required).
Applicants who do not meet the above English proficiency requirements are not eligible to apply.
Additional Guidelines
A. Government-invited scholarship students and foreign government-supported scholarship students follow the invitation application qualifications and academic management guidelines.
B. Notwithstanding the above language proficiency requirements, applicants who meet the following criteria may apply without submitting language proficiency scores, provided they submit other supporting documents.
1) Korean Course: Applicants may submit a completion certificate for Level 3 or higher from the Sookmyung Global Language Institute or a passing certificate for Level 3 or higher from the Sookmyung Global Language Institute Korean Proficiency Test or A certificate of completion for Sejong Institute Intermediate Level 1, Level 3 of the Ministry of Justice's Social Integration Program, or a preliminary assessment score of 61 or higher If submitting this certificate, applicants must also provide a TOPIK Level 3 certificate (including IBT) within one year of admission.
2) English Courses Applicants who hold nationality from a country where English is the native or official language. If the country has multiple official languages, including one other than English, applicants must submit a document confirming that their educational curriculum was conducted in English.
Applicants for the Korean Track must obtain a TOPIK Level 4 or higher certificate (TOPIK Level 3 or higher for Arts and Physical Education) before graduation (excluding English courses).
C. Applicants who are expected to graduate must complete their graduation by February 2027 and submit the final graduation certificate, verified before the start of the semester, in order to be eligible for admission.
Application Form
Certificate of Graduation and Academic Transcript (Proof of Education)
A copy of your passport and your parents' passports
Birth certificate, family relationship certificate (or family relations certificate), or a copy of the resident registration that verifies the relationship between the applicant and their parents.
1. Freshwoman
A. Nationality
Female Students whose parents are both have foreign nationalities In case the applicant and parents change their Korean nationalities to other country, they must obtain foreign nationalities before entering high school.
Korean citizens, including who hold dual citizenship, are NOT eligible to apply.
In the case where an applicant is one-parent family (mother or father) the applicant’s nationality eligibility is determined by the nationality of the one-parent.as one-parent family or unmarried mother or father,
Please submit additional official documents if applicant's family relationship needs to be confirmed (parents' divorce, remarriage, single parent, death, missing and etc.) for verification.
B. Academic Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following conditions:
1) Master’s Program / Integrated Master’s and Doctoral Program Applicants
Applicants who have obtained a bachelor's degree from a domestic or foreign accredited university, or are expected to obtain one by February 2027.
Applicants recognized under relevant laws as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than a bachelor's degree.
The Clinical Nutrition major in the Department of Food and Nutrition is open only to applicants who hold a dietitian license or are scheduled to obtain one.
2) Doctoral Program applicants
Applicants who have obtained a master's degree from a domestic or foreign accredited university, or are expected to obtain one by February 2027.
Applicants recognized under relevant laws as having an academic background equivalent to or higher than a master's degree.
C. Language Requirements
Korean Track: TOPIK/TOPIK IBT level 3 or higher
Applicants of Child Welfare & Studies, East Asia Studies department need to obtain TOPIK/TOPIK IBT level 4 or higher)
English track Applicants for department of TESOL, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical systems are required to submit following English language score: TOEFL PBT 530, CBT 197, IBT 71, IELTS 5.5, New TEPS 327 etc. or higher. Please make sure to check with the dept. for available English courses.
Bilingual track majors (proceeded in either Korean or English) are Biological Sciences, Pharmacy and Manufacturing Pharmacy, and applicants must meet their graduation requirements based on the language track of their choice at the time of admission. Please make sure to check with the dept. for available English courses.
< Combination track majors ©>Degree and Language Track (Applicants without TOPIK/TOPIK IBT, simultaneously taking degree and language course at the same time)> is available for the following majors below.
For exceptions, see subparagraphs from section [7] Exceptions (p.13), refer to (4) - (6)
1. Admission applications can be submitted online or in-person. After completing the online application, please print the application form and submit it along with the original copies of the required documents.
2. The submitted documents must arrive at the Office of International Affairs of our university by the document submission deadline.
3. When completing the application form, please provide the following information in Korean/English:
A. Applicant's GPA calculated out of 100 from the department/school applied to.
B. Nationality/Date of Birth/Alien Registration Number.
C. Country of origin/Name of school/Department of origin/Date of graduation.
D. Applicant's address/home phone/mobile phone.
E. Applicant’s parents’ nationality/telephone number/address.
F. Applicant email address/Skype ID. G. Applicant’s Korean language proficiency level/English test score."
4. When applying online, applicants should upload a recent photo - Taken within the last 3 months, featuring the upper body against a solid color background, without a hat, and formatted as a half-color proof card (3 x 4 cm) in JPG format.
- Ensure the photo has adequate resolution as significantly lower-resolution files should be avoided.
- The uploaded photo will be used for identity verification, issuance of a student ID upon passing the exam, and academic record registration.
5. Enter valid contact information on the application form to ensure accessibility during the screening period. The school is not liable for any communication loss or resulting disadvantages."
6. If any submitted documents are found to be forged or falsified, if any information provided is determined to be false, if the applicant is deemed ineligible, or if the applicant is admitted through dishonest means, the admission may be revoked even after enrollment. Additionally, if a visa is denied or not issued within 30 days after the start of the semester, admission and enrollment may also be canceled.
7. Application documents and fees are non-refundable once submitted.
8. For applicants undergoing an interview, please bring your admission ticket and a valid ID (passport or alien registration card) for identity verification.
9. For applicants undergoing an interview, please arrive at the testing room at least 30 minutes prior to the test start time."
10. Prohibited items during tests include wireless communication devices (e.g., mobile phones) and audio devices (e.g., CD/MP3 players) that could disrupt the test.
11. Registered students may undergo physical examinations. If an individual's health or physical condition is found to impact academic performance or other students' studies, the university may take necessary actions, such as granting a leave of absence, post-admission.
12. Any unspecified matters will be determined by the university. In case of discrepancies in meaning between translations and the Korean admission guidelines, the Korean guidelines take precedence.
Email: [email protected]
Phone : +82 02-710-9817, +82 02-710-9813
Dr. Si Yeun Moon is the 21st President of Sookmyung Women's University and a Professor of French Language and Culture. A graduate of Sookmyung and... read more
To secure the necessary funds for its establishment, the Royal Family generously bestowed Kyung-Sun Palace, while Young Chin, the son of King Go-Jong, contributed harvests from six districts across three provinces. Of the six districts in... read more
Initially, Sookmyung opened its doors to merely five young women, ranging in ages from 11 to 26. Thirty-two years later, as the nation stood on the brink of World War II, the intellectuals of the time recognized even more the vital importance of empowering women through education. This recognition sparked a nationwide fundraising campaign in 1938, leading to the establishment of Sookmyung Women's School.
Sookmyung Women's School, the precursor to Sookmyung Women's University, marked a new chapter in the educational history of Korea. It carried with it a rich and distinctive legacy, created by the Korean people and the last Royal Family, who shared a fervent desire for independence and the sovereignty of the people.
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