서울시립대학교 International School of Urban Sciences

Classes are held 3 times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) in the evenings on weekdays (starting at 19:00) and on Saturdays.

On Tuesday and Thursday, the first class is from 19:00 to 20:30, and the second class is from 20:35 to 22:05 (2 credits) or from 20:35 to 22:50 (3 credits).

On Saturdays, classes are conducted from 09:45 to 17:55, consisting of 5 to 6 subjects, so please refer to the announcements for the timetable for each semester.

When registering for courses, it is recommended that most students choose subjects that fit their selected days and times, typically opting for classes 2 to 3 times a week.

Course subjects, credits, and other class-related information can be found on the website under [Programs - Master’s Program] or [Announcements].

For application submission, please register on the Jinhak Apply site (https://bank1.jinhakapply.com/ApplyV8/Main.aspx?v=4) and proceed with your application. 

For the Jinhak Apply link, you can refer to the upper right section of the International School of Urban Sciences website.

In addition, the guidelines for writing the personal statement are as follows.

1. Please provide a detailed description of your reasons for applying and your areas of academic interest.

Describe your motivation for applying to the International School of Urban Sciences and freely write about the academic fields and areas of interest you have been focusing on.

2. Freely describe any information you would like to share about yourself.

You may write your self-introduction freely.

(You may freely describe your personality, areas of interest, current field of work, etc.)

[University of Seoul > International School of Urban Sciences > Admissions > Master’s Program] 

You can check the recruitment guidelines listed on the ISUS website.

The list of required documents for submission is as follows.

[Required Documents for Submission]

1 copy of the application form (printed from the internet)

1 original copy of the graduation (expected) certificate or certificate of recognition of academic credentials from the graduating university

1 original copy of the transcript for all years from the graduating university

1 copy of the personal statement (indicating research areas of interest) (see attached Form 3)

[Optional Documents for Submission]

1 copy of the certificate of employment and work experience certificate

1 copy of the certificate of qualification

Specialized graduate schools have their recruitment schedules separate from general graduate programs, and

the recruitment is conducted separately for the first and second semesters, with a total of 30 candidates being recruited for the Department of Global Construction Studies, the Department of Advanced Green City Development, and the Department of International Development Cooperation.

When applying to the specialized graduate school, you should follow the admission schedule listed online via the University of Seoul > International School of Urban Sciences website.

Recruitment is conducted twice a year, in the first and second semesters, and can be confirmed on the website in May and October.

- Applications from May to July for admission in September 

- Applications from October to December for admission in March of the following year

The School of Urban Sciences and the International School of Urban Sciences are specialized graduate schools that offer evening classes.

The main difference is that the School of Urban Sciences operates on a 5-semester system, and the graduate school is managed by professors who are concurrently employed in regular departments.

However, the International School of Urban Sciences consists of seven full-time faculty members specifically for its administration, along with former vice ministers of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and senior officials of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. 

In addition, students who wish to participate are offered the scholarship benefit of overseas internships while enrolled.

Furthermore, while the International School of Urban Sciences, as a specialized graduate school, cannot award doctoral degrees, there is a separate doctoral program in the Department of International Urban Development within the general graduate school, allowing for progression to doctoral studies after the master’s program.

Many of the current students in the doctoral program of the Department of International Urban Development in the general graduate school are individuals who obtained their master’s degree in International Urban Sciences from the International School of Urban Sciences.

The International School of Urban Sciences is primarily an educational institution where a diverse group of students come together to study.

Unlike general graduate schools, practical training is emphasized, but studying through books and lectures remains the same.

As the old saying goes, “Theory without practice is empty and practice without theory is blind,” those who are skilled in practice and willing to study hard come to our graduate school.

First, the most important requirement for acceptance is mathematical ability.

Your mathematical ability will be assessed based on your academic background and experience, as well as your expertise during the interview, using the submitted documents.

Second, the goal of student selection is to form a self-sufficient community at the International School of Urban Sciences, where 30 students in each cohort can support each other. Therefore, the fundamental principle is to select students from diverse professions, positions, and age groups.

Therefore, anyone with an interest and affection for the International School of Urban Sciences, regardless of their academic background or field of work, has a high likelihood of being accepted.

Third, in order to live harmoniously within a diverse group of graduate students and to receive guidance from professors, mutual respect and consideration for one another are essential.

Assessing whether applicants can adhere to these principles of communal living is part of the admission process, evaluated through their documents and during the interview.

In addition, the eligibility requirements are as follows.

Individuals who have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited domestic or foreign university (expected to be obtained by [month, year]) or those recognized as having equivalent qualifications under relevant laws

※ Applications are accepted regardless of the applicant’s major at their undergraduate institution.

※ Government officials from ministries and local governments, as well as employees of public enterprises, are eligible to apply.

[Tuition]

The tuition fee for the 2024 academic year at the International School of Urban Sciences, University of Seoul, is ₩3,771,000 (for 4 semesters), and it will increase by 5% to ₩3,959,000 (for 4 semesters) for the 2025 academic year.

You can check the tuition fee policy in the President’s directive No. 38 (General Affairs Division No. 1113, January 12, 2025).

In addition, a one-time admission fee of ₩184,000 must be paid in the first semester.

One of the attractions of the International School of Urban Sciences is that the tuition fee is significantly lower by about ₩1 to 2 million per semester compared to other specialized graduate schools in the humanities and social sciences, and it is structured as a 4-semester program instead of 5 semesters.

[Scholarships]

Regarding scholarships, it is generally the principle that specialized graduate schools, as professional schools, do not provide scholarships. However, at the International School of Urban Sciences, over 95% of enrolled students receive scholarship support.

Scholarship amounts vary from a minimum of 15% to as much as 50% of the tuition fees, and there are various scholarship benefits including professor support scholarships. 

In addition, there are partial tuition waiver benefits currently available for Seoul city government employees and others.

The interview consists of the results of the document screening, as well as the applicant’s motivation for applying, personality, and mathematical ability.

Typically, one applicant enters the room, and the interview is conducted by two interviewers over a duration of about 5 to 10 minutes.

Depending on the interviewer, they may ask about your motivation for applying to assess whether it aligns with the operational direction of the International School of Urban Sciences, as well as to determine if the applicant can harmoniously coexist and live amicably with other students under the guidance of faculty members after admission.