KOICA Public Management
and Administrative Reform
Master's Degree

▣ Program Title: KOICA-SNU Master's Degree Program in Public Management and Administrative Reform

▣ Degree: Master of Public Administration (MPA)

▣ Duration

1)  Stay Duration: August 25, 2026 ~ December 20, 2027 

     During 17 months in SNU, students are required to complete their thesis. 

2)  Academic duration: September 1, 2026~ February 29, 2028 (17 months)

     According to the  university regulations, the diploma will be issued in February 2028. 

▣ Objectives

    1) To enhance the public administration capabilities of KOICA partner countries by cultivating talents oriented towards problem-solving
         through the development of core public management skills
    2) To contribute to the innovation and strengthening of digital capabilities in the public sector of KOICA partner countries by developing leaders in
          administrative reform and digital transformation
    3) To foster talents who will lead the localization of the Korean national development model, thereby contributing to the global dissemination of
          the Korean model and the establishment of a global knowledge network 

▣ Training Institute

○ Graduate School of Public Administration (GSPA; https://gspa.snu.ac.kr/en), 

○ Seoul National University (SNU)

▣ Number of Participants: 15 Government Officials 

▣ University Admission Qualification

1) Applicants who meet the qualifications of KOICA scholarship Program

2) Must be in good physical and mental health to complete the program

(*Note: Tuberculosis, or any kind of contagious disease are regarded as disqualifying conditions)

3) Level of Education: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (or higher) or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution: 

※ Applicants who earned higher education credentials/certificates outside the conventional education system are not eligible to apply.
      Those “credentials/certificates” include, but are not limited to:
- Bachelor’s Degree Examination for Self-Education (in Korea) or other qualification/degree equivalency exams
- Home schooling and/or cyber schooling (Applicants who were required to take courses offered by their institution online/remotely due to COVID-19 are eligible to apply if they provide the Explanatory Statement and corresponding official evidence.)

※ Graduates from Korean universities may apply. 

※ Applicants who will complete their courses by August 31, 2026, and whose degree will be awarded in September 2026 are also eligible to apply. 

4) Citizenship/Nationality Requirements

○  The applicant and his/her parents must not be Korean citizens. 

※ If the applicant and/or his/her parents were Korean citizens before, both the parents and the applicant must renounce Korean citizenship before July 10, 2026. In this case, the applicant must submit an official certificate of renunciation of Korean nationality, such as a Certificate for Renunciation of Korean citizenship or Korean Residence Registration as a Foreigner, etc.)

▣ Language: English fluency that requires no translation 

▣ How to apply

○ Step 1 KOICA Round
Submit the required document to KOICA country office or Korean Embassy via Email in January 2026 (Please refer to KOICA overseas office website to check the submission schedule)

○ Step 2 University Round
If you are successful in the KOICA Round, please submit the required GSPA-SNU documents. Please refer to page 27~31 of Program Information of the KOICA-SNU Master’s Degree Program in Public Management and Administrative Reform.

▣ Application Timeline 

 1)  Application Submission: March 3 (Tue.) ~ March 13 (Fri.) by 14:00, 2026

 2)  Essay Test and Interview: April 13 (Wed.) ~ April 17 (Fri.), 2026

※ Only those applicants who successfully pass the document review will be invited to participate in an essay test and an online interview.

※ Final announcement will be made late June, 2026. Any changes in the shedule will be informed. 

2)  Final Result: April 27 (Mon.)

▣ Accommodations

○ Seoul National University Dormitory (SNU GWanak Residence Halls, Gwanaksa):
1, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea  (08826  서울특별시 관악구 관악로 1 서울대학교 관악학생생활관)

• This dormitory is located within walking distance to GSPA on the Seoul National University campus. 

• Double occupancy: 2 people per room

• Each room is furnished with two beds, two sets of desks and cabinets, a LAN port, an air conditioner and a shower booth.

• Communal Area (Shared): Kitchen, Reading Room, Laundry and Drying Room and Lounge

• Halal  food is NOT offered in the dormitory cafeteria, but there is a restaruant (Sandwich Cafe) that is selling the halal food around the dormitory building.  

▣ Program Information