What English and Korean language scores do I need to study in South Korea?
Korean-taught programmes typically require TOPIK Level 3 or higher. English-taught programmes typically ask for IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or TOEFL 71 to 90, depending on the university. For undergraduate entry, a 12th pass certificate is necessary but not sufficient alone. Many universities require an apostille on transcripts and certificates.
Your language requirement depends on the teaching track you choose. Korean-taught programmes typically require TOPIK Level 3 or higher, while English-taught ones typically ask for IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or TOEFL 71 to 90, depending on the university.
Language scores by track
| Teaching track | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Korean-taught programmes | TOPIK Level 3 or higher |
| English-taught programmes (IELTS) | 5.5 to 6.5, depending on the university |
| English-taught programmes (TOEFL) | 71 to 90, depending on the university |
Other admission points
- Undergraduate: a 12th pass certificate is the basic requirement, but not sufficient alone; universities set additional criteria.
- Master's: a bachelor's degree is required.
- PhD: a master's degree is required.
- Many universities require an apostille stamp on transcripts and certificates before submission.
My Advice
Pick your track first, then look at the exact score on each university's page, since the range is wide. If you choose an English-taught course, book your IELTS or TOEFL early so a retake is possible.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which South Korea universities you still qualify for.
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