Do you need Korean to apply? Check your exact program.
The general rule is easy to say and easy to get wrong: most undergraduate programs are Korean-taught, many programs are English-taught, and it changes program by program. So pick your university and the program you want, and see the specific answer with the published TOPIK bar.
Your university
Pick a university to see, program by program, whether you need Korean and at what TOPIK level.
How to read the answer
- Korean-taught means you need the published TOPIK level to be admitted. That is normal, and there is a clear path to it through a scholarship-funded language year or a term at a university language institute.
- English-taught means you can apply on an English test with no TOPIK. Still confirm every graduation requirement can be met in English, since some programs add a Korean level to graduate.
- Mixed means part Korean, part English. Assume you need Korean unless the department confirms otherwise in writing.
Go deeper on the test itself in the TOPIK guide, or see how the language-school route into a degree works. Book the test on the official TOPIK site, and verify program rules on Study in Korea.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need Korean to apply to a Korean university?
It depends on the program, not the university as a whole. Most undergraduate programs are taught in Korean and ask for a TOPIK level (commonly Level 3) to be admitted. Many are English-taught and admit you on an English test instead. Pick your university and program in the checker above to see which case you are in.
What TOPIK level do I need?
For Korean-taught bachelor's programs, TOPIK Level 3 is the common bar, with some competitive programs asking for 4. Korean-taught graduate programs usually want Level 4 or higher. English-taught programs need no TOPIK for admission, though many still require a Korean level to graduate. The checker shows the published bar for each program.
Can I apply now and learn Korean later?
Often yes. You do not always need the score the day you apply. Most scholarships fund a full year of Korean before degree classes begin, and many students spend a term or two at a university language institute first, then apply with a TOPIK score in hand.
Are these requirements official?
The language and TOPIK figures here are shown exactly as published in the 2026 Global Korea Scholarship source, including its quirks. They are a reliable starting point, but requirements change, so always confirm on the university's own admissions page before you commit money.