Impressive architecture, major tourist destinations, a thriving technology sector, and global influence in entertainment and music are among the many things South Korea is known for. This is why many degree-seeking students imagine themselves living and studying in the country. However, the language barrier can be a concern for international students, particularly because some university programs require applicants to demonstrate Korean-language proficiency. As South Korean universities have expanded the international focus of their higher education programs, several institutions now offer complete English-taught degree pathways at the bachelor’s and/or graduate levels. Availability and language requirements vary by university, department, and admission cycle.
Our ranking prioritizes universities where it is realistically possible to earn a full degree in English in South Korea, rather than institutions that offer only a small number of English-language classes. The universities are ordered using the following editorial criteria: the availability of English-medium instruction at the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. levels; overall academic and research strength; and support for international students. Leet’s take a look at the top English-taught universities in South Korea.
| University | Undergraduate English-taught options | Graduate English-taught options |
|---|
| Yonsei University | Underwood International College offers an all-English curriculum across 16 majors. | Selected English-taught options include programs at the Graduate School of International Studies, Global MBA and Graduate Institute of Theology. |
| Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) | English-medium programs and courses are available across science, engineering and interdisciplinary fields. | English-medium master’s and Ph.D. programs are available in science, engineering, business and interdisciplinary fields. Applicants should confirm the teaching language of individual courses. |
| Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) | English-medium bachelor’s programs are available in science, engineering and technology. Students commonly report completing all or nearly all coursework in English. | English-medium master’s and Ph.D. programs are available in science, engineering and technology. |
| Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) | A 100% English-taught international undergraduate curriculum is available to international students admitted from Fall 2026. | English-medium master’s, Ph.D. and integrated M.S.–Ph.D. programs are available in science and engineering. |
| Korea University | The Bachelor of International Studies is taught entirely in English. | The Graduate School of International Studies offers English-taught master’s programs in International Commerce, Development and Cooperation, Peace and Security, Area Studies, and Korean Studies. |
| Ewha Womans University | The Division of International Studies offers an English-language undergraduate program. | The Graduate School of International Studies offers English-medium master’s and Ph.D. programs. The teaching language may differ in other graduate departments. |
| Sogang University | Individual English-taught courses are available, but the university does not generally guarantee that an entire undergraduate degree can be completed in English. | The Graduate School of International Studies offers fully English-taught programs in International Relations, International Trade, International Finance, and Korea and East Asia Studies. |
| Hanyang University | English Track programs at the Seoul campus include Data Science, Global Management and International Studies. | No specific fully English-taught graduate degree is identified in this article. Individual graduate courses may be offered in English. |
| Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) | English is used for lectures across eligible undergraduate STEM programs. International applicants should check current major-specific admission restrictions. | English-medium options include master’s, Ph.D. and integrated M.S.–Ph.D. programs in science and engineering. |
Top Universities for English-taught Programs in South Korea
1. Yonsei University
Yonsei University is a popular choice among international students. For a fully English-taught undergraduate degree, its Underwood International College offers 16 majors across the Underwood Division, Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Division, and Integrated Science and Engineering Division. Yonsei also offers selected English-taught graduate pathways. Its official graduate-program directory identifies the Graduate School of International Studies, Global MBA, and Graduate Institute of Theology as English-taught options. Within GSIS, the university currently lists Korean Studies and Global Studies as English-medium programs, while other GSIS programs use different languages of instruction.
This is a strong fit for students seeking an English-medium undergraduate experience in Korea while retaining opportunities to study Korean alongside their degree.
What Current Students / Alumni of Yonsei University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Minh Le
Bachelor of Science in Creative Technology Management | All classes at Underwood International College were conducted in English. | Korean was not required for his classes, but he recommends it for local culture and everyday situations. |
Dzung
Bachelor of Science in Information and Interaction Design | Underwood International College classes were conducted in English; courses in other schools could be in English or Korean. | Students with no Korean knowledge had to take Basic Korean. Some university websites had limited English translation. |
Minh Quang
Bachelor’s in Economics | Most classes in his international college were taught in English. | Korean was still prevalent in campus services, and he found limited Korean a major disadvantage when using some facilities. |
Madalitso Aline-Mary Mwenemurupa
Master of Public Health; Master of Global Health | Her program was conducted in English. | Basic Korean was helpful for communication in academic and social settings. |
Rizka
Master’s in International Trade, Finance, and Management | Her Yonsei GSIS major conducted all classes in English. | She considered academic Korean difficult and deliberately chose an English-taught program. |
Charmaine Distor
Global Master of e-Government and Public Management | All core classes, and the master’s program as a whole, were delivered in English. | KOICA arranged Korean classes to help students engage with the local culture, not as an academic requirement. |
Santiago Bravo
Master of Public Health in Global Control of Infectious Diseases | All MPH classes were taught in English. | Korean was not needed academically; basic phrases were useful in daily life. |
Shokhrukh Avazov
PhD in Public Administration | He reports that all his classes were conducted in English. | Korean helped with daily life but was not necessary for academic success in his experience. |
Sohani Sahar
PhD in Industrial Engineering | Some graduate courses in her program were offered in English, and she mainly selected those courses. | She says students can succeed academically without Korean, though basic Korean helps with daily communication and networking. |
Freja Boe Møller
Master’s in Korean Studies | Her Graduate School of International Studies classes were taught in English, except Korean-language classes. | Whether Korean is necessary depends on whether the chosen degree is English- or Korean-taught. |
Zubaida Hassan
Master’s in Chemistry | Classes were in English or Korean depending on the professor. | She reports that many programs outside International Relations or International Studies used Korean and that TOPIK Level 4 was important for employment after graduation. |
Samita Thongbut
MBA | Her MBA was conducted in English. | Korean was not required for the degree, but basic Korean helped with daily life and local relationships. |
Andreas Danniswara
Master’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering | Most of his classes were conducted in Korean, though he also took engineering courses taught in English and communicated with professors in English. | Korean technical terminology initially made the program challenging. |
Amal Varghese
Master’s in Economics | Almost half of the courses each semester were offered in English, with availability varying by department. | He advises checking the course catalogue because English-course availability differs substantially across departments. |
2. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
KAIST, or the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, is one of South Korea’s leading institutions for science and engineering. It was formally founded in 1971 as the country’s first science and technology university. KAIST now offers undergraduate and graduate study across science, engineering, business, and interdisciplinary fields. Its English-medium environment helps international students participate in classes and research without needing full Korean proficiency, although students should check the language of each course before registering.
For students pursuing English-taught STEM degrees, this environment makes it possible to participate in classes, laboratories, and research discussions from the beginning of their studies while using the university’s international-student services.
What Current Students / Alumni of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Mhd Anas Al Saidi
Master’s in Data Science | Almost all classes were conducted in English, and many advisers encouraged lab meetings in English. | He did not need Korean for his courses, but says it was essential for securing employment in Korea. |
Ana T. Paredes
Techno-MBA | Her KAIST program was fully taught in English; she chose some electives in Korean. | Korean was not academically required but made electives, internships, immigration, and daily administration easier. |
Omer Tariq
Integrated Master’s and PhD in Computer Science | He reports that his classes were 100% in English. | — |
Rahul Agrawal
Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Business and Technology Management | The majority of classes were conducted in English, and he reports that his coursework was in English. | Korean was not an academic barrier, but it offered advantages for internships and interaction with local students. |
May Myat Thwe
MSc in Computer Science; Master’s in Science and Technology Policy | Her classes were conducted in English; she also notes that about 80% of KAIST courses were offered in English. | Korean was needed for day-to-day communication outside class, but she had no academic difficulty at KAIST. |
Raad Rafian Ahmed
Bachelor’s in Industrial Systems Engineering | All classes were conducted in English. | Korean was not needed academically, but limited Korean could make internships and jobs in Korea harder to obtain. |
Tria Asri Widowati
Master’s in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering | Her classes were conducted in English. | — |
Dr. Botchu Vara Siva Jyoti
PhD in Aerospace Engineering | All coursework and research supervision were conducted in English. | A compulsory Korean course helped with local interactions, shopping, and integration. |
Biniyam Aschalew
Bachelor’s in Computer Science | Most classes were taught in English, and all required courses he had taken were in English. | Korean was not needed on campus, but basic Korean was helpful in daily life outside the university. |
Purevzaya Amarzaya
Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Business Technology Management | Most classes were taught in English; Korean-taught classes were not required for graduation. | Korean did not affect her academic performance, but more advanced Korean would have improved daily life. |
Lei Chen
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering | Most classes were conducted in English, and classmates helped when an instructor’s English was limited. | Korean was not a significant academic obstacle, but learning it improved campus life. |
Vania Estrellita Soegiarto
MBA in Finance | Her MBA was conducted fully in English. | Korean was not mandatory academically but helped with daily life, networking, integration, and professional opportunities. |
Anna Povolná
PhD in Bio and Brain Engineering | All classes she took were in English; she dropped one Korean-taught elective because it was too difficult. | Korean was most important for daily life and for students planning to remain in Korea after graduation. |
Pidchayanin Chutipattana
Master of Science in Business and Technology Management | She describes the graduate program as English-taught and reports no classroom problem without Korean. | Korean was valuable for daily administration, networking, professional opportunities, and running a business in Korea. |
Sehrish Javed
Master’s in Biological Sciences | All her classes were conducted in English. | She learned enough Korean to read and communicate during her time in Korea. |
Medhavi Mishra
PhD in Mobility | Almost all graduate courses—including lectures, assignments, examinations, course materials, and research activities—were conducted in English. | Korean was not a significant academic requirement, but basic Korean helped with daily life and the local community. |
3. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) provides an English-medium academic environment for students interested in science, engineering, technology, and related interdisciplinary fields. UNIST was founded in 2007 and opened in 2009. Its current undergraduate curriculum is department-based rather than based on the older track system described in some previous materials. Students must choose one primary major beginning in their sophomore year, while a double major or minor is optional.
For STEM-focused students seeking an English-taught degree in Korea, UNIST combines English-language instruction with research-intensive study and options for interdisciplinary academic work.
What Current Students / Alumni of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Anisatul Aqidah Tagiling
Master of Science in Chemistry | All classes were conducted in English; professors and lab supervisors used English for coursework, research discussions, and academic communication. | Korean was not needed academically, though it could help outside the university. |
Alambek
Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering | He reports that classes were 100% in English and university certificates were issued in Korean and English. | English was sufficient academically, but Korean was important for daily life and integration outside the university. |
4. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Located in Pohang, Pohang University of Science and Technology, commonly known as POSTECH, is a private research university specializing in science and engineering. It was established in 1986 and maintains a comparatively small, research-focused academic community.
POSTECH began admitting international undergraduate students through a dedicated international admissions track for the Fall 2026 intake. The university states that admitted international undergraduates follow a 100% English-taught curriculum. Its bachelor’s programs concentrate on subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, life sciences, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, chemical engineering, and industrial and management engineering.
At the graduate level, POSTECH offers master’s, doctoral, and integrated master’s–doctoral programs across its science and engineering departments and interdisciplinary graduate schools. English is the principal language of instruction in its international graduate programs, and applicants are normally required to demonstrate English proficiency. Program duration and graduation requirements vary by department and degree route.
What Current Students / Alumni of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Chaitali Bhattacharyya
PhD in Electrical Engineering | Course language depended on the class; students could choose English- or Korean-taught classes during registration. | — |
May Myint Myat
MSc in Environmental Science and Engineering | Courses in her department were conducted in English, and she reports that most POSTECH courses were taught in English. | Korean was not needed academically, though basic Korean was useful for daily life and social interaction. |
Virda
Master’s in Industrial and Management Engineering | Some professors taught in English, while others used Korean when few international students were present; course materials were consistently in English. | Korean helped her follow Korean-language lectures; the GKS Korean-language year reduced the academic difficulty. |
5. Korea University
Founded in 1905, Korea University is a private research university with its principal campus in Seoul. It offers undergraduate and graduate education across areas such as business, humanities, social sciences, engineering, science, health sciences, and international studies.
At the undergraduate level, the university’s Division of International Studies offers an all-English curriculum leading to a Bachelor of International Studies. The program examines international commerce, development, cooperation, politics, and related global issues. A Korean-and-English Global Korean Studies pathway is also available, but students seeking a completely English-taught degree should distinguish it from the all-English International Studies program.
Korea University’s Graduate School of International Studies offers a two-year, all-English master’s curriculum. Students can select from fields including International Commerce, International Development and Cooperation, International Peace and Security, Area Studies, and Korean Studies. Other departments at Korea University offer individual courses in English, but the language of instruction should be checked separately for programs outside these designated English-medium pathways.
What Current Students / Alumni of Korea University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Alisson Yheraldin Onzueta Caballero
Bachelor’s double major in Biotechnology and International Studies | Her undergraduate classes were conducted in both English and Korean, with several science courses taught in Korean. | Korean helped her keep up with classes, communicate with professors, and navigate administration and local activities. |
Deepak Kumar
Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering | Most classes were taught in English, which made subject comprehension easier. | Even with TOPIK Level 5, he sometimes found engineering classes in Korean challenging. |
Islamuddin Alimurrijal
Master’s in Quantum Information Physics | Most classes were conducted in English, with some classes in Korean. | Korean was not essential to his studies but was useful for daily life and cultural integration. |
Levan Ratiani
MSc in Inorganic Chemistry | Although his program was advertised as English-based, many courses were conducted in Korean because he was the only international student. | Basic Korean made lectures, laboratory communication, administration, and daily life easier. |
Malory Bedoya Rodriguez
Master’s in Politics and Management of Science, Technology and Innovation | Most classes were conducted in Korean, but professors allowed her to submit papers and make contributions in English. | She communicated with classmates in Korean and recommends at least intermediate Korean for study and daily life. |
Nicolai Hede
PhD in International Relations | All his courses were conducted in English, with an internationally diverse cohort. | Basic Korean was helpful, and his scholarship required at least TOPIK Level 3 during the language program. |
Namrah Siddiqua
Master’s in Artificial Intelligence | Although the program description suggested a 50/50 English-Korean split, all her courses were offered entirely in English. | She emphasizes that language practice varies by department and course rather than applying university-wide. |
6. Ewha Womans University
Ewha Womans University is a private women’s university in Seoul whose origins date to 1886. The university offers programs across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, business, education, nursing, medicine, artificial intelligence, and international studies.
Ewha’s Division of International Studies offers an English-language undergraduate curriculum covering international business, economics, politics, law, development, and related interdisciplinary subjects. The bachelor’s program is normally completed through four years of full-time study. International applicants should confirm the current admission and English-proficiency requirements before applying.
English-medium graduate options are available through Ewha’s Graduate School of International Studies, particularly in its Department of International Studies. The school offers master’s and doctoral-level study, with the master’s program normally requiring at least four semesters of enrollment. Students should distinguish these English-medium International Studies programs from Korean Studies and other university programs that may use Korean or a combination of Korean and English.
What Current Students / Alumni of Ewha Womans University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Souhaila
Master’s in International Business | All Ewha GSIS classes in her program were conducted entirely in English. | Korean was not needed academically, and staff could support international students in English. |
Thai Quynh Anh Nguyen
PhD in Life Sciences | Classes were available in Korean and English, while all course materials in her field were in English. | — |
Gita Poudel
Master’s in English Language and Literature | Her graduate courses for international students were conducted in English. | Korean was not required academically, but it was helpful for daily life and connecting with local communities. |
Nunnalin
Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Engineering | Only a few courses were offered in English, and many were not available in English. | Her entire program was taught in Korean; even TOPIK Level 5 did not remove the initial difficulty of dialects and engineering vocabulary. |
Zainab Ummu Hasanah
Master’s in Social Welfare | Most classes were conducted in Korean, though professors generally accepted assignments in English when Korean was too difficult for an international student. | Korean was important because most classmates and classroom communication were Korean. |
Kristina Zakharenko
Bachelor’s in Architecture | Almost all classes were conducted in Korean. Even nominal English classes often used Korean. | TOPIK Level 5 allowed her to follow classes; Korean also helped with documents, everyday interaction, and employment-related credibility. |
Oumaima Latrech
Master’s in Media and Communication | All classes, discussions, presentations, and debates were in Korean, though professors allowed some exams and final assessments to be answered in English. | Strong Korean was essential for classes, peer communication, academic notices, and graduation-related administration. |
Livia
Master’s in Modern Korean Literature | All classes, assignments, exams, and thesis writing were conducted in Korean. | Her Korean-taught major required the relevant TOPIK level; Korean was also useful for communication and daily life. |
7. Sogang University
Located in Seoul, Sogang University is a private university established in 1960. It offers programs in fields including the humanities, social sciences, business, economics, natural sciences, engineering, communication, and interdisciplinary studies.
Sogang offers individual undergraduate courses in both Korean and English, including a large proportion of courses taught in English in certain subject areas. However, international applicants should check the course catalog and departmental requirements carefully because the availability of English-taught courses does not necessarily mean that an entire undergraduate major can be completed exclusively in English.
The university’s Graduate School of International Studies offers fully English-taught master’s and Ph.D. programs. Its principal study areas are International Relations, International Trade, International Finance, and Korea and East Asia Studies. All GSIS courses are taught in English, and both the master’s and doctoral programs require at least two years, or four semesters, of full-time enrollment.
What Current Students / Alumni of Sogang University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Souad
Master’s in International Relations | Her Sogang GSIS program was entirely in English, including administrative communication. | — |
Souljah
Master’s in International Relations | Her Sogang GSIS program was completely in English, including thesis work and academic papers. | She wished she had learned more Korean, particularly for the TOPIK exam. |
Mirshod
Master’s in International Relations | The graduate program was entirely in English; lectures, assignments, academic discussions, and many materials and services were available in English. | Korean was not a major academic barrier but helped with administration, daily life, and local integration. |
8. Hanyang University
Hanyang University is a private research university with campuses in Seoul and Ansan. Established in 1939 as an engineering institution, it has expanded to offer programs across engineering, computing, business, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, arts, and other fields.
Hanyang’s Seoul Campus offers designated undergraduate English Tracks in Data Science, Global Management, and International Studies. These tracks conduct their courses in English and normally require four years of full-time study. Applicants to an English Track must meet the English-language requirements stated in the international undergraduate admissions guide.
Students applying to other Hanyang departments should not assume that the entire degree is available in English. Many programs include individual English-taught courses, but Korean may remain the primary language of instruction. Applicants should therefore use the current admissions guide and major guidebook to confirm the campus, language track, curriculum, and graduation requirements for their chosen program.
What Current Students / Alumni of Hanyang University Say
| Student/Alumnus and Program | English in Practice | Local-Language Insight |
|---|
Gulsara
Bachelor’s in International Studies | All classes in her English-track degree were conducted in English. | Korean was not required for class but expanded access to announcements, campus events, internships, networking, and jobs. |
Juju San
Bachelor of Business Administration | She was taking most of her Hanyang classes in English. | She had previously completed her diploma entirely in Korean. |
9. Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
GIST is a science- and technology-focused research institution. Undergraduate students are admitted without declaring a major and choose their field of study after their freshman year. The international undergraduate guide lists 10 majors and notes that Semiconductor Engineering is restricted to Korean students. Double majors and minors are also available. At the graduate level, GIST offers M.S., Ph.D., and integrated M.S.–Ph.D. programs, and graduate students are expected to maintain full-time status until they complete their requirements.
FAQs: English-Taught Universities in South Korea
Do I need TOPIK (Korean language proficiency) to study in English in Korea?
Not necessarily. Some English-taught programs use English-proficiency requirements instead of TOPIK, but each university and department sets its own admission rules. Applicants should check the current admissions guide for their exact program. Even when TOPIK is not required, learning Korean can be helpful for daily life, internships, university services, and activities outside the classroom. For a practical overview, see the TOPIK guide.
Are scholarships available for English-taught universities in South Korea?
Yes. Korean universities and science and technology institutes offer various scholarships for international students, including merit-based awards, tuition reductions, institutional scholarships, and external programs. Eligibility, funding, renewal conditions, and application procedures vary. Start with each institution’s current scholarship information, including Yonsei scholarships, KAIST scholarships, UNIST scholarships, and Kyung Hee scholarships. You can also read student experiences in the “Meet Scholars” sections linked in the article.
How much does it cost to study and live in South Korea as an international student?
Costs depend on the university, degree level, city, accommodation, and personal spending. Tuition and scholarship conditions can also change by academic year. Review the university’s current fee notice before applying. Helpful starting points include the cost of studying and living in South Korea, along with tuition pages for Yonsei, KAIST, and UNIST.
We hope this article on the Best English-taught Universities in South Korea was helpful. If you are interested, explore Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for International Students!
