Korea University IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026
Korea University based in Seoul publishes IELTS Academic minimums for both undergraduate and graduate study. The two cards below show those institutional baselines; the editorial body translates the bands into a study target and lists the programmes that publish their own, higher thresholds.
Korea University requires a minimum IELTS Academic score of 5.5 overall for graduate admission as of 2026. Undergraduate requirements vary by school. All figures are sourced from the Korea admissions page and verified on 2026-06-23.
No single minimum published. Korea University does not publish a hard IELTS minimum for international undergraduate applicants. Language proficiency scores (IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, TOPIK) are evaluated as supporting documents in a holistic review. For Korean-taught programmes, TOPIK Level 3+ is generally expected.
The Graduate School minimum is IELTS 5.5 overall with no per-band requirement. Business Administration and Policy Studies programmes require TOEFL iBT 80 (higher than the general 71). The Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) accepts only IELTS and TOEFL but does not publish a minimum.
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Last verified 2026-06-23. The figures on this page are taken from Korea University's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About Korea and its IELTS requirement
As part of Korea's prestigious SKY trio (Seoul National, Korea, Yonsei), Korea University has relatively low IELTS thresholds - 5.5 for graduate admission with no per-band requirement. Undergraduate admission does not require a specific IELTS minimum. PTE Academic and Duolingo are not accepted at any level.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 5.5 with no published per-section minimum (CEFR B2). The Graduate School minimum is IELTS 5.5 overall with no per-band requirement. Business Administration and Policy Studies programmes require TOEFL iBT 80 (higher than the general 71). The Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) accepts only IELTS and TOEFL but does not publish a minimum.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several Korea programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) (overall -). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.
How to prepare for the Korea IELTS minimum
A target of 5.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.
Programme-specific IELTS minimums
These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.
| Programme | Overall | Per-section |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) | - | - |
Other English tests Korea accepts
TOEFL iBT 71 (graduate baseline; 80 for Business and Policy Studies). New TEPS 326. TOPIK accepted as alternative or supplement. PTE Academic and Duolingo are not accepted by any programme. TOEFL ITP and IELTS Indicator are not accepted.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Official sources
- Korea University - official English-language requirements (primary source for the bands on this page)
- IELTS.org - IELTS scoring in detail (official nine-band scale and how each band is awarded)
- British Council - IELTS band scores explained
Common questions
What is the minimum IELTS score for Korea University?
Does Korea accept other English tests besides IELTS?
What if my IELTS score is below the Korea minimum?
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