Studying in South Korea offers a world-class education, rich cultural experiences, and global career opportunities. However, proficiency in the Korean language is essential for academic success and everyday life. Here’s why learning Korean is important and how you can prepare for your studies in Korea.

1. Importance of Learning Korean

• University Admission: Many universities require Korean language proficiency for undergraduate and graduate programs, especially for degrees taught in Korean.

• TOPIK Requirement: The Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) is often required for admission and scholarships, such as the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS).

• Daily Life & Communication: Knowing Korean helps students navigate daily life, make friends, and adapt to Korean culture.

2. Learning Korean for Study in Korea

• Language Courses in Korea: Many universities offer Korean Language Institutes (KLI) to help international students learn the language before starting their degree.

• Online & Offline Learning: Platforms like Talk to Me in Korean, Duolingo, and YouTube tutorials help in self-learning.

• Scholarship Programs: The GKS scholarship provides a one-year intensive Korean language course for non-Korean speakers before starting degree programs.

3. TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)

• TOPIK Levels: Ranges from Level 1 (Beginner) to Level 6 (Advanced).

• Requirement for University: Most universities require TOPIK Level 3 or higher for undergraduate and TOPIK Level 4+ for graduate programs.

4. Where to Study Korean in Korea?

• Seoul National University (SNU) Language Education Institute

• Yonsei University Korean Language Institute

• Korea University Korean Language Center

• Sogang University Korean Language Education Center