Applying for an Undergraduate Program After Korean Language School

Some people enroll in language institutes simply because they want to learn and experience Korean language and culture, while others enroll specifically to prepare for admission to a Korean university. If you attend a university language institute, you typically apply to that same university afterward. So, do you know exactly what to prepare for after completing the language institute and how to apply for admission to a Korean university? Today, we will take a look at all the steps leading up to admission to a Korean university.

Higher Education in Korea

Before we begin, let's briefly learn about higher education in Korea. Korean higher education institutions can be broadly categorized into junior colleges (2-3 year programs), universities (4-year programs), and graduate schools. In recent years, cyber universities that mainly offer e-Learning courses have also been established and operated due to the development of information and communication technology. In addition, graduate programs (master's and doctoral degree programs) are often offered by 4-year universities, but recently, "graduate universities" that only offer graduate programs without undergraduate programs have also been established. Korean universities are classified into national universities established and operated by the state, public universities established and operated by local governments, and private universities established and operated by school corporations (private non-profit corporations). Korean universities, including the Ministry of Education, are actively working to attract foreign students in order to enhance international competitiveness and promote exchanges and cooperation between countries. In 2020, there were over 150,000 foreign students studying in Korea, and over 110,000 of them were enrolled in degree programs.

Types of University Programs	Regular Semester Program	A program where students attend regular courses during the spring and fall semesters, just like domestic students. General courses taught in Korean and those taught in foreign languages are distinguished. Degree can be obtained upon graduation.
	Exchange Student Program	Most Korean universities exchange students based on mutual exchange agreements with their sister universities abroad. Students applying for exchange programs must have a certain level of academic achievement and foreign language proficiency.
	Summer/Winter Program	Foreign students can take regular courses, including Korean language courses and other subjects, during summer or winter vacation.
	English-only Course	Universities interested in internationalizing higher education currently teach about 30% of their courses in English. Some universities have established international departments and teach all courses in English.
	Korean Language Program	Many universities have established language institutes to offer Korean language courses for foreign students.

Applying to Korean Universities

It's important to note that Korean language programs offered by Korean language centers are not related to university admissions. However, for language proficiency proof, you will need to submit either a TOPIK score or a certificate of completion for level 4 or higher from a university language institute when submitting your application documents. Furthermore, all information listed below is based on Seoul National University. Although other schools have similar application qualifications, required documents, procedures, and deadlines, please check the relevant school's website for accurate information.

Eligibility

Education: Those who have graduated from domestic or foreign high schools or equivalent education recognized by the Korean government.
Education obtained through qualification exams, homeschooling, cyber learning, etc. are not recognized. However, those who have taken online classes due to COVID-19 can apply if they submit a certificate of explanation and supporting documents.

Only holders of government-approved high school diplomas are eligible to apply (even those who attended school in Korea can apply).

Nationality: Applicants and their parents must both be foreign nationals.

Acquisition of foreign nationality: Those who have acquired foreign nationality before starting the Korean high school equivalent education course, both the applicant and their parents (if nationality is acquired through immigration or adoption, proof of nationality acquisition is required).

Documents Needed for Submission

No.	Documents Needed	Details
※1~4: Must be entered in Korean or English within the application period
1	Application Form - 1 copy	To be completed and entered directly on the online application site. Personal information (English name spelling, date of birth, etc.) on the application form must match the information on the submitted documents.
2	Self Introduction and Math Study Plan - 1 copy	To be completed and entered directly on the online application site. Each item must be within 3,000 bytes including spaces (approximately 1,500 Korean characters or 600 English words). Do not include specific personal information of the applicant (names of parents or relatives, company name, etc.).
3	Recommendation letter from a high school teacher - 1 copy	To be submitted only through the online recommendation letter submission site (cannot be submitted by mail/email/fax). Each item must be within 3,000 bytes including spaces. If the applicant is unable to submit a diploma or academic transcript, the high school teacher in charge of the applicant's academic affairs can submit the recommendation letter through the online recommendation letter submission site. Two different recommenders must submit letters, and if there is no high school teacher in charge of the applicant's academic affairs, regular teachers, principals, or vice principals may submit the letter. An email with instructions for writing the recommendation letter will be automatically sent to the recommender upon payment of the remaining fee. Once the recommendation letter has been submitted, the recommender's name and email address cannot be changed.
4	Recommendation letter from the applicant's high school teacher - 1 copy
※5~13: Scan the documents and upload them to the online application site within the application period (original documents must be submitted by mail/visit after passing the preliminary screening).
5	Language Proficiency Proof Documents	One or more of the following documents that can prove proficiency in Korean or English: Official language proficiency test scores for Korean or English Standardized test results that include Korean or English grades Official documents proving that the school's curriculum or classes were conducted in Korean or English (applicable only to those who have completed their entire high school education in Korean or English) Official Language Proficiency Test Score Standards: Korean: TOPIK level 3 or higher, or completion of Level 4 or higher at a language education center/institute in a Korean university English: TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS Academic Band Score 6.0, TEPS 269 or higheOnly scores/grades that are confirmed by the application deadline are valid. Scanned copies of score sheets or screenshots of score inquiries are acceptable (original score sheets must be submitted or score reporting requested after the announcement of preliminary acceptance).
6	Proof of High School Enrollment	Submit a scanned copy of the original or notarized original during the application period. After the announcement of preliminary acceptance, obtain an apostille or have it confirmed by a Korean embassy and submit it by mail/visit. It is also possible to submit an apostille/confirmation document during the application period. Only enrollment certificates with clear information on enrollment periods (semester start/end dates), school years, and semesters are valid. If an enrollment certificate cannot be issued for official reasons, a graduation certificate can be submitted instead. If there are circumstances such as early graduation, a reason and supporting documents must be submitted. If there is no graduation (expected) certificate, a certificate of enrollment or academic transcript with the graduation (expected) date indicated, or an official confirmation from the school can be submitted instead. If the academic year or semester has not ended, a transcript indicating the contents up to the time of application submission must be submitted. For example, if there are no grades for the third semester of the third year, grades up to the first semester of the third year should be submitted. If the applicant cannot submit a graduation (expected) certificate and an academic transcript, the counselor in charge of admissions can submit a letter of recommendation through the online recommendation site. Even if the applicant submits their final scores for A-Levels or IB, academic transcripts for all years of high school must be submitted.
7	Academic Transcript for All Years of High School
8	Graduation (Expected) Certificate from High School
9	Proof of Nationality of Applicant - 1 copy	Submit a copy of a passport that is valid within the deadline. If a valid passport is not available, an original or notarized original of a proof of nationality or a certified copy of a identification card can be submitted (driver's licenses that cannot confirm nationality will not be accepted). If one or both of the applicant's parents have died or divorced, only the proof of nationality of the legal guardian with custody must be submitted.
10	Proof of Nationality of Parent(s) - 1 copy
11	Proof of Relationship Between Applicant and Parent(s) - 1 copy	Birth certificate, family relationship certificate, citizenship certificate, etc. that includes both the applicant's and parent's names. If there are circumstances such as being from a single-parent household or a parent's death or divorce, relevant supporting documents must be submitted.
12	Standardized Test Results (Optional)	High school graduation exam scores of the relevant country, college entrance examination score certificates UK GCE A-LEVEL, Japan University Entrance Exam, China National College Entrance Exam (Gaokao), Germany Abitur, France Baccalaureate, etc. Standardized test results: ACT, A-LEVEL, AP, IGCSE, IB, NCEA, SAT, etc. Scan the score sheet file or upload a screenshot of the official website's score inquiry screen to the online application site and request a score report within the application period.
13	Reasoning Statement and Supporting Documents (Optional)	Submit if there are qualifications and other facts to be proven Write a reasoning statement in the designated form and submit it with official supporting documents to back it up.
※14-16 (Optional): Scan the documents within the application period and upload them to the online application site (submit the original documents by mail or in person after preliminary pass)
14	Introduction of High School	School Profile or other official documents (education ministry data of the relevant country, etc.) There is no set format for content and style, and necessary information such as educational curriculum, provision of advanced courses, number of enrolled students, average and distribution of students' in-school and standardized test scores, and college enrollment and placement status can be included.
15	Other Language Proficiency Supporting Documents	Language proficiency supporting documents such as HSK, JLPT, JPT, DELF, DALF, DELE, GZ, TestDaF, and TORFL If it is not an original document, the school principal's seal or signature is required (submit a reasoning statement if the school principal cannot be confirmed)
16	Reference Materials for Selection Process	Materials that can identify the activities of applicants within and outside of high school (voluntary activities, clubs, awards, etc.) during the period of high school enrollment Up to 10 items, including in-school and out-of-school activities and awards, can be written and uploaded. Awards are counted as one item per certificate. In-school and out-of-school activities, such as clubs, are counted as one item only if they were continuously performed for the same activity. If it is not an original document, the school principal's seal or signature is required.

※Apostille System:

A system for verifying foreign official documents without requiring further legalization in the country of use.
118 countries worldwide are signatories to the Apostille Convention.
Apostille Official Website

Application Procedure

Step 1	Choosing a University and Department (Korea Study Abroad Comprehensive System Site, each university's website, inquire at overseas Korean embassies)
Step 2	Requesting an Application Form and Preparing Documents
Step 3	Submitting the Application Form and Supporting Documents
Step 4	Obtaining an Admission Letter

Application Period:

The application period for the Spring semester (admission in March) is usually from September to November of the previous year, and for the Fall semester (admission in September), it is usually from April to June of the same year. Recently, online applications are becoming more common.

Admission Process:

Selection is based on the evaluation of academic ability, suitability for the desired program, language proficiency, and academic and non-academic activities of the applicant.
If necessary, individual interviews/practical exams will be conducted, and the applicant will be notified.

Post-Admission (based on Seoul National University):

Admission is only valid for the semester of application, and it cannot be postponed to the next semester. The applicant must check the admission website for further instructions after being admitted. Applicants selected for the Korean Language Proficiency Test must take the test at Seoul National University's Language Education Institute. There may be restrictions on which courses a student can take, depending on the evaluation results, so the applicant should contact the admissions office for more information.

An inviting campus view at a Korean university, symbolizing the journey towards academic achievement for international students.

Thus, we have covered all the procedures leading up to admission to Korean universities. However, there are many academic terms used in Korean universities that you may encounter once you are admitted. Finally, let's take some time to learn about the major academic terms used in Korean universities and conclude this article.

Course registration	The act of enrolling in classes one wishes to take before each semester starts.
Course evaluation	The act of evaluating a professor's lecture at the end of each semester.
Summer semester	A month-long period of classes held during the vacation period, mainly taken for grade improvement purposes.
Leave of absence (application)	The act of taking a break from studies for a certain period with permission from the school. (For foreign students, they must leave the country within 15 days of receiving permission for a leave of absence from the school.)
Return from leave of absence (application)	The act of returning to school by a student who is on academic leave or a leave of absence.
Academic warning	If a student's average grade at the end of each semester falls below a certain standard set by each school (between 1.5 and 2.0 out of 4.5, varies by school and grade), the student will receive a warning. If this occurs three times, the student will be expelled (may result in disadvantages when extending visas).
Change of Major	Changing one's major with the school's permission
Double Major/Minor	Completing the required credits for a major other than the one selected at the time of admission (or department/division), and considering it equivalent to having completed all the requirements for a double major. Generally indicated upon graduation.
English-Only Classes	Classes where lectures, tests, etc. are conducted entirely in English.
Expulsion	Refers to when a student's enrollment is terminated by the school for various reasons.
Withdrawal	Voluntarily leaving school according to the student's own decision.

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