Notice
Fall Semester 2026 Notice on Application for Exemption from the Foreign Language Examination
2026.08.26 Views 134
※ You can check whether you meet the requirements for exemption from the foreign language examination via the portal (KUPID).
Portal (KUPID) → Graduation → Exmainations → Foreign Language Exam Exemption Application
* International Students can not choose their own language as a first or secondary language exam. Please check the internal regulations of each department.
Second foreign language for doctoral degrees
The 16 departments that require a secondary foreign language exam are
| Law, Korean Language and Literature, English Language and Literature, Chinese and Japanese Language and Literature, Russian Language and Literature, French Language and Literature, German Language and Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, Historical Studies, Sociology, Linguistics, Philosophy, Visual Culture (interdisciplinary), Comparative Literature & Comparative Culture(interdisciplinary), Cultural Heritage Studies (Interdisciplinary), Department of Archaeology and Art History |
Foreigners in the following department must take the Korean language test.
| Classics Translation, Cultural Heritage Studies (Interdisciplinary), Korean Language and Literature, Historical Studies, Program in Public Health, Department of Media and Communication(To be applied starting with new students in Fall 2025) |
English-speaking countries
※ The countries listed below are those where English is the native language. Students from these countries are not permitted to choose English as their first or second foreign language.
| Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Commonwealth of Dominica, Fiji, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
※ The above-mentioned departments shall have their students take a corresponding foreign language examination.
※ A second foreign language exam for Cultural Heritage Studies (interdisciplinary) shall be required from 2011 Spring Semester onwards.
[Foreign Language Test Exemption Application]
Please be sure to observe the deadline as there is no separate relief procedure for the deadline.
※ Foreign language proficiency requirements for thesis submission eligibility must be applied for separately from those submitted at the time of admission.
1. Applicants: Master's, doctoral, and combined master's and doctoral students in general graduate schools
A. Period: September 7(Mon.) 10:00 ~ 28(Mon.)
:All foreign language categories on the exemption list, including Korean
B. Online application: Kupid → Graduation → Exmainations → Foreign Language Exam Exemption Application
: Upload a file by attaching a scan of your certified foreign language transcript that is not expired as of the date of application.
C. If you submitted your overseas university diploma at the time of admission, you do not need to submit the original diploma separately.
: Please check the example of exemption application input in the attachment when applying for exemption of overseas university degree.
※ However, for newly admitted students of the current semester, even if the overseas university diploma was submitted at the time of admission, you must bring the original diploma and complete the original document verification at the Graduate Administration Team after submitting the exemption application. Please take note of this requirement.
※ If you do not submit your overseas university diploma at the time of admission, you must bring the original diploma and check the original (you must bring the original and check the original, and you must complete the original check within the exemption application period).
- Location(Seoul campuses) : Graduate Administration Team, Central Library (Graduate School), Room 127 / Hours: 10:00 ~ 17:00 (Lunch break 12:00 ~ 1:00)
(Sejong campuses) : Research and Business Cooperation Building, Room 618/ Hours: 10:00 ~ 17:00 (Lunch break 12:00 ~ 1:00)
2. Applicants who pass the comprehensive exam will be announced at PM 3:00 on October 16 (Fri.).
1) Kupid → Graduation → Exmainations → Exam Pass Records
2) Kupid → Graduation → Degree Thesis → Degree Thesis Submission Requirements
3. Notice
a. From the second semester of the 2023 academic year, the validity period of the official language test score report has changed depending on the host institution, so please check the exemption criteria table.
b. For the validity period of the score report, please check the attached table.
c. If your score expires during the application period, upload it before it expires and notify the person in charge of the foreign language test by phone or email.
Seoul Campus: graduate2@korea.ac.kr SejongCampus: kusgsret@korea.ac.kr
d. If you have not submitted your overseas degree at the time of admission, you must bring the original to the Graduate School Administration Team for verification.
e. students who have acquired a grade of B or higher in a regular Korean language course at Level 2 (including completion of Level 3 or higher) must scan their transcripts and apply.
f. Applicants who have achieved a grade of A or higher in Level 3 of the Korean Language Center’s Intensive Short-Term Program (including completion of Level 4 or higher) must scan their transcripts and apply.
※ The completion semester will determine the semester in which the result is recognized for the thesis/dissertation review application, as follows:
* Spring Semester / Summer 1st Semester / Summer 2nd Semester : Reflected in the thesis/dissertation review application for the second semester.
* Winter Semester : The result will be reflected in the thesis/dissertation review application for the first semester of the following academic year.
g. The on-campus graduation qualifying English test conducted by the Foreign Language Center will be reflected until the October 3, 2026 TOEIC test.
