Korea University Opens Spring 2027 International Freshman Applications; Deadline August 31

Korea University opened applications for Spring 2027 international undergraduate freshman admission at 10 a.m. on August 3, 2026. The online application and PDF upload close at 5 p.m. on August 31. Original documents that must be submitted in hard copy have to arrive at the Office of International Affairs by 5 p.m. on September 7. All dates and times are in Korea Standard Time (KST).

A notable change in this cycle is the end of the online Korean level test. Applicants can no longer apply without language evidence and rely on Korea University's online test. TOPIK is not the only accepted route, however. Depending on the requirements, applicants may use completion of a Korean-language course, an intermediate King Sejong Institute course or intermediate SKA result, TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, or proof of their high school's medium of instruction.

Original documents are required after the online application

According to the Korea University Office of International Affairs, the online application is complete only after the application fee has been paid and the PDF files have been uploaded. Files must be submitted in PDF format and may not exceed 40MB in total. Even after the online submission is complete, documents designated for original submission must be sent by post. They must arrive by 5 p.m. on September 7, not merely be mailed on the deadline.

The online and postal deadlines are different. Applicants who must submit originals should plan their mailing schedule as well as the online deadline.

Check nationality and education requirements first

The applicant and both parents must hold foreign nationality. An applicant or parent who holds dual Korean and foreign nationality is not eligible for this admission route.

Education is assessed as well. Applicants must have completed a regular 12-year primary and secondary curriculum equivalent to Korea's and be able to graduate from high school by February 2027. GED-type equivalency tests, homeschooling, cyber learning and language-institute courses are not recognized as a regular curriculum for this requirement.

Applicants with special nationality or family circumstances may face different rules on when nationality was acquired and which family documents are required. They should first compare the relevant sections of the admission guide with instructions from the Office of International Affairs. This article covers only the requirements generally applicable to applicants.

TOPIK is not the only route

Scores from official tests such as TOPIK, TOPIK iBT, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic must be no more than two years old as of the application date. Other accepted routes include completion of a regular Korean-language course at the Korea University Korean Language Center or an IEQAS-certified university in Korea, an intermediate Korean course at King Sejong Institute, or an intermediate Sejong Korean Language Assessment (SKA) result. Completion certificates and proof of the high-school medium of instruction must follow the separate document rules in the admission guide.

Applicants who completed all of Grades 10–12 in Korean or English may submit their transcripts together with an official school letter confirming the medium of instruction. The general eligibility rules do not state a single minimum score that applies across TOPIK, TOEFL and IELTS.

Proof of English proficiency is mandatory for the English-track International Studies major. By contrast, TOPIK Level 5, IELTS 7.0 and TOEFL iBT 100 in the Global Open Major guidance are not general admission minimums. They are language standards used when assigning a desired major after the first year. Confusing the two standards can lead applicants to prepare for the wrong requirement.

Prepare both online files and original documents

Applicants complete the application online and upload PDF documents showing nationality, education and language proficiency. Documents designated for original submission must also be sent by post. Additional materials may be required for some fields, so applicants should check the document list for their intended field before beginning the application.

File preparation and mailing originals should not be treated as one task. PDFs must stay within the stated size limit, while originals must arrive at the Office of International Affairs by a separate deadline. Gathering the files first and then setting a delivery schedule can reduce last-day duplication.

Admission I and II use different application structures

International Undergraduate Admission I is a direct application to a field of study. A first choice is required and a second choice is optional. Admission II is a broad-entry route through the Global Open Major. Applicants may apply simultaneously to their first choice under Admission I and to Admission II.

Selection is based on a 100% document review. The university evaluates grades, aptitude for the intended field, academic language ability, and activities inside and outside school through the submitted documents. The application fee is KRW 150,000 for humanities and natural sciences and KRW 200,000 for art fields. Applicants who apply to both Admission I and II pay the fee for each route separately.

Before writing the application, applicants should choose their intended field and admission route and review the corresponding education, nationality and language documents together. Planning backward from the arrival deadline for originals is easier than waiting until the final day of online submission.

Sources and verification scope

The schedule and application process were checked on August 3, 2026, against the Korea University Office of International Affairs Admission Guide. Eligibility, language and selection rules were checked against the Korean-language Spring 2027 International Undergraduate Freshman Admission Guide. This article covers undergraduate freshman admission. Applicants should follow the official guide for field-specific documents and individual nationality or education determinations.