Can you apply to a Korean university without TOPIK?

Without TOPIK, first check the other Korean-language evidence your programme accepts or whether it offers an English-taught route. Read the requirements by degree, department and teaching language before planning preparation.

A real Korean-track example

Dong-A's official overview lists completion of its Korean course at Intermediate 2 or above and level 3 or above in the Dong-A Korean proficiency assessment, alongside TOPIK level 3. The evidence is the accepted completion certificate or test result, rather than a statement that you studied Korean. Official Korean-track requirements

For language study, record your starting placement, target completion level and certificate issue date. Plan the time between levels around placement and progression dates.

What about English-taught study?

Dong-A's undergraduate English-track overview lists IELTS 5.5, TOEFL iBT 71 and New TEPS 327. If you have an English result, first check that your intended department recruits through that track. Official English-track requirements

Record the test type, date and available certificate. Add the programme's accepted test format and score-submission deadline beside them.

Work backwards from score submission

Use separate fields for the test date, result release, application closing date and certificate deadline. Include the time needed to obtain and submit the result. Choose a test sitting after checking whether its result can be used for your intended intake.

Keep the language evidence needed for entry separate from the score targeted for a scholarship. Distinguish your current result, future goal and the date you expect to obtain it.

Your next step

Organise your intended degree and major, present Korean or English level and planned test date. GEA university matching can compare programmes that need further preparation with options to review using your current qualifications.

Explore university matching based on your language preparation

Record your current preparation in a free roadmap

Prepared by GEA · Sources checked: 21 October 2026