Applications for exemption from the graduate school foreign language exam for the 2026 academic year, first semester, will be accepted as follows. Those who require exemption must apply within the deadline.

* You can check whether you meet the foreign language exam requirement on Thesis Submission Eligibility Requirements page under Portal (KUPID) -> Academic/Graduation.

* Students planning to apply for thesis defense in April 2026 who have not met the foreign language exam requirement must apply for exemption by this deadline.

* You may take the exam in any language other than your nationality (based on your native language).

* Classical Chinese(한문) is only recognized if passed in the foreign language exam organized by KU Graduate School.

A. Foreign Language Test

- Starting from the 2024 academic year, the graduate school-administered foreign language test will be held only once annually during the second semester (first Saturday of September).

B. Foreign Language Test Exemption Application (Strict adherence to deadline is mandatory)

1. Application Period: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 10:00 AM to Friday, March 27, 2026, 11:59 PM

2. Types of Exemption Applications

1) (Excluding Korean) Taking an Alternative Language Course

- Take an alternative language course administered by KU Foreign Language Center and earn a grade of B or higher

- Spring/Summer Semester alternative language courses: Reflected in the 2nd semester thesis review application

- Fall/Winter Semester alternative language courses: Reflected in the 1st semester thesis review application

- No separate exemption application required

2) Taking Regular Korean Language Courses

- Earn a grade of B or higher in a regular Korean language course (Level 2 or higher) offered by KU Korean Language Center

- Scan and upload the transcript to the portal

3) Enrollment in Intensive Short-Term Korean Language Courses

- Earn a grade of A or higher in Level 3 of an intensive short-term course offered by the university's Korean Language Center (Includes completion at Level 4 or above)

- Upload a scanned copy of the transcript to the portal

4) Submission of Official Language Exam Transcript

- Upload a scanned copy of the official language test score report valid as of the submission date to the portal

- Refer to the attached exemption criteria table by language test

5) Submit overseas university degree certificate

- Upload the overseas university degree certificate to the portal

- Graduates from overseas universities must apply via the portal; exemption is not processed automatically

- If the overseas degree certificate was not submitted at the time of admission, the original must be brought to the Graduate School Administration Team for verification. However, for new students in the current semester, even if submitted at admission, the original degree certificate must be brought to the Graduate School Administration Team for verification after applying for exemption via the portal.

* Verification hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (excluding lunch break 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)

* Verification site: Graduate School Library Room 127

3. Exemption Application Confirmation Date: Scheduled for 4:17 PM on Friday, April 17.

- Portal -> Academic/Graduation -> Apply/Check Various Exams -> View Passing Records

4. Important Notes

1) Check the validity period of official language test scores in the attached exemption criteria table.

2) For scores expiring during the application period, upload them before expiration and notify the administrator by phone and email (02-3290-1352 / graduate2@korea.ac.kr)

3) The English Exam administered by the Foreign Language Center for graduation eligibility will be accepted up to the TOEIC test on April 4, 2026.

5. Inquiries: Graduate School Office (02-3290-1352 / graduate@korea.ac.kr)