Language Degrees at HUFS: 45 Languages and Global Careers

Turn a passion for language into the ability to work across countries, cultures and industries. Hankuk University of Foreign Studies was founded around foreign-language education and today teaches 45 languages across the institution, supported by regional studies, history, politics, economics, culture, communication and professional applications.

This combined program page brings HUFS’s language-related bachelor’s options together so you can compare regions, disciplines and campuses without searching through dozens of separate listings. Choose a major built around English, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, China, Japan, strategic languages, language education, Korean as a Foreign Language, linguistics or language technology.

Build more than language fluency

A HUFS language degree is designed to help you understand the people and societies behind the language. Depending on the major, your studies may combine practical language development with literature, linguistics, interpretation, translation, regional studies, politics, economics, commerce, culture, media, data or education.

This combination can help graduates prepare for internationally connected careers in business, trade, diplomacy, government, education, translation, localisation, tourism, communications, research, cultural organisations and global companies. Career outcomes depend on the student’s language level, experience, additional skills and the requirements of each employer.

English language, literature and global communication

ELLT — English Linguistics and Language Technology: Explore English linguistics alongside the technologies changing how language is analysed, taught and used.

English Literature and Culture: Study English-language literature and cultural expression while building critical reading, writing and analytical skills.

English for International Conferences and Communication: Develop advanced English communication with an international and professional orientation.

These majors are part of HUFS’s College of English at the Seoul Campus. For 2027 international admission, they should be treated as Korean-track degrees. Studying English as the subject does not mean that every degree class is delivered in English.

European languages at the Seoul Campus

French: Choose from Applied French Linguistics and Literature, FATI, or French and European Studies within the Division of French Language.

Other European options: German, Russian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch and Scandinavian Languages.

These pathways allow students to connect language development with the history, society, politics, literature and contemporary culture of the relevant country or region.

Asian and Middle Eastern languages at the Seoul Campus

Available areas include Malay-Indonesian, Arabic, Thai, Vietnamese, Hindi, Turkish and Azerbaijani, Persian and Mongolian.

These majors are especially attractive for students interested in fast-changing regions, international trade, diplomatic relations, development, tourism, cultural exchange or careers requiring less commonly studied language expertise.

Chinese and Japanese pathways

Chinese Language, Literature and Culture: Build Chinese-language ability while studying literature, culture and the wider social context of China.

China Data Curation: Connect China-focused expertise with the organisation and interpretation of information and data.

Chinese Foreign Affairs and Commerce: Combine Chinese studies with international relations, diplomacy and commercial understanding.

Japanese Language, Literature and Culture: Study Japanese language alongside literary and cultural perspectives.

Integrated Japanese Studies: Approach Japan through an interdisciplinary combination of language, society, culture and regional knowledge.

National strategic languages at the Global Campus

HUFS’s Global Campus in Yongin offers specialised study in Polish, Romanian, Czech and Slovak Studies, Hungarian, South Slavic Studies, Greek and Bulgarian Studies, Central Asian Studies, Ukrainian Studies and Korean Studies.

African Studies is divided into East African Language and Culture, West African Language and Culture, and South African Language and Culture. These options are a distinctive HUFS strength for students who want expertise in strategically important languages and regions that are less widely available at other universities.

Eligible new international students entering the Global Campus may be considered for a scholarship covering 30% of tuition for four years for freshman entry, or the remaining two to three years for transfer entry, when the published admission-score requirement is met.

Language education and Korean as a Foreign Language

Teacher-education pathways: The Seoul Campus recruits international applicants for English Education, Korean Education, French Education, German Education and Chinese Education. International admission to the College of Education is limited, and transfer applicants are not eligible for these education majors. Applicants are strongly encouraged to choose a suitable second-choice major.

Korean Education as a Foreign Language: Prepare to understand how Korean can be taught to learners from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

Korean Interpretation and Translation as a Foreign Language: Develop Korean and cross-language communication skills for interpretation and translation contexts.

The Division of Korean as a Foreign Language is reserved for international students, making it an especially relevant pathway for applicants who want to turn advanced Korean ability into a professional specialisation.

Language, linguistics and technology

Language and AI Convergence: Combine language-focused study with artificial intelligence and emerging language technologies at the Seoul Campus.

Linguistics and Cognitive Science: Study how language works and how it connects with thought, perception and human cognition at the Global Campus.

These interdisciplinary choices suit students interested in areas such as language data, artificial intelligence, computational approaches, research, education technology or human communication. Language and AI Convergence has a different tuition category from most humanities-based language degrees.

Choose between Seoul and the Global Campus

Seoul Campus: Best suited to students seeking HUFS’s historic urban environment and its broad range of English, European, Asian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese, education, Korean-as-a-Foreign-Language and language-technology pathways.

Global Campus, Yongin: Offers a larger green-campus environment and specialised national-strategic-language pathways, Korean Studies, African Studies and Linguistics and Cognitive Science.

Applicants may select up to two majors, including choices on different campuses. A separate study plan is required for each choice, so Asia Pathway will help you build a clear first- and second-choice strategy rather than submitting the same explanation twice.

Program at a glance

Program group: Language-related undergraduate degrees at HUFS.

Campuses: Seoul Campus and Global Campus in Yongin, depending on the selected major.

Study duration: Four years for freshman entry. Eligible applicants may apply for second- or third-year transfer admission, except to the College of Education.

Language track: Korean Track for 2027 international admission. Some classes may use the target language or English, but these degrees are not confirmed as 100% English-taught.

Current admissions cycle: The listed majors are drawn from HUFS’s 2027 international undergraduate recruitment options. Asia Pathway will confirm that your selected major is open in the relevant intake before application.

Korean-language readiness

Applicants may submit Korean-language evidence such as TOPIK Level 3 or above, an eligible HUFS Korean Language Center completion certificate, an eligible Level 3 or intermediate-one completion certificate from another IEQAS university language centre, or intermediate level one or above from a King Sejong Institute.

Language evidence is optional at the application stage, but applicants who do not submit an accepted certificate will be required to complete a Korean-language interview. Because the degrees are Korean-track, developing strong Korean before enrolment will improve both academic preparation and everyday confidence.

New international undergraduates who need additional Korean preparation may be required to complete HUFS’s Intensive Korean Language Program. Students presenting TOPIK Level 4 or above and all transfer students are excluded from that requirement under the current policy.

International admission requirements

Nationality eligibility: The applicant must be a non-Korean citizen and both parents must also be non-Korean citizens. Korean dual nationals are not eligible for this international admissions route.

Freshman academic entry: Complete, or be expected to complete before admission, a regular primary and secondary education curriculum equivalent to Korean elementary, middle and high school education.

Transfer admission: Second- and third-year entry depends on previous university study, completed semesters and the proportion of degree credits earned. Asia Pathway will review your transcript before recommending the appropriate application level.

Applications are assessed through academic documents, language proficiency and an interview. Major suitability, academic achievement, motivation and the quality of the personal statement and study plan all contribute to the admission decision.

2027 planning tuition in USD

Most language and humanities degrees: Approximately USD 6,425 for the first academic year.

First semester: Approximately USD 3,285, based on the official KRW 4,496,000 benchmark.

Later regular semester: Approximately USD 3,140, based on the official KRW 4,298,000 benchmark.

Language and AI Convergence: Approximately USD 8,027 for the first academic year, based on official first- and regular-semester benchmarks of KRW 5,592,000 and KRW 5,394,000.

Application fee: Approximately USD 115, officially charged as KRW 158,000 and normally non-refundable.

Student fee: Approximately USD 15 each semester, officially charged as KRW 21,000.

The USD estimates use KRW 1,368.7 per USD on 2 September 2026. HUFS charges in Korean won, and the displayed tuition is the Fall 2026 official benchmark used for 2027 Spring planning. Final charges and USD equivalents may change before payment.

Housing, meals, insurance, visa expenses, books, transportation and personal costs are separate. Asia Pathway will prepare an updated budget for your chosen campus and major.

Scholarships for international students

New international applicants are automatically considered for admission-performance and language-excellence scholarships. Available awards can include full tuition, half tuition, 30% tuition or a fixed financial award for one semester, depending on admission ranking and qualifying language results.

The Global Campus scholarship is particularly valuable for students choosing national strategic languages, Korean Studies, African Studies or Linguistics and Cognitive Science. Eligible freshmen with an admission score of 80 or above may receive 30% tuition for four years; eligible transfer students may receive the benefit for their remaining two or three years.

Scholarships are competitive and subject to HUFS’s final assessment and award conditions. Asia Pathway will help you identify the strongest academic and language evidence to include with your application.

Who this program is for

Language specialists: Students who want advanced ability in a major world language or a strategically important language that is not widely available elsewhere.

Regional experts: Students interested in understanding a country or region through its language, history, society, politics, economy and culture.

Future translators, educators and communicators: Students considering careers in translation, localisation, language education, international communication, media or cultural exchange.

Globally focused professionals: Students planning to combine language expertise with business, trade, diplomacy, development, tourism, technology or public service.

Apply with Asia Pathway

Choosing a HUFS language major involves more than selecting a language. Asia Pathway will help you compare curricula, campuses, Korean-language expectations, professional applications, scholarship opportunities and long-term career fit.

We will assess your eligibility, build a two-choice major strategy, review your Korean evidence, organise authenticated documents, strengthen your study plans and prepare you for a possible interview.

Contact Asia Pathway to find the HUFS language degree that best matches your interests, experience and global career goals.