The Myth That Keeps Smart Students Home

"I'd love to study in Asia, but I don't speak Korean/Japanese/Mandarin."

This is the single most common reason students rule out Asia — and it's based on a misconception. Asia has hundreds of English-taught programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, across every major field of study. You can earn a full degree from a top-50 global university without speaking a word of the local language.

That said, there's a difference between what's possible and what's optimal. English-taught programs are a genuine path to a world-class education in Asia, but they come with trade-offs that most guides won't tell you about. This guide gives you the full list of programs by country and level, plus an honest assessment of what you gain and what you miss by studying in English.

If you're still deciding on a destination, start with our country guides for South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China.

---

South Korea: English Options Are Everywhere

South Korea has invested heavily in internationalization over the past decade. The result: a growing number of fully English-taught programs at every level.

Undergraduate Programs

Yonsei University — Underwood International College (UIC)

• Location: Seoul
• Programs: All majors in UIC are taught entirely in English — including International Studies, Business, Economics, Computational Biology, Science & Technology Studies, and more
• Cost: ~,000-,000 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.0+ (or equivalent); SAT/ACT scores; high school transcripts
• Why it matters: UIC is one of the most established English-taught liberal arts colleges in Asia. Students come from 60+ countries. The entire academic experience — classes, advising, research — operates in English.

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) — SKKU Global Business Administration

• Location: Seoul
• Programs: BBA in Global Business Administration, fully English-taught
• Cost: ~,000-,000 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+; high school transcripts
• Why it matters: SKKU's business school is AACSB-accredited and has strong industry connections in Seoul's tech and finance sectors.

Korea University — Division of International Studies

• Location: Seoul
• Programs: International Studies major taught in English
• Cost: ~,000-,000 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+
• Why it matters: Korea University is one of the "SKY" universities (Korea's top three), and the International Studies division offers a rigorous English-language curriculum.

Ewha Womans University — International Studies & Engineering

• Location: Seoul
• Programs: English-track programs in International Studies, Engineering, and Natural Sciences
• Cost: ~,500-,500 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+
• Why it matters: Ewha is the world's largest women's university and has a strong international student community.

Graduate Programs

Korea's graduate-level English offerings are even broader. Key programs include:

• KAIST (Daejeon): All graduate programs in engineering, science, and technology are available in English. Tuition: ~,000-,000 per semester.
• POSTECH (Pohang): Graduate programs in STEM fields are fully English-taught. Tuition: ~,000-,000 per semester.
• SNU Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS): Master's programs in international relations, trade, and area studies. Tuition: ~,000-,000 per semester.
• Yonsei GSIS: Similar to SNU's program, with strengths in international business and diplomacy.
• Korea University Business School: MBA program available in English. Tuition: ~,000-2,000 per semester.

For the full picture, see our guide to studying in South Korea.

---

Japan: The English Track Is Well-Established

Japan's "Global 30" initiative (launched in 2009) created English-taught degree programs at 13 major universities. The program has since expanded, and English options are now available at dozens of institutions.

Undergraduate Programs

University of Tokyo — PEAK Program

• Location: Tokyo
• Programs: Japan in East Asia (humanities) and International Program on Science and Engineering
• Cost: ~,000-,500 per year (national university rate)
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 90+ or IELTS 6.5+; SAT/ACT; rigorous academic record
• Why it matters: The University of Tokyo is Japan's #1 university and consistently ranks in the global top 30. PEAK is highly selective but offers an extraordinary education at a remarkably low cost.

Waseda University — School of International Liberal Studies (SILS)

• Location: Tokyo
• Programs: Liberal arts degree with all courses available in English
• Cost: ~,000-2,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+
• Why it matters: SILS is one of Japan's largest English-taught programs with 1,000+ international students. The interdisciplinary curriculum is genuinely rigorous.

Sophia University — Faculty of Liberal Arts

• Location: Tokyo
• Programs: Liberal arts degree fully in English
• Cost: ~,000-3,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+
• Why it matters: Sophia has the highest percentage of international students of any Japanese university. The Jesuit tradition emphasizes critical thinking and global perspectives.

Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)

• Location: Beppu (southern Japan)
• Programs: Asia Pacific Studies and International Management, both bilingual (English/Japanese) with full English tracks
• Cost: ~0,000-3,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 70+ or IELTS 5.5+
• Why it matters: APU is purpose-built for international students. Over 50% of the student body is international. The campus is one of the most diverse in Japan.

Meiji University — International Japan Studies

• Location: Tokyo
• Programs: English-taught program in Japanese studies
• Cost: ~,000-1,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+

Graduate Programs

Japan's graduate-level English programs are extensive, especially in STEM:

• University of Tokyo: Multiple English-track graduate programs across all faculties
• Kyoto University: Graduate programs in science, engineering, and area studies in English
• Osaka University: English-track graduate programs in engineering, science, and medicine
• Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech): All graduate programs available in English
• Keio University: Graduate programs in business, media, and policy in English
• Nagoya University: Graduate programs in engineering and science in English (part of the Global 30 initiative)
• Tohoku University: Multiple English-track graduate programs, especially in science and engineering

For the full picture, see our guide to studying in Japan.

---

Taiwan: Affordable English Programs

Taiwan's English-taught options are smaller in number but excellent in quality — and dramatically cheaper than Korea or Japan.

Undergraduate Programs

National Taiwan University (NTU)

• Location: Taipei
• Programs: Select undergraduate courses and seminars in English across multiple departments; full English-track options in engineering and science
• Cost: ~,500-,000 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 75+ or IELTS 5.5+
• Why it matters: NTU is Taiwan's top university, and the cost is a fraction of what you'd pay in Korea or Japan.

National Chengchi University (NCCU)

• Location: Taipei
• Programs: International MBA (IMBA) at the undergraduate level; courses in international studies available in English
• Cost: ~,000-,500 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 75+ or IELTS 5.5+

National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST)

• Location: Taipei
• Programs: Engineering and technology programs with English tracks
• Cost: ~,000-,000 per semester
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 70+ or IELTS 5.5+

Graduate Programs

Taiwan's graduate-level English programs are its strongest offering:

• NTU International MBA: Taught entirely in English, AACSB-accredited, strong industry connections. Cost: ~,000-,000 per year.
• NCCU International MBA: English-taught, smaller cohort, more personalized attention. Cost: ~,500-,000 per year.
• National Tsing Hua University (NTHU): Graduate programs in engineering and science available in English. Located in Hsinchu, Taiwan's tech hub. Cost: ~,000-,000 per year.
• National Chiao Tung University (NCTU): Graduate programs in engineering, computer science, and technology in English. Also in Hsinchu. Cost: ~,000-,000 per year.
• National Cheng Kung University (NCKU): Graduate programs in engineering and science in English. Located in Tainan. Cost: ~,000-,500 per year.

For the full picture, see our guide to studying in Taiwan.

---

China: Selective but Strong

China's English-taught programs are concentrated at the top universities and in specific fields — primarily business, engineering, and international relations.

Undergraduate Programs

Tsinghua University

• Location: Beijing
• Programs: Limited English-taught undergraduate options; most English programs are at the graduate level
• Cost: ~,000-2,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 90+ or IELTS 6.5+

Peking University

• Location: Beijing
• Programs: Yenching Academy (master's in Chinese studies, taught in English); select undergraduate courses in English
• Cost: ~,000-2,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 90+ or IELTS 6.5+

Zhejiang University

• Location: Hangzhou
• Programs: Some undergraduate programs in engineering and science available in English
• Cost: ~,000-0,000 per year
• Requirements: TOEFL iBT 80+ or IELTS 6.0+

Graduate Programs

China's English-taught graduate programs are more common:

• Tsinghua-MIT SD Global MBA: Joint program with MIT Sloan, taught in English. Cost: ~5,000-0,000 per year.
• Peking University Guanghua MBA: English-taught MBA program. Cost: ~2,000-8,000 per year.
• Fudan University: Graduate programs in international relations, business, and public policy in English. Cost: ~,000-2,000 per year.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University: MBA and engineering graduate programs in English. Cost: ~,000-4,000 per year.
• Renmin University: Graduate programs in international relations and Chinese studies in English. Cost: ~,000-0,000 per year.

For the full picture, see our guide to studying in China.

---

The Honest Pros and Cons of English-Taught Programs

Before you commit, here's what you should know about studying in English in a non-English-speaking country.

The Pros

You get a world-class education at a fraction of the cost. A master's degree at NTU in Taiwan costs ,000-,000 per year. The same caliber of program at a US university costs 0,000-0,000. The degree is from the same institution, with the same faculty, the same facilities, and the same credential.

You're in an international environment. English-taught programs attract students from around the world. Your classmates will be from 20+ countries, bringing diverse perspectives that you won't find in a local-language program. This international network is valuable for your career.

You can still learn the local language. Most universities offer free or heavily subsidized language courses for international students. You can take intensive Korean, Japanese, or Mandarin classes alongside your English-taught degree. Many students graduate with professional-level English credentials AND conversational or intermediate proficiency in the local language.

Your career prospects expand. An English-taught degree from an Asian university signals something specific to employers: you can operate across cultures, you're adaptable, and you have an international network. That's valuable in any field.

The Cons

Your local language skills will be limited if you rely only on English. This is the big one. If you take all your classes in English, hang out with other international students, and navigate daily life in English, you'll leave with minimal proficiency in the local language. That limits your job prospects in the country and your cultural integration.

You'll miss some academic depth. In graduate programs especially, some of the most interesting research and specialized courses are only available in the local language. You might miss seminars, guest lectures, or research opportunities that aren't translated.

The social bubble is real. English-taught programs tend to create international student bubbles. You'll have a great time with your fellow international students, but you might not build deep connections with local students unless you make a deliberate effort.

You still need the local language for employment. If you want to work in the country after graduation, most employers expect at least intermediate proficiency in the local language. English-only graduates who want to stay and work face a significant disadvantage.

What this means for you: English-taught programs are an excellent option — but they work best when you treat them as a starting point, not the whole experience. Enroll in the English-taught degree, but also take language classes, join local clubs, find a language exchange partner, and push yourself outside the international student bubble. The students who get the most out of these programs are the ones who use the English curriculum as a foundation while actively engaging with the local culture and language.

---

English-Taught vs. Learning the Local Language First

Some students consider doing a language program first, then transitioning to a local-language degree. Here's how the two paths compare:

Factor	English-Taught Program	Language First, Then Local-Language Degree
Time to degree	Standard (2-4 years)	+6-12 months for language study
Academic depth	Full access to English courses	Full access to all courses including local-language seminars
Language proficiency at graduation	Basic-intermediate (if you study alongside)	Advanced-professional
Career prospects in country	Limited without local language	Strong
Cost	Lower (shorter total time)	Higher (extra language study time)
Cultural integration	Moderate (requires effort)	Deep (language opens doors)
Best for	Students prioritizing speed and cost	Students prioritizing career in Asia

What this means for you: If your goal is to work in Asia long-term, learning the local language is worth the extra time. If your goal is a credential and international experience with a faster timeline, the English-taught program is the right call.

---

Find the Right Program for You

English-taught programs in Asia are a legitimate, high-quality path to a world-class education. The universities are excellent, the costs are low, and the experience is transformative — if you approach it with the right mindset.

If you want help identifying which English-taught programs match your academic background, career goals, and budget, we can walk through your options together. Book a free consultation and we'll build a shortlist of programs that fit your specific situation.