What Language Level Do You Need to Study in Korea, Japan or China? TOPIK, JLPT and HSK Explained

The most common mistake US and Canadian students make about studying in Asia is assuming they need fluency before they apply. Often you need none. But the answer changes sharply depending on one choice: what language the classes are taught in.

This guide sorts the options into four routes and tells you what each one asks for. All thresholds below are as of 2026 and vary by university and department, so treat them as the typical range and confirm with the school before you apply.

Route 1: English-taught degrees (little or no local language)

If your degree is taught in English, the admissions language test is an English test (TOEFL, IELTS or similar), not TOPIK, JLPT or HSK.

Korea. Korea's official Study in Korea site says English-taught programs require a minimum level of English proficiency but sets no single score; each university decides. Examples show the range: SeoulTech lists TOEFL iBT 71 or IELTS 5.5 for its English-track departments, and the Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence at KDU Global gives IELTS 5.5 or an accepted equivalent as guidance. KDU also offers entry awards that can cover tuition and university accommodation for eligible applicants. Two more English-medium options are the Bachelor of AI Healthcare at CKU in Gangneung and the Bachelor of AI Human Service Convergence at KBU in Seoul, both with scholarships available.

China. The Wenzhou-Kean University international undergraduate degrees are taught in English with a US curriculum. Merit scholarships can reduce annual tuition by 30% or 60% for new international freshmen. English evidence is TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105, with a possible waiver if you completed secondary school in English. Students also complete a short Mandarin and China studies requirement inside the degree.

Japan. Full English-taught degrees exist but are a smaller slice of the market than in Korea or China. See our guide to English-taught programs in Asia.

Even on an English-taught degree, a little local language pays off for daily life, part-time work and making friends. Our language learning guide shows how to start.

Route 2: Korean-taught degrees and TOPIK

For Korean-medium bachelor's programs, the proof is the TOPIK. According to the Study in Korea site, regular bachelor's programs generally require TOPIK Level 3 or above for admission and Level 4 or above for graduation. These are general standards, and the site tells applicants to check each university directly.

Individual schools differ. Hansung University accepts TOPIK Level 3 and requires applicants without it to complete a Korean improvement program of at least 300 hours a year. SeoulTech accepts TOPIK Level 3 or completion of Level 4 at its own or another accredited university's Korean program. Some departments ask for far more: SeoulTech's Creative Writing department asks for TOPIK Level 6.

The practical route is to study Korean in Korea first. The Korean language program at Chosun University in Gwangju has four annual intakes and scholarships, and Lexis Korea offers intensive, standard and TOPIK tracks with flexible weekly entry in Seoul or Busan. To plan the test itself, read our TOPIK exam prep study guide and the update on TOPIK changes from 2027 to 2029.

Route 3: Japan, language schools and JLPT

Japan works differently. Most international students start at a Japanese language school on a student visa, then move on to a university or vocational school.

Language school entry. Since April 2025, applicants to long-term language school programs must show A1 level Japanese, either with a recognized certificate such as JLPT N5 or with at least 150 hours of documented study. Short courses and study trips have no prior language requirement.

University entry. Japanese-taught undergraduate programs typically ask for more. As one example, Okayama University of Science requires JLPT N2 or higher and/or more than 200 points on the EJU, with required scores varying by department. Treat that as one university's rule, not a national standard.

What the JLPT levels mean. The test runs from N5 (basic) to N1 (advanced). N2 means you can follow everyday Japanese and natural-speed news to a reasonable degree; N1 covers complex, abstract writing and lectures. The second 2026 sitting is on December 6.

If you are starting from zero, a school like I.C.NAGOYA is built for this path: a roughly 38-week student visa course with nine levels spanning JLPT N5 to N1, scholarships available, and JLPT and EJU preparation built in. Applicants normally need JLPT N5 or 150 hours of prior study. GenkiJACS offers small-class Japanese across several destinations in Japan. For the 150 hours, our guide to learning Japanese before you arrive and the JLPT N5 to N3 prep guide lay out a plan, and our overview of language schools in Japan compares your options.

Route 4: Chinese-taught degrees and HSK

Chinese-medium programs use the HSK. Published university requirements commonly start at HSK 4 for bachelor's programs, with HSK 5 common for humanities, business and social sciences, and for master's study. One example: the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology asks for HSK 4 with at least 180 points for Chinese-taught undergraduate entry and expects HSK 5 by graduation.

Two cautions. HSK certificates are generally valid for two years. And China is phasing in a new nine-level HSK, so check which scale your target university uses.

English-taught degrees in China ask for English scores instead: the same university lists IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80, and requires HSK 3 by graduation for English-taught master's students.

To build up to HSK 4, start with the HSK 1 to 3 prep guide and the complete guide to learning Mandarin. Our guide to language schools in China covers immersion options, and our study in China guide covers the wider picture.

Quick comparison

Route	Typical language proof	Usual bar
English-taught degree, Korea	IELTS or TOEFL	Varies by school; IELTS 5.5 in the examples above
English-taught degree, China	IELTS or TOEFL	WKU: IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 79
Korean-taught bachelor's	TOPIK II	Level 3 to enter, Level 4 to graduate (general standard)
Japanese language school	JLPT or 150 hours	JLPT N5 or A1 equivalent
Japanese-taught university	JLPT and/or EJU	Often N2 for undergraduate; varies
Chinese-taught bachelor's	HSK	HSK 4 minimum; HSK 5 common

Which route should you choose?

Pick the route that matches your goal. If you want a degree and a career fast, an English-taught program removes the language gate. If you want to work in Korea, Japan or China long term, a local-language route (or an English-taught degree plus a language year) gives you the stronger profile.

Whichever you choose, start speaking early. Asia Pathway's language teachers page currently lists a Mandarin teacher, and more languages are being added, so check back for Korean and Japanese.

Not sure which route fits? Book a free consultation and we will map your options.