Can I Study in Korea Without Knowing Korean? (2026 Complete Guide for Nepali Students)

Last Updated: 31 May, 2026

Yes. You can absolutely study in Korea without knowing Korean. Many programs are fully in English. However, knowing Korean boosts your campus life and job opportunities. Thousands of international students including Nepali students are currently studying in Korea in fully English taught degree programs without speaking a word of Korean.

The honest and complete answer is more nuanced than just yes or no. Whether you can study in Korea without knowing Korean depends on which university you choose, which program you apply for, which visa route you take, and what your goals are after graduation. Some students thrive entirely in English throughout their degree. Others find that learning even basic Korean transforms their experience from manageable to genuinely enjoyable.

This guide covers every pathway to studying in Korea without Korean, which universities offer genuinely English taught programs, what the D-2 student visa requires in terms of language, what daily life in Korea looks like for a non Korean speaker, how much you will pay, which scholarships are available without Korean, and exactly what you need to do step by step to make it happen.

For our complete guide on studying in Korea from Nepal, you can read our guide on study in Korea from Nepal.

Can You Study in Korea Without Knowing Korean?

Yes. You do not need to know Korean to get a university admission letter, to qualify for a D-2 student visa, or to complete a degree program in Korea, provided you choose an English taught program.

English taught programs do not require TOPIK but may require IELTS or TOEFL scores.

TOPIK stands for Test of Proficiency in Korean. It is the official Korean language certification exam. For Korean taught programs, TOPIK Level 3 or above is required for undergraduate admission and Level 4 or 5 for graduate programs. But for English taught programs, universities ask for IELTS or TOEFL instead. No TOPIK. No Korean knowledge required at the admission stage.

Many master’s and PhD courses are taught entirely in English, while undergraduates may require a mix of English and Korean.

This is the most important thing to understand clearly. At master’s and PhD level, the English options are abundant and genuinely comprehensive. At bachelor’s level, the options exist but are more limited. Not every field has a fully English taught undergraduate program. And even within English programs, some elective courses may be taught in Korean by Korean faculty who simply prefer it. Understanding this nuance before committing to a program prevents disappointment after arrival.

For Nepali students specifically, the good news is that Nepal’s education system has English as a medium of instruction at (+2) class 12 and bachelor’s level, which means most Nepali students already have the English foundation needed for IELTS or TOEFL preparation. Many Nepali students find IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 achievable with 2 to 3 months of preparation, which is sufficient for most mid-tier Korean university English programs.

What Is TOPIK and Do You Need It to Study in Korea?

TOPIK stands for Test of Proficiency in Korean. It is a standardized exam that measures Korean language ability in reading, listening, and writing. Scores are divided into six levels. Levels 1 and 2 are beginner. Levels 3 and 4 are intermediate. Levels 5 and 6 are advanced.

Korean universities use TOPIK as the language admission requirement for Korean taught programs. TOPIK Level 3 is the typical minimum for Korean taught undergraduate admission. TOPIK Level 4 or above is required for most Korean taught graduate programs.

For English taught programs, TOPIK is not required. English proficiency through IELTS or TOEFL replaces TOPIK as the language requirement. The D-2 student visa process also does not require TOPIK. The visa is granted based on your university admission letter and financial proof, not your Korean language test score.

So the practical answer to whether you need TOPIK to study in Korea without knowing Korean is this. If you are applying to an English taught program, you need IELTS or TOEFL instead of TOPIK. If you are applying to a Korean taught program, you need TOPIK. If you do not have TOPIK and want to eventually study in a Korean taught program, you start with the D-4 language visa route where you learn Korean first and then apply for degree admission.

Can you get GKS scholarship without TOPIK? Yes. GKS scholarship applicants do not need TOPIK at the time of application because the scholarship itself provides 1 year of Korean language training before the degree starts. This is one of the most important and underappreciated features of the GKS program for students who know no Korean.

Pathway 1. English Taught Degree Programs in Korea (The Direct Route Without Korean)

This is the most direct answer to studying in Korea without knowing Korean. You apply to a fully English taught degree program, get admission, get your D-2 visa, and complete your degree entirely in English.

Over 800 English medium degree programs exist across Korean universities. Leading institutes like KAIST and POSTECH teach nearly all courses in English with a STEM focus. Major universities including Seoul National University, Yonsei, Korea University, SKKU, Hanyang, Sogang, and Ewha offer numerous English track majors in business, international studies, engineering, Korean studies, and more.

For undergraduate programs, the most prominent English taught options include Yonsei University’s Underwood International College (UIC) which is a full four year liberal arts college where all classes are conducted in English. Korea University’s Division of International Studies is another strong option. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) offers Global Business and Global Economics in English. Sejong University has an entire English Track with seven majors including Global Business Administration and Global Public Administration. KAIST and POSTECH offer English medium STEM undergraduate programs.

For graduate programs at master’s and PhD level, English options are significantly more plentiful. Almost every major Korean research university has Graduate Schools of International Studies (GSIS) where all courses are taught in English. KAIST’s entire master’s and PhD program operates in English. Korea University’s Global MBA is described as 100 percent English instruction. Sogang University’s GSIS, Yonsei’s GSIS, and the GSIS programs at Pusan National University, Kyung Hee, and Ewha all conduct classes entirely in English.

Fields with the strongest English taught program availability in Korea include international studies, international relations, and global affairs, business administration and MBA, engineering and computer science especially at KAIST and POSTECH, STEM sciences, economics and global economics, and Korean studies and Asian studies programs specifically designed for international students.

Fields where English programs are limited or not widely available include Korean literature, traditional Korean arts, Korean law, and some education programs that are deeply embedded in Korean language and culture. If your target major falls in these areas, learning Korean first through the D-4 pathway is the realistic route.

English Language Requirements for Korean University Admission Without Korean

Instead of TOPIK, English taught programs in Korea require you to prove English proficiency. The exact score depends on the university and program level.

For bachelor’s programs at most mid tier Korean universities, the minimum is IELTS Academic 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 71. For programs at competitive universities like Yonsei UIC and Korea University, the expectation is higher at IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 to 90.

English proficiency requirements are IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 71 to 90 for English taught programs.

For master’s programs, the typical requirement is IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 to 90 at most universities. Top programs at SNU, Yonsei, and Korea University expect IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 or above.

Some universities accept Duolingo English Test scores which cost significantly less than IELTS or TOEFL and provide results within 48 hours. KAIST specifically has stated that they do not require English tests if applicants have a certificate confirming their previous education was conducted in English. This is particularly useful for Nepali students who studied at English medium (+2) class 12 colleges since a Medium of Instruction letter from your school may waive the IELTS requirement at some institutions.

For Nepali students, PTE Academic is a popular IELTS alternative because results come within 48 hours and it is accepted by many Korean universities alongside IELTS and TOEFL. Confirm your target university’s specific list of accepted English tests before sitting an exam.

If your IELTS or TOEFL score is below the minimum required for direct admission, some universities offer conditional admission where you are accepted on the condition that you complete an English language course at their affiliated language center before starting your degree. This is similar to the conditional admission model used in Australia.

Pathway 2. Korean Language School to Degree (D-4 to D-2 Route)

This pathway answers the question for students who want to eventually study in a Korean taught program or who want to fully integrate into Korean life but currently know no Korean. You go to Korea first on a D-4 language training visa, spend 6 months to 1 year learning Korean intensively, achieve TOPIK Level 3 or 4, and then apply for a D-2 degree program.

University affiliated Korean language institutes are the most popular and most reputable option for this pathway. Yonsei University Korean Language Institute, Sogang University Korean Language Education Center, Korea University Korean Language Center, Seoul National University Language Education Institute, and Ewha Womans University Language Center all offer intensive Korean language programs for international students. These programs typically run for 10 weeks per term with 4 to 5 hours of Korean instruction per day, 5 days per week.

The cost of one term at a university language institute is approximately KRW 1,500,000 to KRW 1,800,000 which is roughly NPR 150,000 to NPR 180,000. This covers tuition only. Add living costs of KRW 500,000 to KRW 800,000 per month and you are looking at a total of approximately NPR 100,000 to NPR 140,000 per month for living in a university area outside Seoul. In Seoul proper, costs are higher.

Students typically reach TOPIK Level 3 after 3 to 4 terms of intensive study if they study consistently and immerse themselves in Korean outside classroom hours. That is approximately 8 to 11 months of full time language study. Reaching TOPIK Level 4 typically takes 4 to 6 terms depending on your language learning pace.

Many universities offer tuition discounts to students who graduate from their affiliated language institute and then apply for a degree program at the same university. This financial benefit combined with the guaranteed familiarity with the campus environment makes the affiliated institute pathway popular among students planning to join a specific university’s degree program.

The practical advantage of this pathway for Nepali students is that spending 6 to 12 months learning Korean in Korea gives you TOPIK certification, campus familiarity, a Korean social network, real immersion in the culture, and much stronger prospects for part time work during your degree since most part time jobs in Korea require basic Korean communication skills.

Pathway 3. GKS Scholarship Route for Students Who Know No Korean

The GKS or Global Korea Scholarship is specifically designed to include students who know no Korean at all. This is one of the most important facts that many students miss when researching studying in Korea without Korean.

The Korean Government Scholarship Program (KGSP) covers 100 percent of tuition, provides a monthly stipend of up to KRW 1,000,000, pays for one way airfare, medical insurance, and even offers Korean language training before your degree program begins.

The Korean language training that GKS provides is a full 1 year of intensive Korean language instruction at a designated university language institute. You arrive in Korea, spend 1 year studying Korean full time, achieve TOPIK Level 3 or above (which is required to continue to your degree), and then start your bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD program. The entire process from language training to degree completion is fully funded.

This means a Nepali student who has never studied Korean in their life can apply for GKS, get selected, come to Korea on the scholarship, learn Korean for one year at government expense, and then pursue a fully funded degree at a Korean university. The language barrier that seems overwhelming before departure is addressed systematically within the scholarship program itself.

For the GKS 2026 Graduate Track for Nepal, the number of scholarships available for the Embassy Track from Nepal is 4 persons. Programs include 1 year of Korean language study plus 2 years for master’s or 3 years for doctoral study.

The competitive reality is that GKS is highly sought after and the number of slots for Nepal is limited. Getting selected requires a strong academic record, a compelling study plan, strong recommendation letters, and a clear articulation of why you want to study in Korea specifically and what you plan to do with your degree. But the key point for this guide is that Korean language knowledge at the time of application is not a requirement. You are expected to learn it during the first year of the scholarship.

Does the D-2 Visa Require Korean?

No. The D-2 student visa for Korea does not require Korean language knowledge or TOPIK certification.

The D-2 visa is the standard visa for degree level students in Korea. To apply for a D-2 visa from the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal, you need a valid passport, an official admission letter from your Korean university, your academic transcripts and certificates officially translated and apostilled, proof of financial capacity showing you can support your studies typically around USD 10,000 or a scholarship letter covering costs, a completed visa application form, passport sized photographs, a TB test certificate which is mandatory for Nepali applicants, and a medical fitness certificate.

No Korean language test. No TOPIK score. No evidence of Korean language knowledge at all.

The language requirement is set by your university for the purpose of admitting you to their program. The visa is then processed based on your admission letter and financial documents. The Korean Embassy in Kathmandu confirms your admission and financial capacity but does not independently test your Korean language ability.

The D-2 visa is for degree programs. Students can work up to 35 hours per week during session and full time on vacation.

The D-4 visa is for language training programs. If you are going to Korea specifically to study Korean at a language institute before applying for a degree, you use a D-4 visa. The D-4 also does not require Korean because by definition the entire purpose is to learn it. D-4 requires admission confirmation from the language institute and financial proof.

One important practical note for Nepali students. The TB tuberculosis test is mandatory for all Nepali applicants for the D 2 and D 4 visa. Nepal is classified as a TB high risk country by Korean health authorities. The TB test must be done by an approved medical facility in Nepal before your visa application. Your education consultant can guide you on which facilities in Kathmandu are approved for the Korean Embassy TB test.

Top Korean Universities That Accept Students Without Korean

These are the universities with genuinely well established English taught programs that Nepali students can access without Korean language knowledge.

Yonsei University in Seoul is one of Korea’s three SKY universities and runs Underwood International College as a complete four year liberal arts undergraduate program in English. All instruction is in English. IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90 or above is typically required. Tuition is approximately KRW 8,250,000 per semester which is KRW 16,500,000 per year. Merit based scholarships including full tuition waivers are available for top students.

KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) in Daejeon is ranked QS 47 globally and runs all its programs in English. KAIST is the world class option for STEM students who want to study in Korea without Korean. KAIST offers almost full tuition scholarships to international students alongside a monthly living stipend. The academic standards are extremely high.

Korea University in Seoul offers the Division of International Studies as an English taught undergraduate track and has a Graduate School of International Studies where all master’s courses are in English. The Global MBA is 100 percent English instruction.

Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in Seoul runs Global Business and Global Economics programs in English at undergraduate level. SKKU has Samsung’s backing and offers the Samsung Global Scholarship for some programs.

Hanyang University in Seoul has English track programs in engineering and business. Pre admission conditional acceptance is available for students who want to learn Korean first at Hanyang’s own language institute before starting their degree.

UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology) specifically positions itself as the only Korean university offering English based instruction for both graduate and undergraduate programs, meaning all courses are provided in English. It is particularly strong in STEM fields.

Sejong University in Seoul runs an English Track with seven distinct majors including Global Business Administration and Global Public Administration. Programs are taught entirely in English by faculty who are experienced with international students.

For Nepali students with GPA of 2.8 to 3.2 from (+2) class 12 who want English taught options at more accessible admission thresholds, national universities like Chonnam National University, Pusan National University, Chungnam National University, and Inha University all have English taught programs at master’s level and some English options at undergraduate level with lower GPA and IELTS requirements than the SKY universities.

Can You Study in Korea Without Korean for Masters?

Yes. Master’s level programs are where Korea is most international friendly in terms of English taught options. The Graduate Schools of International Studies (GSIS) model that Korea has developed across 10 or more major universities is specifically designed for students who do not speak Korean.

English proficiency requirements for English taught graduate programs are IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 71 to 90 depending on the institution.

For a master’s degree in Korea without Korean, you need a completed bachelor’s degree from any country, a minimum GPA from your bachelor’s (2.4 to 3.0 depending on the university and program), IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL 80 to 90 for most programs, a statement of purpose or study plan, two or three letters of recommendation from your professors, your academic transcripts officially translated into English or Korean and apostilled, and your passport.

The GKS Graduate Scholarship provides 4 slots for Nepali students in 2026 through the Embassy Track covering 1 year of Korean language study (+2) class 12 years for master’s or 3 years for PhD. Even with the 1 year Korean language component, your degree coursework for the selected program can be in English if you choose an English taught graduate program.

Many Nepali students who completed their bachelor’s degree in Nepal in fields like Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or Education are directly eligible for English taught master’s programs at Korean universities. The master’s route is the most accessible and most common pathway for Nepali students to study in Korea without Korean.

Can You Study in Korea Without Korean for PhD?

Yes. PhD programs in Korea are particularly international friendly and many are conducted entirely in English especially in STEM, engineering, technology, and business research areas.

KAIST, POSTECH, and UNIST PhD programs are entirely in English. Graduate research in Korea’s top science universities happens primarily in English because research publications, seminars, and advisor communications are in English across the global academic community.

For Korean studies, humanities, and social sciences PhD programs that focus on Korean topics, Korean language ability becomes significantly more important because your research materials, field work, and academic community will primarily use Korean.

Financial support for PhD students in Korea is substantial even outside the GKS scholarship. Many Korean universities provide research assistantships that cover tuition and provide a monthly stipend to PhD students. Research training allowances of KRW 210,000 per semester for humanities and KRW 240,000 for STEM fields are available alongside the main GKS stipend. The GKS scholarship for PhD covers 3 years of degree study after the 1 year Korean language training.

For Nepali students with a master’s degree and genuine research experience in their field, Korea’s PhD programs represent an excellent opportunity to pursue world class research at fully funded rates without needing to know Korean at the time of application.

What Is Daily Life Like in Korea Without Knowing Korean?

This is the honest part of the guide. You can study in Korea without Korean academically. Living in Korea without Korean is manageable but not effortless.

Seoul and other major university cities like Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju have significantly more English accessible infrastructure than smaller cities and rural areas. Within university campuses and the neighborhoods immediately surrounding them, international students are common enough that restaurant menus, signage, and service staff often accommodate English communication.

Seoul’s subway system has English announcements, English signage at all stations, and English language navigation on transit apps. Public transport is genuinely usable from day one without Korean. The T-money transit card works on subways, buses, and even some taxis and can be purchased and recharged without Korean interaction.

Banking is manageable but requires some effort. Most major Korean banks including Shinhan, Kookmin, and Woori have English language mobile apps and international student account services. After receiving your ARC (Alien Registration Card) which you must apply for within 90 days of arrival, you can open a Korean bank account. University international offices typically guide new students through this process.

Healthcare uses Korea’s National Health Insurance system which international students enrolled in degree programs are automatically registered for. NHI gives you the same coverage as Korean citizens at significantly reduced rates. University health centers generally have at least one English speaking staff member or interpreter available. For serious medical needs, hospitals in Seoul like Severance Hospital (Yonsei) and Asan Medical Center have international patient centers with English service.

Administrative tasks are where Korean knowledge matters most. Signing a rental contract for off campus housing, dealing with utility providers, visiting government offices for visa renewal, and handling phone service contracts all typically require Korean. For most of these tasks, your university’s international office can provide guidance or assistance especially in the first year. Translation apps like Papago (which is significantly better than Google Translate for Korean) handle most on the spot translation needs.

Part time work during your studies is where Korean knowledge has the most practical impact. Even if you are joining an English taught program, knowing basic Korean makes life much easier. You will navigate daily tasks, part time jobs, and social interactions with confidence. Most part time jobs in Korean service industries, convenience stores, restaurants, and cafes require at minimum basic Korean conversation skills. English tutoring, campus jobs, and some food delivery work are available for students with limited Korean but the range is narrower than for Korean speakers.

Social integration at the deepest level requires some Korean. Making genuine Korean friends, participating in regular Korean student clubs, and fully experiencing the cultural and social dimension of Korean campus life becomes significantly easier with even TOPIK Level 1 or 2 Korean. Many English track students form tight international student communities which is enjoyable and supportive but limits exposure to Korean culture and language if that immersion is something you value.

The practical survival kit for non Korean speakers in Korea includes Papago for translation, KakaoMap for navigation and transit, Coupang for online shopping and delivery, Baemin for food delivery, and Naver for most Korean internet services. All of these apps have English language options or are navigable with Papago translation.

Should You Learn Some Korean Before Going?

Yes. Even basic Korean helps significantly even if you are studying in a fully English taught program and even if you plan to use English for all your academic work.

The minimum useful level is learning Hangul before you arrive. Hangul is the Korean alphabet. It has 24 letters and can be learned to read fluency in 2 to 4 hours for most people. Knowing Hangul means you can read menus, street signs, subway stations, and basic product labels. This single skill transforms day to day navigation dramatically even without understanding the meaning of what you are reading.

Beyond Hangul, learning basic phrases for daily interactions such as greetings, thank you, food ordering numbers, and basic shopping phrases covers the vast majority of non academic Korean interactions in a day. Most Korean people appreciate the effort of even basic Korean communication from international students and respond warmly.

Online Korean learning resources are excellent and free. Talk To Me In Korean is widely considered the best structured English language Korean learning resource available. TTMIK’s Level 1 and 2 content covers daily conversation basics comprehensively. The Duolingo Korean course covers Hangul and beginner vocabulary. HowToStudyKorean.com provides systematic grammar explanations in English.

For Nepali students who are preparing to go to Korea, starting Korean study 3 to 6 months before departure through free online resources can realistically get you to basic conversational ability and TOPIK Level 1 awareness before you arrive. This level of preparation significantly reduces the daily friction of living in Korea as a non Korean speaker.

Scholarships Available Without Korean Knowledge

Several major scholarships for studying in Korea from Nepal are accessible without prior Korean knowledge.

GKS (Global Korea Scholarship) is the most important. It explicitly provides Korean language training as part of the scholarship itself, meaning you are expected to arrive without Korean and learn it during the first year. The scholarship covers everything including tuition, Korean language training fees, monthly stipend, airfare, health insurance, and a settlement allowance.

University specific scholarships at English taught programs do not require Korean. Yonsei University’s merit scholarships for UIC students, KAIST’s comprehensive scholarship for all admitted international students, Sungkyunkwan’s Samsung affiliated Global Scholarship, and Hanyang’s international student scholarship are all awarded based on academic merit and English proficiency without Korean language requirements.

Research Assistantships (RA) and Teaching Assistantships (TA) at graduate level are available to students in English taught programs and do not require Korean for initial eligibility although Korean ability helps you access more TA opportunities within Korean taught courses.

For the full detailed guide on GKS scholarship application for Nepali students including benefits, documents, deadlines, and Embassy vs University Track, you can read our complete guide on GKS scholarship Nepal.

Step by Step Process to Study in Korea Without Korean

Here is the exact process for Nepali students choosing the English taught degree route without Korean.

First, research English taught programs at studyinkorea.go.kr and individual university websites. Filter by English medium of instruction and check specific GPA and IELTS requirements for your target program.

Second, prepare your academic documents. Get your NEB (+2) class 12 or bachelor’s transcripts and certificates officially attested by the Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (apostilled). Have them translated into English by a certified translator if they are in Nepali.

Third, take IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT. Target IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80 as a practical minimum for most mid tier Korean English programs. For top universities, target IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90.

Fourth, write your Statement of Purpose or Study Plan. This document is critical especially for graduate applications. Explain clearly why you want to study in Korea, why you chose the specific university and program, what your career goals are, and how this degree advances those goals. Be specific and honest.

Fifth, obtain recommendation letters from your professors or teachers. Most Korean universities require 2 to 3 letters for graduate programs. For undergraduate applications, they are sometimes optional.

Sixth, apply online to your target universities through their international admissions portals. Deadlines are typically March to June for fall September intake and September to November for spring March intake.

Seventh, receive your admission letter after the university processes your application.

Eighth, apply for NOC from Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology at noc.moest.gov.np. This is mandatory for all Nepali students going abroad for study.

Ninth, apply for the D-2 student visa at the Korean Embassy in Kathmandu located in Maharajgunj with your admission letter, NOC, financial proof, TB test result, academic documents, and passport.

Tenth, arrive in Korea. Register for your Alien Registration Card within 90 days. Attend international student orientation. Open a bank account. Set up your Korean phone. Start your degree.

Can I Study in Korea After (+2) class 12 Without Korean?

Yes. (+2) class 12 completion qualifies you for bachelor’s degree programs in Korea. For English taught bachelor’s programs, you do not need Korean. You need IELTS or TOEFL and your NEB (+2) class 12 transcript.

The GKS Undergraduate Scholarship is available to students who have completed or are about to complete Class 12. The scholarship requires candidates to have a GPA in the top 20 percent of their graduating class or 80 percent or above marks, which in NEB terms means approximately A grade or above.

For non scholarship direct admission to English taught bachelor’s programs, most mid-tier Korean universities accept (+2) class 12 graduates with 2.8 to 3.2 GPA and IELTS 5.5 to 6.0. The processing time from application to visa is typically 3 to 6 months so planning your timeline carefully is important.

After Class 12 you cannot join a degree program in Korea if you only completed Class 10 (SEE). Class 10 qualifies you for language programs on a D-4 visa but not for degree programs.

Korea vs Japan, Where to Study Without Knowing the Local Language?

This is a commonly compared decision for Nepali students. Both Korea and Japan are excellent study destinations but differ significantly in terms of English accessibility.

Korea has more English taught programs than Japan, especially at graduate level. The GSIS model in Korea provides consistent English medium graduate education across multiple major universities in a way Japan has not replicated at the same scale. At undergraduate level, Japan’s English only programs are fewer and concentrated at specific institutions like Waseda, Sophia, and ICU.

Korean universities are generally more aggressive about expanding English instruction as part of Korea’s explicit internationalization strategy with Study Korea 300K. Japan’s internationalization has been slower at the undergraduate level.

GKS scholarship from Korea provides Korean language training meaning you can apply with zero Korean and learn it within the program. Japan’s MEXT scholarship also has Japanese language training but the language barrier in daily life in Japan is generally considered more significant because the three Japanese writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji) are more complex to learn than the single Korean Hangul alphabet.

For Nepali students who have no preference for either language or culture and are primarily choosing based on academic accessibility without language knowledge, Korea is currently the more accessible option in terms of English taught program availability and scholarship slots.

Final Thoughts

You can study in Korea without knowing Korean. This is confirmed by the growing number of Nepali students already doing it successfully across English taught bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs at Korean universities in 2026.

For English taught programs, Korean language is not compulsory. However, for Korean taught courses or to apply for government scholarships like GKS, a TOPIK Level 3 or higher may be required.

The GKS scholarship covers Korean language training making it the most complete pathway for students who know no Korean at all. English taught programs at universities like KAIST, Yonsei UIC, Korea University GSIS, and SKKU are fully accessible with IELTS or TOEFL instead of TOPIK.

Daily life in Korea without Korean is manageable in campus areas and major cities with apps, English signage, and supportive international student offices. Learning even basic Hangul and key phrases before you arrive transforms the experience from manageable to genuinely comfortable.

The realistic message for Nepali students is this. Start Korean language learning now even if just at the Hangul level. Prepare IELTS or TOEFL for English taught programs. Research specific programs at studyinkorea.go.kr. Apply for GKS if your academic record is strong. The language barrier is real but it is not the wall it might seem from Nepal. Thousands of students are on the other side of it, studying successfully and building meaningful lives in Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions