Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
HUFS English scores
From the HUFS Spring 2027 undergraduate admission guide.pdf) and the Spring 2027 IMBA, MET and TESOL graduate guide_FNL.pdf).
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| English-track undergraduate majors (e.g. International Studies, Seoul) | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 3.5 (59 for reports issued before 20 Jan 2026) |
| IMBA, MET and TESOL graduate programmes | No minimum stated | Graduate School of TESOL: extra points and scholarship for IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 5.0 (100 before 21 Jan 2026) |
Accepted versions and exemptions
IELTS Academic and IELTS Online are accepted, but IELTS Indicator is not. TOEFL MyBest and Home Edition are accepted, TOEFL ITP is not. Scores must be valid on the application date.
Native speakers, citizens of countries where English is a legal official language, and applicants with at least 3 years of high school or university in an English-speaking country are exempt, unless they have since lived 2 or more years in a non-English-speaking country. HUFS follows the country list on the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Free test: are you at HUFS's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Interviews and double tracks
English-track applicants without proof of English are interviewed instead. Applicants choosing both an English-track and a Korean-track major must prove both languages.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one in the current HUFS application guide for your programme, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does HUFS need?+
IELTS 5.5 or above for English-track undergraduate majors in the Spring 2027 guide.
Is IELTS compulsory for HUFS?+
No. The score is optional for English-track applicants; those without one are interviewed.
Does HUFS accept IELTS Online?+
Yes. IELTS Academic and IELTS Online are accepted. IELTS Indicator is not.
What TOEFL does HUFS need?+
TOEFL iBT 3.5 on the new scale, or 59 for score reports issued before 20 January 2026. Home Edition is accepted.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in South Korea accepting IELTS 5.5
- IELTS for South Korea
- Kookmin University IELTS requirement
- Kyung Hee University IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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