Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
PNU language requirements
From PNU's undergraduate and graduate admissions pages for international students:
| Applicant | English route | Korean route |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Department of Global Studies | TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 5.5, New TEPS 326 | TOPIK not compulsory |
| Undergraduate, other departments | Not a substitute for Korean | TOPIK 3 or PNU Language Education Institute level 3; the table also lists TOPIK 4 for many departments and TOPIK 5 for Business Administration and Nursing |
| Undergraduate, School of Computer Science and Engineering | TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 5.5 or New TEPS 326 (or native speaker) | Plus TOPIK 3 or PNU level 3 |
| Graduate | TOEFL iBT 80 (not ITP), IELTS 5.5, New TEPS 326, TOEIC 675 | TOPIK 3; or an exemption letter from supervisor or dean |
Who is exempt
For Global Studies, the English score rule does not apply to applicants from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or South Africa. Graduate applicants from those seven countries are also exempt, but must submit a language certificate if they apply for a first-semester international student scholarship.
Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian and Bangladeshi graduate applicants are not on that list, so they need a score, TOPIK, or the exemption letter (Form 3) signed by their prospective supervisor or the dean.
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Score validity
PNU recognises language scores only if they are valid on the application deadline. Graduate applicants' degrees must come from a university accredited by the education ministry of the home country. PNU does not list Duolingo or PTE.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your PNU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Pusan National University (PNU) 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 Pusan National University need?+
IELTS 5.5 for the Department of Global Studies and for graduate applicants using English.
Can I study at PNU in English without TOPIK?+
For undergraduates, only in the Department of Global Studies. Other departments require TOPIK.
Does PNU accept TOEFL ITP?+
No. Graduate admissions accept TOEFL iBT 80 but not TOEFL ITP.
Is there an IELTS waiver at PNU?+
Applicants from seven native English-speaking countries are exempt, and graduate applicants can submit an exemption letter from their supervisor or dean.
Keep reading
Related
- Ewha Womans University IELTS requirement
- Seoul National University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for South Korea
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 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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