Graduation requirements in Korea are set by each university, college, department, and sometimes by the student’s year of admission. Students usually need to complete a minimum number of total credits, required major and general education courses, minimum GPA standards, and any department-specific requirements. International students may also need to satisfy Korean or English language requirements.
Being admitted to a Korean university is only the beginning of a four-year academic plan.
To graduate, you must satisfy the specific requirements established by your university, college, department, and sometimes your year of admission.
These requirements can include total credits, required major courses, general education, GPA, language proficiency, a thesis or graduation project, and other department-specific conditions.
There is no single graduation checklist that applies to every Korean university.
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There Is No Single National Graduation Credit Requirement
Korean universities set their own undergraduate graduation requirements.
Even within the same university, the number of required credits can differ by college or department.
For example, Seoul National University currently states that undergraduate students generally need at least 130 total credits, including at least 36 general education credits and 39 major credits, while also satisfying the requirements of their college and department.
Korea University also lists 130 credits as its general undergraduate requirement, but some programs require more. Its current requirements list 140 credits for the College of Education and some engineering programs, 165 for Architecture, and higher totals for several professional programs.
This is why international students should never assume that ‘130 credits’ is a universal Korean rule.
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Yonsei Also Shows How Requirements Differ by College
Yonsei University’s published undergraduate regulations show that graduation credit requirements vary by college and department.
Examples include 126 credits for several colleges and international programs, while other departments and professional programs use different totals. Yonsei also emphasizes that requirements can depend on the student’s year of admission.
Always check the curriculum and graduation table for your own admission year.
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Total Credits Are Only the First Requirement
Completing the required total number of credits does not automatically mean you can graduate.
Those credits must usually be distributed correctly.
Your degree may require:
General education / major required courses / major electives / first-year courses / graduation-designated courses / free electives
A student can have enough total credits and still be unable to graduate because one required course or category is missing.
Do not plan your degree by counting total credits alone.
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Major Requirements Matter
Every major establishes courses or credit groups that students must complete.
Some departments have required introductory courses, while others require advanced seminars, laboratories, design courses, internships, or capstone projects.
Certain required courses may be offered only once per year.
If you postpone them too long and then fail or cannot register, your graduation could be delayed by an entire semester or academic year.
Review your major curriculum from your first year.
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General Education Requirements
Korean universities usually require students to complete general education courses in addition to their major.
These may include writing, communication, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, science, foreign languages, computing, or university-specific core courses.
The required categories can matter as much as the total number of general education credits.
A random elective may give you credit but still fail to satisfy a particular graduation category.
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Minimum GPA Requirements
Universities also establish minimum academic performance requirements.
Seoul National University currently requires undergraduate graduation candidates to have at least a 2.0 GPA overall and at least 2.0 in the relevant major, multiple major, minor, or combined major areas under its regulations.
Korea University currently lists an overall GPA of at least 1.75 among its basic graduation requirements.
These examples show that minimum GPA rules differ by university.
A scholarship may require a much higher GPA than the minimum needed simply to graduate.
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TOPIK and Language Requirements for International Students
International students should check language requirements separately.
The Korean government’s Study in Korea platform currently gives TOPIK Level 4 or higher as the general graduation benchmark for regular Korean-taught university degree programs.
However, Study in Korea also states that actual language requirements vary by university or department.
English-taught programs may use different English or Korean requirements.
Do not assume that the TOPIK level required for admission is automatically enough for graduation.
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Some Programs Require Higher Language Levels
A university or department can establish requirements above the general benchmark.
Students may need to submit a valid TOPIK result, complete designated Korean courses, satisfy an English requirement, or meet another language certification standard.
Special programs can also use their own rules.
Check this during your first year rather than waiting until your final semester to discover that you still need a language test.
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Your TOPIK Score Can Expire
TOPIK results are valid for a limited period.
If your university requires a valid score at the time you submit your graduation qualification, an old score may no longer be usable.
Check both the university rule and your TOPIK score validity date.
If another test is required, schedule it early enough to receive the result before the graduation deadline.
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Graduation Thesis, Project, Exam, or Practical Assessment
Some departments require more than coursework.
Possible graduation requirements include:
Thesis / capstone project / comprehensive examination / laboratory report / practical performance / portfolio / graduation exhibition
Seoul National University, for example, states that undergraduate graduation can include approval of a graduation thesis, general examination, practical presentation, or equivalent evaluation depending on the program.
The specific format is determined by the relevant college or department.
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Not Every Major Requires a Traditional Thesis
The phrase ‘graduation thesis’ can be misleading because departments use different forms of final assessment.
An engineering program may require a capstone design project.
An arts program may require an exhibition or performance.
Another department may use an examination or report.
Check what your own department means by its graduation assessment and when you need to begin preparing.
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Double Majors and Minors Add Requirements
If you complete a double major, minor, interdisciplinary major, or another additional academic program, you will need to satisfy the credit requirements for that program as well.
The additional major can change how many credits you need in each field and which required courses must be completed.
Do not assume that every course automatically counts toward both majors.
Ask for an official degree audit or curriculum check before your final year.
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Changing Majors Can Change Your Graduation Plan
Changing your major can affect previously completed credits.
Some courses may continue to count as general electives, while others may no longer satisfy your new major requirements.
If you change majors, calculate your remaining graduation requirements immediately.
The most important question is not only how many credits you already earned, but how many of those credits apply to the new degree structure.
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Transfer Students Need a Separate Credit Check
Transfer students should pay particular attention to graduation requirements.
Credits recognized from your previous university can reduce the amount of coursework you need, but they may not replace specific required courses at the Korean university.
A third-year transfer student therefore may not always graduate after exactly two more years.
Credit recognition and graduation requirements are separate issues.
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Pass/Fail Courses May Still Matter
Some graduation requirements use pass/fail courses that do not significantly affect the numerical GPA.
Examples can include university orientation courses, volunteer activities, career programs, ethics training, or other institution-specific requirements.
Korea University, for example, currently includes completion of Human Rights and Gender Equality Education among its basic undergraduate graduation requirements.
A requirement can therefore be essential even when it carries little or no ordinary academic credit.
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Graduation Requirements Can Depend on Your Admission Year
Universities revise curricula over time.
A student admitted in 2026 may not have exactly the same graduation requirements as a student admitted in 2023.
Yonsei University explicitly notes that graduation requirements can differ according to admission year and department.
Save or bookmark the official curriculum for your own admission year.
Do not rely entirely on a senior student’s checklist.
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Scholarship Requirements Are Different from Graduation Requirements
Do not confuse the minimum standard for graduation with the standard required to maintain a scholarship.
For example, a university might allow graduation with a relatively low minimum GPA while an international scholarship requires a substantially higher semester or cumulative GPA.
Scholarships may also require a minimum number of completed credits, TOPIK level, or other conditions.
Track the two sets of requirements separately.
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Check Graduation Requirements Every Semester
A simple semester-by-semester review can prevent serious problems.
After grades are released, check:
Total credits earned / major credits / general education categories / required courses completed / current GPA / language requirement / additional major requirements / graduation project progress
Then compare your record with the official curriculum.
Do not wait until your final year for the first complete review.
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Use the University Degree Audit System If Available
Many universities provide a portal function that helps students review graduation progress.
These systems can be useful, but if something appears unclear, confirm it with your department office.
The department’s official academic guidance is more reliable than calculations made by friends or unofficial online communities.
International students should ask for clarification early when a requirement is difficult to understand.
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Your Final Year Needs Extra Attention
At the beginning of your final year, conduct a complete graduation audit.
Confirm:
Remaining required courses / expected total credits / GPA / TOPIK or other language certification / thesis or project / graduation application / additional major requirements
Also check whether a required course will actually be offered in your final semester.
If it is only offered once per year, missing it can delay graduation.
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Graduation Application May Be Required
Completing all courses does not always trigger graduation automatically.
Universities can require students to submit a graduation application or complete a graduation review process.
Seoul National University’s current regulations, for example, include submission of a graduation application within the university’s specified period as part of the graduation process.
Check the administrative steps and deadlines during your final semester.
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Can You Graduate Early?
Some universities allow eligible students to graduate before completing the standard eight semesters.
Early graduation normally requires all degree requirements to be completed and may impose a much higher GPA standard.
For example, Yonsei University’s August 2026 early-graduation notice required at least six completed semesters and a cumulative GPA of 3.75/4.3 for most eligible students, along with completion of all graduation requirements.
Early graduation is an exception rather than the normal path and rules vary by university.
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A Practical Graduation Checklist
Before your final semester, confirm:
Minimum total credits / general education requirements / major required courses / major elective credits / minimum GPA / TOPIK or English requirement / thesis, project, exam, or portfolio / double-major or minor requirements / graduation application / outstanding administrative requirements
If every item is confirmed through official university information, you are much less likely to face an unexpected graduation delay.
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FAQ
How many credits do I need to graduate from a Korean university?
There is no single national number. Many four-year programs require around 126 to 135 credits, but the exact requirement depends on the university and major. Some professional programs require substantially more.
Is 130 credits the standard in Korea?
It is common at several universities, including the general undergraduate requirements currently published by Seoul National University and Korea University, but it is not universal.
Do international students need TOPIK to graduate?
For regular Korean-taught degree programs, Study in Korea currently gives TOPIK Level 4 or higher as a general graduation benchmark. Individual university and department rules can differ.
Can I graduate if I have enough total credits but missed one required course?
Possibly not. Required major, general education, or department-designated courses must generally be completed even when your total credit count is high enough.
Do all Korean university students write a graduation thesis?
No. Departments may use a thesis, project, examination, practical performance, portfolio, or another graduation assessment.
Does a double major require additional credits?
Usually yes. You must satisfy the requirements of the additional major according to your university’s rules.
Can transfer students graduate after two years in Korea?
Not automatically. The answer depends on recognized transfer credits, required courses, prerequisites, and the new university’s graduation requirements.
Can graduation requirements change?
Curricula can change, but universities generally specify requirements according to admission year. Check the regulations that apply to your cohort.
When should I check my graduation requirements?
Start in your first year and review them every semester. Conduct a complete graduation audit before your final year.
What is the safest way to confirm my requirements?
Use your university’s official curriculum and degree-audit system and confirm unclear items with your department office.
