Is TOEIC accepted for 편입 (transfer admission) in Korea?

Many Korean universities accept an official English score including TOEIC for transfer, though some run their own English exam and requirements vary by school. Confirm the accepted tests and any minimum with the target university's admissions office.

What score do you need for graduate school (대학원 / 大学院)?

It depends on the program. Korean graduate schools often set a number (for example TOEIC 700 to 900 depending on school and track), while many Japanese graduate programs use TOEIC as part of the entrance exam without a published minimum. Check the specific graduate school.

Does the required score differ by university and department?

Yes, significantly, and it can differ even between departments of the same university. The examples on this page are program-specific and verified from official pages, but you must confirm the exact requirement for your target program and entry year.

What score should I aim for to be safe?

Because requirements vary, aiming for around 750 to 800 clears most graduate and graduation requirements seen here and keeps you competitive. If your target lists a higher track (like Hanyang GSIS 900), plan for that specifically.

How long does it take to reach a university target score?

It depends on your starting point, but focused study often adds around 100 points over a few months. Take a timed practice test first to find your baseline, then drill your weakest section.

How can I check my current level for free?

Take a free full TOEIC practice test for an estimated 10 to 990 score with AI feedback, then use the free score converter to see your CEFR band and how close you are to your target.

TOEIC® for university

What TOEIC score do you need for university?

Q: What TOEIC score do you need for university?

It varies by university, program and purpose. Real examples: Yonsei's Graduate School of Engineering asks for TOEIC 700 to graduate, Korea University's Graduate School uses TOEIC 800, and Hanyang's GSIS asks 900 or 750 depending on the language track. Many Japanese universities require TOEIC for graduate admission or placement without a fixed cutoff. Always confirm your specific school.

Q: Do Japanese universities require a fixed TOEIC score?

Often not a fixed cutoff. For example, Kyoto University's Graduate School of Science converts your TOEIC (L&R plus S&W) into exam points, Meiji's Graduate School of Information and Communication only requires that you submit a valid external test, and Ritsumeikan's College of Law uses a TOEIC IP test for class placement. So TOEIC matters, but as points or placement rather than a single minimum.

Q: Is a TOEIC IP test accepted?

It depends on the school. Some use TOEIC IP themselves for placement (for example Ritsumeikan), while others explicitly do not accept the IP test for admission (for example Meiji's graduate school). Check whether your target accepts the official public test, the IP test, or both.

Not a vague range, but the real requirements at named universities in Korea and Japan, with official sources. For transfer (편입), graduation, and graduate-school admission.

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How universities actually use TOEIC

There is no single university number. TOEIC is used differently depending on the school and purpose: as a graduation requirement, a transfer-admission (편입) score, a graduate entrance-exam component, or an English class-placement test. It is also usually one of several accepted tests (TOEFL, TEPS, IELTS). Below are real, verified examples, but always confirm your own program.

Korea: real examples (verified)

Korean graduate schools commonly set a specific TOEIC number as an English requirement. Note that Korea University abolished its mandatory undergraduate certified-English graduation requirement for 2016 and later entrants, so these are graduate-level figures.

700+ Yonsei · Grad. Engineering

TOEIC 700 or higher to satisfy the graduate foreign-language requirement (also accepts TOEFL iBT 61, New TEPS 264, OPIc IL, IELTS 6.0). Scores valid 2 years. Official source ↗

800 Korea Univ. · Graduate School

TOEIC 800 as the passing criterion for the graduate English requirement (also TOEFL iBT 80, TEPS 361, IELTS 6.0), for master's and doctoral students. Official source ↗

900 / 750 Hanyang · GSIS

By language track: TOEIC 900+ for the major-language track, 750+ for the second-language track (also TOEFL, TEPS, IELTS, TOEIC Speaking, OPIc). Submit within four semesters. Official source ↗

Japan: real examples (verified)

Japanese universities often use TOEIC without publishing a single fixed cutoff. Instead it is converted to exam points, required as a submission, or used to place you at your level.

Points Kyoto Univ. · Grad. Science

The master's entrance exam uses TOEIC in place of a written English test. Both L&R and Speaking & Writing are required, combined and converted to exam points on a CEFR-referenced scale. No fixed minimum. Official source ↗

Required Meiji Univ. · Grad. Info & Comm.

Submitting one external English certificate is mandatory for the graduate entrance exam; TOEIC L&R is accepted (the IP test is not), within the past 2 years. No fixed minimum score is published. Official source ↗

Placement Ritsumeikan · Law

All first-year students take a TOEIC L&R IP test that sorts them into four English levels for class placement, with a second test in December re-determining later levels. No pass/fail cutoff. Official source ↗

Each example is program-specific and quoted from the university's official page (linked). Requirements and accepted tests vary by university, department and entry year, and can change, so always confirm with your target program before relying on a number.

So what should you actually aim for?

750–800 covers most

A score in this range clears most graduate and graduation requirements seen above and keeps you competitive for transfer. A sensible default target.

900 high-track programs

If your target lists a top track (like Hanyang GSIS major-language), plan specifically for the higher number well ahead of the deadline.

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