General Education Reform in Foreign Studies Universities under Globalization: A Comparative Perspective from China and South Korea

Against the backdrop of higher education internationalisation, general education reform has become a crucial pathway for enhancing students’ comprehensive competencies and global employability. This study focuses on Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), examining their general education reform from a comparative education perspective. Drawing on literature analysis and case comparison, the research systematically investigates the institutional context, curriculum structure, and implementation approaches of both universities’ general education programs. It analyses similarities and differences across dimensions such as course offerings, interdisciplinary integration, teaching and assessment mechanisms, and international orientation. Findings indicate that BFSU emphasises the foundational role of general education within the undergraduate curriculum, fostering both language proficiency and broader competencies, whereas HUFS highlights practical engagement and international projects to cultivate global leadership and intercultural skills. Despite their differing emphases, both reform pathways reflect a shared trend of shifting general education from a knowledge-supplement model to a competency-oriented approach. The results provide comparative insights and practical implications for advancing the internationalisation of general education in foreign language universities.