This study aimed to analyze the perceived needs of L2 postgraduate engineering students in relation to sociocultural behaviours in an EFL context. Semi-structured interviews were administered in order to examine the perceptions of Korean postgraduate engineering students themselves and subject lecturers in Korea. The research indicated that participants tended to be concerned about their own academic culture in the following four aspects: (1) reluctance to present ideas and arguments; (2) hierarchical relationships between lecturers and students; (3) different study and research approaches; and (4) failure to recognize cultural problems. Considering the sociocultural demands in a global academic community leads to the conclusion that Korean students should be expected to have critical awareness and flexibility in their academic lives. Implications of the findings for effective English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programmes for Korean engineering students are discussed.