The BA East Asian Studies combined degree programme blends the study of both East Asian languages and East Asia-related subjects in various disciplines. Compared to the existing single-subject BA East Asian Studies degree, there is less emphasis on language learning. Compared to the existing 2-degree BA Chinese/Japanese/Korean and… (combined) degree, there is more space to study East Asia-related courses in a range of disciplines. This programme also differs from the existing offerings in that there is no year abroad included.
Through the course of the three years, students take modules in modern East Asian languages at the appropriate level. They can start as complete beginners, or they can start from higher levels. Progression through a total of four levels is offered, whereas for those who exceed the highest level, language-based courses in literature and film, as well as a language-based dissertation, are available. The programme also offers courses in regional languages.
See Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
The nature of the East Asian Studies combined honours degree enables you to develop a specialist niche for yourself by studying another subject such as Development Studies, Economics, History, History of Art, International Relations, Law, Linguistics, Music, Politics, Social Anthropology, World Philosophies.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Email: eastasia@soas.ac.uk
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Fees for 2021/22 entrants per academic year
Please note that fees go up each year. Further details see 'Fees and funding' (tab on this page) or the Registry's undergraduate tuition fees page.
Dr Alan Cummings Convenor
Please see the Unistats data for the various combinations of this programme under the Combinations tab.
Click on a combined programme to load KIS data
Students take a total of 120 credits each year.
Students will take 60 East Asian Studies credits
Students can take a 60 credit module from the Language module list below.
NB Students may take the 60 credit language in year 1 only. This will enable them to transfer to the language programme and go on a year abroad.
OR
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits form the Language module list below
AND
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Asian Civilizations | 155901464 | 30 | Full Year |
AND
Students will choose modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
Students will take the compulsory module:
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Asian Imperialisms | 155901481 | 15 | Term 2 |
Students must take modules to the total value of 45 credits from List A / Language List below.
AND
Students will choose modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
Students must take modules to the total value of 45 from credits from List B and/or Language list below.
AND
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| History and Memory in East Asian Cultures | 155903015 | 15 | Term 2 |
AND
Students will choose modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Chinese Society | 155901478 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Contemporary Japanese Society | 155901479 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Contemporary Korean Society | 155901480 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese Cinema (UG) | 155901476 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Writing from the Margins: Voices of change in Modern Japanese Literature | 155901427 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Trajectories of Modernity in Korean Literature and Film | 155901390 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Literature, Politics and National Identity in Modern China | 155903017 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Modernity, Nation and Identity in Japanese History (1853-1945) | 155900882 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Culture and Society of Taiwan | 155903020 | 15 | Term 1 |
| The Other Korea: North Korea since 1945 | 155901356 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch 100: Elementary Chinese | 155901440 | 60 | Full Year |
| Chinese 1 A | 155906022 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Chinese 1 B | 155906023 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Chinese 2 | 155900829 | 30 | Full Year |
| Chinese 3 | 155901097 | 30 | Full Year |
| Chinese 4 | 155901144 | 30 | Full Year |
| Ch 200 Intermediate Chinese | 155901467 | 30 | Full Year |
| Ch 400: Advanced Chinese | 155901468 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Chinese for Business | 155903010 | 15 | Term 2 |
| J100: Elementary Japanese | 155901195 | 60 | Full Year |
| Japanese 1 A | 155906026 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Japanese 1 B | 155906027 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Japanese 2 | 155900875 | 30 | Full Year |
| Japanese 3 | 155901345 | 30 | Full Year |
| Japanese 4 | 155901346 | 30 | Full Year |
| J400: Advanced Japanese | 155901470 | 15 | Term 1 |
| J401: Japanese-English Translation | 155901471 | 15 | Term 2 |
| K100: Elementary Korean | 155900842 | 60 | Full Year |
| Korean 1 A | 155906028 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Korean 1 B | 155906029 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Korean 2 | 155901404 | 30 | Full Year |
| Korean 3 | 155900843 | 30 | Full Year |
| K200 Intermediate Korean | 155901472 | 30 | Full Year |
| K400: Advanced Korean | 155901473 | 15 | Term 1 |
| K401: Korean-English Translation | 155901414 | 15 | Term 2 |
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 60, 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are taught over one term or the full year. It also shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional.
As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.
More information is on the page for each module.
The BA East Asian Studies and... (combined) degree programme does not have a year abroad.
SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.
Fees for 2021/22 entrants per academic year
| Programme | Full-Time | |
|---|---|---|
| UK Students |
Overseas Students |
|
|
BA, BSc, LLB |
£9,250 |
£19,560 |
| BA/BSc Language year abroad | £1,385 | £9,780 |
Please note that fees go up each year.
For full details of undergraduate tuition fees, see our Registry's undergraduate tuition fees page.
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
As a graduate who specialised in East Asia, you will have gained competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a study of language in combination with literature, development studies, economics, geography, history, history of art and archaeology, law, linguistics, music, politics, social anthropology or religion.
Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector. These include:
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
The types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
Find out more on our Careers Service website
Antoni SlodkowskiIt’s a melting pot of languages and cultures where your eyes open to new things you might have never heard about on a daily basis.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.