This programme combines the study of East Asian languages with the study of 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… degree, there is more space to study East Asia-related courses in a range of disciplines. The 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.
The programme will be attractive both to students who wish to study East Asia-related subjects without a strong emphasis on language, and to students who wish to work at an advanced language level within a more traditional framework, as it is offered at most other universities.
Additionally, the nature of the Combined Honours Degree enables you to develop a specialist niche for yourself by studying another subject.
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
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 2020/21 entrants. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found in the Fees and Funding tab on this page or in the Registry Undergraduate Tuition Fees page
Dr Alan Cummings Convenor
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 |
AND EITHER
Students can take modules to the value of 45 credits from the Language module list or List A below.
OR
Students will take a 15 credit module from the Language module list or List A below.
AND
East Asian Civilisations (155901464) if not taken in Y1
AND
Students will choose modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
Students will take modules to the value of 45 from credits from the Language List and/or List B 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 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing from the Margins: Minority Voices in Modern Japanese Literature, 1945 to the Present | 155901427 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Murderers, Outlaws, and Magistrates in Traditional Chinese Literature | 155901459 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Modern Chinese Literary Texts | 155903013 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Trajectories of Modernity in Korean Literature | 155901390 | 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 |
| Chinese 5 | 155901409 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Ch 200 Intermediate Chinese | 155901467 | 30 | Full Year |
| 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 |
| J200: Intermediate Japanese | 155901215 | 60 | Full Year |
| 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 |
| K403: 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.
This programme does not have a year abroad.
All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 60, 45, 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.
Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.
Fees for 2020/21 entrants. The fees below are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.
| Programme | Full-Time | |
|---|---|---|
| UK/EU Students |
Overseas Students |
|
| BA, BSc, LLB | £9,250 | £18,630 |
| BA/BSc Language Year Abroad | £1,385 | £9,320 |
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 written and oral communication skills, attention to detail,analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
| Allen and Overy LLP BBC China-Eu School of Law ChinaContact Consulting Chinese University of Hong Kong Dah Sing Financial Holdings Ltd. Embassy of Belgium Foreign & Commonwealth Office German Embassy Tokyo Goldman Sachs International |
Halo Associates (Asia) Ltd Independent Power Corporation PLC Oxford University Press SiChuan WenJun Spirits Company the International Herald Tribune The University of Hong Kong United Nations Population Fund University of Cambridge Washington State House of Representatives |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
| Editor and Translator Under Secretary Director of Corporate Social Responsibility Solicitor Medical Secretary Press Attache Regional Chief of Photography Project Manager Economic Counsellor Lecturer |
Professional Translator Director of Research for China Social Worker Head, Asia Programme Photographer Professorial Research Associate Senior Lecturer in Chinese Archaeology Energy Consultant Independent Columnist and Reporter Art Curator |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
Hannah Kang, Georgetown UniversityBeing a city girl, I thought life in London wouldn’t be too much of a culture shock but it actually was! London is very different from cities like New York or Tokyo. It really is one of a kind.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.