SOAS University of London

Japan & Korea Section, Department of East Asian Languages & Culture

Graduate Destinations

A degree in the Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea from SOAS provides its students with competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. You will develop a familiarity with the region through a combination of the study of language, literature, history, cinema, politics, economics or law. Graduates leave SOAS with linguistic and cultural expertise along with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and 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.

Who do graduate work for?

SOAS Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea graduates have gone on to employment in a range of professional roles in both business and public sectors, such as national governments in many parts of the world, international organisations, and development agencies, educational  and cultural establishments, non-governmental organisations, and academia, various United Nations organisations, publishing and media organisations.

Destination of 2017 graduates (Undergraduates)

All undergraduate students are contacted 6 months after graduation to find out what they were doing - working, studying or something else, such as travelling.

Japan Undergraduate. 2017 graduates six months after completing their studies. In work 53%. Work and study 5%. Studying 29%. Other 13%.

Korea Undergraduate. 2017 graduates six months after completing their studies. In work 66%. Studying 17%. Other 17%.

Example employers:
  • Accenture
  • Daiwa Capital Markets Europe
  • European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea (EAHRNK)
  • Geffrye Musuem
  • Japanese Government
  • Korea Trade Centre (KOTRA)
  • KPMG
  • Mizuho Bank
  • Nagahama Board of Education
  • The Jet Programme
Example occupations:
  • Assistant Correspondent
  • Co-Ordinator of International Relations
  • Corporate Intelligence Investigator
  • Digital Strategy Consulting Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Game Master and Japanese Translator
  • Junior Broker Trader
  • Markets Relationship Manager
  • Trainee Immigration Adviser
  • Recruitment Co-Ordinator

Destinations of 2017 graduates (postgraduates)

All postgraduate students are contacted 6 months after graduation to find out what they were doing - working, studying or something else, such as travelling.

Japan Postgraduate. 2017 graduates six months after completing their studies. In work 70%. Work and study 7%. Other 22%
Korea Postgraduate. 2017 graduates six months after completing their studies. In work 20%. Studying 40%. Other 40%.
Example employers:
  • Bloomberg L.P
  • Korea University
  • National Portrait Gallery
  • Star Stable Entertainment AB
  • Storm Research
  • Transport for London (Art on the Underground)
  • Westkin Associates
  • Yonsei University
Example occupations:
  • Communications Officer
  • Early Childhood Development Intern
  • Financial Analyst
  • Freelance Japanese Translator
  • German Speaking Markets Manager
  • Lecturer / Head of Educational Department

What do Graduates do?

Job Profiles and Careers Information

Relevant Links