Overview and entry requirements
The BA Korean programme provides students with the highest level of competence in all aspects of the written and spoken language, as well as an introduction to both classical and modern Korean culture - from the study of pre-modern Korean literature and history, to contemporary Korean cinema and TV. The BA Korean is suitable for both absolute beginners as well as those with some knowledge of the Korean language.
Students will spend the third year of study in Korea furthering language proficiency and understanding of the local business practices and culture.
See Japan and Korea Department
Why study Korean at SOAS
- UK Top 10 in the 2021 QS World University Rankings for Modern Languages
- we are home to the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe
- gain essential language skills but also an in-depth understanding of the region’s culture covering subjects from literature, history, cinema, and politics
- spend your third year in Korea furthering language and cultural proficiency
- flexibly structure your programme using our central options modules to take advantage of the expertise of our other departments
Explore
Programme Code: T415 BA/K
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Email: eastasia@soas.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- duration:
- 4 years
Fees 2022/23
Fees for 2022/23 entrants per academic year
- UK fees:
- £9,250
- Overseas fees:
- £20,350
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.
Structure
Students take 120 credits per year composed of core and guided modules, which allows for students to design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals.
- Year 1: students concentrate on language study complemented by introductory modules on history and culture and academic writing skills.
- Year 2: students will take further modules on language and history/culture.
- Year 3: From 2021, the third year will be spent abroad at Korea University or Sogang University in Seoul, where the focus is on intensive language training which is essential to any further study of the subject.
- Year 4: students will further their language skills and take modules in history/stroke culture and write an independent study project.
Programme
Year 1
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to progress to the following year of study.
*Lifeboat Option: If a student is struggling with K100, they will move to Korean 1B (155906029) in the 2nd semeseter & write an extended essay (155901421), then move to the BA East Asian Studies Programme
Compulsory Modules
Students must take the modules below:
Year 2
Core Module
This module must be passed in order to progress into the following year of study.
Compulsory Modules
Students must take the modules below
Guided Option
Choose a module from Year 2 - List A to the value of 15 credits.
AND
Choose modules from Year 2 - List A or Central options (at the relevant FHEQ level for your academic year of study) to the value of 30 credits.
Year 3
Year 3 of this programme is normally spent on your Year Abroad. For information on the year abroad in Korea, please see the Teaching & Learning tab.
Year 4
Compulsory Modules
Students must take the modules below
Guided Module
Choose a module(s) from Year 4 - List A to the value of 30 credits.
AND
Guided Options
Choose modules from Year 4 - List A/List B or Central options to the value of 30 credits.
Year 2 - List A Guided option modules
FHEQ Level 5
Year 4 - List A Guided option modules
Year 4 - List B Guided Option Modules
FHEQ Level 6
List B Language Modules
Programme Specification
Important notice
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.
Teaching & Learning
Modern language teaching involves classroom work and independent study. A few non-language modules are taught through a formal lecture. The single and combined degree programmes are examined through oral and written examinations and coursework or reports.
Contact hours
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.
Year abroad
Students will be required to enrol in the Korean Regular Course for three terms, sit and pass the local examinations at the Korean partner university. Students will also be required to complete a particular level by the end of the Language Year Abroad (LYA).
SOAS Library
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.
Tuition fees
Fees for 2022/23 entrants per academic year
| Programme |
Full-Time |
UK
Students |
Overseas
Students |
|
BA, BSc, LLB
|
£9,250
|
£20,350 |
| BA/BSc Language year abroad |
£1,385 |
£10,175 |
Please note that fees go up each year.
For full details of undergraduate tuition fees, see our Registry's undergraduate tuition fees page.
Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2020-04-30 15:00
For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section
Employment
Graduates from the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures develop competencies in intercultural awareness, analysis and communication. Demand for specialists with advanced proficiency in the languages of China, Japan and Korea has significantly increased in recent years, and graduates with these skills are highly sought after by employers.
Recent Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures graduates have been hired by organisations including:
- Accenture
- Amazon
- Bloomberg LP
- Department for Work and Pensions
- European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea
- European Commission
- Google
- ITN
- Japanese Government
- Korea Trade Centre (KOTRA)
- KPMG
- Mizuho Bank
- Nagahama Board of Education
- Nanjing Museum
- Pinsent Masons LLP
- PwC
- Seoul Metropolitan Government
- Shelterbox
- UNDP
Find out about our Careers Service.
A Student's Perspective
The best thing about my time here is that there has been a huge improvement in my language skills and I have become more aware of people from various backgrounds.
Alice Yuen
