Please note that this BA programme will undergo a structural reform for 2019/20. Although the overall scope and learning outcomes will remain mostly unchanged, there may be minor changes to the core module and the selection of guided options. These changes are designed to improve the student experience and engagement with the subject matter, based on feedback from current and previous students.

From the study of pre-modern Korean literature and history, to contemporary Korean cinema and TV. The BA Korean Combined Honours Degree 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, and is suitable for both absolute beginners as well as those with some knowledge of the Korean language. Students will spend the second year of study in Korea furthering language proficiency and understanding of the local business practices and culture. Additionally, the nature of the Combined Honours Degree will allow you to create a specialist niche for yourself by studying another subject. All students will spend year two in South Korea at Korea University or Sogang University. 

What subjects can you combine it with?

Other disciplines -  Development Studies, Economics, Geography, History of Art/ Archaeology, International Relations, Linguistics, Music, Politics, Study of Religions, Social Anthropology, World Philosophies.

Languages – Chinese Studies, Indonesian, Japanese Studies

Why SOAS?

• SOAS is unique as the only higher education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Asia
• we are specialists in the delivery of more that forty African and Asian languages. Your command of a language will set you apart from graduates of other universities
• you will not only learn the essential language skills but also an in depth understanding of the region’s culture

Apply now via UCAS or visit our upcoming Open Day. 

Find out more about how to apply.

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

May be combined with:

• Chinese Studies,
• Development Studies, TL49 BA/KODVS
• Economics, LTCL BA/KOEC
• English, QT32
• History, TVL1 BA/KOH
• History of Art/Archaeology, VT34 BA/HAAK
• International Relations, LT24 BA/IRK
• Japanese Studies, TT42
• Law, MTDL BA/LWKO
• Linguistics, QTCJ BA/KOLG
• Music, TWLJ BA/MSKO
• Politics, LTFL BA/POLKO
• Social Anthropology, LTPL BA/SAKO
• Study of Religions, TVLP BA/SRKO
• World Philosophies, T431

Key Information Set data

Click on a combined programme to load KIS data

Students take 120 credits per year. Throughout the 4-years students need to take a minimum of 240 credits in Korean modules, and 150 credits in their other subjects. In the first year, students concentrate on language study complemented by introductory modules on Korean history and culture.They are required to spend their second year abroad in Korea, where they focus on intensive language training which is essential to any further study of the subject. The third and fourth years are devoted to applying and furthering their language skills through modules that involve reading and analysing advanced texts and literary works, through which they gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture and society.

Year 1

Students with no previous knowledge of Korean

Students with no previous knowledge of Korean take the following modules in their first year:

Core Module

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from the syllabus of the second subject

Year 1

Students with previous knowledge of Korean

Students with previous knowledge of Korean will instead take the following modules:

AND

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from the syllabus of the second subject

Year 2 (Year Abroad)

For more information on the year abroad in Korea, please see the Teaching & Learning tab.

Year 3

Compulsory Language Module

Choose a module(s) from List A at Level K300 below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from List A (at Level K300) or List B below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from the syllabus of the second subject

Year 4

Compulsory Language Module

Choose a module(s) from List A at Level K400 below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Choose a module(s) from List A (K400 level) or List B below to the value of 30 credits

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from the syllabus of the second subject

List of Modules (subject to availability)

List A (Year 3 Language Modules)

List A (Year 4 Language Modules)

List B (Non-Language Modules)

Programme Specification

• BA Korean and... Programme Specificatioon (pdf; 398kb)

Important notice

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

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.

Further Information

Modules are taught through a combination of lectures and tutorials, usually one hour a week of each. Sometimes, one follows the other in a two-hour bloc. Sometimes, the tutorial is at a different time or on a different day than the lecture.

Lectures are led by an academic while tutorials are sessions in which students are expected to present reports and take a lead in discussions.

Depending on the size of the class, some intermediate and advanced level modules are less strictly divided between a formal lecture and a tutorial discussion, and instead, the topic is briefly introduced by the lecturer, followed by a seminar discussion. Advanced level modules, which are usually taught in one two-hour bloc, often take this format.

The assessment procedures involve coursework assignments, tests and unseen examinations. They provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the content and systems taught in lectures, tutorials and the literature.

The Independent Study Project (ISP)

These can be taken by final-year students only. Like the Special Subject dissertation, its aim is to provide an opportunity for students to conduct original historical research on their own initiative, to engage in in-depth analysis of particular subjects and to use a range of primary historical sources. It too involves no formal classes and is assessed by a single 10,000-word dissertation (including notes but excluding bibliography).

Learning Resources

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.

Year Abroad (LYA)

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 LYA.

Tuition Fees

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. 

Scholarships

For further details and information on external scholarships visit the Scholarships section

Studying this programme will provide students with competency in Korean language skills as well as intercultural awareness and understanding. Choosing to study a joint degree programme will increase the breadth of your knowledge, and will develop additional skills with which to further your studies of Japan, or to make comparative study with other areas. 

Skills gained include:

• a familiarity with the region through a combination of the study of language and culture
• communication and presentation skills
• analytical skills
• the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources

Graduates from the Department leave SOAS not only with language 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.

Find out more about Languages and Cultures of Japan and Korea Destinations

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

• Bloomberg L.P
• British High Commission
• British Council Seoul
• Deloitte Management Consulting Ltd.
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Korea Trade Organisation
• Korea Broadcasting Corporation
• Oxford University
• The British Embassy
• The British Museum
• Wall Street Associates

Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:

• Financial Analyst
• Head of Production
• US Marketing Executive
• Senior Research Executive
• Director of Development and Alumni Relations
• Project Leader, Strategic Planning
• Solicitor
• Architect
• Interactive Designer
• Freelance Korean Translator

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
• Request a prospectus
• Got a question - use our enquiry form (opens a new window)
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts