BA Korean and ...

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

In recent years Korean studies has developed into a viable and multi-faceted scholarly discipline. SOAS is committed to ensuring that, as the major centre for African and Asian studies in the UK, it provides an environment in which the full range of Korean studies can be consolidated and encouraged to expand further.

Degree Profile

The combined honours degree in Korean aims to provide the student with the highest level of competence in all aspects of the written and spoken language and a high level of competence in their second subject.  Korean can be combined with a range of disciplines.

All students on the BA Korean and ... spend year two in South Korea at Korea University or Sogang University, both in Seoul. 

Key Information Set Data

The information for BA, BSc, or LLB programmes refer to data taken from the single subject degrees offered at SOAS; however, due to the unique nature of our programmes many subjects have a separate set of data when they are studied alongside another discipline.  In order to get a full picture of their chosen subject(s) applicants are advised to look at both sets of information where these occur.

Please note that the BA Korean and ... will undergo a structural reform for 2018/19. The number of compulsory modules in year 1 will be cut back to 2, allowing for better balance with the second subject.

May be combined with:

• Chinese (Modern and Classical), TTC4 BA/KOCH
• Development Studies, TL49 BA/KODVS
• Economics, LTCL BA/KOEC
• English, QT32
• Geography **, LT7L BA/KOGE
• History, TVL1 BA/KOH
• History of Art/Archaeology, VT34 BA/HAAK
• Indonesian, TT34 BA/KOI
• International Relations, LT24 BA/IRK
• Japanese, TTG4 BA/KOJ
• 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

** Taught at King’s College London

Key Information Set data

Click on a combined programme to load KIS data

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 at Korea University or Sogang University in Seoul, 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.

Students need to take a minimum of 240 credits in Korean modules, and 150 credits in their other subjects.

Please note that the BA Korean and ... will undergo a structural reform for 2018/19. The number of compulsory modules in year 1 will be cut back to 2, allowing for better balance with the second subject.

(For information on the Korean degree structure for BA Chinese & Korean or BA Japanese & Korean, please see attached document).

Students must take a total of 120 credits each year.

1st Year

Core Module

Other Module

Choose 30 credits from the syllabus of the second subject.

2nd Year- Year Abroad

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

3rd Year

Compulsory Language Modules

Choose at least 30 credits of Korean Language modules from the list below.

Other Subject

The remaining credits are taken from the other subject as required. Students may also choose to take Korean modules from the list of Korean Options (Years 3 and 4) below or up to 30 credits of an open option, as long as this fits with the requirements for the other half or their degree.

4th Year

Compulsory Language Module

Choose 30 credits of Korean language modules from the following list.

Other Subject

The remaining credits are taken from the other subject as required. Students may also choose to take Korean modules from the list of Korean Options (Years 3 and 4) below or up to 30 credits of an open option, as long as this fits with the requirements for the other half or their degree.

Korean Module Options (Year 3 and 4)

In addition to the Korean language module listed above, students may also take the following modules as long it fits with the requirements for the other half of their degree.

Modules taught in other Departments, which count as Korean credits

Before selecting a module, student's must first check that the module is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any pre-requisites.

Compulsory Modules

The module below is compulsory.

Programme Specification

• BA Korean and X Specifications 13/14 (msword; 123kb)

Disclaimer

Year abroad

Compulsory Language Year Abroad in Korea

Students will be required to enrol in the Korean Regular Course each term for three terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter sessions), fulfil coursework requirements and sit the local examinations at the Korean partner university. Students will also be required to write and submit a Year Abroad Project (an essay of approximately 5,000-10,000 words) upon their return, but no later than 1 September. The project can be on any topic related to Korea, and students can consult different subject tutors for reading suggestions and advice if so required.

(NB: BA Chinese/Japanese and Korean students spend their year abroad in China and Japan respectively, not in Korea.)

Language Year Abroad participants pay reduced tuition fees to SOAS, not to the host universities. Students are advised to pay their SOAS tuition fees before going to Korea.  All queries related to SOAS fees should be addressed to the Registry. However, some host universities require a deposit that all students need to pay in order to register for the Korean language course. This will be returned when students meet the minimum requirement of 80% attendance with a passing grade of 70%.

Average expenses/cost of living is approximately KRW1,200,000~2,000,000 per month. The actual costs can differ depending on the student’s lifestyle. Also, the living expenses indicated on the Certificate of Admission or required by each Korean Embassy for visa issuance could differ from this amount, depending on the requirements of the individual embassy.

Currently, the Korean embassy in London allows an exemption from a proof of financial affordability for student visa applicants who are undertaking their Year Abroad in certain universities including the SOAS partner universities (Korea University, Seoul National University, Sogang University). Students are advised to check the most up to date information about visa issuance at http://gbr.mofa.go.kr/engli sh/eu/gbr/visa/issuance/index. jsp. 

Teaching & Learning

Department Teaching Quality Assessment Score: 23/24
Research Assessment Exercise Score: 5

Most modules are taught in small classes. Modern language teaching involves classroom work and independent study. A few non-language modules are taught by formal lecture. The single and combined degree programmes are examined through oral and written examinations and coursework or reports.

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

Full details of undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the Registry's Undergraduate Tuition Fees page.

Fees for 2017/18 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

As a graduate who specialised in Korean, 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.

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 the region, or to make comparative study with other areas. The study of Korean may be combined with a huge range of other disciplines. For more information on the extra skills you will gain from your second subject, please see the relevant  departmental page.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

• How to Apply
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