Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

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.

We are unique in the breadth and depth of our regional specialisation and are home to the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe. The degree aims to serve both students with minimal Korean language expertise and also students who already have more advanced Korean language skills. Students have the opportunity to study Korean culture in depth, along with the study of Korean language.

Our rich and diversified expertise allows you to gain focused knowledge in the regions of your interest, both in their classical traditions as well as their contemporary developments, together with more or less intensive study of their languages.

Additionally, the nature of the Combined Honours Degree enables you to develop a specialist niche for yourself by studying another subject.

What subjects can you combine it with?

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

Languages – Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese, Japanese Studies

Why study Korean Studies Combined Honours at SOAS?

• we are home to the largest concentration of Korean specialists in Europe
• you will receive an appropriate level of training in Korean language. We are specialists in the delivery of languages, your command of which 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 covering subjects from literature, history, cinema, and politics
• the combined honours programme allows you to develop a specialist niche alongside your Korean Studies degree by utilising the global expertise of one of our other departments

Apply now via UCAS or visit our upcoming Open Day.

Find out more about how to apply.

Find out more on our Japan and Korea department page.

May be combined with:

• Chinese (Modern and Classical)
• Development Studies
• Economics
• History
• History of Art/Archaeology
• Indonesian
• International Relations
• Japanese
• Japanese Studies
• Linguistics
• Music
• Politics
• Social Anthropology
• Study of Religions
• World Philosophies

Key Information Set data

Click on a combined programme to load KIS data

Students take 120 credits per year composed of core and optional modules, which allows for students to design their own intellectual journey while maintaining a strong grasp of the fundamentals. Students take 60 credits of Korean Studies, and the remaining 60 credits from their other subject in each year.

Year 1

Core Modules

Compulsory Module

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

AND

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from second subject

Year 2

Core Module

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

AND

Optional Module

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

AND

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from second subject

Year 3

Optional Module

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

AND

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

AND

Second Subject

Students take 60 credits from second subject

List of Modules (subject to availability)

List A (Language Modules)

Available to students depending on their language ability and subject to prerequisites (if any).

List B (Non-Language based modules)

Before selecting a module, students must first check that the module is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any prerequisites.

Programme Specification

• BA Korean Studies and... Programme Specification 2018/19 (pdf; 174kb)

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.

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 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.

Tuition Fees

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

Fees for 2019/20 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 Korean, 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 Tokyo
• Deloitte Management Consulting Ltd.
• Foreign & Commonwealth Office
• Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International
• NHK-Japan 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
• HM Ambassador to Japan
• Freelance Japanese 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